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US-3873996-A | Articulated head and neck protector apparatus | United States Patent Varteressian Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 ARTICULATED HEAD AND NECK PROTECTOR APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Levon Antoine Varteressian, 9018 Timberside Dr., Houston, Tex. 77025 [22] Filed: July 5, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 486,139
[52] US. Cl 2/3 R [51] Int. Cl A42b l/08 [58] Field of Search 2/2, 3 R
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,136,307 4/1915 Bourdon 2/2 3.189.917 6/1965 3.497.872 3/1970 3.591.863 7/1971 3,818,509 6/1974 Romo et a1. 2/3 R Primary E.\'aminerA1fred R. Guest Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael P. Breston [57] ABSTRACT An articulated head and neck protector apparatus for limiting extreme movements of the head and neck of a person wearing a helmet and a jacket. A ball is rotatably mounted in a socket which is supported by the jacket. The socket defines a pair of transverse slots. A
track is provided on the back of the helmet for slid-- ably supporting a tracker. One end of a control arm is attached to the tracker and the other end of the arm is attached through one of the slots to the ball. A pin extends from the ball through the other slot. The arm and the pin limit the turning and twisting of the head and neck to within safe limits.
7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures ARTICULATED HEAD AND NECK PROTECTOR APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When a person voluntarily participates in or is likely to become exposed to events which may lead to violent shocks, it is prudent or it may be required for such a person to wear a helmet and a protective jacket. Examples of such persons are race car drivers and football players.
It is a main object of this invention to provide a head and neck protector apparatus which is adapted to be coupled between the back of the jacket and the back of the helmet for confining the movements of the head and neck, to within safe limits while allowing the head and neck to move within such limits with a minimum of interference by the apparatus, and within normal limits of the physiological and muscular excursions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of the protector apparatus of the invention shown coupled between a jacket and a helmet;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the protector apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates the extreme twisting position of the head in response to a blow to the helmet from the rear;
FIG. 4 illustrates the extreme twisting position of the head in response to a blow to the helmet from the front;
FIG. 5 is a view partly in section, taken on line 55 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the socket taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the socket taken on line 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a modification of the tracker track assembly shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a rear view taken on line 1010 in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows a modified arm arrangement; and FIG. 12 is a sectional view on line 1212 in FIG. 11. To facilitate the understanding of the protector apparatus of the present invention, the same numerals will be used throughout the different views to designate the same or similar functional parts.
In FIGS. 1-4, a person 10 is shown wearing a helmet 12 and a suitable jacket 14 which may be provided with shoulder pads 16. The jacket has a heavily padded back 18 which defines an upwardly-extending stiff shoulder 19 for supporting a generally U-shaped bracket 19. The helmet is mostly of conventional design with inner straps, cushions, etc. In accordance with this invention, on the back of the helmet is provided, in a vertical plane of symmetry, a longitudinally extending track20.
A socket 22 is centrally mounted on and vertically extends from the bracket 19'. The socket has a spherical chamber 23 (FIG. 5) covered with a suitable, flexible lining 24. Chamber 23 is provided with a pair of transverse slots 25 and 26 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Slot 25 is an upper, horizontal slot and slot 26 is a rear, vertical slot. Slots 25 and 26 have walls 27, 28, respectively. The contour of each wall is selected depending on the constraints desired to be imposed on the movements of the persons head.
A ball 30 is rotatably mounted on the shockabsorbing lining 24 in chamber 23. To limit the twisting of the persons head in all directions from the normally erect position shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a control arm 32 whose length is sufficient to couple ball 30 to a tracker 34 positioned mid-way between the ends 35, 36 of track 20. Arm 32 preferably has a straight portion 32 attached to the ball 30 and an L-shaped portion 32" attached to tracker 34. The center 40 of ball 30 and the center 42 of the persons neck are in substantially parallel, vertical planes. Track 20 can be externally attached or welded to the back of the helmet 12, or it can be built into the wall of the helmet. To cushion the strikes of tracker 34 against the end walls 35, 36 of track 20, there are provided suitable shock absorbers 44 which can conveniently be made out of rubber.
To limit the turning of ball 30 and hence of the persons head, there is provided a horizontal pin 50 which outwardly extends from the vertical slot 26. Pin 50 is perpendicular to arm 32. Pin 50 is in the center of slot 26 when arm 32 is in the center of slot 25.
In operation of the relatively simple control apparatus thus far described, when a downward blow, represented by arrow 52 is directed against the rear of the helmet 12, the head will rotate in a vertical plane about pivot point 42 and arm 32 will rotate about axis 40 until it hits the forward wall portion of slot 25, as viewed in FIG. 8. Also the tracker 34 is moved into contact with the shock absorber cushion 44 at the end wall 36, therefore preventing any further downward movement of the head. When the arm 32 hits against wall portion 60 of slot 25, the rear pin 50 hits against the uppermost wall portion of rear slot 26 thereby acting as a sort of backup for arm 32.
Likewise when a blow, such as that represented by arrow 52, is directed against the front of helmet 12, the head is pivoted backwardly in the same plane heretofore mentioned until the arm 32 hits against rear wall portion 60 of slot 25 and rear pin 50 hits against the lowermost portion 65 of slot 26. The tracker is also brought into contact with shock absorber cushion 44 at the end wall 35 of track 20. This coordinated movement is represented by the angles a and a in FIG. 5.
The extreme left and right side tilting of the head will be limited by the abutment of arm 32 against the opposite side wall portions 61, 61' of slot 25. The contour of wall 27 of slot 25 can be shaped for each particular individual taking into consideration the position of his necks pivot point 42 relative to the protector apparatus. A simple contour for walls 27, 28 is an oval configuration having a major axis 62 and a minor axis 63.
As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the persons head and hence ball 30 can turn while arm 32 is in its center position. The rotation of the ball will be restrained by the abutment of pin 50 against the right and left wall portions 64, 64, respectively, of slot 26.
From the above illustrations, it will be readily apparent that the twisting and/or turning of the head in any direction will be limited by the combined restraining actions of the walls 27, 28 of slots 25, 26 against arm 32 and pin 50, respectively.
Obviously, many modifications in the design of the control apparatus of this invention are possible and will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art. It may be desired, for example, to allow helmet 12 to become detachable from tracker 34. This can be readily accomplished by making track 20 open ended and by providing bores 69, 69 for accepting a coaxially aligned cross-pin 70 having an eye 72 at one end and a groove 73 at the opposite end (FIGS. 9 and 10). Groove 73 will accept a pliable locking ring 74. In this embodiment, the bottom end wall of tracker 34 is provided with a bumper 75 which essentially serves the same function as the bumper 44 in FIG. 5. By removing pin 70, the helmet can be detached from the control arm 32.
Track can be provided with a plurality of longitudinally displaced bores 69 thereby allowing an adjustment in the length of track 20.
An adjustment in the length of the control arm 32 may also be provided by making the arm in two sections 87, 88 (FIG. 11) and coupling them together by a sleeve 90 secured by suitable screws 91. Sections 87, 88 can be made pivotablerelative to each other if desired. Various other modifications and adjustments are possible.
The protector apparatus of this invention will find a variety of applications in sports, military, industry, aviation, etc. Moreover, while the invention was illustrated for head and neck protection, it is not limited thereto. In general, it can be applied for the protection of any articulated joint with proper modifications for the geometry of the joint. Accordingly, I desire that my invention be limited only by the following claims:
What I claims is:
1. A head protector apparatus for limiting extreme movements of the head of a person wearing a helmet and a jacket, said apparatus comprising:
a. a socket fixedly supported by said jacket, a spheriably mounted in the track; d. a control arm, one end of the arm being attached to said ball through said first slot and the opposite end of the arm being attached to said tracker;
e. a pin extending outwardly from said ball through said second slot; and
f. the length of said track and the length of the wall of each slot being such that the persons head is free to move within prescribed safe limits.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first slot is horizontally disposed and the contour of the horizontal slot is generally oval shaped.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second slot is vertically disposed and the contour of the vertical slot is generally oval shaped.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track is longitudinally disposed on said helmet.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the back of said jacket is provided with a bracket for fixedly supporting said socket.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tracker has a generally rectangular configuration and said track has a pair of bumper guards at the extreme ends thereof.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said track has a removably mounted cross pin for limiting the downward movement of said tracker. |
US-3873997-A | Cervix guard for protective headgear | 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,931.011 1/1970 Germany................................. 2/3 R Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or FirmOlsen and Stephenson 57 ABSTRACT An improved cervix or nape guard for protective headgear of the hockey type and also for industrial helmets, wherein the guard is formed of a semiresilient plastic generally conforming to the inside surface of the rear of the helmet shell, depending downwardly to substantially cover a high cut opening at the back of the headgear and having means for pivoting 2/3 R .A63b 71/10 2/3 R NTS CERVIX GUARD FOR PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR Elwyn R. Gooding, 120 Darwin Rd., Pinckney, Mich. 48169 Filed: Apr. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 353,316
Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATE 9/1963 Morgan.............. 6/1967 8/1969 7/1971 10/1971 5/1973 United States Patent Gooding [76] Inventor:
upward and inward with little pressure upon contact with the neck of the wearer when the head is forcibly tilted backward.
3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ma "e um V11 eD. nP aa RR 014 134 Swycrs............... 763 Schneider ct al.. 863 Rickard.............. 763 744 TMENTED SHEETIUFZ PATENTEU APR 1 I975 gigs CERVIX GUARD FOR PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR There is a need for protection of the cervix or nape of wearers of protective headgear such as for hockey. This area is very vulnerable to inadvertent blows from hockey sticks and therefore must be protected. However, severe injury to the cervix can result when the head of a wearer who is wearing a helmet with a low posterior, is forcibly tilted backward so that the back of the rigid outer shell of the headgear contacts the neck. A further backward tilting of the helmet can cause a cervical dislocation. Attempts to solve this problem are as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,230,544 and 3,323,134. The modified protective headgear constructions shown in these patents generally comprise rigid shells provided with generally shape conforming panels overlying the rear portion and designed to move back and upward upon contact with the neck of the wearer. They also employ straps inside the helmets to restrain the panels in the normal down positions and require undue pressure on the neck to forcibly cause the panels to move backward and upward with an increase in pressure on the neck as the panels move further backward and upward. Since this additional pressure is applied through the neck, the neck will still be subjected to relatively large, possibly injurious forces.
The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to provide in a protective headgear an improved pivoting cervix guard whereby a minimal force on the neck is required for moving it from a normal protective position.
This invention provides an improved cervix guard for protective headgear in which the guard is protectively padded and pivotally mounted so that only a minimal force is required to move the guard from its lower proctective position to an upper position telescoped into the headgear.
The present invention is further described in detail in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. I is a side elevation view illustrating the cervix guard of this invention in assembly relation with a protective headgear shown in position on a wearer;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the protective headgear shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view ofa portion of the headgear showing the pivotal mounting for the guard;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the headgear as seen from the line 44 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged framentary sectional view illustrating the cervix guard in a raised position within the protective headgear; and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of the cervix guard of this invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the protective headgear with cervix guard of this invention, indication generally at 10, consists of a resilient outer shell 12 and a multi-c'ellular, inflatable inner support crown 11 described in detail in may U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,763. The helmet is shown in FIG. 1 positioned on a wearers head and retained thereon by a chin cup and strap assembly 13.
The cervix guard 14 comprises a panel 18 mounted on the shell 12 so that in the normal position of the panel 18 protecting the wearers cervical spine 32, the panel fills the space the lower edge 17 of the shell 12. The outer shell 12 is shaped high at the rear edge 17 so as to leave an opening below the rear edge 17 which constitutes the space filled by the panel 18. The cervix guard panel 18 in the preferred embodiment of this invention is molded of poly-carbonate commonly known as LEXAN, to conform to the contour of the inner surface of the outer shell 12. It is attached to the outer shell 10 by pivot pins 16, which also serve as the rear male snap fasteners for the chin strap assembly 13. A polyester foam plastic pad 20 is secured to the inside surface of the panel 18 with a suitable moisture proof adhesive so that a small portion 22 overlaps the bottom edge 23 of the panel 18.
In the use of the headgear 10, when the head of the wearer is forcibly tilted backward so that the lower surface 24 of the cervix guard pad 20 contacts the wearers neck, the cervix guard rotates upward and forward within the outer shell 12 about the pins 16. The upper edge 40 of the panel 18 presses upward into the bottom surface of the inner support crown 11 thereby attenuating the force of the upward thrust. As shown in FIG. 5, the guard 14 telescopes into the outer shell 12 and displaces the inner crown II. A slight and downward motion on the lower overlap edge of the cervix guard 14 will return it to its protective down position. Nylon washers 15 on the pins 16 (FIG. 3) maintain the cervix guard panel 18 in a spaced relationship to the outer shell 10 to provide for free pivoting action of the cervix guard upwardly into the outer shell 12.
A modified form of the cervix guard pad means is illustrated in FIG. 6 in which a partitioned chamber member 60 forms a yieldable resilient material shaped to conform to the inner surface of the panel 18. A partition 62 within the hollow section 60 forms a plurality of enclosed cells 64 and 66, arranged in side-by-side relation in a direction extending parallel with the cervix guard panel 18. The bottom surface 68 of the section 60 extends below the bottom edge 23 of cervix guard panel 18 so that when the bottom surface 68 contacts the wearers neck, it moves outwardly into protective relation with the bottom edge 23 of the cervix guard panel 18. When the wearers head tilts backward far enough for the bottom surface 68 of the section 60 to contact the wearers neck, any additional backward movement of the wearers head will cause the cervix guard to pivot upward and inward so that the upper surface 42 of the section 60 and the upper edge 40 of the cervix guard panel 18 will push upward into the bottom surface of the multi-cellular inflatable inner support crown 11. The chambers 64 and 66 are pre-inflated with air or inert gas differentially to pressures best suited for a particular application.
From the above description it is seen that this invention provides protective headgear 10 in which a pivoted cervix guard 14 protects the spine of the wearer by virtue of its capability to move easily.
What is claimed is:
1. A proctective headgear assembly comprising an outer shell having sides and shaped high at the rearedge thereof so as to provide an open space below said rear edge, a yieldable inner support crown arranged in a supporting relation with said outer shell and positioned within said shell as said rear edge thereof, a cervix guard comprising a panel having a normal position extending across said rear edge and occupying said space, pin means pivotally mounting opposite ends of said panel on said shell sides, pin means being located forwardly and downwardly from said rear edge so that said panel is movable upwardly from said normal position to a position extending upwardly inside said shell of said panel.
3. A protective headgear assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pad means comprises means forming a plurality of inflatable chamber members extending downwardly below the lower edge of said panel. |
US-3873998-A | Body armor system | United States Patent [1 1 Norris et a1.
[ Apr. 1,1975
1 1 BODY ARMOR SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Lonnie H. Norris, Milford; Philip E.
Durand, Hudson, both of Mass.
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC.
22 Filed: Mar. 26, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 454,897
[52] U.S. Cl. 1.2/2.5 [51] Int. Cl. F4lh 1/02 [58] Field of Search 1. 2/25 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,292,181 12/1966 Kennedy ct a1 2/25 3,452,362 7/1969 Korolick ct a1. 2/25 3,559,211) 2/1971 Hansen 2/25 3,634,889 1/1972 Rolstcn 2/25 3,722,355 3/1973 King 2/25 X 3,813,281 5/1974 Burgess 2/25 X 3,832,265 8/1974 Denommee 2/25 X 3,832,266 8/1974 Archibald 2/25 X Primary ExaminerAlfred R. Guest Attorney, Agent, or FirmNathan Edelberg; Robert P. Gibson; Charles C. Rainey [57] ABSTRACT A coordinated missileand fragmentationprotective body armor system comprising a ceramic type armor plate component that is provided with a spall shield made of a plurality of layers of ballistic fabric and a spacer container for the ceramic armor plate made of a foamed plastic. The spacer container, though of little value for stopping primary missiles, is very effective in combination with the spall shield in preventing the escape from the body armor system of spall from the ceramic armor plate.
7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PMENIEB APR 1 I975 SHEETZBFZ FIG. 6
FIG. 8
BODY ARMOR SYSTEM The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a coordinated missileand fragmentation-protective body armor system wherein lightweight means are provided for markedly reducing or preventing the escape of spall from a ceramic type armor plate component of the body armor and thereby greatly reducing the probability of injury to others in the vicinity of the wearer of the body armor when it is impacted by high velocity projectiles, shell fragments, or other particles.
In recent years body armor comprising ceramic armor plates to protect the torso of the wearer against serious or fatal injury to the vital organs has been developed to the point that good protection is obtained against low caliber missiles, such as missiles of up to .30 caliber, and effective protection is obtained against shell fragments and the like. However, this type of armor plate is prone to fragment, i.e., to produce spall, when struck by a high velocity missile or fragment. The spall thus produced as a spray of secondary particles of varying sizes and shapes may have very high velocities imparted to the particles by absorption of energy from the primary projectile or fragment. Such spall, if permitted to escape from the proximity of the ceramic armor plate and the fabric carrier therefor, is capable of causing severe injury to eyes or other portions of the bodies of other nearby persons.
It is therefore, an object of the invention to provide a body armor system which is not only effective in protecting the wearer thereof. particularly in the region of the torso. against low caliber missiles, i.e., missiles of up to about .30 caliber, and against shell fragments, shrapnel and the like, but also effectively prevents the escape of spall from the system, particularly the spall produced from a ceramic armor plate element of the armor system. Another object of the invention is to provide a body armor system comprising a ceramic armor plate and having means for preventing injury to the neck. chin or face of the wearer of the body armor system in the event that the ceramic armor plate impacts those portions of the body of the wearer if the wearer is involved in a crash or other incident in which his body comes to an abrupt halt or is subjected to sudden deceleration. A further object of the invention is to provide a body/armor system comprising a ceramic armor plate and having means for preventing or minimizing breakage or cracking of the ceramic armor plate in case the body armor system is dropped upon a hard surface.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.
SUMMARY The objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a coordinated body armor system which comprises a ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate, a fabric carrier therefor comprising a plurality of plies of ballistic fabric and a foamed plastic spall protective spacer container for the armor plate. The foamed plastic spall protective spacer container spaces the armor plate from the plies of ballistic fabric in the fabric carrier a distance which has been found to greatly assist in and augment the slowing down of the spall from the point of impact of a missile or fragment on the ceramic armor plate. Additionally, the foamed plastic spacer container is provided with shock absorbent side edges which overlap the edges of the armor plate and thus provide edge protection for the armor plate against breakage or cracking if it is dropped. The shock absorbent side edges also provide protection against injury to the neck or chin or face of the wearer by the upper edge of the armor plate in case the latter shifts upwardly at a velocity which would otherwise injure the neck, chin or face of the wearer, or in case the head of the wearer is suddenly caused to pivot in the direction of the armor plate. The fabric carrier for the armor plate is provided on an outer surface thereof with means for attaching the fabric carrier to the jacket of the wearer so that the body armor system may be supported in fromt of the torso of the wearer.
Thus the components of the body armor system of the invention are coordinated to perform a variety of highly useful and desirable functions in protecting the wearer, thereof as well as persons in close proximity to the wearer and in being protected from inadvertent damage in the handling of the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foamed plastic spall protective spacer container viewed from the rear thereof, the spacer container having a curvature approximating the curvature of the front of the torso of a wearer of body armor, the rear of the spacer container, when being worn, being oriented toward the front of the torso of the wearer.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fabric carrier for the ceramic/ fiber glass composite armor plate.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foamed plastic spall protective spacer container of FIG. 1 with the ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate of FIG. 2 inserted therein preparatory to the insertion of the spacer container containing the ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate in the fabric carrier of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the rear of the assembled armor system after insertion of the spacer container containing the ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate in the fabric carrier and closure of the fabric carrier.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the front of the assembled armor system of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section of the assembled armor system of FIG. 5 taken along a plane through the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-section of the assembled armor system of FIG. 5 taken along a plane through the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Body armor developed in recent years for use by members of the Armed Forces for protection of their torsos and vital organs against low caliber missiles and shell fragments comprises a ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate, such as the armor system described in US. Pat. No. 3,557,384. In such body armor the facing or outward component is a onepiece aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or boron carbide ceramic structure bonded by an adhesive to a resin-bonded ballistic fabric laminate back plate which is preferably a fiber glass fabric laminate. The fiber glass fabric laminate is a resin-impregnated, multi-layer, fiber glass ballistic fabric with the resin content being in the range of 20% to 30% by weight. The maximum areal density of this type of armor plate is less than 9 lbs. per square foot and preferably less than 7 lbs. per square foot. Because of the weight of this armor material, the body area being protected must be reduced to the absolute minimum. Therefore, the armor plates are designed to cover the more vulnerable portions of the torso. The body armor may be worn inside of a jacket or other outer garment which may or may not be constructed of or comprise ballistic materials or spall protective materials.
The present invention provides a spacer container made of a light-weight material, such as foamed plastic, which has the capability of slowing down the spall produced when high velocity projectiles or shell fragments strike the ceramic outward surface of the armor plate, thus enabling a plurality of layers of a ballistic fabric, e.g., ballistic nylon woven fabric, incorporated in a carrier for the body armor outside of the spacer container to further reduce the velocity of the spall and in most instances completely prevent escape of the spall from the carrier. Thus a coordinated missileand fragmentationprotective body armor system which is of relatively light weight yet quite effective against low caliher, high velocity missiles as well as spall produced thereby is obtained. The spacer container also serves other purposes which will be more particularly described hereinafter.
The spacer container 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is molded in one piece out of foamable plastic such as polyethylene, polystyrene, or other polymeric materials which are capable of being foamed in place in a mold, or may be machined from a block of foamed plastic. It is formed with a recess 13 or hollow opening corresponding very closely to the size, outline shape, and curvature of armor plate 11 shown in FIG. 2 so that the latter can be fitted snugly in recess 13, as shown in FIG. 4, with the rear face of the armor plate flush with the top of the flanged edge 14 of the spacer container. Thus the armor plate is recessed within the spacer container so that a thickness of from about Va inch to about inch of the foamed plastic of the spacer container overlies the ceramic armor plate 17 of armor plate 11. It has been found to be preferable for theportion of the spacer container overlying the ceramic armor plate to be about /2 inch thick. The top edge 15 of the spacer container flanged portion is about one inch thick from top to bottom and is approximately twice the thickness of the flanged edge 14 measured from one side edge to the other and twice the thickness of the extension thereof along the bottom edge of the spacer container in the form of flanged edge 16 so that there will be appreciable cushioning of the neck and chin or other portions of the face or head of the wearer of the body armor in the event that the wearer is involved in a crash or is abruptly decelerated while in motion. Under such circumstances the armor plate 11, which is rather heavy, would tend to continue in motion and, in the absence of the relatively thick top edge 15 of the spacer container, would impact with great force against the neck or chin of the wearer or possibly against other portions of the face or head. Thus the spacer container made of a crushable foamed plastic serves to protect the wearer against serious injury by the armor plate.
As previously stated, armor plate 11 fits a recess 13 of spacer container 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The spacer container, together with the armor plate, is placed inside of fabric carrier 12, which has a body portion 19 and a closure flap 20. Along the bottom edge of the back of the body portion 19 the fabric carrier has a strip of plastic loops 21 which cooperate with a strip of plastic hooks 22 attached to the inner surface of closure flap 20 to close the opening along the bottom edge of the fabric carrier through which the armor plate is inserted into the fabric carrier. The armor plate is inserted in fabric carrier 12 so that the concavity of the composite structure will be up as seen in the drawing and will be oriented toward the torso of the wearer of the body armor when being worn. Thus the ceramic armor plate 17 will be oriented away from the torso of the wearer.
As shown in FIG. 6, the front of the fabric carrier 12 has zipper stringers 23 and 24 attached thereto for the purpose of attaching the assembled armor system to the inside surface of a combat jacket or other type of garment with which the body armor is worn to protect the torso of a wearer. The jacket (not shown) has a pair of suitably spaced zipper stringers (not shown) which cooperate with Zipper stringers 23 and 24 with the combined action of slider 25 on stringer 24 and a similar slider on the stringer of the jacket which cooperates with stringer 23. Thus the assembled armor system, being supported by two spaced apart zippers joining the fabric carrier to the jacket is maintained in reasonably stable position in front of the torso of the wearer, protecting the same against low caliber missiles and shell fragments.
As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the assembled armor system comprises a spall shield 27 made of plies of ballistic fabric, ceramic armor plate 17, fiber glass laminate backup layer 18, foamed plastic spacer container 10, and fabric carrier 12. The innermost layer 26, i.e., the layer which is worn closest to the torso of the wearer, is a single thickness of ballistic fabric, preferably nylon ballistic cloth such as that described in military specification MIL-C-12369D (GL) entitled Cloth, Ballistic, Nylon. This layer of ballistic cloth is also the outermost layer of spall shield 27, which is a nine-layer composite of nylon ballistic cloth of the type described in the above-referenced military specification. The spall shield 27 extends over the top, sides, front, and bottom of fabric carrier 12, thus providing spall protection across the top, sides, front, and bottom of armor plate 11. The outermost layer of spall shield 27, which is a continuation of innermost layer 26 of fabric carrier 12 extends upwardly from the bottom of the fabric carrier to form closure flap 20. The nine layers of nylon ballistic cloth are stitched together along their peripheries, but remain as separate, unattached fabrics over most of their surfaces so that they are more or less free to move and adjust to the impact of a particle and thus to perform well as a spall shield. The plastic hooks 22 and plastic loops 21 mate to form hook and pile fastener 28 which maintains the fabric carrier closed.
Next to the innermost layer 26 progressing outwardly therefrom and from the torso of the wearer is the fiber glass laminate backup layer 18, which backs up the ceramic armor plate 17 and is bonded thereto. After the ceramic armor' plate comes the spacer container made of foamed, plastic, which because of its thickness spaces the ceramic armor plate about /2 to inch from the spall shield 27 and thus contributes materially to the prevention of the escape of spall from the ceramic armor plate when the latter is impacted by a missile or shell fragment.
The spacer container has relatively low stopping power for primary missiles, but is quite effective against the spall from the ceramic armor plate since the cooperation thereof with the spall shield practically prevents all escape of spall from the ceramic armor plate. The ceramic armor plate serves as the main stopping agent for the primary missiles. though the spall shield slows the primary missiles down considerably before they impact the ceramic armor plate. Spacing of the spall shield from the ceramic armor plate influences spall resistance because spall travels in a conical pattern radiating from the point of impact with the ceramic armor plate. Thus. spacing causes the spall to impact the spall shield over a broader area. producing less concentration of force per unit area. Consequently, the spall shield can better sustain the forces of the spall. In addition. spacing requires the typical spall particle traveling at oblique angles to traverse a greater distance than the thickness of the spacing and to dissipate more energy before impacting the spall shield overlying the spacing.
The fiber glass laminate backup layer 18 serves to augment the stopping power of the ceramic armor plate and to complete the defeat of the primary missiles if any penetrate the ceramic armor plate.
The overall result is a coordinated missileand fragmentationprotective body armor system which is relatively light in weight yet very effective in defeating primary missiles of low caliber and in preventing the escape of spall from a ceramic armor plate component of the body. armor system which serves as the main protective medium against the primary missiles.
We have found it to be preferable that the foamed plastic of the spacer container have a density of from about 1 pound per cubic foot to about 10 pounds per cubic foot. Foamed polyethylene of approximately 9 pounds per cubic foot, for example Ethafoam, fabricated by United Packaging Corp., Georgetown, Mass, has been found to be particularly effective for all three of the purposes served by the spacer container, i.e., assisting in the prevention of the escape of spall derived from the ceramic armor plate, protecting the neck, chin. and other portions of the face and head of the wearer of the body armor from serious injury upon impact against the ceramic armor plate, and protecting the ceramic armor plate against cracking or shattering due to dropping thereof onto a non-resilient surface or bumping of the armor by sharp, non-resilient objects. Furthermore. the resiliency of the polyethylene foam spacer container permits repetitive use, whereas some foamed plastics. such as polystyrene, have very good shock absorbing capacities even at quite low densities, but are permanently crushed and, therefore. not effective for repetitive use.
It is preferred that the nylon ballistic cloth of the spall shield and the fabric carrier be a plain weave fabric of about 7.5 ounces per square yard. However, other nylon ballistic fabrics, particularly those of from about 6 to about 9 ounces per square yard may be employed with good results as spall shield material.
The coordinated missileand fragmentationprotective body armor system of the invention is very effective in an areal density of about 0.83 pounds per square foot in protecting the torso of the wearer against low caliber missiles and in preventing the escape of spall from the system. It has been found that about 1.0 pound per square foot areal density is about the upper limit for a useful body armor system. The system of the present invention falls well below this limit while accomplishing excellent spall suppression.
The invention has been described in terms of a particular type of coordinated missileand fragmentationprotective body armor system. A particularly important element of this system is the foamed plastic spall protective spacer container for the ceramic armor plate. The spacer container may be constructed of a rather large number of different foamed plastic materials. These materials need to be crushable, but neither too easily crushable nor too difficult to crush, since in the coordinated armor system they need to be able to prevent injury to the neck or chin or other portions of the face or head of the wearer by absorbing energy through crushing in case the armor plate impacts portions of the head or neck; and they also need to be able to prevent damage to the armor plate in case it is dropped or struck by a sharp, non-resiliant object. Hence, the spacer container material must have the proper crushability characteristics in order to be shock-absorbent for the two purposes mentioned. Furthermore, the density and thickness of the spacer container material must be such as to cause spall from the ceramic armor plate to be slowed down by the combination of the spacer container and the ballistic fabric spall shield used in combination with the armor plate sufficiently to prevent escape of the spall and the possible inflicting of injury to persons in close proximity to the wearer of the armor system. The corrdinated system of the present invention accomplishes all of these objectives while having a tolerable weight when fabricated so as to cover and protect the more vital areas of the torso of a wearer of the body armor system.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art, within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
We claim:
1. A coordinated protective body armor system to provide protection against low caliber missiles which will also minimize escape of spall from within said system, cushion the brittle elements of the system against breakage, and provide cushioning protection to protect the head and neck of the wearer from injury upon impact against the armor system comprising a ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate which comprises a ceramic face plate bonded to laminate back plate of resin-bonded plies of a glass fiber fabric, a foamed plastic spall protective container for said ceramic/ fiber glass composite armor plate which is disposed so as to completely cover said ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate, and a carrier for said ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate and said foamed plastic spall protective container comprising a spall shield which overlies said foamed plastic spall protective container and said ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate and which comprises a plurality of plies of a woven ballistic fabric.
2. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 1, wherein said foamed plastic spall protective container is formed of polymeric foam having a density of from about 1 to about 10 pounds per cubic foot.
3. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 2, wherein said foamed plastic spall protective container is formed of polyethylene foam having a density of about 9 pounds per cubic foot.
4. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 1, wherein said foamed plastic spall protective container in the portion thereof which complctely covers said ceramic/fiber glass composite armor plate is from about V2 inch to about 4 inch thick.
5. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 1, wherein said woven ballistic fabric is a plain weave nylon fabric weighing from about 6 to about 9 ounces per square yard.
6. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 1, wherein said spall shield comprises nine plies of ballistic nylon fabric weighing about 7.5 ounces per square yard.
7. A coordinated protective body armor system according to claim 1, wherein said fabric carrier comprises means for detachably suspending said fabric carrier in proximity to the front of the torso of said wearer. |
US-3873999-A | Undershirts and similar sleeveless garments | United States Patent [1 1 1 ,873,999
Artzt Apr. 1, 1975 UNDERSHIRTS AND SIMILAR SLEEVELESS [57] ABSTRACT GARMENTS William Walter Artzt, 333 Sunset Ave., Palm Beach, Fla. 33480 Filed: Oct. 25, 1973 Appl. No.: 409,741
Inventor:
US. Cl. 2/113 Int. Cl .l A41b 9/06 Field of Search.... 2/113, 111, 243, 92, DIG. 4;
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Richard J. Scanlan, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmAlvin Sinderbrand An undershirt or similar sleeveless garment consists of a single, substantially rectangular piece of two-way stretchable knit fabric which, at its opposite end portions, defines the front and back, respectively, of a body portion. The fabric piece has arcuate cutouts in its opposed side edges between the end portions and a neck-opening between the arcuate cutouts with the fabric therebetween defining seamless shoulder strap portions integral with the front and back body portions. Side seams of longitudinally stretchable stitching join together the respective side edges of the front and back body portions so that the cutouts define armholes above such side seams. The edge portions of the neck opening and armholes are reverted or folded back and secured to the adjacent fabric by longitudinally stretchable stitching extending along such edge portions for finishing off the neck opening and armholes and also the upper ends of the side seams without detracting from the stretchability of the garment.
2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEB APR 1 1915 saw 2 of 3 3.873.999 Am 1 I915 v ATENIED SHEET 3 95 a UNDERSHIRTS AND SIMILAR SLEEVELESS GARMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to garments such as sleeveless undershirts and the like, and more particularly is directed to improvements in garments of the described character formed of knit fabric.
2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional sleeveless undershirts and like garments are usually formed of two pieces or blanks of knit fabric which respectively form the front and back of the garment. Such blanks have central cutouts in their upper ends to define a neck opening and cutouts in the upper portions of their side edges to define armholes, with the fabric remaining between such cutouts forming front and back shoulder strap portions. In producing a garment from the described blanks, the respective side edges of the blanks are stitched together below the armholes to form side seams, and the abutting ends of the front and back shoulder strap portions are stitched together to provide seams extending across the tops of the shoulder straps. The ends of these side seams and shoulder strap seams have to be tacked or otherwise secured to prevent the unravelling thereof. In order to finish off the neck opening and armholes, separately cut bindings or tapes are stitched along the edges of the neck opening and armholes, respectively. Since the edges and ends of the bindings or tapes are raw or cut, such edges and ends have to be folded under prior to the stitching of the bindings or tapes to the remainder of the garment.
In the mass production of the above garments, the material for the bindings or tapes and the labor required for the cutting of the bindings or tapes and for the attachment thereof to the garment are significant items of cost. Further, at the top of each shoulder strap of the garment, the laterally extending seam joining the front and back shoulder strap portions, together with the multiple thicknesses of the bindings or tapes extending around the neck opening and the adjacent armhole, produce substantial, relatively hard or rigid fabric bulges, particularly at the ends of each lateral shoulder seam, and these bulges are a source of discomfort to the wearer, especially when a weight is borne by the wearers shoulder.
It has been proposed, for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,707,284, issued to me on May 3, I955, to provide a garment of the described character which is devoid of seams extending across the tops of its shoulder straps. However, in this garment, as in the previously described garment with shoulder seams, the neck opening and armholes are again finished off by separately cut bindings or tapes which prevent full realization of low cost mass production. Although the absence of seams extending across the tops of the shoulder straps alleviates the discomfort to the wearer, this problem is not fully overcome as the multiple thicknesses of fabric where the bindings or tapes are folded under to hide armholes considerably restrict the stretching thereof and of the shoulder straps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an undershirt or similar sleeveless garment which is capable of being economically mass produced.
More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a garment of the described character in which substantial economies are realized in finishing-off the neck opening and armholes and the side seams of the garment.
Another object is to provide a garment, as aforesaid, which affords increased comfort to the wearer.
Still another object is to provide a garment, as aforesaid, which is stretchable at its neck opening, armholes and shoulder straps, as well as at its body-covering portion, so as to accommodate a single size garment to wearers of various sizes or to the growth of an infant or child over an extended period of time.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, an undershirt or similar sleeveless garment is formed of a single, substantially rectangular piece of two-way stretchable knit fabric defining the front and back of the garment body at its opposite end portions and having arcuate cutouts in its side edges between such end portions and a neck opening centered between the edge cutouts with the fabric between the neck opening and edge cutouts defining seamless shoulder straps, the respective side edges of the front and back of the garment body are joined together by longitudinally stretchable stitching forming side seams of the garment with the arcuate cutouts forming armholes above such side seams, and the edge portions of the neck opening and armholes are folded back against the adjacent fabric and secured to the latter by longitudinally stretchable stitching extending along such edge portions, whereby the neck opening and armholes and the upper ends of the side seams are finished off without resort to tacking of the side seams and separately cut bindings or tapes for the neck opening and armholes.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom edge portion of the garment body is folded back against the adjacent fabric and secured thereto by longitudinally stretchable stitching for finishing off the bottom of the garment body and the lower ends of the side seams. Further, the knit fabric of the single substantially rectangular fabric piece constituting the garment according to this invention is preferably formed to be more stretchable in its longitudinal direction than in the direction at right angles thereto, so that the shoulder straps of the garment will be relatively extensible.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flattened tube of knit fabric showing the lines along which the tube is cut to provide fabric blanks or pieces from which garments according to this invention are to be formed;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the fabric pieces or blanks cut from the flattened tube of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the garmentforming blank of FIG. 2 after such blank has been folded and seamed along the sides thereof;
FIG. 4 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the completed garment according to this invention shown inside-out;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the garment in its inside-out condition showing details of the finishing of the garment according to this invention; and
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the completed garment shown right-side out.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that undershirts and similar sleeveless garments according to this invention are preferably formed from a tube 10 of circularly knitted fabric which is more stretchable or yieldable in its circumferential or lateral direction indicated by the arrows a than in the lengthwise direction indicated by the arrows b. A particularly desirable circular or tubular knit fabric for garments according to this invention is the knitted pile fabric disclosed in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,111,829 issued to me on Nov. 26, 1963, and which generally comprises a base or ground of stretch nylon or other synthetic yarns and a random arrangernent of loops of cotton or synthetic yarns extending from the base or ground and having various lengths to give the face of the fabric a shaggy appearance which is characteristic of poodle" type fabrics.
After the knit fabric tube 10 has been flattened to provide superposed layers of material joined together along the opposite folded side edges 12 and 14 of the flattened tube, a series of side-by-side disposed garment forming blanks 16 are die cut or stamped therefrom. It will be seen that, in die-cutting or stamping the garment forming blanks 16 from flattened tube 10, the latter is cut along the folded side edges 12 and 14 so as to separate the superposed layers of material and along spaced apart lateral lines 18 which extend inwardly from side edges 12 and 14 to the ends of centered oval lines 20. Further, the flattened tube 10 is cut along oval lines 22, each of which is centered between adjacent oval lines 20 but preferably offset laterally to one side of the longitudinal median of the flattened tube.
As a result of the foregoing cutting of the flattened tube 10, each of the knit fabric pieces or blanks 16 derived therefrom is shown on FIG. 2 to be of substantially rectangular configuration and to have opposite end portions 24 and 26 which are dimensioned to define front and back body portions, respectively, of the garment to be produced therefrom. By reason of the oval cut lines 20 between successive blanks 16, each blank 16 is shown to have arcuate cutouts 20a in its opposed relatively long or side edges, with such cutouts 20a being centered between the end portions 24 and 26, while the oval cut lines 22 provide each blank 16 with a neck opening 22a which is centered laterally between the arcuate cutouts 20a and which extends further toward end portion 24 than toward end portion 26. It will be apparent that the fabric of blank 16 between arcuate cutouts 20a and neck opening 22a defines seamless shoulder strap portions 28 which integrally connect the end portions 24 and 26. Further, in each blank 16, the direction a of maximum stretchability is shown to extend longitudinally by reason of the fact that each blank 16 extends laterally in respect to flattened tube 10 when cut from the latter.
Each blank 16 is formed into an undershirt or similar sleeveless garment by folding the blank along the transverse medial line 30 so that end portion 24 forming the front 24a of the body is superposed on end portion 26 forming the back 26a of the body. Preferably, such folding is effected so that the eventual outer surfaces or faces of the knit fabric of end portion 24 and 26 will confront each other. When the blank 16 is thus folded, the front of neck opening 22a is deeper than the back of the neck opening, as shown on FIG. 3. After folding of the blank, the adjacent or respective side edges of front body 2411 and back body 26a are joined together by longitudinally stretchable stitching to form side seams 32. Such longitudinally stretchable stitching may be simply constituted by differential stitches formed with stretch polyester or nylon thread. Upon the formation of the side seams 32, the arcuate cutouts 20a of the blank 16 define armholes 20b above the side seams.
In accordance with the present invention, the neck opening 22a and the armholes 20h are finished off by turning back the edge portions thereof, as at 22'a and 20'b, respectively (FIG. 4), and then securing the folded back edge portions 22'a and 20'b to the underlying adjacent fabric by means of longitudinally stretchable stitching, for example, similar to the stitching of side seams 32, which extends continuously along the folded back edge portions 22a and 20b, as at 22"a and 20"!) on FIGS. 4,5 and 6. Since the knit fabric of blank 16 has two-way stretchability, no problems are encountered in folding back the edge portions 22'a and 20'b along the closed curves of neck opening 22a and armholes 20b. Further, the edge portions 22'a and 20'b are preferably folded back onto the base or ground side of the knit fabric, that is, the surface of knit fabric which will be at the inside of the completed garment so that each folded-back edge portion 20'b and the stitching 20"b extending therealong at the bottom of the respective armhole 20b will finish-off and secure the upper end of side seam 32 at the respective side of the garment, as at 33 on FIG. 5.
Further, the bottom of the body of the garment is finished off by turning back the bottom edge portion 34 (FIGS. 5 and 6) onto the base or ground side of the adjacent knit fabric, and then securing the folded or turned back edge portion 34 to the underlying adjacent fabric by means of longitudinally stretchable stitching, for example, similar to the stitching of side seams 32, which extends continuously along folded back edge portion 34, as at 35. It will be apparent that the folded back edge portion 34 and the stitching 35 extending therealong at the opposite sides of the garment body serve to finish off and secure or lock the lower ends of the side seams 32.
Following the finishing off of the neck opening 22a and armholes 20b and of the bottom of the garment body, as described above, the completed garment appearing on FIGS. 4 and 5 is everted or turned insideout, as shown on FIG. 6, so that the face or pile side of the knit fabric will face outwardly and the folded back edge portions 20'b, 22'a and 34 will be at the inside of the garment.
It will be appreciated that, in the completed garment, the folded back edge portions 20'b,22'a and 34 which respectively finish the armholes, neck opening and bottom of the garment areof the same two-way stretchable knit fabric as the remainder of the garment and thus do not significantly restrict the stretching of the garment. Since the oval cut lines 20 and 22 (FIG. 1) which eventually define the armholes 20b and neck opening 22a of the garment are elongated in the direction of the maximum stretchability of the knit fabric, the major portions of the peripheries of the armholes 20b and of the neck opening 22a extend generally in the direction of maximum stretchability in the completed garment to permit the maximum extension or stretching of the neck opening and armholes. Further, the shoulder straps 28 also extend generally in the direction of maximum stretchability of the knit fabric. The foregoing characteristics all contribute to the provision of a garment that is adapted to fit wearers of various sizes and also to accommodate the growth of an infant or child over an extended period of time.
Since the shoulder straps 28 are devoid of seams extending thereacross at the tops of the shoulder straps, and since the neck opening and armholes are finished off merely by a single additional fabric thickness in the folded back edge portions 20'!) and 22'a, thick bulges of fabric are not present in the shoulder straps 28 so that the garment affords optimum comfort to the wearer even when a load is borne by the wearers shoulder.
It will also be apparent that the described garment according to this invention makes possible very substantial economies in its mass production. In this connection, it should be noted that the folded back edge portions 20b and 22a which finish off the armholes and neck opening of the completed garment are derived from the fabric of flattened tube that would otherwise be cutaway and wasted if the oval cut lines and 22 were dimensioned to correspond to the desired sizes of the armholes and neck opening of the completed garment. Thus, no additional fabric is required for fin ishing the armholes and neck opening, and there is a further saving of the additional labor required when, as in the prior art, the neck opening and armholes are finished off by separately cut bindings or tapes. It is also to be appreciated that, in the garment according to this invention, the stretchable stitching 20"b, 22"a and 35 forms a blind seam in each case so that the cost of tacking or locking the ends of these seams, as well as the cost of tacking the ends of side seams 32 which are secured by stitching 20"b and 35, can be eliminated.
Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A sleeveless garment of the described character consisting of a single, substantially rectangular piece of two-way stretchable knit fabric which is more stretchable in the longitudinal direction of said rectangular fabric piece than in the direction at right angles thereto, with the opposite end portions of said rectangular fabric piece defining front and back body portions, respectively, of the garment, said fabric piece having arcuate elongated cutouts in its opposed side edges between said end portions and an oval neck opening centered laterally between said cutouts with the fabric of said piece between said neck opening and said cutouts defining seamless shoulder strap portions integral with said front and back body portions and extending generally in said longitudinal direction, longitudinally stretchable stitching joining together the respective side edges of said front and back body portions to form side seams at the inside of the garment with said cutouts defining armholes above said side seams, the edge portions of said neck opening and said armholes being folded back against the adjacent fabric of said piece at said inside of the garment, and longitudinally stretchable stitching extending along said folded back edge portions and securing the latter to said adjacent fabric against which said edge portions are folded back for finishing off said neck opening and armholes and the upper ends of said side seams.
2. A garment according to claim 1, in which the edge portions at the bottom of said front and back body portions are folded back at said inside of the garment against the adjacent fabric of said piece and secured thereto by longitudinally stretchable stitching extending along the bottom of the garment for finishing off said bottom of the garment and the lower ends of said side seams. |
US-3874000-A | Hot water mitt | United States Patent 1 91 1 11 3,874,000
Altman Apr. 1, 1975 [54] HOT WATER MITT FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 lnvemorl Max Altman, 362 Knowlton Ave, 942,208 4/1956 Germany 2/164 ore, NY. 217 427,865 5/1935 United Kingdom 2/158 22 Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 Primary ExammerGeorge V. Larkm PP 435,256 Attorney, Agent, or FirmChristel & Bean [52] US. Cl 2/158, 2/164, 128/381 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl A4ld 19/00 A hot water mitt fol-med Of lightweight and flexible [58] of Search 2/1581 161 water-impervious material comprises inner and outer 2/164; 128/3791 381, 2581 403; walls which form liquid-receiving spaces at both faces 150/221 of the mitt with a central hand space therebetween so that a user inserting his hand into the hand space with [56] References C'ted the double wall spaces filled with hot water derives the UNITED STATES PATENTS benefit of hot water heat application to both the front 543,177 7/1895 Daly 150/24 and a ac of the hand thus inserted in the 752,5]6 2/1904 Carney ISO/2,4 X mitt. A single filling opening serves to till the two op- 2,842,77l 7/l958 Foti 2/164 X posed double wall liquid-receiving chambers of spaces 2,966,684 1/1961 Bonin 2/164 x f the device 3,259,914 7/1966 Johnson 2/161 R 3,292,628 12/1966 Maxwell et al. 2/158 X 3 Claims, 4 Drawing F igures nor WATER MITT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hot water mitts for use by arthritis sufferers and those afflicted with other ailments of the hand which are benefited or eased by the application of heat.
In the prior art there are examples of electrically heated gloves or mitts, usually intended for use outdoors to merely keep the users hands warm. In another class of patents there are therapeutic devices which consist of body encircling members or members for encircling the limbs of a patient with hot water circulating through the members to maintain a heated condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises generally a mittcomprising a double wall structure adapted to be filled with hot water and worn on the hand of a patient to keep the hand warm and thus ease an arthritic condition or other ailment which is ameliorated by the application of heat. No circulating water connections are employed and there is no necessity for electrical connections so that the user of the device may move about freely while wearing the device.
According to the present invention the mitt has double wall structures at both sides thereof so that the heat of the liquid therein maintains a warming condition at both the front and rear of a users hand. Preferably a single filling opening is provided in communication with the interiors of the double wall structures at opposite sides of the mitt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a general elevational view of the rear side of a left-hand mitt or the front side of a right-hand mitt;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line IIII of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line Illlll of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line lVlV of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In the form of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing by way of example, a mitt is formed by folding two sheets of a water-impervious and highly flexible plastic or other sheet material along a line which is coincident with the left-hand vertical margin of the mitt illustrated in FIG. 1. The remaining portions of the two sheets are cut to form a hand portion 13 and a thumb portion 14 and the right-hand edge of the mitt as viewed in FIG. 1.
In the drawings the outer sheet is designated generally by the numeral 10 and the inner sheet is designated by the numeral 11. The folded portions of the sheets 10 and 11 are heat-sealed as shown at 15 in FIG. 2 and the remaining peripheries of the sheets extending around to a cuff portion 17 at the opposite side are heat-sealed as indicated at 18 in FIG. 4.
The lower folded portions of the sheets 10 and 11 from the bottom of the heat-sealed portion 15 to the cuff 17 at the lower portion of FIG. 1 are separated as shown in FIG. 3 whereby a filling and emptying fitting 20 which is sealed to outer sheet 10 as shown in FIG. 1 provides a communicating passage with the interiors of the double wall formations provided by the sheets 10 and 11 at both the back and front portions of the mitt so that the entire area of the mitt as shown in FIG. 1 contains a heated liquid at both sides of a patients hand, the latter obviously being inserted through the cuff 17 and into the central space 21 between the two folded portions of inner sheet 11.
A convenient plug type closure 22 is applied to the fitting 20 and may be permanently attached thereto by flexible plastic bands 23 in a well known manner.
Along the lower edge of the structure shown in FIG. 1 the outer and inner sheets 10 and 11 are heat-sealed as at 17. The sheets are separately heat-sealed at the front and rear portions of the device to form an encircling cuff portion through which the hand of a user of the device may freely be inserted.
It is obvious from the foregoing that the hot water mitt of the present invention is simply and effectively fabricated in an economical manner and is well adapted to home use and may of course be used in other environments as in a hospital, a clinic, or the like.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described herein and shown in the accompanying drawing to illustrate the underlying principles of the invention but it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention.
I claim:
1. A double wall mitt structure comprising a pair of blank sheets of flexible material juxtaposed and jointly folded along a medial line whereby the folded edge forms one marginal edge of the mitt structure, the ends of said blank sheets at one end of the structure and at the side opposite the folded edge being shaped to form hand and thumb receiving portions and secured along their edges to'form a central hand receiving space and double wall portions at opposite sides of the hand receiving space, the edges of the inner and outer blank sheets at the other end of said structure being separately attached along their edges to form a central hand receiving opening and close the double wall structures at opposite sides thereof, and means for introducing heating liquid to said double wall spaces.
2. A double wall structure according to claim 1 wherein said means for introducing liquid comprises a filling passage along said fold line in communication with both of said double wall portions, and a removable closure for said passage.
3. In a device for applying heat to a persons hand, a mitt having outer front and rear wall portions and inner front and rear wall portions, said four wall portions being jointly secured to each other along their edges throughout the marginal outline of said mitt excepting at the cuff portion thereof and a filler opening portion thereof, the front inner and outer wall portins being secured to each other along said cuff portion, and the rear inner and outer wall portions being secured to each other along said cuff portin, whereby liquidreceiving spaces between the inner and outer wall portions at the front and rear of said mitt are isolated from each other excepting at said filler opening portion, and a filler opening at said filler opening portion for introducing and removing liquid to and from both of said liquid receiving spaces, and removable closure means therefor. |
US-3874001-A | Therapeutic stocking | I Un1ted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,874,001
Patience et a1. Apr. 1, 1975 [5 THERAPEUTIC STOCKING 1.644.185 10/1927 Fischer 2/240 9 9 I 1 1 9 1751 Donald Patience, Barringwn; Roger 11335223 5/1332 111121;??? "621145 3 Swallow, Crystal Lake; Edward 2.903.872 9/1959 Ledwell 112/269 G. Hartigan, Schaumburg ll of 11.; 3.362.029 1/1968 Comerma 2/240 Herbert Knohl, Seneca, S.C. 3,728.875 4/1973 Hartigan 66/172 E [73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS York, N.Y. 17,180 12/1892 United Kingdom 2/240 [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1973 Primary E.ran1uzerWerner H. Schroeder [21] Appl. No.: 340,727
[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 2/240 A full length stocking comprising a circumferentially [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 13/08 elastic boot portion including clastomeric filament [58] Field of Search... 2/239. 240; 66/172 E. 172 R, containing elastic yarn; a narrow elastic band formed 66/177; 128/165 of non-slip elastomeric webbing material; and an attachment portion comprising a single-ply circumferen- [56] References Cited tial strip at the top of the boot portion. The band is at- UNITED STATES PATENTS tached to the strip by over-edge stitching. 683.902 10/1901 Blanchard 112/269 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures THERAPEUTIC STOCKING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to full length therapeutic stockings of the type which include elastomercontaining yarns which exert a compressive force on the leg portion covered by the stocking boot.
Stockings of this type typically have a rather precisely defined and controlled pressure profile in order to effect a predetermined compression of the deep venous system of the leg. Often this predetermined compression profile takes the form of a degree of compression which decreases from the region of the foot to the region of the upper thigh. In certain situations it may be desirable to have a pronounced dip in the pressure profile in certain regions (e.g., around the knee) with a consequent increase in the compressive force in the region immediately above that dip, but with a resumption of the general decline in compressive force from that location above the dip to the region of the upper thigh.
A problem with stockings of the foregoing type has been an undesirable reversal or inversion of this upwardly decreasing pressure profile in the region of the elastic band around the top of the stocking which is customarily provided to properly retain the stocking on the leg. Since such stockings are typically made in, at most, a few sizes, this undesirable pressure on the leg in the region of the elastic retention band is most pronounced when the stockings are used on patients having a thigh circumference near, or even over (i.e., a misfitted stocking application by the nurse), the maximum thigh circumference for which that size stocking was intended. To a large degree this problem has been eliminated by providing an interrupted elastic band with a soft fabric insert between the severed ends of the band. Such a stocking construction is disclosed in Hartigan et al. US Pat. No. 3,728,875, issued Apr. 24, I973.
In stockings without such an insert and, to a much lesser degree, even in stockings with such an insert, the stocking structure in the region where the elastic band is attached to the main body of the stocking is found to often cause, especially with overlarge thighs or misfitted stockings, an actual tourniquet effect or, at least, a possible tourniquet effect indicated by a marking of the skin which is caused by a pronounced bead on the inner stocking surface in the region of attachment of the elastic band to the stocking body. This bead itself may not, for a given patient, produce an actual pressure profile inversion. (The local pressure at the bead is difficult to measure accurately.) The marking, however, is undesirable in itself as it often causes concern in the patient or the physician as to the suspected presence of a dangerous pressure inversion.
In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a construction in a stocking of the type described which reduces either marking of the patients skin or an actual tourniquet effect, or both, in the upper portion of the stocking. It is a further object to provide such an improved stocking which is relatively efficient and inexpensive to manufacture while still achieving the elimination of undesirable compression levels in the upper regions of the stocking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve these and other object as will more fully appear herein, a full length stocking according to the invention comprises a circumferentially clastic boot portion including elastomeric filament containing clastic yarn and a narrow elastic band formed of non-slip elastomeric webbing material. Also provided is an attachment portion which comprises a single-ply circumferential strip at the top of the boot portion, the band being attached to that strip by over-edge stitching. In preferred embodiments of the invention the strip is integral with the boot portion and is circumferentially elastic including elastomeric filament containing elastic yarn. It is also preferred that the over-edge stitching comprise a two thread merrow seam formed with the aid of a large stitch finger, the thread consisting of bulk yarn or stretch yarn.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a particular preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a typical therapeutic stocking;
FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, broken away. enlarged view of a portion of such a therapeutic stocking illustrating a typical prior art construction;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a construction according to the present invention, with the stocking in a relaxed state prior to placement on a patients leg; and
FIG. 4 illustrates the changes which occur in the stocking of FIG. 3 when the stocking is in a stretched condition as, for example, after placement on the patient's leg.
DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the therapeutic stocking 10 comprises a body or boot portion 12 which typically is circularly knit and includes circumferentially disposed elastic yarns. An elastic band 14 is attached to the upper thigh region 16 by stitching 18.
Referring to the greatly enlarged views of FIGS. 2-4, the circumferentially disposed. elastic yarns in the upper thigh region 16 of the boot portion 12 are indicated schematically at 20. The elastic band 14 typically includes an elastic fabric body 22 and a non-slip, grooved elastomer 24 extruded onto the inner surface of the body 22. The stitching 18, 18a is indicated very schematically, the various typical stitches and the preferred over-edge two thread merrow seam used in the present invention being well known, per se, to those skilled in the art.
A prior art construction is illustrated in FIG. 2. An attachment strip 26 comprising the extreme upper portion of the upper thigh region 16 of the stocking body 12 is disposed on the inner surface of the main body 22 of the elastic band 14 and the members 26 and 22 are sewn with stitching (as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2) which passes through the portion of strip 26 abutting the body 22 and, additionally, the portion 28 of strip 26 which curls over toward the wearers leg. As is well known by those skilled in the art, the curling over of a portion 28 in the sewing of a single-ply strip 26 to the elastic band 14 is unavoidable. The resulting structure, however, was effectively a two-ply welt formed in the strip 26 since that strip 26 was effectively sewn to itself.
The result of this conventional placement of the fabric comprising the upper thigh portion 16 of the stocking inside the elastic band 14, as well as the choice of stitch which caused a double penetration of the upper strip 26 of portion 16, was a prominent bead on the inner surface of the stocking around its circumference at the juncture of the boot portion 12 and the elastic band 14. This bead, and possibly the stitching 18 itself can be the source of a tourniquet effect giving a dangerous pressure profile inversion and, at the very least, produces a marking of the patient's skin adjacent the bead which can cause anxiety in patient and physician alike as to the possible presence of a dangerous pressure inversion.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a stocking construction according to the present invention as initially sewn and as stretched under conditions of actual use, respectively. Preparatory to the actual sewing, the extreme upper portion of the strip 26 engages the outer surface of the elastic band 14, while lower regions of the strip 26 bend around to the inner surface of the band 14 so as to simplify the sewing process. As is evident from a comparison of the schematical stitching representations in FlGS. 2 and 3, according to the invention a larger stitch size 18a is employed which, along with the changed orientation of the strip 26 with respect to the elastic band 14, assures a single penetration of the thread through the strip 26 and adequate play in the stitching 18a to assure the deformation upon application of the stocking to a ptient as is shown in FIG. 4 and described below. 7
Referring to FIG. 4, it is apparent that the convoluted shape of the strip 26 as shown in FIG. 3 becomes much flatter in the stretched condition shown in FIG. 4 (but for the inevitable curled-over portion 28 which, according to the invention, bulges toward the outside of the stocking 10 so as to avoid a bead adjacent the patient's skin); In the stretched condition the stitching 18a is represented as more oval in shape and the relationship of the upper thigh portion 16 and the elastic band 14 approaches a true butt joint" so as to provide a marked improvement in the smoothness of the inner surface'of the stocking 10 in the region of the stitching 18a.
While the stitching 18a is shown in a schematic form so as to avoid obscuring the changes which occur between FIGS. 3 and 4, the actual preferred stitch is stitch type 503 (a two thread merrow seam) which is defined in Federal Standard Number 751a of the Federal Standards of Seam Specifications. The actual thread is preferably either a bulky yarn or a stretch yarn,
The larger stitch size which is employed according to the invention (and which is illustrated by a comparison of H68. 2 and 3) is important to provide a softer seam 12 inch band 14 to a stocking boot 12: for a typical small stitch finger as previously employed, 5 yards l 1 inches of needle thread and 3 yards 16 /2 inches of looper thread were consumed; and for large stitch fingers employed in making a stitch such as shown schematically in FIG. 3, 7 yards 8 inches of needle thread and 4 yards 33 inches of looper thread were consumed.
While the accompanying drawings schematically illustrate the elastic yarns 20 as being provided in the strip 26 as well as the remainder of the stocking boot 12, it is to be understood that they may be eliminated in the strip 26 so that the stitching occurs in a relatively inelastic single-ply welt disposed around the upper circumference of the stocking boot 12.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, other embodiments are within the scope of the invention and the following claims.
We claim:
I. A full length therapeutic stocking comprising a circumferentially elastic boot portion including elastomeric filament containing elastic yarn; a narrow elastic band formed of non-slip elastomeric webbing material and having inner and outer surfaces; and an attachment portion comprising a single-ply circumferential strip at the top of said boot portion, said strip having inner andouter surfaces; said band being attached to said strip by over-edge stitching with adjacent portions of said inner surfaces substantially aligned.
2. A stocking as claimed in claim 1 wherein said strip is integral with said boot portion.
3. A stocking as claimed in claim 2 wherein said strip is circumferentially elastic and includes elastomeric filament containing elastic yarn.
4. A stocking as claimed in claim 2 wherein said strip consists of substantially non-elastic yarn.
5. A stocking as claimed in claim 1 wherein said overedge stitching comprises a two thread merrow seam.
6. A stocking as claimed in claim 5 wherein said thread is a bulk yarn.
7. A stocking as claimed in claim 5 wherein said thread is a stretch yarn.
8. A full length therapeutic stocking comprising a circumferentially elastic boot portion including elastomeric filament containing elastic yarn; a narrow elastic band formed of non-slip elastomeric webbing material; and an attachment portion comprising a single-ply circumferential strip at the top of said boot portion; said band being attached to said strip in a seam formed by loose over-edge stitching whereby a substantial flattening of said seam is produced when it is subjected to only the forces produced by ordinary use of such stockings.
9. A stocking as claimed in claim 8 wherein said overedge stitching comprises a two thread merrow seam.
10. A full length therapeutic stocking comprising a circumferentially elastic boot portion including elastomeric filament containing elastic yarn, a narrow elastic band formed of non-slip elastomeric webbing material;
and an attachment portion comprising a single-ply cir-' cumferential strip at the top of said boot portion; said band being attached to said strip by over-edge stitching without overlap of said band and said strip. |
US-3874002-A | Pulsatile magneto-motive artificial heart | United States Patent [191 Kurpanek [451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 PULSATILE MAGNETO-MOTIVE ARTIFICIAL HEART [76] Inventor: Waldemar Helmut Kurpanek,
Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 287,062
[52] US. Cl 3/1, 3/DIG. 2, 128/1 D, 417/50, 417/412, 310/28, 251/65, 137/527 [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 1/24 [58] Field of Search.. 3/1, DIG. 2; 128/1 D, DIG. 3; 417/412, 413
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048,165 8/1962 Norton 3/DIG. 2 3,370,305 2/1968 Goott et a1 3/1 3,568,214 3/1971 Goldschmied 3/1 3,733,616 5/1973 Willis 3]] PULMONARY VEIN Primary Examiner-Ronald L. Frinks Attorney, Agent, or FirmI-Iolman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT A permanently implantable artificial heart utilizing a pulsatile magneto-motive pump consisting of a pump chamber, which has two cobalt rare-earth permanent magnets spaced apart relative to one another so that unlike poles of each magnet face each other across a predetermined gap, one electromagnetic coil, a ferromagnetic piston and a hydraulic fluid. The complete heart consists of two separate half hearts each having one pulsatile magnetic pump, an atrium, a ventricle, respective valves and collapsible hydraulic sacs. A dc pulse applied to the coil determines the pumping stroke rate of the piston which forces hydraulic fluid in and out of the collapsible sacs causing alternating positive and negative pressure gradients in the atrium and ventricle of the heart, thus producing with the i help of one directional check valves, a one-directional pulsatile blood flow circulation. The pumping mode of the pistons is designed to act counter directional to each other whereby generated torque forces are greatly neutralized. The total heart is designed to duplicate the natural hearts pumping action by emptying both ventricles simultaneously while the atria are in the process of filling.
10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures WENW 1 ms SHEET 1 OF 2 55E: Em:
I! In" n h m PULSATILE MAGNETO-MOTIVE ARTIFICIAL HEART SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is to provide a totally implantable artificial heart having a long lasting, reliable, space saving multipurpose pump, that by virtue of its novel construction serves also as its own motor and valve. The reliability and life expectancy of the magnetic pump is much higher than that of a conventional motor and pump. The magnetic pump functions without reduction gear, brushes, contacts, ballbearings, separate motor, etc., to mention only a few advantages. The magnetic pump is a bistable device staying in the on or off position without a holding current or mechanical holding force thereby functioning additionally as a valve. The pump motor is the pumping piston itself and is the one and only moving part. Upon electric triggering the pump starts immediately with full power. The cobalt rare-earth magnets and the coil are fully encased so that only the piston and the pumps cylinder come in contact with the pumped medium. The magnetic pump functioning without brushes, contacts, etc., and being fully encased can be operated in an explosive or highly inflammable medium as well as in a vacuum with absolute safety. The temperature in which it can be successfully operated ranges from absolute zero 270C to 750C.
The operational durability of the magneto-motive pump depends to a high degree on the magnets used.
Modern magnets of the cobalt with rare-earth element type such as the cobalt Samarium magnet which has a resistance to demagnetization that is to 50 times superior to conventional magnets of the Alnico type show great advantages as the following tabulation of properties indicates:
Cobalt Samarium Magnets Magnetic Properties:
Coersive force 9,000 Oersted The cobalt Samarium magnet-has been shown when exposed to a demagnetizing field H of 9000 Oersted to retain its full magnetic strength. In this invention the two magnets are facing with complimentary poles, thereby creating a circular, fully closed ring flux field with a coil set between them producing a mere few hundred Oersted field strength, and opposing only one magnet at a time while at the same time increasing the field strength of the other magnet. The activation of the coil produces a magnetic flux with the highest flux density within the piston. From the poles of the piston the flux enters the opposite poles of the magnet thus continually magnetizing one pole per piston stroke thereby holding the magnets at their magnetic saturation point and preventing possible degradation. A soft iron shield placed between coil and magnets (also 12) permits a flow of magnetic flux on the outside of the coil thus preventing the flux to enter the similarly poled magnet.
Theoretically, should a field H of say 1000 Oersted temporarily demagnetize some magnetic domains, then it would readily be remagnetized as the field of 9000 Oersted plus the field of 1000 Oersted with an energy product of greater than 20 X 10 Gauss-Oersted again fully closes the circular ring flux field of the two magnets.
In industry the cobalt-samarium magnets are used to focus Travelling Wave Tubes where fields of 9000 Oersted are always opposing.
This should prove beyond doubt that a mere 1000 Oersted field cannot produce a degradation of field strength with time in this application.
In the permanently implantable total artificial heart according to the invention the pump exhibits ideal suitability to closely duplicate the pumping action of a normal heart. Although it may be theorized that a mechanical heart pump must not necessarily have to function as a duplicate of the natural heart pump it does nevertheless solve a lot of problems to adhere respectfully to the modes of the naturally created pumping system.
The pulsatile magneto-motive heart pump has been designed to duplicate the natural pumping modes of an actual heart very closely.
It also consists of two atria and two ventricles of which both ventricles are simultaneously emptied while the atria are in the process of filling.
Moreover a simple but very reliable one-directional valve system has been designed which together produce both the high and the low pressure periods (systolic and diastolic) as found in the natural hearts pumping action, thereby eliminating negative pressure states in both atria due to the suction action of the ventricles as found in designs omitting that principle. The check-valve system is designed to give a natural onedirectional pulsatile blood flow circulation and it responds similarly as the natural valve system to an increased blood pressure gradient which overcomes the magnetic force of attraction of the valve flaps thereby opening the valve. A reduction of the blood pressure gradient causes the valve to close and remain closed against an increased blood pressure gradient force in the opposite direction. Thus permitting a onedirectional blood flow circulation only. The valve flaps and the elastic diaphragm sacs are constructed not to come in contact with either the chamber walls nor with each other thereby preventing hemolysis.
The atria are designed as large elastic blood reservoirs thus providing for rapid ventricular filling. The large atria are filled by venous pressure without the necessity of applying the negative pressure gradient. The atria are designed to counter any negative pressure gradient by collapsing slightly inward thus preventing the propagation of the negative pressure gradient to the ve nous system. The complete separation of right and left heart into two independent units reduces the surgical problems considerably. Each separate heart unit is individually controlled, thus permitting a more detailed imitation of the physiologic stroke characteristics.
The pumping mode of the pistons is designed to act counter-directional to each other whereby generated torque forces aregreatly neutralized.
The hearts are shown with a induction coil for transmission of electric energy through the patients chest and the battery for storage. Should a superior power source be used such as possibly the plutonium-238 isotope power source then of course there is no need for the coil and batteries.
The hearts are designed to give the wearer a feeling of security and confidence for should a diaphragm (sac) rupture and the hydraulic fluid used be of a nature not harmful to the wearers system then the normal function of the heart would not be interrupted. The hydraulic fluid would slowly be replaced by the blood and a gradual hemolysis would occur.
By employing a different colour marking fluid in each separate heart unit, say blue in one and green in the other, this would indicate in which heart unit a diaphragm rupture occurred. For the wearer there would be ample time to seek medical aid as with additional blood transfusions many days could be bridged without harmful effects. Unlike gas-driven heart pumps, air embolism cannot occur because there is no gas present.
The primary advantages between the artificial heart using the pump constructed according to this invention and other constructions known from the prior art are simplicity, reliability, compactness and functional life expectancy.
When compared with a natural heart the following characteristics become evident:
induction coil and hydraulic fluid) Output 5 to litres/min Each side yes Aortic arterial pressure lZU-ISO mm Hg Yes Pulmonary arterial pressure -80 mm Hg Yes Pump rate o()l 20 beats/min Yes Diastole 0.5 see Yes Systole 0.3 see Yes Ventricular volume 120 ml Yes A further embodiment of the invention envisages heart design which bears such advantages as: one heart unit, less weight, lower power consumption, smaller volume, etc. But as all things in nature it is counterbalanced with the disadvantage namely that it pumps blood alternatingly into the pulmonary circulation and with the next stroke into the main circulatory system. Should this pumping mode not prove detrimental to the human organism then it should possibly be given priority. The embodiments disclosed are limited to two for reasons of brevity, but it should be noted that a number of different heart units may be designed within the scope of the present invention. The pulsatile magnetomotive pump, motor, valve used in the heart system has been successfully tested by the inventor over a period of almost three years. The novel construction of the closed ring flux field that continually magnetizes the permanent magnets and the application of the superior cobalt rare-earth magnets allowed this invention for the first time to become functionally possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding will be gained of the nature of the instant invention from a study of the following detailed description thereof taken with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
FIGS. A-1 and A-2 show the Pulsatile Magneto- Motive Pump in action in the left heart of a Perma- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention functions due to the use of a novel construction of a magneto-motive pump, which also functions as its own magneto-motive motor and as a magneto-motive valve all these functions being incorporated into one unit to form a permanently implantable total artificial heart. The invention as may be seen from the drawings, includes two cobalt rare-earth per manent magnets (13) set at a distance apart so that the magnetic poles of one magnet face the magnet poles of the other magnet having opposite magnetic polarity thereby forming a closed ring flux field. The two magnets are rigidly mounted into a piston chamber which also serves as a magnetic sheild (8). At the magnets midsection an electro magnetic coil (12) encircles the inside of the piston chamber. A ferro-magnetic piston (11) slides between the magnets inside the coil with two guide blocks (14) containing linear bearings on two guiding rods (15). Compression springs (10) check the sliding motion.
A dc pulse is provided which energizes the coil producing magnetic lines of force which are perpendicular to the poles of the permanent magnets. The highest flux density produced by the coil is concentrated within the ferro-magnetic piston whereby the piston becomes magnetically polarized. The piston is thereupon repelled by like poles and attracted by unlike poles of the permanent magnets. This action is reversed by a dc pulse of opposite polarity thus resulting in a reciprocating motion of the piston between the magnetic poles of the magnets respective to the alternating electric pulse frequency.
The reciprocating motor motion of the piston between the magnets (13) is utilized by the introduction of a piston rod thus resulting in the formation of a Reciprocating Magneto-Motive Motor.
.The reciprocating motor changes its function to a pump through the introduction of a hydraulic fluid. The piston now pumps hydraulic fluid in the reciprocation mode through the pump chamber.
The introduction of a magnetic one-directional check valve system further results in the development of a one-directional pulsatile pumping action. The piston after completion of a stroke remains in a holding bistable position at the face of the magnets due to the magnetic force of attraction without the necessity of mechanical means or holding current until the subsequent dc pulse is applied.
Additionally the introduction of a seal piston housing, a seal piston contact surface at the magnets face and substituting the piston with a valve sealing piston the pump functions as a Bistable Pulsatile Magneto- Motive Valve.
FIGS. A-1 and A-2 represent therefore a Permanently Implantable Total Artificial Heart according to the instant invention comprising as two separate units the left and the right heart.
According to one embodiment of the invention each heart unit has a magneto-motive pump, two elastic diaphragm sacs (1), one atrium chamber, one ventricle chamber, three magnetic one-directional valves and the encasing for the heart units. The pump forces hydraulic fluid (4) through two perforated parts of the pump cylinder (5) alternatively against the elastic diaphragm sacs (1 into the atrium and out of the ventricle chamber. The atrium diaphragm sac forces the blood through the magnetic one-directional ventrical inlet valve (2) into the ventrical (FIG. A-2). The next stroke fills the atrium through the magnetic one-directional oxygenated blood inlet valve from the pulmonary vein and the ventricle forces the blood through the magnetic one-directional oxygenated blood outlet valve into the aorta (FIG. A-l). The stroke characteristic is controlled individually or combined by a pace sensor (6) built into the partition (3) below the ventricle inlet valve and regulated by an electronic circuit (16) at the base of each heart unit. To complete the system an induction coil (7) for the transmission of electrical current through the wearers chest wall and batteries (9) for the storage thereof are included.
FIG. 01 represents in an alternative embodiment of the invention a single heart unit where each chamber functions dually as atrium and ventricle alternatively and being separated completelyby a partition, the hearts septum. Four one-directional magnetic valves direct the blood flow. The pump corresponds to that shown in the embodiment according to FIGS. A-1 and A-2.
FIG. B-2 represents a magnetic one-directional blood flow valve. Two valve flaps open under an increased given blood pressure gradient and close due to magnetic attraction when the blood pressure gradient reverses. The valve flaps are plastic and contain a permanent magnet (13) or soft iron piece which is magnetically attracted by a permanent magnet mounted rigidly inside the outer wall. The valve flaps are hinged and prevented from opening in the other direction by a stopper block and concussion spring The valve flaps and the inner wall are covered by an elastic diaphragm (I) preventing the blood from entering the magnetically shielded compartment.
It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but to present such modifications as reasonably and properly come -within its scope and as might be suggested by one at least one ventricle chamber means disposed in the upper part of said casing and housing a magnetic one-directional outlet valve for permitting blood to flow therefrom;
a semi-rigid chamber wall separating said atrium chamber means and said ventricle chamber means, said wall having a magnetic one-directional ventricle inlet valve to allow blood to flow from said atrium chamber means to said ventricle chamber means, said magnetic one-directional ventricle inlet valve, said magnetic one-directional outlet valve and said magnetic one-directional inlet valve forming a one-directional check valve system;
a first elastic diaphragm sac separating said atrium chamber means from the lower part of said casing, said first elastic sac being expandable into'said atrium chamber means to substantially fill the space therein; 1
a second elastic diaphragm sac separating said ventricle chamber means from the lower part of said casing, said second elastic sac being expandable into said ventricle chamber means to substantially fill the space therein;
pump chamber means rigidly disposed in the lower part of said casing;
reciproating bistable electro-magnetic pumping means for generating a reciprocating pumping motion, having an hydraulic pumping medium and rigidly disposed in said pump chamber means;
means permitting said reciprocating pumping means to alternatively pump said pumping medium into said first and second elastic diaphragm sacs to fill said sacs and cause expansion thereof into respective ones of said chamber means and thereby generate pulsatable motion in said artificial heart which forces blood, under the agency of said onedirectional check valve system, in a one-directional mode around said circulatory system.
2. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pumping means comprises:
at least two permanent magnets rigidly mounted in said pumping chamber means so that the poles of one magnet face the poles of the other at a given distance therebetween, said facing poles having opposite polarity thus forming a closed ring flux field that cannot be magnetized under a given operating condition;
ferro-magnetic piston means reciprocably slidable between the poles of said permanent magnets;
electromagnetic coil means rigidly disposed between said permanent magnets and operatively surrounding said ferromagnetic piston means;
means for energizing said coil with an alternating dc pulse so that said coil generates an alternating electromagnetic flux field to cause said ferro-magnetic piston means to be continuously magnetically polarized in opposite directions and thereby execute said reciprocating pumping motion between said magnetic poles by being alternately repelled and attracted therebetween.
3. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means permitting said pumping means to pump said pumping fluid into said first and second diaphragm sacs comprises perforations in the wall of said chamber means adjacent the separation of said atrium chamber means and said ventricle chamber means with the lower part of said casing.
type.
5. A permanently implantable artificial heart for pumping blood around a circulatory system, said heart comprising:
a casing having an upper part and a lower part;
first and second chamber means disposed in said upper part, each chamber means capable of functioning both as an atrium and a ventricle;
a chamber wall dividing said first and second chamber means and preventing communication therebetween;
a first inlet and first outlet passage of said first chamber means, said first inlet passage having a first magnetic one-directional inlet valve and said first outlet passage having a first magnetic onedirectional outlet valve, said first inlet and first outlet valves allowing blood to flow into and out of said first chamber means respectively;
a second inlet and second outlet passage of said second chamber means, said second inlet passage having a second magnetic one-directional inlet valve and said second outlet passage a first magnetic onedirectional outlet valve, said second inlet and said second outlet valves allowing blood to flow into and out of said second chamber means respectively;
a first elastic diaphragm sac separating said first chamber means from the lower part of said casing, said first elastic sac being expandable into said first chamber means to substantially fill the space therein;
a second elastic diaphragm sac separating said second chamber means from the lower part of said casing, said first elastic sac being expandable into said second chamber means to substantially fill the space therein, said first magnetic one-directional magnetic inlet and outlet valves forming a first onedirectional check valve system, and said second magnetic one-directional magnetic inlet and outlet valves forming a second one-directional check valve system of said artificial heart;
pump chamber means rigidly disposed in the lower part of said casing;
reciprocating bistable electro-magnetic pumping means for generating a reciprocating pumping motion rigidly disposed in said pump chamber means and having an hydraulic pumping medium and at least two permanent magnets rigidly mounted in said pump chamber means so that the poles of one magnet face the poles of the other at a given distance therebetween, said facing poles having opposite polarity thus forming a closed ring flux field that cannot be magnetized under a given operating condition; ferromagnetic piston means reciprocably slidable between the poles of said permanent magnets; electromagnetic coil means rigidly disposed between said permanent magnets and operatively surrounding said ferromagnetic piston means; means for energizing said coil with an alternating dc pulse so that said coil generates an alternating electromagnetic flux field to cause said ferromagnetic piston means to be continuously magnetically polarized in opposite directions and thereby execute said reciprocating pumping motion between said magnetic poles by being alternately repelled and attracted therebetween; means permitting said reciprocating pumping means to alternatively pump said pumping medium into said first and second elastic diaphragm sacs to fill said sacs and cause expansion thereof into respective ones of said first and second chamber means and thereby generate pulsatable motion in said artificial heart which forces blood, under the agency of said first and second one-directional check valve systems, in a one-directional mode around said circulatory system.
6. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 5 wherein 7. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 5 wherein said permanent magnets are of the cobalt rare-earth type.
8. A permanently implantable artificial heart for pumping blood around a circulatory system said heart comprising:
a casing having an upper part and a lower part;
at least two chamber means disposed in said upper part and having corresponding inlet and outlet passages for transporting blood to and from each of said chambers respectively so that as blood is entering one chamber it is simultaneously leaving the other;
a one-directional check valve system disposed in said inlet and outlet passages for controlling and allowing the flow of blood in one direction through said heart and into said circulatory system;
a first elastic diaphragm sac separating one of said two chamber means from the lower part of said casing, said first elastic diaphragm sac being expandable into said one of said chamber means to substantially fill the space therein;
a second elastic diaphragm sac separating the other of said two chamber means from the lower part of said casing said second elastic diaphragm sac being expandable into said other of said two chamber means to substantially fill the space therein;
reciprocating bistable electromagnetic pumping means for generating a reciprocating pumping motion rigidly disposed in the lower part of said casing, and having an hydraulic pumping medium; at least two permanent magnets rigidly mounted in said chamber means so that the poles of one magnet face the poles of the other at a given distance therebetween, said facing poles having opposite polarity thus forming a closed ring flux field that cannot be magnetized under a given operating condition; ferromagnetic piston means reciprocably slidable between the poles of said permanent magnets; electromagnetic coil means rigidly disposed between said permanent magnets and operatively surrounding said ferro-magnetic piston means; means for energizing said coil with an alternating dc pulse so that said coil generates an alternating electromagnetic flux field to cause said ferromagnetic piston means to be continuously magnetically polarized in opposite directions and thereby execute said reciprocating pumping motion between said magnetic poles by being alternately repelled l0 9. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 8 wherein said one-directional check valve system means comprises a plurality of magnetically operable onedirectional valves.
10. An artificial heart as claimed in claim 8 wherein said permanent magnets are of the cobalt rare-earth type. |
US-3874003-A | Artificial hip joint | United States Patent 1191 Moser et al. Apr. 1, 1975 1 ARTIFICIAL HIP JOINT 3,102,536 9/1963 Rose et a1. 128/92 CA 3.320.951 5/1967 Wittebol 128/92 CA [751 lnvemorsl Hem Selzach; P" Karl, 3,584,318 6/1971 Scales et a1. 128/92 c Holderbank, both Of swltzerland 3,656,184 4/1972 Chambers 128/92 c 3,685,058 8/1972 T ronzo... 128/92 C [73] Assgnee' Selzach Solothum 3,744,061 7/1973 Frost 3/1 Sw1tzerland [22] Filed: Apr. 4, 1973 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-1.1. Yasko [2]] Appl' 347621 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Imirie, Smiley & Linn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Apr. 6, 1972 Switzerland 4854/72 An artificial hip joint, wherein an artificial femur head is fixed in the femur and a socket having two pins is [52] US. Cl. 3/1, 128/92 C, 128/92 CA secured in the pelvis. The apparatus includes special [51] Int. Cl. A61F l/00 tools for fixing the socket in the pelvis in a proper po- [58] Field of Search....3/ 1; 128/92 C, 92 CA, 92 R, sition particularly determined by bores taking up said 128/92 BA, 92 BB, 83 pins, and the ball head may be located in different positions on a pin of the femur shank and is secured [56] References Cited from unintentional twisting once it is mounted thereon UNITED STATES PATENTS final p 2,719,522 10/1955 Hudack 128/92 CA 21 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 I975 EHL .llllll-llll-Illllll' ll/ 2 I I ARTIFICIAL HIP JOINT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns an artificial hip joint.
The purpose of artificial hip joints is the replacement of natural hip joints in order to return freedom of movement to a person with a diseased hip joint.
Artificial joints for the replacement of the hip joint are known. It should be noted that at first only the ball at the top of the femur was replaced. Only later were both parts of the hip joint replaced, that is to say, the socket in the pelvis and the ball at the top of the femur. Operations which require only the replacement of the ball of the joint were and still are today carried out using an artificial femur head. This artificial femur head has a shank for insertion into the medullar cavity of the femur, the shank being provided near one end with an enlargement having a bearing surface for abutting the upper surface of the femur and adjoining this, a pin for receiving the ball of the joint. Conventional artificial femur heads have a capitulum in contact with the acetabulum and a shank portion intended for insertion into the medullar cavity of the femur; a demountable joint being provided between the capitulum and the shank part.
Another known embodiment comprises a rod-like portion and an enlarged portion and a ball head which is intended to be provided on the top of the remainder femur by a supporting surface and the center of the ball head is disposed externally of the longitudinal axis of the stem. The ball head is provided on a neck part and the plane through the center of the ball head and the supporting surface, viewed in the direction of the narrow side of the artificial joint to the center plane of the flat stem, subtends an angle, and that the supporting surface on the underside of the neck member, viewed in the direction of the wide side of the artificial joint, is arranged perpendicularly to the said plane through the middle of the ball head, whilst the lower rod-like part of the shank is approximately twice as long as its enlarged part.
In conventional artificial joints, the ball is mounted on a cylindrical part. If, for any reason, the ball does not run freely in the socket, attrition occurs on account of the friction of the ball on the pin of the shank and is considerable because of the relatively small diameter of the pin leading rapidly to an unsteady connection. Furthermore, in a subsequent operation for replacing the artificial joint, there are often difficulties in extracting the rooted or cemented-in artificial joint, so that the operation takes a long time, a feature which has extremely harmful consequences on the patient.
In addition to these artificial femur heads, total artificial hips are also known in which both parts of the joint, that is to say, both the ball and the socket, can be replaced. However, with such artificial joints difficulties arise which should not be neglected, since, due to the strong forces arising with the loading of the joints, the originally good joint surfaces become deformed or even damaged. The resultant bad qualities or frictional characteristics of the joint make movement difficult, causing pain and the surrounding tissues may, due to the resultant products of attrition, tend to produce corresponding reactions and this may lead to the artificial joints having to be replaced in a further operation.
These disadvantages were avoided by the feature that different materials were used for the socket and the ball. Plastics materials were used for the sockets and metals for the balls. The metal heads were fixed into the previously prepared medullar cavity of the femur. Either the artificial femur shank had so-called windows for this purpose, through which it was possible for the bone to grow or a plain shank was cemented into the medullar cavity.
Similarly,the plastics material socket was cemented into the pelvis. The outer radius of the plastics material socket, however, depends on the structure of the skeleton, just as its wall thickness depends on the loads to be expected. The consequence of this is that the inner radius and, therefore, the radius of the ball, are small, whereby, after a certain lapse of time the socket becomes worn out from friction, since the resultant forces exceed the resistance of the surface of the plastics material socket, and this naturally necessitates the replacement of the joint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of conventional artificial femur heads.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a total artificial hip joint having none of the disadvantages of conventional joints of this kind.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a hip joint which can be adjusted to the given conditions of the skeleton.
Yet another object of the present invention is to construct an artificial hip joint in which all the individual parts are inserted into the body in a predetermined position.
A further object to be achieved by means of the present invention is to provide an artificial hip joint which can be easily and rapidly inserted.
Another object of the present invention is to indicate a method of operating for inserting the artificial hip joint.
These objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention, on the one hand, by an artificial hip joint, comprising an artificial femur head with a femur body and ball head and a joint socket, in which the ball head is located on a pin of the femur shank and is secured against unintentional twisting by means of pegs which engage in depressions in the collar of the femur shank, and the joint socket has two pins which determine and secure its position in the pelvis.
A preferred embodiment of the artificial hip joint of the present invention is characterised in that the ball head has a ball neck extension on which the pegs are disposed.
The most important advantages of the present invention reside in the feature that it is possible to comply within very wide limits with the given conditions of the skeleton, since it is possible to copy the direction of the bones, medially, laterally, posteriorly and anteriorly, so that the ball head is mounted on the pins of the artificial femur head in the appropriate corresponding position.
Furthermore, the two pins of the socket are protected from small movements which could lead to subsequent loosening.
The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a section through part of a skeleton with inserted artificial joints, the right hip joint being replaced by an artificial femur head and a left hip joint by a total artificial hip according to the present invennon;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the artificial femur head with a mounted ball head of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the artificial femur shank shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a section through a joint socket of the pres ent invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the socket shown in FIG. 4;
FIGS. 6a,b,c,d,e and fare side views of the present ball head in the normal, lateral and medial directions and plan views in the normal, anterior and posterior directions;
FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the upper part of an artificial femur shank with an alternative mounting of the ball head according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a view of a rasp used for shaping the medullar cavity in the femur shank;
FIG. 8a shows a milling cutter associated with the rasp according to FIG. 8;
FIG. 9 is a section through a socket inserting device with mounted socket;
FIG. 10 is a section through a drill gauge for drilling two holes in the acetabulum, in which the pins of the joint socket engage; and
FIG. 10a is a plan view of the drill gauge according to FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a pelvis l3 and two femurs 14 and 15, in which shanks 16 and 17 of artificial femur heads are inserted'in the medullar cavities 56 and 57. The artificial femur heads are positioned on the surfaces 22 and 23 of the remaining part of the femurs by bearing surfaces 18 and 19 of collars 20 and 21. The left side of FIG. 1 shows a right hip joint in which a ball head 24 extends directly into the natural socket 25 of the joint and co-operates therewith. The right side of FIG. 1 shows a left hip joint which is replaced by a total artificial hip, since the natural socket is replaced by an artificial socket 26.
FIGS. 2 and 3 shows in more detail how the artificial femur head is constructed. It should be noted that the length of the shank 16 can be adapted in accordance with the dimension of the skeleton and the forces involved. In order to protect the shank 16 from unintentionally sinking into the femur 14, the bearing surface 18 has been considerably enlarged on the medial side. Similarly, the lateral reinforcement 27 on the shank minimises twisting in the femur 14. The collar 20 is provided in its rear portion with a bore 28 serving to secure the possibly separated trochanter major in position again by means of an incercling. Alternatively, in the event of infection, an extracting device can be engaged in this bore. The collar 20 is provided with four depressions 29 on its side opposite to the shank 16 and the bearing surface 18, shown in plan in FIG. 3 and in a side elevation in FIG. 2. In order to receive the ball head 36, the artificial femur shank 16 has, at the point of intersection of the depressions 29, a tapered pin 30, the axis 58 of which normally forms an angle of 126 with the axis of the shank. The surface of the shank 16 is smooth or sand-blasted.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a hip socket 26 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Its shape, which is adapted as far as possible to that of the natural socket, is clearly shown. Two pins 31 and 32 are provided which accurately secure the socket 26 in holes in the acetabulum and, may be considered as a special feature. The two pins are each provided with a groove 34 through which excess cement can flow out during the cementing-in process. Radially extending ribs 33 also serve to secure the position of the socket 26 in the pelvis 13.
Due to the fact that metal, such as a Cr-Co-Mo alloy, is used as socket material, and the ball head consists of plastics material, such as, polyethylene, the inner surface 35 of the socket 26 is not damaged in'any way by the use of the hip joint. Hence any replacement of the cemented-in socket 26, with all its disadvantages is completely unnecessary, except in the case of infections.
FIG. 2 shows another ball head 36 with a symmetrical neck extension 64 and a bore 65 which is slipped on the taper pin 30 of the femur shank.
In contrast to this, FIG. 7 shows a ball head 37 with an asymmetrical neck extension 66 and a decentred bore 67, the axis 68 of which subtends, with the center line 69 of the ball head 37, an angle of between 5 and 15.
FIGS. 6a,b,c,d,e and f show the various basic directions of the axes of the hip joint which may be considered with the same artificial femur head, and also with a single total artificial hip without replacing any cemented-in artificial part. It is sufficient if the ball head 36, shown in FIG. 2, by means of which the normal direction shown in FIGS. 6a and 6d is achieved, is replaced by the ball head 37 shown in FIG. 7, a feature which can be realised without difficulty, since both ball heads 36 and 37 are simply slipped on the taper pin 30. The lateral direction, FIG. 6b, is obtained if the ball head 37 is slipped on the pin 30 so that the centre 61 of the ball is disposed above the axis 38 of the pin. However, the medial direction, FIG. 6c, is obtained if the same ball head 37 is slipped on the pin 30 so that the centre 61 of the ball is below the axis 58 of the pin. The anterior and posterior directions, in turn, are obtained with the same ball head 37 if the latter, as shown in FIGS. 6e and 6f, are slipped on the taper pin 30 sothat the centre 61 of the ball is disposed behind or in front of the axis 58 of the pin. These five basic directions are accurately determined by the position of the pegs 38 of the ball heads 36 and 37 and the position of the corresponding depressions 29 of the collar 30, into which they fit.
The artificial femur shank 16, shown in FIG. 2 is cemented-in, as is the socket 26. However, as cementingin involves undesirable side effects, heat development with the setting of the cement, monomer separation and also longterm effects which have not yet been completely explained, is is a great advantage if the use of bone cement can be abandoned.
However, in order to fix the artificial shank in position, it must be formed as shown in FIG. 7. The shank 16 is initially rasped approximately to the thickness A. When the shank is subsequently introduced into the medullar cavity 56 of the femur 14 (FIG. 1), the residual bone material is rasped away by the teeth 39 of the shank 40 so that this material collects in the depressions between the teeth 39, a feature which may lead to adhesion of the artificial femur shank. During the subsequent ossification the artificial shank then becomes firmly rooted in the femur.
The rest of the construction of this artificial femur shank 40 corresponds in all other requirements to that according to FIGS. 2 and 3, since otherwise the replaceability of the individual ball heads would be placed in question.
It will be easily seen that the artificial hip joint of the present invention, whether as an artificial femur head or as a total artififical hip joint, represents an artificial hip on a building block system, in which only the ball heads have to be replaced in order to obtain the most natural positions of the femur possible. It is obvious that extreme conditions of the bones can be further compensated by suitably adapted artificial femur shanks and sockets.
In order to insert the artificial hip of the present invention as rapidly and as easily as possible, a few special instruments or tools are necessary, as will be apparent from the following description. For example, a rasp, as shown in FIG. 8, is required, comprising a rasp member 41 and a handle slipped and fixed on a pin. The medullar cavity 56 of the femur 14 is shaped with the rasp 41. This rasp 41 should preferably have the same dimensions as the artificial femur shank 16, or thickness A of the shank 40. After the initial rasping process, the handle is removed and the rasp 60 left in the medullar cavity so that the surface B is flush with the stump of the femur neck. The pin now projects above the bone. The stump of the femur neck is milled accurately plane using a milling cutter as shown in FIG. 80 by way of this pin, and the correct anglefor the bearing surface 18 of the artificial shank is also accurately obtained thereby.
FIG. shows the drill gauge of the present invention for drilling the holes in the acetabulum. It has a spherical end 49, the shape of which approximately matches the shape of the socket part 26. After the introduction of the drill gauge in the initially milled acetabulum it is brought to the correct position (45 to the axis of the body and l020 anteversion) and fixed by means of the two small pins 52 and 53 which are axially displaceable and have points 62 and 63, which are hammered into the acetabulum. The depth of penetration of the pin is accurately determined by the stops 54, 55. The two holes for receiving the pins 21 and 22 of the socket 26 are drilled in the acetabulum in this position by a special spiral drill through the holes C in the drill gauge. The spiral drill is also provided with a stop so that the necessary drilling depth can be accurately observed. The position of the socket 26 is thus accurately determined.
A socket inserting device 42, as shown in FIG. 9, may also be used with advantage, this device having a spherical end 43 of the shape of the inner surface 35 of the socket 26, or, in the form of the ball head 24, on which end 43 the socket 26 can be clamped. This is effected by means of an elastic holder 44 slipped over an edge 45 of the socket 26. As soon as the socket 26, the outside of which is filled with cement between the ribs 33 before the insertion in the pelvis 13, is in its final position, determined by the two bores in the acetabulum, the handle 46 is pressed in the direction of the pelvis or towards the end 43, so that the socket 26 is pressed firmly into the acetabulum, the result of which is that the two pins 31 and 32 engage in the prepared holes in the acetabulum. A part 48 is then drawn towards the handle 46 against the bias of a spring 47. Thus the holder 44 is removed from the end 43 so that it releases the edge 45 of the socket 46. The socket 26 is thus inserted in the pelvis and the inserting device can be withdrawn. After the shank 16 or 40 of the artificial femur head is cemented in the medullar cavity 52 or pressed therein, the ball head 36 or 37, selected and positioned according to the condition of the skeleton, can be slipped on the taper pin 30. The actual insertion of the artificial hip joint is thus completed.
The fact that none of the cemented-in or grown-in parts is subjected to wear, has proved to be extremely advantageous if for any reason the ball head has to be replaced, since a small operative opening is sufficient for removing the ball head from the taper pin of the artificial femur and mounting a new one.
It is obvious that alterations may be made to the artificial hip itself, to the method of operation and the set of instruments used for the purpose without departing from the scope of the present invention.
What we claim is:
1. An artificial hip joint, comprising an artificial femur head having a femur shank and ball head mounted thereon, and a socket, said femur shank having a support pin projecting from an upper end thereof and a collar about the base of said pin, said ball head having a bore which is disposed on said pin of the femur shank and is secured from unintentional twisting by pegs projecting axially at a face of the ball head for cooperative engagement with depressions in said collar of the femur shank, said bore of the ball head having an axis offset from a diameter line of the ball head, whereby said ball head may be disposed on said pin and fixed by said pegs and'depressions in various relative angular positions for selection of various positions of said ball head relatively to said femur shank.
2. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the ball head has a neck extension on which the pegs are disposed.
3. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the ball head has a bore, the axis of which is offset between 5 and 15 from a diameter line.
4. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the ball head has four axially projecting pegs arranged cross-wise.
5. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the artificial femur shank has at least approximately smooth surfaces.
6. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the shank has annular teeth.
7. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the collar has a bore in its rear portion.
8. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the collar has four depressions arranged crosswise at whose point of intersection said pin is disposed and is tapered.
9. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the axis of the shaft and the axis of the pin subtend an angle of 126.
10. Anartificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the neck of the ball head is symmetrical.
11. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the ball head has an asymmetrical neck.
12. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the femur shank is curved and the rear part of its upper end is provided with a reinforcement.
13. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the ball head consists of plastics material.
14. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the shank consists of Co Cr Mo alloy.
15. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the femur shank is sand-blasted.
16. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the socket has two pins.
17. An artificial hip joint as claimed in claim 1, in which the socket is provided on its outer surface with which the socket consists of a Co-Cr-Mo alloy. |
US-3874004-A | Symes ankle joint | United States Patent May Apr. 1, 1975 i 1 SYMES ANKLE JOINT 975.439 11/1910 Lawrence .1 3/32 l.l02,774 7/l9l4 M t' h k 3 34 [751 Memo" 5:"? kdonald 1.323,444 12/1919 t 333 g an [73] Assignee: J. E. Hanger & Company Limited, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATONS L d E l d 325,333 9/!920 Germany 4. 3/6 455,64l 2/1928 Germany 3/6 [22] Filed; May 28, 1974 [2]] Appl. No: 474,064 Primary E.\'aminerRonald L. Frinks Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Imirie, Smiley & Linn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 31 @973 United Kingdom 1. 25978/73 [57} ABSTRACT [52] U5. CL I I I I H 3/33 3/7 The invention provides an artificial ankle joint partic- {511 lm. CL ularly suitable for patients who have undergone the [58] Field ofgearch 3/3045 Symes amputation. An effective ankle pivot center is provided at substantially the natural position by the use of a pair of links pivoted to points on the metal {56] References Ci'ed sole plate of an artificial foot and points. spaced UNITED STATES PATENTS nearer together, on a stump socket 487,697 l2/l892 Ehle 3/33 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures QJEHTED APR 1 I975 SHEET 1 BF 2 PATENTEI] APR 1 i975 swear} 1 SYMES ANKLE JOINT This invention concerns improvements in artificial ankle joints. It is particularly but not exclusively directed to the provision of joints suitable for patients who have undergone the Symes amputation (disarticulation of the ankle); the joints also lend themselves to use with mono-tubular of skeletal modular legs and can accommodate appreciably longer below the knee stumps.
The Syrnes amputation results in a functionally good stump because the end of the stump is capable of taking the full weight of the patient. Prosthetic replacement, however. is difficult because of the small ground clearance. This is the distance between the end of the stump and the ground when the patient is standing level, and may be as little as one inch.
The patient has good control of the hip and knee, as these musculatures are not affected by this type of amputation. therefore patients are usually very active and require a robust device.
Devices in accordance with the invention make provision for an ankle joint to be supplied within the space of 1 inch from the base of the stump.
According to the invention we provide an artificial ankle joint comprising a metal sole plate within an artificial foot. the said sole plate carrying pivot bearings for a posterior upwardly and forwardly sloped swinging link and an anterior upwardly and rearwardly sloped swinging link. the said links being pivoted at their upper ends to posterior and and anterior lugs forming part of patient weight-bearing structure. and a pre-compressed resilient stress-relieving control block located between the sole plate and the weight-bearing structure.
The weight-bearing structure may be a stump socket or a plate fitted to the lower end of a modular leg. In either case its base may have a ground clearance of less than 30mm.
The swinging links may have an effective length less than 2()mm., the pivot bearings on the sole plate may have centres a little over lOOmm apart. while the lugs on the weight-bearing structure may provide pivot centres somewhat less than 80mm apart.
The locus of instantaneous centres of rotation of the joint. that is the points of intersection of the extended axes of the two links. forms an inverted hyperbola which passes through the two lower pivot centres and the effective ankle pivot at zero deflection.
The locus of the effective ankle pivot moves only about one-eighth inch over the range of Plant-aflexion to l2- doriflexion. This enables the effective ankle centre to be approximately I/4 inches up inside the stump (i.e. approximately at the level of the lateral maleolus. the natural ankle level).
At full dorsiflexion the instantaneous centre is back at the rear lower pivot and at full plantafexion it is in front at the forward lower pivot. The effective lever distances to the control rubber are great (compared with single axis ankle joints), the rubber loadings being thus relieved and reducing the stresses in the unit.
Two constructional forms of ankle joint are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;
FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a joint suitable for a disarticulated ankle, and
FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a joint suitable for use with a modular leg.
In FIG. 1 the metal sole plate 1 carries posterior pivot bearing 2 and an anterior pivot bearing 3 carrying swinging links 4A and 48 respectively.
A stump socket 5 carries posterior and anterior lugs to which the upper ends oflinks 4A and 4B are pivoted.
A rubber block 6 is bonded to the plate 1 and is precompressed to bear against the base of the socket 5.
A balata toe spring assembly 7 is secured to the forward part of the plate 1 and a foamed plastic foot is moulded around the whole.
The locus of the instantaneous centres of rotation is indicated by the broken line 8.
In FIG. 2 like references denote like parts to those of FIG. 1. In the illustrated joint the stump socket 5 has been replaced by the modular leg fitting 10.
The fitting 11, shown in broken lines, is in the position requisite for attachment to a conventional ankle joint and demonstrates that a modular leg tube more than 2 inches longer can be accommodated by use of the linkage joint of the invention.
It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the preferred form which has been described by way ofexample which can be modified without departure from the broad ideas underlying them.
I claim:
1. An artificial ankle joint comprising a metal sole plate within an artificial foot, the said sole plate carrying pivot bearings for a posterior upwardly and forwardly sloped swinging link and an anterior upwardly and rearwardly sloped swinging link. the said links being pivoted at their upper ends to posterior and an anterior lugs forming part of patient weight-bearing structure, and a pre-compressed resilient stressrelieving control block located between the sole plate and the weight-bearing structure.
2. An artificial ankle joint according to claim 1 in which the weight-bearing structure is a stump socket.
3. An artificial ankle joint according to claim I, in which the weight-bearing structure is a plate fitted to the lower end of a modular artificial leg.
4. An artificial ankle joint according to claim 1, in which the instantaneous centres of rotation of the joint, namely the intersection points of the axes of the two links, forms an inverted hyperbola which passes through the two lower pivot centres and through the locus of the effective ankle pivot at zero deflection of the joint.
5. An artificial ankle joint according to claim 1, in which the length of each link is less than 30 mm.
6. An artificial ankle joint according to claim 1, in which the pivot bearings on the sole plate are more than 100 mm apart.
7. An artificial ankle joint according to claim I, in which the lugs on the weight-bearing structure are less than mm apart. |
US-3874005-A | Child{3 s safety playpen for use in water | 1 1 CHILDS SAFETY PLAYPEN FOR USE IN WATER Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant E.\'aminerGalen L. Barefoot [76] Inventor g fi' 23%? g ggi i Attorney, Agent, or FirnzPugh & Laiche Lake Charles, La. 70601 22 F1 d: A l 197 1 3 57 ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 387,969
The present invention pertains to a novel swimming [52] U S Cl 4/171 9/400 pool playpen means comprising a foraminous enclo- [511 In} .Cl Eoih 3/19 Sure adapted for Suspension in a y of water Such [58] Fie'ld 5/93 R that its bottom portion can be operably positioned a R 0 5 31 135/16 pre-determined relatively shallow depth beneath the surface of the water. One preferred embodiment in- [56] References Cited cludes adjustable support means for resting the playpen upon the water bottom and an another preferred UNITED STATES PATENTS embodiment is directed to flotation means operably 208,360 9/1878 Bamber 4/171 connected [0 the playpen for suspending it within 3 1954-505 2/1913 91 4/171 body of water and whereby it can be conveniently regg f located with very little effort. The enclosure portion of 1 1959 zt i 4 R the present swimming pool playpen is preferably con- 5 g 3/1962 Boyd 4/171 structed of a rigid tubular frame over which a forami- 3.309.7|9 3/1967 Bader ct a1 a 5/93 R x "0118 materlal 15 mounted- 3 351,323 11/1967 Spencer 256/ 5 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6 Clam, 9 D'awmg Fgms 209,196 10/1959 Austria |9 (7| 1 1 1 1 1 I ting, ktjgli 1 1 1 t 38 if I I2 'VE/t5:
21 :1 1 -:-:"==:=E-:-:-:-'-:-: 5 5? I I :11 I I i: 1 I fl :f ,i I 31 t I: lo- 20 P ll -i 33 v .1
CI-IILDS SAFETY PLAYPEN FOR USE IN WATER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to those arts concerned with an infant's playpen. More particularly, the present invention provides a unique playpen for use in water, both for the protection of young children as well as for their amusement.
In attending a small child or an infant in a swimming pool or the water. there is a constant threat of the child drowning for many different reasons. This problem magnifies itself when the attendant of the child is also engaged in swimming. Should the attendant stray into deeper water. the child may attempt to follow the attendant into the deeper water since such would be a natural act of a child. On such situations. it is convenient to be able to take the child into deeper waters whereby both the attendant and the child can simultaneously enjoy the water.
There are numerous non-sinkable or buoyant devices sold today for supporting children in the water whereby they need not be constantly held in an attendants hands. Typical of such devices are those as disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. l,764.852; 2,562.080; 3,074,084; and 3,161,897. A common problem of such devices is that children quite often are able to move about too freely whereby they either crawl or fall out of the devices. In any event. since the child is not restrained therein and if the child separates himself in some manner or means. he will be exposed to drowning.
The present invention overcomes these and other related prior art problems by providing a playpen adaptable for use in a swimming pool or water whereby the depth of water within the playpen can be easily regulated without very much effort. As is well known. playpen structures similar in structure to those used in the present invention are relatively light weight and portable, and can be manually moved about.
Among the advantages and features of the present invention is the fact that it is virtually impossible for a child to become separated from the present playpen and be placed in the jeopardy of drowning. These and other unique advantages and features of the present invention will become evident in light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I in the drawings is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 in the drawings depicts a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a partial cutaway portion showing certain details of the bottom support of the present playpen.
FIG. 3 in the drawings depicts another preferred embodiment of the present invention with a partial cutaway portion showing certain details of the flotation collar which supports the playpen in a body of water.
FIG. 4 of the drawings is an isolated plan view of adjustable means for varying the elevation of the playpen bottom.
FIG. 5 is an isolated sectional view of the adjustable support means of FIG. 4 taken along the section line 5- 5.
FIG. 6 in the drawing depicts a plan view of the floatation collar shown encircling the playpen embodiment of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 represents a side elevation view of the collar shown in plan of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 in the drawing depicts a cross-sectional elevation view taken diagonally across one corner of the floatation collar along the line 88 of FIG. 6 of the drawings.
FIG. 9 in the drawing illustrates an isometric view of support means for supporting an umbrella upon the playpen bottom which is shown in a partial cut-away portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present playpen l0 illustrated therein is shown as being adapted for resting upon the bottom 11 of swimming pool. For simplicity of design as well as ease of manufacture and maintenance, the structural support members which together form the basic structural skeleton or support frame of the present device are perferably tubular members constructed of a rust resistant material. such as aluminum.
chromium plated steel so as to be water compatible or galvanized steel. The vertically oriented members l2, l3, l4 and 15 are spaced apart in an operable relationship so as to preferably define a square floor plan. The top ends of these members in turn are connected together by the top cross members l6, 17. I8 and 19 which are preferably rigidly affixed to their respective vertical stanchions by suitable means, such as by welding or the like.
The stanchions 12, 13, 14 and 15 are also connected together along their bottom portion by the lower cross support members 20 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The drawings illustrate only a side elevation view of the lower cross support members 20 and hence, those members connecting the stanchions l2 and l3, l3 and 14, and I4 and 15 are not illustrated. The lower cross support members 20 are also suitably affixed to their respective stanchions, such as by welding.
The present playpen 10 is provided with the platform support member or means 21 for supporting an infant within the enclosure defined by the stanchions l2, l3, l4 and I5 and the top cross support members 16, 17, 18 and 19 which form playpen wall enclosure means. The platform 21 is preferably a foraminous rigid memher, being provided with the holes 37, capable of supporting an infant of average weight and age for which the present playpen would be designed as desired. As illustrated, particularly in FIG. 2, the holes 37 are located across the width and breadth of the playpen 21. Use of a foraminous platform also reduces the weight of that member which is especially designed when employing heavier materials of construction. such as galvanized steel.
The platform 21 is constructed and arranged relative to its supporting superstructure whereby its elevation can be raised or lowered by variable support means. This is accomplished by provision of the adjustable toggle support pin means 22 which, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, are operably designed to bayonnet within selected ones of the series of support holes 23 provided in each of the respective stanchions 12, l3, l4 and 15 as shown in detail in FIG. 5. As can be seen in the figres, the support holes 23 extend along a substantial :ngth of the stanchions.
The toggle support pin 22 further comprises the eye- -t portion 24 which is designed such that an operator 1n readily grab the pin for removal and insertion ithin the holes 23. The eyelet portion 24 is connected the elongated shank portion which is of a diame- :r such that it will fit snugly without interference ithin the holes 23. The toggle pin 22 is also provided ith the toggle retainer member 26 which is pivotably Jnnected to the shank portion 25 of the pin 22 by virre ofa connecting pin 27. The shank portion 25 is pro- ;ded with a vertical slot traversing its end wherein the )ggle retainer 26 is suspended by virtue of the pin 27. The support platform 21 is preferably provided with re groove 28 in each of its corners adapted to mate ith the outer periperal surface of a respective support anchion as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrated ith regard, for instance. to the stanchion 14. Each arner of the platform 21 is also preferably provided ith the pin retaining collar 29 which is affixed to the ottom of the support 21 at each of its corners. The nllars 29 are oriented as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawlgs such that the toggle support pin 22 can be bayoneted through a hole 23 provided in the stanchion l4 well as through the collar 29 to thereby safely secure ;1Cl'l corner ofthe platform 21 to its respective support .anchion. In such an operation, the pin 22 is first armged whereby the toggle retainer 26 is positioned es- :ntially parallel to that of the shank portion 25 which accomplished by supporting the pin 22 such that the lane defined by its bottom portion 24 is essentially arallel to the ground. After insertion of the pin trough the respective hole 23 and the collar 29, it is ten twisted 90 whereby the toggle retainer member 6 pivots downwards due to gravity and assumes a posion essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of ie shank portion 25 thereby providing a means of ifety for preventing the pin 22 from vibrating or being :cidentally knocked out of the collar 29 which would llow the platform 21 to drop lower in the water endanering the life of the infant within the enclosure.
The superstructure defined by the stanchion 12, 13, 4 and 15, and the connecting cross members 16, 17, 8. l9 and 20 are covered with the foraminous material 8 which is preferrably rust resistant and thereby water ompatible to thereby withstand the environment, and an be made of materials such as a nylon mesh, galvaized wiring, or the like. The material 38 is stretched ver the vertical sides of the super-structure so as to dene an enclosed column or walled enclosure wherein ie elevation ofthe foraminous platform 21 can be reglated as desired. The holes 23 are positioned between 1e top cross supports 16, 17, 18 and 19 and the lower ross supports 20 over which the mesh 38 expands so rat the child 31 is confined regardless of the elevation t which the platform 21 is set. The number of the holes 3 and the spacing of the cross support members can e varied a substantial amount as desired, primarily deending upon the depth of water in which the present laypen is to be utilized which would be generally ithin a water depth of 3 to 4 feet. In any event, taking no consideration these design parameters, the depth fthe water level 30 to which the infant 31 is immersed an be easily controlled depending upon the capabilies of the infant to handle himself in water.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the present playpen 10 is rigidly affixed to the support stand 32. The stand 32 further comprise a swivelmounted foot member 33 which in turn is operably connected to the sleeve portion 34. The sleeve member 34 is of a diameter sufficient to receive the lower portion of the respective stanchion which accordingly telescopes therein. The lower portion of each of these stanchions 12, 13, 14 and 15 are also provided with a series of holes or apertures 35, as well as the sleeve portion 34 of stantion 32, the holes in both of these members being spaced apart such that they are in alignment when the members are operably fitted together. The toggle support pins 36, similar to the toggle pins 22, are provided for attaching the stand 32 to a respective support stanchion. This is operably accomplished in a manner functionally equivalent to the manner by which the pins 22 support the platform 21 in operable position, with however, the pins 36 being of shorter length. By virtue of the fact that the foot members 33 are swivel-mounted, the present playpen 10 can be readily mounted upon the inclined surface 11, the differences in elevations between the pair of stanchion 12 and 13, and 14 and 15 being taken into consideration by adjusting the depth of penetration of the bottom portion of the respective stanchion within the sleeve member 34 of a given stand 32, for example, as illustrated in the side elevational view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 of the drawings illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby the playpen 10 can be readily relocated and/or floated at random in a pool without the necessity of it having to be supported upon the floor of the pool. This is accomplished by a provision of the floatation collar 40 which can comprise any suitable buoyant means, such as a hollow container, expanded cellular polystyrene, or the like. As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the floatation collar 40 is of a shape sufficient to fit around and preferably encircle the present playpen 10.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, in regard to the preferred floatation collar design depicted therein, the collar 40 is provided with the sleeve members or bushings 41 which telescopes through the collar 40 along a diagonal center line (see FIG. 6), being mounted essentially on equal distance along its height as shown in FIG. 7. The structural relationship is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 8 (which is a sectional elevation view taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 6) which shows the sleeve support member 41 extending through the expanding cellular polystyrene floatation collar 40 by virtue of the hole 42 being provided therethrough.
The preferred collar design shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings can be attached in any convenient manner to the playpen 10 such as, for example, by virtue of the toggle support pins 43 (FIG. 3). The support pins 43 are identical in structure to that of the pin 22 and 36, except, however, being of sufficient length to completely bayonnet through the aperture 44 of the collar bushing 41 and through the respective corner stanchion by virture of the holes 45 provided therein, the pins 43 being designed to accomplish the same safety aspects of the pins 22 and 36. The support stanchions 12, 13, 14 and 15 are preferably provided with a multitude of the holes 45 whereby the elevation of the collar 40 can be selected to achieve the operating conditions designed by the user. For example, the playpen can be made to sit at its maximum height out of the water by locating the platform 21 at its lowermost position and the depth of water within the playpen selected and fixed by virtue of adjusting the elevation of the floatation collar 40. Conversely. the playpen can be allowed to float at its lowest level by locating the floatation collar as its maximum height via adjustment with the pins 43, and the depth of water within the playpen can be determined by adjusting the elevation of the platform 21. This adjustable relationship between the platform 21 level and floatation collar 40 provides. among other things. a means for controlling the depth of the corner stanchions so as to prevent their contact with the floor 11 of the pool.
The present swimming pool playpen means can be conveniently provided with the umbrella support stanchion 46, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings in combination with the phantom-lined umbrella 47 and in more detail in H6. 9 of the drawings. Referring to the latter figure. the umbrella stand 46 further comprises the sleeve portion 48 which is adapted to receive the support shaft 49 of the umbrella 47 which bayonnets therein. The support sleeve 48 in turn is rigidly affixed to the flange 50 which is supported upon and bolted to the support platform 21 by virtue of the bolt holes 51 provided in the flange 50, the bolts 52 then projecting therethrough and through the holes 53 provided in the platform 21, rigidly bolting the umbrella stand 46 to the platform 21 by virtue of the wingnuts 54.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications and/or changes in the basic design of the present invention can be made without departing from its true scope and spirit. For example. the present playpen means need not be made of a square design. but rather can be circular. or for that matter. of any shape. Moreover. the tubular superstructure described supra need not be employed. but rather. an integral structure may be employed. that is. various members. including the foraminous sides of the present playpen can be cast in one single structure. Moreover. the expanded cellular polystyrene floatation collar need not be formed in a continuous member. but rather. can be formed in separate components and operably affixed to the playpen at any convenient point of attachment. for example. beneath the platform 21.
It will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the materials of the construction of the present playpen as described in detail above can also be varied without departing from the basic objectives of the present invention. For example. the floatation collar need not be fabricated from expanded cellular polystyrene, but rather. could be a hollow tank or similar structure. Moreover. the structural components of the present invention can be made not only of rust resistant steel. but various plastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, or the like can be employed. The mesh or enclosure screen when not made integral with the present playpen. can be any suitable material other than nylon, for example a polyester. or the like. Accordingly. not wishing to be bound by the specific details of the above described structure and materials for construction. but rather. what I consider as the full scope and spirit of my present invention is that as set forth in the appended claims.
I claim:
l. A playpen for providing a safe play environment for a small child or infant in water of significant depth comprising: 1
a water compatible, relatively lightweight. portable playpen enclosure structure defining an enclosure of substantial size sufficient to allow a small child or infant to freely move around therein. said playpen enclosure structure beiitg provided with members having openings therein which allow water to flow into the enclosure. said playpen enclosure structure including a. a basic playpen support frame.
b. playpen platform means supported on said basic support frame for supporting the small child or infant within said enclosure during play in the water. said platform means being rigid;
c. playpen wall enclosure means carried by said basic support frame around said platform means for restricting the small child or infant to said platform means;
d. playpen leg support means connected to said basic frame for supporting said basic frame on the water bottom. said playpen leg support means being independently adjustable in length to permit the positioning of said playpen support frame on a sloping water bottom. said playpen leg support means further comprise swivel base portions whereby said playpen leg support means are self leveling and thereby conform to an uneven water bottom; and
e. variable support means connected within said plat form, said basic frame and said leg means for allowing variation of the vertical position of said platform means with respect to the bottom of said leg means by a substantial amount at least of the order of several feet; whereby. when the playpen is placed in the water so that the bottom of said leg means rests on the water bottom and the vertical level of said platform means is located by using said variable support means at least near the surface of the water and water flows into the enclosure. a small child or infant placed in the enclosure can safely play and move around in the water.
2. The playpen of claim 1 wherein said basic support frame includes a series of vertically oriented stanchions having a series of support holes placed along a substantial length thereof. and said variable support means includes a set of pin means connected to said platform means for inserting into selected ones of said support holes to support said platform means at the level determined by the selected support holes.
3. The playpen of claim 1 wherein said playpen wall enclosure means is fixed with respect to said basic support frame and projects down past the lowermost vertical position of said platform means to define an enclosure column within which the vertical position of the platform means can be varied.
4. The playpen of claim 1 wherein said playpen leg support means themselves further includes telescoping sections which permit variability of their length and hence the height of the playpen independently of any variation provided by said variable support means.
5. The playpen of claim 1 further characterized in that said playpen wall enclosure means is further defined as comprising a tubular frame assembly having a foraminous mesh material stretched over its sides.
6. The playpen of claim 1 further characterized as comprising canopy support means operably attached to said basic support frame for supporting a canopy extending over said playpen enclosure structure. |
US-3874006-A | Organic compost collector for sink drain system | United States Patent Ritter [451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 ORGANIC COMPOST COLLECTOR FOR SINK DRAIN SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Ann Lance Ritter, 1001 Balmoral Dr., Nashville, Tenn. 37220 [22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 447,841
[52] US. Cl. 4/189, 4/287 [51] Int. Cl. E03c 1/18, E030 1/26, A47k 1/14 [58] Field Of Search 4/166, 167, 187 R, 189,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.1 3,544 10/1914 Barker 4/286 2.512.867 6/1950 Marcussen 4/287 3,274,622 9/1966 Venison et a1 4/287 Primary [hummer-Leonard D. Christian .-1I!0rney, Agent, or Firm-Harrington A. Lackey i [57] 5 ABSTRACT An organic compost collector adapted to be removably installed in a sink drain system, including a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with the sink drain outlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the drain pipe. A screen member is mounted within the housing to blockthe flow of solid waste matter and to permit the flow of liquid through the outlet opening of the housing, thereby retaining and collecting within the housing the solid waste material discharged through the sink drain outlet.
A feature of some of the modifications is the inclusion of a by-pass conduit between the sink drain outlet and the drain pipe, and a valve adapted to selectively divert effluent through the housing or through the by-pass conduit.
Some modifications of the device are adapted to be detachably connected directly to the sink drain outlet, and others are adapted to be connected to the outlet of a food disposer mounted beneath and in fluid communication with the sink drain outlet.
13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures AIENTEBAPR T1975v SHLU 1 UP 3 PATENTEU 1 I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 I III- PATEMEMPR 11215 3.874.006
sum 3 or 3 ORGANIC COMPOST COLLECTOR FOR SINK DRAIN SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an organic compost collector. and more particularly to an organic compost collector for a sink drain system.
Heretofore. organic waste matter from foods was customarily deposited in garbage receptacles of various types and removed from both domestic and commercial establishments by means of municipal and private garbage collection trucks and delivered to incinerators, land fills, large bodies of water or pig farms.
More recently. food waste matter is washed down the kitchen or utility sink where it is ground up into fine particles by an automatic waste disposer and the ground particles flushed down the drain pipe to the sewer or septic tank.
In either of the above systems of disposing of food waste, the inherent value of the food waste material as an organic fertilizer is not utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an organic compost collector particularly adapted for installation in a sink drain system, which will perform the double function of not only disposing of food waste matter, but also collecting the food waste matter for subsequent use as a compost or organic fertilizer.
The compost collector made in accordance with this invention includes a solid-wall receptacle or housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening.
Appropriate fittings or connectors are provided for detachably connecting the inlet opening in fluid communication with the drain outlet of the sink. In a similar manner, appropriate fittings or connectors are provided for detachably connecting the outlet opening of the housing in fluid communication with the drain pipe. Within the housing is a screen member which may take various forms for permitting the free passage of water and other fluids, yet blocking solid waste materials above a predetermined size from passage through the outlet opening in order to retain the solid waste matter within the housing. A preferred form of screen member is a screen basket or container mounted within the housing so that its walls are slightly spaced from the walls of the housing in order to collect the maximum amount of food waste material within the housing, yet to freely permit the water to drain from the housing.
Some modifications of the collector are adapted for connection to the outlet of a food disposer.
All the modifications of the collector are adapted so that they have fluid-tight connections when installed in communication with the drain pipe in the sink, yet are easily removable from the drain system for emptying their contents.
Preferably, means are provided for blocking the passage of fluid through the sink drain outlet when the collector is removed from the drain system. In one form ofsuch apparatus, a fluid by-pass conduit is connected between the sink drain outlet and the drain pipe to bypass the compost collector. A manually operated valve permits selective passage of the fluid from the sink either through the by-pass conduit or through the compost collector housing.
In one form of the invention, the outlet from the housing is provided with a self-closing valve when detached from the drain pipe, but which is actuated by engagement with the drain pipe when reconnected to the housing outlet to automatically open the outlet valve.
In a simplified version of the collector, a biasing mechanism is provided for squeezing the collector housing between the bottom of the sink and the drain pipe so that the sink drain outlet, collector housing and drain pipe, are all in tight fluid communication, and yet the collector housing is readily removable by relieving the squeezing action of the drain pipe and the sink upon the collector housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating one form of the collector housing installed in a sink drain system;
FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 22 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the collector housing illustrated in FIGS. 13; I
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the housing outlet conduit disconnected from-the drain plpe;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation, with portions broken away and partially shown in section, of a first modification of the compost collectort FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end elevation of the support member for the drain pipe disclosed in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a second modification of the compost collector installed in a sink drain system including a food disposer;
FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8, with portions broken away;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of a third modification of the compost collector installed in a drain system, including a sink drain system including a food disposer;
FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line llll of FIG. 10, with portions broken away; and
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary section taken along the line l2l2 of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to-FIGS. l 5, the organic compost collector 10 is disclosed installed in a drain system 11 for a sink 12. The drain system 11 includes a sink drain outlet or opening 13 from which depends the drain outlet conduit 14, which is in communication with the compost collector 10. The effluent from the compost collector l0 discharges through drain discharge pipe 15 and trap 16 to the main drain pipe 17 having a vent 18.
In this particular modification, the drain system 11 includes a by-pass conduit 20, the upper end of which is in fluid communication with the drain outlet conduit 14 and the lower portion of which merges into the trap 16 and is joined to the discharge drain pipe 15.
The compost collector 10 includes a solid-wall housing or receptacle comprising a bottom housing section 22 and a top section or cap 23. The cap 23 is detach ably secured to the bottom housing section 22 by any convenient structure. As best disclosed in FIGS. 1-4, the cap 23 is provided with circumferentially spaced channels 24, opening radially inward, to slidably en gage slotted peripheral flanges 25. When the cap 23 is rotated to a position in which the channels 24 vertically register with the slots 26 in the circumferential flange 25, then the cap 23 may be disengaged from the housing section 22. By slight rotation of the cap 23 when the channels 24 are circumferentially aligned with the flanges 25, the channels 24 are moved out of registry with the slots 26 to slidably receive the flanges 25, thereby locking the cap 23 in firm engagement with the bottom housing section 22. A fluid-type seal between the cap 23 and the bottom wall section 22 is provided by the O-ring 27 (FIG. 2).
An inlet opening or hole 30 is formed in the top wall of the cap 23 for registry with the drain outlet conduit 14. Projecting laterally from the lower portion of the bottom housing section 22 is an outlet conduit 31.
Mounted on top of the cap 23 parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the inlet opening 31 are a pair of angle guide bars 33. The guide bars 33 are adapted to slide over the opposite longitudinal edges of a slide plate 34 fixed around the rim of the outlet 35 of the drain conduit 14. One end of the slide plate 34 is provided with an upstanding stop flange 36 to limit the movement of the slide bars 33 in that direction, and thereby permit the inlet opening 30 to register with the outlet opening 35 of the drain conduit 14. The fluid passage between the conduit outlet 35 and the inlet opening 30 is sealed by the O-ring 37 (FIG. 2).
Mounted on spacer blocks 39 within the bottom housing section 22 is a screen member in the form of a screen basket 40 having a lower cylindrical screen receptacle 41 and a frusto-conical screen lid 42, secured to the receptacle 41 by the fastener elements or clips 43. The screen basket 40 is substantially concentric within the housing 22. The lid or cover 42 is provided with an inlet opening 44 of substantially the same size and in registry with the inlet opening 30 of the housing cap 23.
Thus, when the collector is properly installed any material, liquid or solid, in the sink 12 which is flushed down through the drain outlet 13 and drain conduit 14 discharges through the housing inlet opening 30 and the screen basket inlet opening 44 directly into the screen basket 40. The screen mesh in both the receptacle 41 and the lid 42 is of such size as to permit the free flow of water or other liquids and of only the finest solid particles through the walls of the screen basket 40. Thus, practically all of the solid matter passing through the inlet opening 30 is retained within the basket 40 until the basket 40 can be removed and emptied.
The outlet conduit 31 is preferably cylindrical and of a size slightly smaller than the discharge drain pipe so that the discharge drain pipe 15 may telescopingly receive the outlet conduit 31, as disclosed in FIG. 3. A fluid-type seal is effected between the conduit 31 and the drain pipe 15 by the O-ring 47.
Preferably, the outlet conduit 31 is provided with a butterfly valve 48 journaled in the walls of the conduit 31 by shaft 49. The upper end of the shaft 49 is fixed to a camshaped lever 50 which is biased by spring 51 to the position disclosed in FIG. 5 so that the valve 48 closes the conduit 31, when the conduit 31 is separated or disengaged from the drain pipe 15. However, when the drain pipe 15 telescopingly receives the outlet conduit 31, the lever'50 is cammed toward the housing 22 by engagement with the end ofthe drain pipe 15, as disclosed in FIG. 2, to cause the valve 48 to move to an open position.
Thus, when the housing 22 is removed from the drain system 11, the valve 48 will automatically close to retain liquids within the housing 22 and thereby prevent dripping when the housing 22 is removed for emptying the screen basket 40. By the same token, when the collector 10 is re-installed, the valve 48 is automatically opened so that fluid communication between the housing 22 and the discharge drain pipe 15 is resumed.
Handle 52 may be fixed to the side wall of the housing section 22, on the side opposite she stop flange 36 and the drain pipe 15, to facilitate installation and removal of the collector 10 from the drain system 11.
In order to by-pass liquid discharged through the sink drain opening 13 through the bypass conduit 20, a bypass valve 53 is mounted in the drain conduit 14. The valve 53 is fixed to a lever handle 54 rotatably journaled through the walls of the conduit 14 so that when the lever handle 54 is in its solid-line position of FIG. 1, the valve 53 closes fluid communication between the drain conduit 14 and the by-pass conduit 20, but opens communication between the drain conduit 14 and the inlet opening 30 of the housing cap 23.
However, when the lever handle 54 is rotated to the phantom position 54 of FIG. 1, the valve 53 is swung down to close fluid communication between the drain conduit 14 and the collector 10, but simultaneously establishes fluid communication between the drain conduit 14 and the by-pass conduit 20.
The lever handle 54 is also provided with a stop lug 56 so positioned that it is in alignment with the end of one of the slide bars 33, when the lever handle 54 is in the solid-line position of FIG. 1. Thus, the lug 56 effectively locks the housing 22 in its installed position when the valve 53 opens fluid communication between the sink 12 and the collector 10.
The operation of the organic compost collector 10 is readily apparent from the above description.
When the collector 10 is in its installed position disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, all liquids and solid matter deposited in the sink l2 discharge through the drain opening 13, pass through the drain conduit 14, housing inlet 30 and screen basket inlet 44 to trap all solid particles of a size greater than the mesh of the screen walls of the basket 40. All liquid and any fine particles capable of penetrating the walls of the screen basket 40, flow through the screen basket and are discharged through the conduit 31 into the drain pipe 15, trap 16 and main drain pipe 17.
The housing 22, as well as the cap 23, may be made of transparent material so that the level of solid material within the screen basket 40 is always readily observable. If the walls of the housing 22 and cap 23 are opaque, then the level can be determined by looking down through the drain opening 13 and conduit 14.
When the screen basket 40 is full, lever handle 54 is rotated to the position 54 in FIG. I, so that the valve 53 will automatically close passage of any more solid or liquid material through the conduit 14 and the outlet 35. Such material will now flow through the open bypass conduit 20 ultimately to the main drain pipe 17. When the lever handle 54 is raised, the locking lug 56 is removed from the path of the guide bars 33, so that by manually pulling the handle 52, the collector 10 is removed from the drain system 11. As previously mentioned, the disengagement of the outlet conduit 31 from the drain pipe 15 automatically permits the actuation of the cam lever to close the valve 48.
After removal of the collector 10, the cap 23 is rotated slightly to disengage the channels 24 from the flanges 25, the cap 23 is removed, and then the screen basket 40 is removed. The clips 43 are unfastened to remove the screen lid 42, and the contents of the screen receptacle 41 are discharged either into an appropriate container for storing the organic compost 45, or discharged directly upon the soil desired to be fertilized. such as around the plants of a vegetable or flower garden. The screen lid 42 is then re-fastened to the screen receptacle 41, and the screen basket 40 placed back into the housing 22 and closed by the cap 23. The handle 52 is then grasped and the collector manipulated to cause the guide bars 33 to slide back over the slide plate 34 until the guide bars 33 engage the stop flange 36 and the outlet conduit 31 moves into the end opening of the drain pipe 15, thereby automatically reopening the valve 48. Then the handle lever 54 is returned to its solid-line position, and the collector 10 is ready for collecting additional organic compost 45.
The modification disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a collector 60 comprising a bucket-shaped, or frustoconical shaped, solid-wall receptacle or housing 61. The housing 61 is preferably made of plastic material and has a central bottom opening 62. The top of the housing 61 comprises an open-end defined by the upper peripheral, circumferential edge 63 of the wall of the housing. The upper peripheral edge 63 is preferably made of a resilient material and lies generally in the same top horizontal plane.
Received within the housing 61 through the open top end of the housing 61 is a generally frusto-conical shaped screen basket 65 mounted in a basket frame 66. The basket frame 66 rests upon the bottom wall of the housing 61 to space the bottom wall of the screen basket 65, as well as the side wall of the screen basket 65, inwardly from corresponding walls of the housing 61. The top of the screen basket 65, as well as the frame 66, is below the top peripheral edge 63 when the screen basket 65 is mounted within the housing 61.
The drain pipe system 11 includes a vertical drain pipe section 68 terminating at its upper end in a collar 69, the upper edge 70 of which is flanged to seat snugly against the bottom wall 71 of the housing 61, and preferably concentrically of the bottom opening 62. The upper flange 70 of the collar 69 is also spaced from the bottom of the sink 12 a distance equal approximately the height of the housing 61. Thus, by inserting the collector 60 between the collar 69 and the bottom of the sink 12, the top peripheral edge of the housing 61 will seal snugly against the bottom surface of the sink 12, preferably concentrically around the drain opening 13, while the flange 70 of the collar 69 seats firmly and concentrically about the bottom opening 62.
In order to effect the seal between the housing 61, the sink 12 and the collar 69, the elbow 16 of the drain pipe system 11 is preferably biased upward, after the housing 61 is in its operative position disclosed in FIG. 6. This biasing may be effected by a jack 73 having a handle 74 and a channel-shaped recess 75 for receiving the elbow 16. An elastic button or seat 76 is formed in the bottom of the recess 75 to urge upward the elbow 16. thereby squeezing the flange 70 of the collar 69 upward into sealing engagement with the bottom wall 71 of the housing 61.
The operation of the collector 60 is essentially the same as the operation ofthe collector 10, but in a much more simplified form. After the collector is assembled, and has beenused sufficiently to fill the screen basket with organic food waste, the jack 73 is moved laterally from beneath the elbow 16 by manually pulling the handle 74. The housing 61, free of squeezing pressure, is merely slipped laterally from between the collar 69 and the bottom of the sink 12. The screen basket 65 is removed and its contents emptied. The empty screen basket 65 is re-inserted into the housing 61, the entire collector 60 replaced in its operative position in FIG. 6, and the jack 73 restored to its position biasing upward the pipe 68 to re-seal the housing 61 between the sink 12 and the collar 69.
In the event that the sink 12 is to be used, while the collector 60 is removed, a stopper 77 is provided for closing the sink drain opening 13.
The collector 80 disclosed in FIGS. 8 and 9 is essentially of the same construction as the collector 10, with the exception of the inlet and outlet connections. The collector 80 is designed to be connected to the outlet pipe 81 of a conventional food disposer 82, which in turn is connected by the inlet pipe 83 to the drain opening of the sink 12.
The outlet pipe 81 from the food disposer 82 is telescopingly received in the open end of drain pipe 85 which extends horizontally from the outlet pipe 81, then forms an elbow with a depending vertical section. Extending horizontally normal from the horizontal section of the drain pipe 81 is a conduit 86 telescopingly and sealingly received within an elbow-shaped inlet fitting 87. The bottom opening of the elbow fitting 87 is provided with a flange 88 identical in function to the flange 34 of the collector 10 for slidably receiving the guide flanges 33'.
A by-pass valve 90 is mounted for rotatable movement about a vertical axis in the pipe section 85 and adapted to be rotated by the handle 91. The valve 90 may be swung between the solid-line position disclosed in FIG. 9 for closing the inlet conduit 86 to the collector 80 and for opening the by-pass passage through the drain pipe 85, and the dashed-line position of FIG. 9 closing the by-pass passage through inlet conduit 86 into the collector 80.
The discharge drain pipe 15 is identical to the drain pipe 15 of the collector 10 for draining liquid from the collector 80 into the vertical section of the drain pipe 85.
The valve handle 91 may be provided with a coil spring 92 to provide sufficient frictional resistance to the turning of the handle 91 in order to retain the valve 90 in the position to which it is moved by manipulation of the handle 91.
Otherwise, the operation of the collector 80 is substantially the same as the operation of the collector 10.
The collector disclosed in FIGS. 10-12 is also connected to the food disposer 82 in the same manner that the collector 80 is connected to the food disposer 82. However, in order to collect the food waste material, and maintain it submerged in liquid, the drain outlet conduit 101 is located in the upper portion of the receptacle 100, specifically in the top wall of the cap 102. The cap 102 of the collector 100 may be screw fitted to the bottom housing section 103 in the same manner as the cap 23 is secured to the bottom housing section 22 of the collector 10. The cap 102 has no upper securing flange, similar to the flanges 33 of the collector 10, but is provided with an elbow inlet fitting 104 identical to the elbow fitting 87 of the collector 80 for telescopingly and sealingly, receiving the inlet conduit 86.
Instead of a screen basket within the housing 103, a short screen member or screen sheet 106 has one edge fixed to the side wall of the cap 102 and projects laterally, and somewhat arcuately upwardly, across and below the outlet opening 107 communicating with the outlet conduit 101.
The outlet conduit 101 is fitted into an outlet branch pipe 108 which is tapped into the depending leg or section of the drain pipe 85. The outlet conduit 101 may also be provided with the same automatic closure valve 48 and cam lever 50, as the valve 48 and cam lever 50 of collector 10.
The discharge fluids from the food disposer 82 are diverted by the position of the valve 90 within the drain pipe 85 and inlet conduit 86, in the same manner that they are diverted to and from the collector 80.
The collector 100 may be provided with a stop lug 110 for limiting the movement of the handle 91 in its solid-line position disclosed in FIG. 11.
Instead of the attachment plate 34 and guide flanges 33, of collector 10, the collector 100 may be supported upon a platform 112.
Otherwise, the collector 100 functions in substantially the same manner as the collector 80. However, when the collector 100 is removed from the conduits 86 and 108, and the cap 102 is detached from the bottom housing section 103, the organic compost will be in a fluid state, because of the immersion of the solid food waste material within the water in the bottom housing section 103.
What is claimed is:
1. An organic compost collector for a sink drain system including a sink, a sink drain outlet, and sink drain pipe, comprising:
a. a receptacle having a solid enclosure wall defining a chamber for receiving cffluent from said sink,
b. an inlet opening in said wall adapted to be detachably connected in said drain system in fluid communication with said sink drain outlet,
c. an outlet opening in said wall adapted to be detachably connected in said drain system in fluid communication with said drain pipe,
d. a screen member porous to liquids, said screen member being a barrier to the passage of solid waste material larger than a predetermined size, and
e. means mounting said screen member within said chamber and in the path of cffluent moving toward said outlet opening, to retain said solid waste material larger than said predetermined size within said chamber.
2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said screen member comprises a screen receptacle, said mounting means comprising means for supporting said screen receptacle within said chamber, said screen receptacle being large enough to occupy substantially all the space within said chamber, said solid wall receptacle being formed in two complementary sections, and means for detachably connecting said sections for removal of said screen receptacle, said screen receptacle having an opening in fluid communication with said inlet opening.
3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said sections comprise a top section and a bottom section,
said inlet opening being formed in said top section, and connector means for detachably connecting said top section to said sink drain outlet.
4. The invention according to claim 3 in which said outlet opening is in said bottom section, and second connector means detachably connecting said drain pipe to said outlet opening.
5. The invention according to claim 4 in which said outlet opening comprises an outlet conduit opening through the wall of said bottom section, said outlet conduit being adapted to telescopingly engage an open end of said drain pipe, a valve within said outlet conduit adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, actuator means operatively connected to said valve and adapted to be actuated by the movement of said drain pipe telescopingly engaging said outlet conduit to move said valve to said open position, said actuator means being actuated by the separation of said drain pipe from said outlet conduit to move said valve to a closed position.
6. The invention according to claim 5 in which said drain pipe is larger than said outlet conduit and telescopingly receives said outlet conduit, and said actuator means comprises a cam adapted to engage and disengage the telescoping end of said drain pipe.
7. The invention according to claim 3 in which said sink drain outlet includes a drain conduit, said means for detachably connecting said top section to said drain outlet comprising connector means for detachably connecting said top section to said drain conduit so that said drain conduit and said inlet opening are in fluid communication, a by-pass conduit communicating with said drain conduit, a valve in said drain conduit, and means for moving said valve between a position closing said by-pass conduit and opening said drain conduit and a position closing said drain conduit and opening said by-pass conduit.
8. The invention according to claim 7 in which said means for moving said valve comprises an exterior lever handle, said means for detachably connecting said top section to said drain conduit comprising horizontal track means fixed to said drain conduit and horizontally disposed runners on said top section for slidably engaging said track means, stop means on said lever handle adapted to block the slidable movement of said runners relative to said track means, when said valve is in said position closing said by-pass conduit.
9. The invention according to claim 2 in which said inlet opening comprises a rim adapted to press fit into sealing engagement with the bottom of said sink around said drain outlet, an open-ended fitting fixed to an open end of said drain pipe and adapted to press fit in sealing engagement around the outlet opening of said receptacle, and means for biasing said drain pipe toward said receptacle to squeeze said receptacle between said fitting and said sink.
10. The invention according to claim 1 in which a waste disposal having an inlet conduit is in fluid communication with said sink drain outlet and a disposal outlet conduit, and connector means for connecting the inlet opening of said receptacle to said disposal outlet conduit.
11. The invention according to claim 1 in which said outlet opening and said inlet opening are in the top portion of said receptacle, and said screen member is fixed to said wall in the upper portion of said receptacle and munication with said drain conduit and its opposite end in fluid communication with said drain pipe, said valve means comprising a valve member in said drain conduit, and means for moving said valve member to a first position opening fluid communication between said sink drain outlet and said inlet opening and closing said by-pass conduit, and a second position opening said bypass conduit in fluid communication with said sink drain outlet and closing said inlet opening. |
US-3874007-A | Liquid dispensing apparatus and method for toilet flush tank | United States Patent 1191 Dolan 1 Apr. 1, 1975 [54] LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS AND 2,913,734 11/1959 OHare 4/227 METHOD FOR TOILET FLUSH 2,967,310 l/l961 OHare 4/227 3,341,074 9/1967 Pannutti 4/227 X [76] Inventor: John E- Dolan, O Orchard 3,698,021 10/1972 Mack et al 4/227 Quarry Height, Harrison, N.Y. 10604 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7 [22] Filed: July 31, 1972 l,..56,63l 2/1961 France 4/228 [21] Appl. No.1 276,285 Primary E.\'ami11erl'1arvey C. Hornsby Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browne, Beverid e, Related. U.S. Appllcation Data DeGrandi & Kline g [63] Contmuanon-m-part of Ser. No. 114,265, Feb. 10,
1971, abandoned.
[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 4/228, 248/311 A concentrated liquid supply vessel is inverted within [51] Int. Cl E03d 9/02 a toilet flush tank and suspendingly supports the clo- [58] Field of Search 4/227, 228; 248/31 1 sure cap which serves as a dilution vessel. The concentrated liquid within the supply vessel has a density [56] References Cited greater than water and flows through the supply vessel NITE STATES PATENTS outlet opening into the dilution vessel during the pe- 1.437.303 1 1/1922 Hatch 1. 248/311 riod when thfiflush tank water is lowered from its 2351.580 6 1944 Beckman 4/227 x ml full P9519911 to the elevation of the Supply Vessel 25 7388 2/1952 Ryder, Jri 4/227 Outlet opening. This concentrated liquid mixes with 2,620.097 12/1952 Titmas 1 1/22? X water retained within the dilution vessel. Upon refill- 21147266 8/1953 Vierra 4/227 ing of the flush tank, the diluted liquid in the dilution 2,658,206 11/1953 Martinez vessel will migrate into the flush tank water. 2.688.754 9/1954 Willits ct a1 2.839763 6/1958 NCWSOm 4/227 11 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures ATENHID APR 1 1975 SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTOR JOHN E. DOLAN ATTORNEYS PATENTED APR 1 I975 SHEET 2 4 INVENTOR JOHN E. DOLAN BY fimw We Q ATTORNEYS PATENIEBAPR I 1975 saw a m 4 HGIZ LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TOILET FLUSH This is a continuation-in-part of my earlier patent application Ser. No. 114,265, filed Feb. 10, 1971 and abandoned and entitled Liquid Dispensing Apparatus and Method for Toilet Flush Tank.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing a concentrated liquid, typically a disinfectant or deodorant solution, into the contents of a toilet flush tank. Apparatus of this general type is well known and widely available; however, it lacks the desirable operating characteristics and/or simple structure disclosed in this specification.
Many types of prior flush tank dispensers typified by US. Pat. Nos. 2,647,266 and 2,688,754 discharge the liquid into the flush tank as the water level is lowered during the normal flush cycle. With such an arrangement, there is no significant dispersion of the solution in the flush tank when it is filled since dispensing occurs principally during the discharge phase of the toilet flush cycle. Another approach has been to provide a dilution vessel which is filled during the refill phase of the flush cycle and then discharged during the discharge phase of the flush cycle.
A somewhat complicated approach to dispensing concentrated solutions into a flush tank during the refill phase of its operation is represented by US. Pat. Nos. 2,913,734 and 2,967,310. In these prior devices, a float operated pump-like device has a chamber which is filled by the concentrated liquid in response to the lowering of the flush tank water level and is discharged in response to the rising of the flush tank water level. This prior apparatus purposely prevents any preliminary dilution of the concentrated liquid by providing an umbrella skirt which prevents entry of the flush tank water into the dispensing chamber.
According to the present invention, a dilution vessel is located beneath the outlet opening of the concentrated liquid supply vessel. There is free horizontal communication between the dilution vessel and the water in the flush tank. The dilution vessel retains water from the flush tank throughout the entire flushing cycle and it receives liquid from the supply vessel as the flush tank water level is lowered, thereby resulting in a mixture in the dilution vessel of the concentrated liquid and the retained flush tank water. When the tank refills to the level of the dilution vessel lip or other opening, the dilute solution then may migrate freely into the remainder of the tank contents with the partial assistance of the chemical solubility of the solution in water and the turbulence which exists during the tank-refilling phase of the flush cycle.
The objectives of the invention are to provide an uncomplicated yet effective device which will discharge a concentrated solution into the flush tank of a toilet during the refilling phase of the flush cycle.
Reference is now made to the drawings wherein:
FIG. I is a perspective view of one form of the apparatus in its suspended position within a toilet flush tank; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the stem used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in operative condition;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second form of the apparatus;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a third form of the apparatus showing the closure cap in its sealing position to permit transportation of the device when not in use;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the closure cap in a position where it is suspended from the supply vessel to serve as a dilution vessel;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 88 in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a fourth form of the invention located within the flush tank of a toilet;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 9 as it appears when installed within a toilet flush tank; and,
FIG. 1 l is a sectional view seen along the line 1 l-ll in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are, respectively, elevational and plan views of the bottom of the container when the hanging clip is in its storage position prior to installation of the device in a toilet flush tank;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view through the dispensing elements of the device shown in FIG. 9; and,
FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the dispensing elements.
This invention will now be described by reference to these drawings which illustrate several preferred embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention in its operative position where an inverted bottle 2 preferably formed of a plastic such as polyethylene or the like, serves as a supply vessel for the concentrated liquid. The bottle may be made by any convenient technique such as blow molding etc. and is provided at its bottom wall with a diametricallyextending recess having a recessed wall portion 4 and an integrally molded, headed stud 6. A suspension clip member 7 is laterally confined within the bottom recess and is bifurcated to provide a slot which rides slidably on the shank of the stud 6. The suspension clip 7 has a hooked end portion 8 which is engageable with the upper edge of wall 10 of a conventional toilet flush tank. The lid 12 of the flush tank overlies the horizontal leg of the hooked end portion 8 so there is preferably no exteriorly visible portion of the apparatus when installed in a flush tank.
The flush tank and the mechanisms associated therewith are conventional and well known to the average homeowner. A float valve normally maintains the tank in a normal filled position which is represented by the broken line 14 in FIG. 1. A flush cycle for this type of apparatus involves a discharge phase and a refill phase, with the discharge phase being initiated by the opening of a discharge or flush valve at the lower portion of the flush tank. This lowers the water level in the flush tank and releases the flush tank water into the toilet bowl. The discharge valve then closes and the apparatus undergoes a refill phase where fresh water is added until the water level is restored to the normal level 14.
The significant portions of the invention reside in the liquid discharging and diluting assembly which appears at the lower portion of the apparatus in normal use. This includes the bottle neck 16 which may have the usual exterior threads 18, a dilution vessel 20 which has an open upper end which forms an opening in free horizontal communication with water in the flush tank and a stem 22 which, in this embodiment, is the means for supporting the dilution vessel from the supply vessel As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the dilution vessel 20 is a conventional closure cap with interior threads 24 which cooperate in the usual fashion with the threads 18 on the bottle neck 16.
Within the neck of the bottle, there is a plug member 26 which overlies the lip of the bottle and has a generally cylindrical skirt portion 28 which is frictionally retained by and sealingly engages the interior wall of the bottle neck. The innermost portion of the skirt 28 is slightly tapered in order to facilitate its insertion into the bottle and to serve as a check valve seat in some embodiments of the apparatus.
At the center of the plug 26, there is a boss 30 provided with a central opening through which the stem member 22 projects. As viewed in FIG. 4, the stem is held at its lower position due to the presence of a transverse enlargement in the form of a retainer 32. The retainer is press fit onto the upper end of the stem 22 and has its lower surface constructed to contact the upper surface of the boss 30 at spaced-apart portions, thereby leaving a passage for fluid communication between the interior of the bottle 2 and the outlet opening 34. The outlet opening 34 is annular, being defined exteriorly by the hole in the center of the boss 30 and interiorly by the stem 22. The difference between the diameters of the stem 22 and the hole in the plug 26 is about 0.009 inch. A convenient range of spacing has been found to be about 0.005 to 0.050 inch. Such a spacing insures flow of the disinfectant down the stem 22 without any significant dispersion of the disinfectant into the flush water.
The stem 22 has a circular flange 35 and a fluted and tapered cylindrical head 36 which frictionally engages within a corresponding recess in the cap or dilution vessel 20. The stem 22 and the plug 26 are made of polyethylene and therefore display non-wetting characteristics which tends to prevent formation of a film of liquid which would migrate through the outlet opening 34 and downwardly along the stem. A meniscus is formed between the stem and the supply vessel outlet opening 34.
It will be evident that the apparatus will be merchandised in a conventional upright position for a bottle, with the threads 24 on the cap engaging the exterior threads 18 on the neck of the bottle. In this position, the flange 34 will engage the boss 30 and sealingly close the outlet opening 34 to prevent any inadvertent loss of the liquid contents of the supply vessel 2. When the consumer wishes to install the apparatus in the toilet flush tank, the cap is loosened and the bottle is inverted so that the cap falls until retainer 32 engages the plug 26, thereby enabling the stem 22 to suspend the cap or dilution vessel 20 below the outlet opening 34. The inverted bottle is then placed in the flush tank and retained in position by the hooked end 8 of the clip member. The normal operation of this apparatus involves a concentrated liquid discharging phase which takes place during the flush cycle substantially only during the lowering of the water level from the level 14 until it arrives at the level 38 which is horizontally aligned with the supply vessel outlet opening 34. During this liquid discharging phase. the dilution vessel 20 is filled and is in free horizontal communication with the tank contents. This would appear to involve some risk that the concentrated liquid would migrate into the flush tank water and be released during the flush then in progress. This possibility is avoided as alluded to above by adjusting the size of the outlet opening 34 and by using a concentrated solution in the supply vessel 2 which has a specific gravity greater than that of water so that when the solution is discharged through the outlet opening 34, it will flow directly downwardly in wisp or ribbon-like patterns into the dilution vessel 20. The loss of small amounts of the concentrated solution into the flush tank contents at this point may further be in hibited by shortening the stem 22. By using dimensions as above described for the orifice 34 and conventional flush bowl concentrated disinfectant or cleaner solution having specific gravities greater than water. substantially no solution is dissipated into the flushing water from stem 22 or opening 34 during the flush eycle. Examples of some preferred concentrated solutions for use in this invention include (by weight):
Two parts of sodium xylene sulfonate liquid (40% active), two parts of sodium lauryl sulfate (30% active), 0.1 parts of blue dye, 0.5 parts of perfume oil and 95.4 parts of water. Specific gravity is about 8.6 lbs/gal. (water being 8.3 lbs/gal.)
Five parts of isooctyl phenyl polyethoxy ethanol active non ionic detergent), 0.1 parts of blue dye, 0.5 parts of perfume oil and 94.4 parts of water. Specific gravity is about 8.6 lbs/gal.
Inert fillers may be added to the solution to increase the specific gravity if desired. The solutions were noted to form beads on a polyethylene surface which were thinner than adjacent water beads of the same diameter. Both solutions are partially soluble in water to the extent that substantially no dispersion takes place during dispensing down the stern, but excellent dispersion, with turbulence, takes place from the dilution vessel.
As the discharge phase of the flush cycle continues, the concentrated liquid will mix with the flush tank water retained in the dilution vessel 20. Then, after the flush tank discharge valve closes and the refill phase of the flush cycle continues to the point that the flush tank water level reaches the elevation 40 of the lip or other discharge opening in the dilution vessel 20, the thendilute solution is free to migrate into the tank contents with the assistance of the currents created in the tank during the refill phase of the flush cycle.
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of this invention which is similar in principle to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4. The differences reside in the relative elevations of the supply vessel 2a and the dilution vessel 20a, the nature of the enlargement at the upper end of the stem 22a and the presence of a check valve means in the flow path between the interior of the vessel and the outlet opening 3411.
As seen in FIG. 5, the opening formed by the uppermost edge 42 of the dilution vessel is relatively close to the peripheral edge of the plug member 26a. In fact, these bodies are close enough that a meniscus extends between them so that water fills the space below the plug 26a even after the flush tank water level has receded below the dilution vessel 20a.
The upper end of the stem 22a has a generally spherical enlargement 44 which is formed by exposing it to flame. This enlargement is not a true sphere and the area thereof which rests on the boss 30a is not truly circular so there is always an opening leading to the supply vessel outlet opening 34a. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 14, the size of the fluid passage provided by this arrangement is such that the concentrated liquid in the supply vessel 2a will not normally be discharged when the exterior pressure at the supply vessel outlet opening 34a is equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure. However, it has been discovered unexpectedly that the concentrated liquid is discharged by the supply vessel outlet opening 34a in thin ribbons or wisps upon reduction of the external hydrostatic head at the outlet side of the opening 34a.
The embodiment of FIG. 5 may utilize a check valve which comprises a spherical body 46 which has a greater density than the concentrated liquid and rests on a seat defined by the annular upper edge of the skirt portion 28a of the plug member 26a. The check valve provides a constricted flow passage which prevents excessive discharge of the concentrated liquid particularly when the supply vessel 2a is filled so that its contents exert a high hydrostatic head at the outlet openmg.
The reason why the concentrated liquid is able to pass around the check valve is not completely understood, but it may result from slight irregularities in the spherical body 46 or in the annular seat formed by the skirt 2811. Whatever the explanation, it has been proven that the concentrated liquid does arrive at the outlet opening 34a, apparently without filling the intervening space between the check valve and the supply vessel outlet opening 34a. As in the preceding embodiment, the only significant discharge of the concentrated solution through the discharge outlet 34a occurs when there is a reduction of the hydrostatic head produced at the outlet opening 34a by the flush tank water. Some concentrated liquid may be released after the supply vessel outlet opening is exposed to the atmosphere, but this is in relatively insignificant quantities in relation to the amount released when the hydrostatic head at the supply vessel outlet opening is decreasing. Again, and because of the adjustment of specific gravity, nonwetting characteristics and size of orifice opening 34a, substantially no solution dissipates into the flush water during flush. Typical dimensions found particularly suitable for carrying out the objectives of this invention by this embodiment are as follows:
l. a blow molded polyethylene bottle having a height of about 7 inches, a base of about 3 /2 by l k inches,
a tapered end portion of about inches in height and a cylindrical neck portion 16 of about /a inches in height.
2. the cylindrical neck portion 16 has an outer diameter of about 0.7 inches and an inner diameter of about 0.6 inches, skirt 28a and boss 30a have a total height of about V2 inch with boss 30 having a thickness of about 0.08 inches, orifice 3411 having a diameter of about 0.225 inches, and upper tapered portion which retains marble 46 having an inner diameter of about 0.47 inches and an outer diameter of about 0.55 inches. The outer diameter of the nontapered portion is about 0.61 inches. 4. marble 44 of ordinary glass having a diameter of about 17/32 inches, 5. stem 220 has a diameter of about 0.2 l 6 inches a total height including head 36 ofabout 2 inches, the height of head 36 being about 0.27 inches. A stem 22a of about 0.125 inches in diameter is found too small such that immediate dissipation into the flush water occurs. The flame retaining bubble 44 is about 0.25 inches in diameter.
6. Cap 20a is tapered, has a height of about 1.25 inches and a cylindrical fluid retaining section with a head 36 inserted therein of a diameter of about 15/16 inches and a height of about 11/16 inches.
The apparatus of FIG. 5, either with or without the marble 46, discharges the concentrated solution from the vessel 2a whenever there is a reduction in the hydrostatic head at the supply vessel outlet opening 34a,
even when there is no opportunity for air to enter the vessel 2a. For example, when the water level is repeatedly raised and lowered between level 14 and an intermediate level above the opening 34a, it has been found that the concentrated liquid is always released under conditions of diminishing hydrostatic pressure.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 differs from those discussed above by virtue of the manner in which the dilution vessel closure is suspended by the supply vessel.
The cap 51 which serves as the dilution vessel in this third embodiment is of generally closed-ended cylindrical construction with the closed lower end 48 having a boss 50 contacting a plug 52 which lies within the neck of the bottle 49. The boss 50 obstructs and seals the supply vessel outlet opening 54 so the device may be transported safely when not in use.
The closure cap 51 is provided with interior threads 56 which engage threads 58 on the bottle neck. Further down the bottle neck, there are four externally radiating projections 60 which are best shown in FIG. 8. These projections lie in the path of the internal threads 56 or a specifically provided annular interior ridge. As shown in FIG. 7, the projections engage the threads or interior ridge to retain the dilution vessel and suspend it from the supply vessel 49.
As in the preceding embodiment, there is a marble 62 which seats on the annular upper edge of the plug member 52, thereby preventing excessive discharge of the concentrated liquid in the supply vessel 49 into the dilution vessel 51. Since the principles of operation of this apparatus are similar to that described above, it will not be discussed in detail. The appropriate operation may require some routine experimentation with the size of the supply vessel outlet opening 54 in order to achieve optimum results.
In the embodiments discussed above, it has been found that water enters the bottle when the hydrostatic head at the bottle outlet is increasing. After extended usage, the bottle contents become dilute so the device will appear to function improperly.
A fourth and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illlustrated in FIGS. 9-15 which is construeted to prevent dilution of the bottle contents. As in the previously-discussed embodiments, a dilution vessel receives the concentrated liquid from the container.
The container-supporting means in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is somewhat different than previously discussed. A retaining clip is pivotally mounted on a button 72 which is molded integrally with the container 74. The button is located within an indentation in the bottom wall of the container and, as best seen in FIG. 11, the button 72 has a reduced diameter stem and an enlarged head which serves to retain the clip 70 on the container.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that the clip 70 has a base portion 80, an arcuate upstanding flange 82, a horizontal extension 84 and a vertical leg 86. The base portion 80 lies in contact with the horizontal wall of the indentation 76 and it has a keyhole slot 78 which engages the button 72 for pivotal movement. Inadvertent sliding movement of the clip is prevented by the small bumps 79 in the base 80 which retain the stem of button 72 in the narrow portion of the keyhole slot 78.
When the clip 70 is in its storage position shown in FIG. 13, the horizontal portion 84 is located between the two feet 85 which prevent the clip from inadvertently being deflected. The clip is also retained in its storage position by the bumps 87 on the container which lie on opposite sides of the vertical leg 86 of the clip 70. In this condition, the container may be placed upright on a shelf prior to installation in a toilet tank. The container will rest on the feet and on the horizontal leg 84 of the clip 70.
The arcuate flange 82 provides the necessary offset for the horizontal portion 84, and its arcuate shape facilitates the pivotal movement of the clip 70 on the button 72. As will be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, when the device is supported in a tank of a toilet, the horizontal extension 84 of the clip 70 lies on the upper edge of the tank wall, while the vertical leg 86 is in contact with the outer wall of the toilet tank. In order to prevent the container from rocking on the toilet tank, the faces of the container have projections 88 which afford a flat surfaces 90 aligned with the clip when in its position of use shown in FIG. 10. The clip 70 may be swung in either direction to permit placement of the container at a location where it will not contact any moving parts of the toilet mechanism.
The dispensing of the concentrated fluid takes place within the elements shown in FIGS. 14 and where it will be seen that the neck 92 of the bottle receives an inverted cup 94 which has an opening 96 in its upper end for passage of the concentrated liquid. A stem 98 extends through the opening 96 and has an enlarged upper end 100 which limits the downward movement of the stem 98 with respect to the inverted cup 94.
The dilution vessel 104 is supported at the lower end of the stem 98. The stem 98 extends through a central aperture 106 in the dilution vessel 104, and the lower end of the stem has an enlarged head 102 which has an upper conical surface 108 conforming to a conical lower portion of the opening 106. Of course, the stem 98 may be made integrally with the dilution vessel 104, but the illustrated structure is the most economical to manufacture.
The upper lip of the dilution vessel 104 lies about 0.280 inch below the inverted cup 94, so that no meniscus will form between these elements. If such a meniscus were permitted to form, the desired amount of air would not be introduced into the container when the water rises, and the dispensing elements of this embodiment would not function properly.
The elements shown in FIG. 15 are assembled by passing the upper head 100 of the stem 98 through the aperture 106 in the dilution vessel, and then forcing the head 100 through the aperture 96 in the inverted cup 94. A small notch 110 in the dilution vessel facilitates this latter step and provides a small opening for the passage of the liquid when the device is in use.
The inverted cup 94 serves to prevent water in the toilet tank from entering the bottle, thereby avoiding any unwanted dilution of the concentrated bottle contents. As the water in the toilet tank rises in preparation for the next flush, air is trapped within the inverted cup 94 and some air is forced through the opening 96 into the bottle. When the toilet is flushed and the water level in the tank recedes, the reduction of pressure within the inverted cup 94 will cause some of the concentrated liquid to pass through the opening 96 and into the dilution vessel 104 where it becomes mixed with the toilet tank water left in the dilution vessel. A partial vacuum remaining within the container will prevent excessive dispensing of the concentrate through the small outlet opening. In this manner, the liquid concentrate is not dropped immediately into the receding water but is instead retained in the dilution vessel 104 where it becomes premixed with the retained water. Then, as the water level rises, the premixed solution in the dilution vessel 104 becomes mixed with the liquid in the toilet tank. Continued rising of the water forces more air into the container so that more liquid will be released from the container when the water again recedes.
Those studying the disclosure will realize that there are further variations of the invention which will utilize the novel principles discussed in this specification. The following claims are therefore intended to cover all forms of apparatus which utilize the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims. As a matter of convenience in terminology, the apparatus is described in terms of the relationship of its elements when located within a toilet flush tank, but it is to be understood that the claims are intended to cover all apparatus con structed and designed to assume the claimed relationship, even when in an upright position prior to its installation in a flush tank.
I claim:
1. Apparatus for dispensing liquid into a toilet flush tank which is normally filled to a given water level, is discharged during a flush to reduce the Water level and then is refilled to the given water level preparatory to the next flush, said apparatus comprising the following:
a supply vessel for a concentrated liquid, said supply vessel having an outlet opening,
means for supporting the apparatus in a flush tank at an orientation where the supply vessel outlet opening lies below the level of concentrated liquid therewithin, said supply vessel outlet opening being in communication with the toilet flush tank at all times regardless of the water level,
an upwardly open dilution vessel having an opening which is in free substantially horizontal communication with water in the flush tank to permit its filling by water in the flush tank,
means for supporting the dilution vessel at a position under the supply vessel outlet opening, said dilution vessel being constructed to remain spaced from said outlet opening regardless of the water level in the toilet flush tank whereby lowering of the water level in the flush tank below the dilution vessel opening will result in a mixture in the dilution vessel of concentrated liquid from the supply vessel and water retained by the dilution vessel, thereby providing a dilute liquid which will be dispensed into the flush tank water after it returns to the elevation of the supply vessel outlet opening.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 having a concentrated liquid in the supply vessel, said concentrated liquid having a density greater than water whereby the concentrated liquid tends to flow downwardly into the dilution vessel rather than migrate laterally into the flush tank water during the initial portion of a flush before the water level in the flush tank becomes lower than the dilution vessel opening.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the dilution vessel is a stern which is attached to the dilution vessel and extends centrally through the supply vessel outlet opening to suspend the dilution vessel from the supply vessel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supply vessel has a neck portion leading to the supply vessel outlet opening, a plug within the neck portion, said supply vessel outlet opening being located in the plug.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for supporting the dilution vessel is a stem which is attached to the dilution vessel and extends through the supply vessel outlet opening, said stem suspending the dilution vessel and having a transverse enlargement larger than the supply vessel outlet opening to prevent removal of the stem and the dilution vessel from the apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plug is an inverted cup having the supply vessel outlet opening located in its upper wall; whereby air is entrapped within said inverted cup and forced into the supply vessel as the flush tank water rises above the level of the dilution vessel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the size of the supply vessel outlet opening is capable of discharging concentrated liquid when the hydrostatic head at the supply vessel outlet opening is decreasing.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 in combination with a concentrated liquid in the supply vessel, said concentrated liquid having a density greater than water whereby the concentrated liquid tends to flow downwardly into the dilution vessel rather than migrate laterally into the flush tank water during the initial portion of a flush before the water level becomes lower than the dilution vessel opening.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 having an inverted cup attached to the supply vessel for concentrated liquid, said supply vessel outlet opening being located in the upper wall of said inverted cup whereby air is entrapped within said inverted cup and forced into the supply vessel as the flush tank water rises above the level of the dilution vessel.
10. A method of dispensing a concentrated liquid into a toilet flush tank which contains a dilution vessel, said method comprising the steps of a. simultaneously lowering the water level in the flush tank and feeding the concentrated liquid into the dilution vessel to permit the concentrated liquid to mix with flush tank water retained by the dilution vessel to form a dilute solution, and
b. raising the water level in the flush tank until it comes into communication with the dilute solution in the dilution vessel so that the dilute solution migrates into the flush tank contents.
1]. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of feeding the concentrated solution is performed while the dilution vessel is immersed by water in the flush tank, said concentrated liquid being released at a point above the dilution vessel and flowing substantially vertically downwardly into the dilution vessel by virtue of its having a density greater than water.
l l l l l |
US-3874008-A | Water closet seats and covers therefor | United States Patent 11 1 Warnberg 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 WATER CLOSET SEATS AND COVERS THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Archie E. Warnberg, 3600 NW.
43rd St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 731 12 22 Filed: Jan. 2, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 430,061
Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 97,939, April 15. 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 77,103, Oct. 1, 1970, abandoned.
[52] U.S. Cl. 4/234, 4/242 [51] Int. Cl.. A47k 13/00, A47k 13/14, A47k 13/02 [58] Field of Search 4/242, 245, 234, 243, 244,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,269 10/1910 Slough 4/245 1,070,575 8/1913 Batson 4/245 2,286,632 6/1942 Manville 4/242 2,994,887 8/1961 Thornton 4/242 3,102,276 9/1963 Warnberg 4/242 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 364,578 4/1931 United Kingdom 4/242 525.797 6/1956 Canada 4/242 Primary Examinerl-Ienry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Laney, Dougherty, Hessin & Fish [57] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WATER CLOSET SEATS AND COVERS THEREFOR RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 97,939 filed Apr. 15, 1971, now abandoned, which application is a continuation-inpart of my patent application Ser. No. 77,103, filed Oct. 1, I970, now abandoned and entitled Water Closet Seats and Covers Therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to water closet constructions, and more particularly, to the toilet seats used in water closet constructions, and to the manner of attachment or securement of flexible covers to such seats.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Various proposals have been made in the past for covering the wooden or plastic toilet seats of water closets with a flexible material to improve the aesthetics of the water closet assembly, and to improve the comfort of one sitting upon the seat. In general, the flexible covers which have been provided are attached to the seat by means of some type of expansible, relatively resilient stiffening member located in a hem, or otherwise secured around the inner edge of the seat, and a flexible or elastic member such as a drawstring or band of elastic disposed in a hem, or otherwise secured. around the outer peripheral edge of the seat. The cover is placed in position on the seat by first slightly compressing the expansible wire or other relatively rigid member sufficiently to permit it to be passed through the opening in the seat, and then permitting the wire to expand so as to force the inner peripheral edge of the cover outwardly beneath the lower surface of the seat. The remainder of the cover is then stretched across the top of the seat so that the elastic band or flexible drawstring or the like can be drawn, or will contract, to a position inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the seat and adjacent the lower surface thereof. In this manner, the portion of the cover which covers the upper surface of the seat is stretched taut and provides an aesthetic appearance. Often the type of hinge structures which are used for securing the seat to the bowl of the water closets prevent the fabric cover from being pulled taut across the back side of the seat and a portion of the seat is left exposed in an unsightly manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides an improved water closet seat and cover combination in which the flexible cover can be attached to the seat quickly and easily without the necessity for including a wire band or other relatively rigid member at the inner periphery of the cover, or an elastic band or drawstring at the outer periphery. Broadly described, the present invention includes a seat having a plurality of downwardly extending anchor members projecting from the lower side thereof and constituting anchor points for the peripheral edges of the flexible cover to be mounted on the seat. The flexible cover carries eyelets or apertures suitable for engaging the downwardly projecting anchor members secured to the seat. The outer peripheral edge of the flexible cover is slotted to pass hinge arms secured to the lower side of the seat, so that the cover can be drawn taut over the entire upper surface of the seat, and thus provide a neat and aesthetic appearance.
An object of the invention is to provide a seat, hinge and cover combination for use in water closet constructions in which the cover is quickly detachable from the seat and may be quickly positioned thereon.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for mounting a flexible, aesthetic cover on the rigid toilet seat used in water closet constructions so that the inclusion of an annular stiffening ring secured to the inner periphery of the flexible cover is eliminated.
A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible cover for detachably mounting on the seats of water closets so that the cover may be quickly detached from the seat and need not include any metallic or rigid portions constituting a potential problem during the laundering of the cover.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a water closet seat carrying cover anchoring devices on the lower side thereof and hinged to a water closet bowl in such a way that a fabric cover can be quickly and aesthetically placed on the seat so as to smoothly and evenly cover the entire upper side of the seat.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a major portion of a water closet showing a seat thereon constructed in accordance with the present invention, with anchoring devices projecting from the lower side of the seat, and showing a fabric cover mounted on the seat and covering the upper side thereof.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottomplan view of the seat utilized in a water closet constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view of the expanded cover used in a water closet assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the water closet shown therein includes a bowl 10 which has, characteristically, an upper side, a front and a rear. The bowl 10 has a seat assembly, designated generally by reference numeral 12, and a lid 14, mounted thereon by means of a hinge structure designated generally by reference numeral 16. The water closet further includes a water tank 18 which is mounted on the rear portion of the bowl 10.
The seat assembly 12 of the water closet, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes an annular or oval shaped rigid seat 22 which may be constructed, most conveniently, of wood or plastic. The seat 22 carries on the substantially planar lower side thereof, a plurality of downwardly extending anchoring devices which, in the illustrated embodiment, are pins 24 having sharpened ends extended into the central portion of the lower side of the seat, and having heads 26 of rounded configuration. A plurality of the pins 24 are spaced horizontally from each other around the seat on the lower side thereof. and support the seat 22 on, and space it from, the bowl 10.
Mounted on the seat 22 is a flexible, annular cover 30 which may be a stretchable fabric material, or other aesthetic flexible material. The cover 30 can also be constructed of a tough, high tensile strength paper, or of a synthetic resin, such as where disposability is a desideratum, as in hospitals and health facilities. The flexible cover 30 is, it will be noted, extended across the upper surface of the seat, and has peripheral edges 30a and 30b which are extended around the inner and outer peripheral edges of the seat, and are overlapped in the center of the lower surface of the seat,
lt will be noted in referring to the drawings that the pins 24 having rounded heads 26 function to anchor the flexible cover 30 to the seat 22, and enable it to be stretched tautly over the upper side of the seat and around the edges thereof. A plurality of grommets or eyes 36 are formed at spaced intervals around the peripheral edges of the cover 30 and are related so that each grommet or eye adjacent the inner peripheral edge 30a of the cover registers with a grommet or eye adjacent the outer peripheral edge 30b of the cover when the cover is placed in a position with its peripheral edges overlapped and anchored by means of the pins 24.
For the purpose of pivotally mounting the seat 22 on the bowl 10, the hinge structure 16 includes a portion 40 which is secured to the bowl in a conventional fashion, and also includes a pair of arms 42 secured to the lid 14 to mount the lid pivotally on the bowl. A second pair of arms 44 is secured to the seat 22 to enable the seat to pivot on the bowl 10. The arms 44 are spaced horizontally from each other, and it will be noted in referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 that these arms each project beneath the lower side of the seat 22 and are secured to this side of the seat by screws or other suitable means (not shown). It will further be noted in referring to H6. 4 that the back side or rear periphery of the seat 22 is not obstructed by the hinge structure 16, and that the hinge arms 44 do not interfere with that portion of the cover which extends across the back side or rear periphery of the seat.
In order to assure that the flexible cover will be drawn tautly across the upper side of the seat, and will be firmly and securely fastened beneath the seat, that portion of the outer peripheral edge 30b of the cover 30 which projects down along the back side of the seat and underneath the seat at this location is provided with a pair of slots 48 and 50 projecting from the outer peripheral edge thereof inwardly in the cover, and positioned to receive the two arms 44 of the hinge structure 16. Thus, the cover does not become bunched, piled or wrinkled around the hinge arms 44, but instead the hinge arms fit evenly and without interference in the slots 48 and 50. To further assure that the cover fits evenly and smoothly on the seat 22, a pair of the pins 24 are provided on the opposite sides of each of the two arms 44 of the hinge structure 16 so that anchor points for both the inner, and particularly the outer, peripheral edges of the cover 22, exist in immediate proximity to the slots 48 and 50 in the outer peripheral edge of the cover. This is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Lil
A slightly different embodiment of the hinge structure used to mount the seat 22 on the bowl 10 is illustrated in FIG, 5 of the drawings, Here the hinge arms, designated by reference numeral 52, are stepped or angulated so that each hinge arm 52 includes a first horizontally extending portion 52a connected to the pivot pin 54 of the hinge structure and a second horizontally extending portion 52b secured to the lower side of the annular seat 22. The step thus provided enables a space to be defined between the portion 52a of the hinge arms and the lower side of the seat. This space can receive a portion of the flexible cover 30 passed beneath the seat 22 and immediately adjacent the slots 48 and 50 formed in the flexible cover. In other respects, the flexible cover 30 and the manner in which it is secured to the seat 22 by means of the pins 24 are substantially identical to the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. l-4.
The present invention permits the flexible covers 30 to be quickly positioned on the annular seat 22 without the need for the inclusion of rigid stiffening members or wires provided in a hem at the inner peripheral edge of the covers, and with no need for an elastic band or drawstring to be provided at the outer peripheral edge of the covers. The eyelets or grommets in the edges of the cover 30 can be snapped very quickly and easily over the pins spaced around, and firmly driven or screwed into, the lower side of the annular seat 22, and in attaching the cover in this way, the upper portion of the cover is drawn tautly across the upper side of the annular seat 22. The cover thus is wrinklefree and is very aesthetic in appearance. Moreover, by reason of the hinge structures described, in cooperation with the placement of the pins or anchor devices on the lower side of the seat, the rear edge portion of the seat 22 is completely covered, and the aesthetics of a flexible covering is thus extended to this area of the seat.
Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein described in order to enable the basic principles underlying the invention to be well understood by those skilled in the art, it will be perceived that various changes and innovations can be effected in the described structure without departure from these principles. Changes and innovations of this type are therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention except as the same may be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.
What is claimed is:
1. A water closet assembly comprising:
a bowl having an upper side, a front and a rear;
a seat mounted on the upper side of said bowl and having a substantially planar lower side and a back side;
a hinge structure pivotally connecting said seat to said bowl for pivotation about a horizontal axis, said hinge structure including:
a first portion secured to the upper side of the bowl at the rear thereof; and
a pair of arms projecting from said first portion and secured to the lower side of the seat;
a plurality of anchoring devices projecting downwardly from the lower side of said seat and horizontally spaced from each other around said seat; at least two of said anchoring devices supporting the seat on and spacing it from the bowl in one position of the seat; and
a flexible annular cover including an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge each secured to said anchoring devices and further including a portion between said inner and outer peripheral edges stretched tautly across the upper side of said seat and extending at least to the planar lower side of said seat, said cover having a pair of spaced slots extending thereinto from the outer peripheral edge thereof toward the inner peripheral edge and each receiving a part of one of said arms where the respective arm is attached to the lower side of said seat.
2. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said anchoring devices is a pin having a rounded head spaced downwardly from the planar lower side of said seat.
3. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized as including a plurality of grommets positioned adjacent said inner peripheral edge and adjacent said outer peripheral edge and extending over and engaging said anchoring devices.
4. A water closet device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in having pairs of anchoring devices positioned on the lower side of said seat adjacent each of the arms of said hinge structure and engaging at least the outer peripheral edge of said cover at points adjacent said slots.
5. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 2 and further characterized as including a plurality of grommets positioned adjacent said inner peripheral edge and adjacent said outer peripheral edge and passed over and engaging said pins.
6. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said pins are disposed centrally in the lower side of said seat, and each of said pins has one of the grommets adjacent said inner peripheral edge passed thereover and one of the grommets adjacent said outer peripheral edge passed thereover.
7. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said arms is angulated intermediate its length and includes:
a first horizontally extending portion spaced from the lower side of said seat; and
a second horizontally extending portion secured to the lower side of said seat,
said cover extending into the space between the first portion of each of said arms and the lower side of said seat.
8. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 7 when each of said anchoring devices is a pin, and two of said pins are positioned on opposite sides of said second portion of said arm.
9. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 6 and further characterized in having pairs of anchoring devices positioned on the lower side of said seat adjacent each of said arms of said hinge structure and engaging grommets positioned adjacent each of the slots in said cover.
10. A water closet assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said arms is angulated intermediate its length and includes:
a first horizontally extending portion spaced from the lower side of said seat; and
a second horizontally extending portion secured to the lower side of said seat,
said cover extending into the space between the first portion of each of said arms and the lower side of said seat. |
US-3874009-A | Supporting apparatus for an upper bed deck of a mobile home vehicle | United States Patent 1191 Nosaka et al.
[ 1 Apr. 1, 1975 SUPPORTING APPARATUS FOR AN UPPER BED DECK OF A MOBILE HOME VEHICLE [75] Inventors: Teizou Nosaka, Chiryu; Tohru Mase,
Kariya; Toshitaka Tsukiyama, Toyoda; Keiichi Ohashi; Yasushi Ito, both of Kariya, all of Japan [73] Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha,
Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan [22] Filed: Sept. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 394,596
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 7, 1972 Japan 47-89787 [52] U.S. Cl 5/9 R, 5/118, 296/24 [51] Int. Cl B62d 33/06, B60p 3/32 [58] Field of Search 5/9, 10 R, 10 8,12, 118; 296/23, 24, 28; 105/322 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,266,062 8/1966 Rogers 5/118 Hagstrom 5/118 Rouch 5/10 R Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blum, Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan 57 ABSTRACT In a mobile home vehicle means are provided wherein an upper bed deck can be rotated toward a side wall, engaged with rails extending along said side wall and readily moved into storage position against the ceiling wall. A second upper bed deck may be hinged so that it can be readily rotated into storage position against the opposite side wall, or alternatively, can also be moved along rails to storage position along the ceiling wall.
19 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR 1 m5 sum 5 or 5 SUPPORTING APPARATUS FOR AN UPPER BED DECK OF A MOBILE HOME VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a supporting apparatus for an upper bed deck of a mobile home vehicle or the like which is movable both to the operation and storage positions.
As is well known, mobile home vehicles or the like are often provided with upper and lower beds in order to increase its capacity for lodging. Conventionally, foldable sofa beds or vehicle seats are usually employed as lower beds, while upper bed decks are provided detachably so as to ensure the full use of the vehicle room space.
With the conventional upper bed deck which is detachably provided at a predetermined height in the vehicle room, usually at about half the height of the vehicle space, there are various troubles in fitting and detaching the same, in folding the same in the vehicle room and in transporting the same between the places where it is used and stored. In another conventional method, the upper bed deck is temporarily stored against the side wall of the vehicle room with the aid of suitable clips, but a bed deck in such a position interferes with light and sight through the windows in the side walls of the vehicle room. In still another conventional method, the upper bed deck is guided and moved for storage to the other portion in the vehicle room, for example. to a little space just above the drivers seat by means of a suitable guiding device, but generally speaking, such storing apparatus is complex both in mechanism and construction and poor in durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pair of upper bed decks are provided in a mobile home vehicle having suitable supporting walls or the like at front and rear portions in the vehicle room. One bed deck is stored along the ceiling wall and is movable to its operation position by means of rails provided along a side wall and the ceiling of the vehicle body at positions corresponding to the front and rear edges of the bed deck. A second upper bed deck may be stored along the other side wall of the vehicle body using hinge means by which it is pivotally movable to its operation position. If the ceiling wall is wide enough, both bed decks may be stored along said ceiling wall.
Support for a bed deck to be stored along the ceiling wall consists of a pair of rails spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance longitudinally of the vehicle body and extending along a side wall and along a ceiling wall thereof. rollers provided on the frame of the bed deck. said rollers being fitted into said rails and said bed deck being supported movably along said rails, whereby said bed deck may be moved toward and stored along the ceiling wall. In preparation for use, the bed deck is moved downward along said rails to the predetermined position and one side of the bed deck is taken off from said rails through open parts provided thereon so that said bed deck may be rotated into horizontal operating position. The bed deck in this position is supported on the front and rear walls of the vehicle room.
Conveniently, when one bed deck is stored against the ceiling wall and another is stored against a side wall,
the former bed deck is about one-half as wide as the vehicle room and the latter is about one-third as wide.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an improved apparatus including an upper bed deck in the vehicle room of a mobile home whereby at least one upper bed deck may be readily moved from operating position to a storage position along the ceiling of said vehicle room.
An important object of the present invention is to provide supporting and storage apparatus for an upper bed deck to be disposed midway between the lower bed deck and ceiling of a mobile home vehicle or the like, wherein the structure of the upper bed deck itself is simple and storing operation can be easily carried out, and wherein the bed decks can be stored without encroaching on the available vehicle room space and without blocking light from and sight through the windows.
Another object of the invention is an improved apparatus for storing one upper bed deck against said ceiling and a second bed deck against a wall of said vehicle room.
A further object of the present invention is an improved apparatus for storing at least one upper bed deck against a ceiling of a mobile home wherein said apparatus includes rails which function as ribs to reinforce the walls and ceiling of said mobile home.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a mobile home vehicle of the delivery van type to be provided with the supporting apparatus for the upper bed deck according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper bed deck shown in FIG. 1; 7
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a gate portion in the ceiling rail for receiving and holding the inner edge of the bed deck of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIGS. 9 to 13 are views showing a manner of supporting and storing the upper bed decks using the supporting apparatus according to the present invention; and
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along a line analogous to 4-4 in FIG. 1, in which a pair of supporting apparatuses for horizontally supporting a pair of upper bed decks and for storing a pair of upper bed decks along the ceiling wall is shown.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As illustrated in FIG. 1, a mobile home vehicle 1 includes a driving room 2, a living room 3 and a bathtoilet-kitchen room 4.
The living room 3 is provided with a foldable table 5, and seat units 6 for use during camping. The room 3 is used not only as a living room or a dining room, but also as a bedroom. The seat unit 6 can be rearranged to form a lower bed 6'. Upper bed decks 7 and 8 (FIG. 3) are provided side by side at about half the height between ceiling wall lb of the living room and the lower bed 6'. The upper bed deck 8 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is stored along side wall In of the vehicle body using hinge means 24 and binding means or catch 25. The other upper bed deck 7 is stored along the ceiling wall 1b by means of rail devices 9a and 9b (FIGS. 3 and 4) provided along side wall 16 and ceiling wall 1b at positions corresponding to the front and rear edges of the bed deck. As a result both bed decks may be completely prevented from encroaching on the space in the living room.
In more detail, the upper bed decks are supported between wall 40 which separates the living room 3 from the bath-toilet-kitchen room 4, and the rear end of shelf board 20 of driving room 2. The length and width of both bed decks are adequate for a man to sleep on as is apparent from FIG. 1. As aforenoted, it is desirable that bed deck 7 be wider than bed deck 8. Also there should be room between bed decks 7 and 8 when in use position for passage therebetween.
For storing the upper bed deck 7 along the ceiling wall lb, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rails 9a and 9b are provided along the ceiling wall 1b and the side walls la and 10 which are inwardly inclined toward the ceiling at the positions of the rear end of the shelf board 20 and the wall 40, the rails 9a and 9b having channel like cross-section and openings 16a, 16bopposed to each other in the longitudinal direction thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper bed deck 7 is provided with rollers 12a, 13a and 12b, and 13b which are respectively attached to the top ends of the brackets 10a, 11a and 10b, 11b which in turn are fixed to the outer frame of the bed deck 7 at the front and rear edges thereof in the longitudinal direction. A pair of rollers 12a, 13a at the rear edge of the bed deck 7 are fitted into the rail 90 on the wall 40 side, while a pair of rollers 12b, 13b at the front edge of the bed deck 7 are fitted into the rail 9b on the shelf board 20 side, whereby the upper bed deck 7 is fitted into the opposed openings of the rails 9a. 9b slidably along the side wall 1c and the ceiling wall 1b of the vehicle body.
In order to prevent the fall of the upper bed deck 7 during the sliding operation, the rail 90 is provided with a stopper 14a at the lower end of its rail part on the side wall It side and at the height suitable to support the bed deck 7 horizontally, as shown in FIG. 3. The rail 9a is also provided with a stopper 15a, in order to prevent the stored bed deck 7 from moving transversely toward the side wall 1a side, at such a position of its rail part along the ceiling wall 1b that the effective length of the rail part between the top of the side wall 10 and the stopper 15a becomes larger than the width between the rollers 12a and 13aof the upper bed deck 7. Also, the
rail 90 is provided with a notched open part or opening 16a on the lower surface thereof at such a distance from the stopper 14a on the side wall 1c side that corresponds to the distance between the rollers 12a and 13a attached to the upper bed deck 7. At the open part 16a (FIGS. 7 and 8) is provided an opening and closing cover 17a to cover the open part 16a and open or close the same as required. Another rail 9b is provided, as shown in FIG. 4, at the front part of the living room 3 or just at the rear of the drivers room 2, and is extended along the side walls 1a and 1c through the ceiling wall lb to the positions of the rear end of the shelf board 20, similarly to the rail 9a. The stoppers 14b, 15b, the notched open part 16b, and the cover 17b for opening or closing the open part 16b are provided at similar positions to those of the rail 9a in FIG. 3.
Since the open part 16a and the cover 17a are similar in construction to the open part 16b and the cover 17b, the function of the former only will be explained for simplicity. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the notched open part 16a of predetermined length is provided on lower surface 91 of the rail 9a. At the lower outside part of the rail 9a is provided opening and closing cover 17a of L-shape in section which is quite similar to the shape of the rail 9a in section and is of such a size as to cover the open part 16a. The cover 17a is slidable along a slit 92 of suitable length in the longitudinal direction of the rail 9a by means of a shaft piece 18 provided therethrough and also through the slit 92, the shaft piece 18 having at one end a flange part with a diameter larger than the width of the slit 92 and in contact with the inner side part of the slit 92, and a knob 19 provided at the outer end of shaft piece 18.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the notches 93a, 93bare provided on the rails 9a, 9b such that the distance between the notches 93a, 93b and the stoppers 15a, 15b is equal to the width between the rollers 12a, 13a or 12b, 13b attached to the upper bed deck 7.
In operation, the upper bed deck 7 is movable along the rails 9a and 9b with the rollers 12a, 13a and 12b, 13b which are respectively fitted into the opposed rails 9a and 9b. When the rollers 13a, 13b on one side of the bed deck 7 in the width direction thereof come in contact with the stoppers 15a, 15b, respectively, the rollers 12a, 12b on the other side of the bed deck 7 are positioned in the notches 93a, 93b of the rails 9a, 9b, whereby the upper bed deck 7 is supported for storage along the ceiling wall 1b. Since the rollers 12a, 12b are engaged with the notches 93a, 93b, the upper bed deck can not be accidentally swung or dropped, even if the vehicle is moved laterally at a high rate. The upper bed deck 7 supported for storage is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with a dot-chain line.
When the upper bed deck 7 is employed for sleeping, the rollers 12a, 12b of the upper bed deck 7 are manually raised out of the notches 93a, 93b, respectively, so that the bed deck 7 may be moved down along the rails 9a, 9b until it is stopped when the rollers 12a, 12b come in contact with the stoppers 14a, 14b. At that time, the other side rollers 13a, 13b are positioned at the open parts 16a, 16b which are covered with the covers 17a, 17b. The covers 17a, 17b are then pushed along the slit 92 to reveal the open parts 16a, 16b, and the rollers 13a, 13b are taken out of the rails 9a, 9b through the open parts 16a, 16b. Then the bed deck 7 is rotated on the rollers 12a, 12b to make contact with the stoppers 14a, 14b, until the rear edge of the bed deck 7 is engaged with the upper surface of a projection 41 provided on the wall at the height of the stoppers 14a,
14b, and until the front edge of the bed deck 7 is engaged with the upper surface of the shelf board at the rear end thereof by means of engaging members or hooks 23 which are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the upper bed deck 7 at the front 'edge thereof and each of which is composed of an arm 21 having one end secured to the bed deck with bolt means and having the other end provided with an engaging piece 22 which projects at a right angle from the arm 21 for engagement with the upper surface of the shelf board 20. Thus, the beddeck 7 is horizontally supported at the operation position. (See FIGS. 9 and 10).
The upper bed deck 7 can be moved from the operation position to the storage position by reversing the above mentioned steps. (See FIGS. 11 to 13).
Where there is sufficient space in the width direction of the vehicle body, another upper bed deck 8 may be provided on the side wall 1a side, in addition to the upper bed deck 7 on the side wall 10 side. (See FIG. 11). In detail, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one side of the upper bed deck 8 in the longitudinal direction thereof is pivotally secured to the side wall la side with a pair of hinge devices 24. The rear edge of the upper bed deck 8 is engaged with the projection 41 (FIG. 3) projected from the wall 40, while the front edge of the upper bed deck 8 is supported with the hooks 23 (FIG. 4) on the upper surface of shelf board at the rear end thereof, similarly to the upper bed deck 7 so that the upper bed decks 7 and 8 are supported horizontally at the same height. The upper bed deck 8 is pivotally moved upward and supported for storage along the side wall In with suitable binding means such as a clip or the like provided at the upper portion of the side wall la, thereby to ensure the wide space in the living room (FIG. 11).
Further, a pair of the upper bed decks 7 may be provided on the side wall In side and the side wall 10 side and stored along the ceiling wall 1b, using a pair of supporting apparatuses according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14.
In the above cases in which two upper bed decks are employed, one of the bed decks may have the width corresponding to about one third of the width of the vehicle room and the other bed deck may be substantially wider than said bed deck so as to ensure a central path between said two bed decks.
In the above embodiments, a long curved rail extending along the side wall 10, the ceiling wall lb and the side wall In was employed for the rails 9a and 9b. This is because such rails also serve as ribs for reinforcing the mobile home vehicle, especially the ceiling wall lb. However, the rails 90, 9b extending from the stoppers 14a, 14b to the stoppers 15a, 15b may be of course employed. Also, such rail may be two separate rails or one continuous rail. For the purpose of the present invention, the rails may be provided at least along the ceiling wall. In that case, the roller 13a or 13b attached to one side of the upper bed deck 7 is inserted into the rail provided along the ceiling wall 1b through either a side open part of the rail near the side wall 1c or the open part 16a or 16b provided on the lower surface thereof, and manually slid along the rail until it is stopped with stopper means or to the predetermined position when there is no stopper means. Then, the other side of the upper bed deck 7 is manually raised toward the ceiling wall and fixed thereon with suitable fixing means,
whereby the upper bed deck is supported for storage along the ceiling wall.
When there is no fear that the rollers 12a, 12b to be held in the rails 9a, 9b may pass the open parts 16a, 16b, in view of the effective length of the rails 9a, 9b and the position of the open parts 16a, 16b, it will be unnecessary to provide the opening and closing covers 17a, 17b.
The above mentioned opening and closing covers 17a, 17b of the rails 9a, 9b, supporting devices such as the projected parts 41 on the supporting wall 40 or the engaging members 23 for engagement with the shelf board 20 for horizontally supporting the upper bed deck may be variously modified or substituted by any other suitable means. For example, the supporting devices may be chains hung from the ceiling (not shown).
As described above, the supporting apparatus according to the present invention can store an upper bed deck along the ceiling wall or can store a pair of bed decks along the ceiling wall and along one of the side walls of the vehicle body, so that there is no loss of the living space in the vehicle room of the mobile home vehicle or the like, and the window at least on one side wall of the vehicle body is not interrupted with the bed deck nor the window space is limited thereby to ensure the light and the sight through the window.
Further, with the supporting apparatus according to the present invention, the upper bed deck is slid along the rails 90, 9b from the storage position until it comes into contact with the stoppers 14a, 14b provided at the lower portion of the rails 90, 9b, and then it is lowered by being pivotally rotated on the rollers 12a, 12b on one side of the bed deck to the predetermined operation position. Then, the bed deck can be stored again along the ceiling wall by reversing the above steps. Thus, its operation is very simple, and various modifications are possible by combining the upper bed deck to be provided on the side of one of the side walls of the vehicle body and to be stored along the ceiling wall, with the upper bed deck to be provided on the side of the other side wall and to be stored along the other side wall or along the ceiling wall.
Moreover, as the rails provided along the ceiling wall of a mobile home vehicle, reinforcing ribs, usually provided for the reinforcement of the upper part of the side wall and the ceiling may be used, or the rails may be used as the reinforcing ribs.
Thus, the supporting apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for practical use in mobile home vehicles.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
What is claimed is:
a lower bed deck and an upper bed deck, a supporting apparatus for said upper bed deck comprising a pair of first rail means having channel-like cross-section opposed to each other'in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle body, said first rail means being provided along the ceiling wall of the vehicle body in the width direction of said vehicle body and being spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the length of said bed deck, a pair of first roller means attached proximate one side of the front and rear edges of said upper bed deck in the longitudinal direction thereof for rolling in said first rail means, fixing means for releasably fixing the upper bed deck longitudinally at a storage position along the ceiling wall, and supporting means provided on the vehicle body for horizontally supporting said upper bed deck at an operational position intermediate said ceiling wall and said lower bed deck, said position being suitable for supporting a sleeping individual, said first pair of rail means having corresponding first openings into which said first roller means may be inserted for sliding along said rail means to guide the upper bed deck from said operational position toward said storage position, whereby the upper bed deck may be supported horizontally at the operation position thereof and supported for storage along the ceiling wall to provide unencumbered living space in a vehicle room without interrupting the light from and the sight through a window in a wall.
2. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first stopper means for limiting the transverse movement of said first roller means.
3. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of second rail means having a channel-like cross-section opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of said vehicle, said second rail means being provided along the upper part of one side wall and being spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the length of said bed deck and being so related to said first rail means that said first roller means may be moved from said first to said second rail means, a pair of second roller means attached proximate the other side of said front and rear edges of said upper bed deck for rolling along said second rail means, and second stopper means for limiting the downward movement of said second roller means, said second stopper means being provided at the height corresponding to said operational position.
4. The supporting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second rail means constitute a pair of essentially continuous rails each having an upper rail part provided along said ceiling wall and a lower rail part provided along the upper part of the side wall, and said openings are provided on the lower surfaces of said first rail means.
5. The supporting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said openings are provided on the lower surfaces of said upper rail means at a distance from said second stopper means which corresponds to the distance between each of said first roller means and each of said second roller means whereby said first roller means may be introduced into said openings while said second roller means rest against said second stopper means.
6. The supporting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising first stopper means for limiting the transverse movement of said first roller means.
7. The supporting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said pair of continuous rails are extended from said second stopper means to said first stopper means.
8. The supporting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a third pair of continuous rail means extending along the upper part of the other side wall, said third pair of rail means being essentially continuous with said first pair of rail means.
9. The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a transverse supporting wall in said vehicle body, a transverse shelf board on said vehicle body, a projecting member on said supporting wall for supporting one end of said upper bed deck in operating position, and hooks on the other end of said bed deck for engaging said shelf board for supporting the other end of said bed deck in operational position.
10. The supporting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said supporting means comprises a member projecting from a supporting wall provided on the vehicle body and engaging members secured to said upper bed deck for engaging a shelf board provided on the vehicle body.
11. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fixing means are corresponding notches in said first rail means into which said second roller means can drop when said upper bed deck is in the storage position, thereby preventing accidental dislodgement of said upper bed deck from said first rail means on application of a sidewise thrust.
12. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said vehicle body includes first and second upper bed decks and further comprising second and third pairs of rail means having channel-like crosssections along both side walls of said vehicles, said second and third pairs of rail means being essentially continuous with said first rail means, third and fourth roller means at positions on said second bed deck analogous to those on said first bed deck, third stopper means for limiting the downward movement of said third roller means, said third stopper being provided at the height corresponding to the operational position of said second bed deck, second corresponding openings in said first rail means for insertion of said fourth roller means attached to said second bed deck, the distance between said third and fourth pairs of roller means corresponding to the distance between said second pair of openings and said third pairs of stoppers, a support shelf and a pair of transverse walls spaced apart from said support shelf by a distance corresponding to the length of said upper bed decks, hooks on one end of each of said upper bed decks for engaging said support shelf when said upper bed decks are in operational position, projections on said transverse walls for supporting the other end of each of said bed decks when said bed decks are in operational position, and one pair of notches in each of said pairs of first rail means into which said second and third roller means can drop as a means of fixing said first and second upper bed decks in said first pair of rail means.
13. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said upper bed decks are of width such that room is provided for passage therebetween when said upper bed decks are in operational position.
14. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said bed decks are unequal in width, one being approximately one-half and the other approximately one-third of the interior width of thevehicle.
15. The supporting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising on each of said first rail means along the ceiling wall. a cover for removably closing said opening.
16. The supporting apparatus according to claim wherein said cover is L-shape in section similar to the shape of said rail means, is provided at the lower outside part of said rail part, and a shaft is provided through said cover and said rail part, said shaft piece having at one end thereof a flange part with a diameter larger than the width of said slit and being in contact with the side part of said slit and having at the other end thereof a knob for sliding said cover along said slit, wherein said opening is provided on the lower surface of said rail part along the ceiling wall at such a distance from said second stopper means that corresponds to the distance between one of said first roller means and one of said second roller means being on one side of the upper bed deck in the width direction thereof.
17. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 2 18. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said supporting means comprises a transverse supporting wall in said vehicle body, a transverse shelf board on said vehicle body, a projecting member on said supporting wall for supporting one end of said upper bed deck in operating position, and hooks on the other end of said bed deck for engaging said shelf board for supporting the other end of said bed deck in operational position.
19. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 18 further comprising a second upper bed deck hinged to the other side wall of said vehicle, a catch on said other side wall for holding said second upper'bed deck in storage position against said other side wall, a second transverse wall having a second projection thereon for supporting a first end of said second upper bed edeck in operational position and hooks at the second end of said second bed deck for engaging said support shelf when said second bed deck is lowered to operational position. |
US-3874010-A | Occupant turning device for bed | Geary Apr. 1, 1975 OCCUPANT TURNING DEVICE FOR BED [76] Inventor: William M. Geary, 9347 Crawford Ave., Evergreen Park, 111. 60642 [22] Filed: Mar. l5, 1974 [21] Appl. N0.: 451,434
Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 255,427, May 22, 1972, Pat. No.
[52] U.S. Cl. 5/61, 5/92 [51] Int. Cl A6lg 7/10 [58] Field of Search 5/61, 66, 81, 92, 317, 5/337 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.655.667 10/1953 Burkert 5/6l 3.226.734 l/l966 Coventon 5/61 3,302,219 2/1967 Harris 5/85 3,383,717 5/1968 Underwood 5/61 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James A. Geppert [57] ABSTRACT A conventional bed frame having a tiltable base, box spring and mattress with the box spring and mattress of less length than'the frame and base to provide a space at the head end of the bed for the reception of a hollow padded receptacle and a pillow having spaced cut-outs for reception of the face, nose, mouth and ears, whichever is aligned with its slot, the pillow being shiftable in its receptacle as the occupant moves to any one of the normal sleeping positions and especially on the stomach or either side. When the bed is occupied, the body is covered by the folds of a relatively wide sheet material lying across the bed for shifting or turning the body and thereby effecting most comfortable sleeping positions. The sheet material has the joined folds mounted on reels at the sides of the bed to retract the folds or allow extension thereof upon turning of the occupant.
4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures OCCUPANT TURNING DEVICE FOR BED SPECIFICATION The present application is a division of the copending patent application Ser. No. 255,427, filed May 22, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,808,615.
Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel bed and pillow assembly for providing most effective sleeping comfort in any of the normal sleeping positions, the pillow being positioned within a padded tray or receptacle in a transverse recess at the head end of the bed to receive either shoulder and the pillow being free to shift or pivot in the receptacle, the pillow being slotted to unobstructively receive the nose and either ear when aligned therewith depending upon the sleeping position of the occupant, and the slots being spaced apart to accurately align with either ear depending upon whether the occupant is sleeping on one side or the other, and when the occupant is sleeping on the stomach, the nose enters a T- shaped slot permitting free breathing through the nose and mouth without obstruction.
By this novel construction and arrangement of the freely movable pillow, the mouth and nose being unobstructed, prevents possible smothering and sinus clogging. and thereby assuring free breathing and more relaxed sleep than is possible with conventional pillows. Also. by providing space for and opening about the ear which would be covered by a conventional pillow when sleeping on one side, this novel pillow prevents vacuum sealing pressure and possible resulting discomfort.
In the present invention the recess and tray for the pillow provides a depression and space for freedom of either shoulder and flexed arm by the construction and arrangement of the pillow and tray in which the pillow is freely movable. thereby preventing concentration of the body weight on the shoulder muscles and shoulder nerves resulting in interrupting a restful sleep. Thus the body is retained relaxed in all positions of sleep and eliminating any cramped position resulting in loss of sleep.
By providing the bed with means for turning of the body and relaxing in all normal sleeping positions relieves the usual tensions and enhances the effectiveness and period required for relaxed sleep, resulting in the occupant requiring less time for complete and effective sleep and assuring a rested nervous system which may well extend the life span.
Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.
In the Drawings:
FIG. I is a perspective view of the novel bed and pillow assembly.
FIG 2 is a top plan view of the bed assembly with an occupant lying face down on the bed and pillow.
FIG 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view in vertical cross section of the tray and recessed end of the bed, and showing in dotted outline the face, shoulder and arm of the occupant lying face down.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a preferred form of pillow and its spaced slots or cut-outs for the ears, the nose and the eyes.
FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of the bed assembly in lowered position.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the head end of the bed elevated.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjusting straps for covering and rotating the position of the occupants body.
FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the head end of the bed with the adjusting straps covering the body.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate form of circular pillow containing slots 0r cut-outs for the ears, nose and mouth.
Referring to the disclosure in the drawings, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, inclusive, there is disclosed a bed and pillow assembly, the bed consisting of a portable frame 10 shown as provided with casters 11 for mobility, a base 12 hinged or pivoted at the foot end 13 to the frame, and a bed spring and mattress l4 supported on the base 12. To elevate the base 12, box spring and mattress one or more springs 15 are provided at each side of the frame 10, the base, box springs and mattress when lowered being retained in lowered substantial horizontal position by a spring latching means 16.
The box spring and mattress adjacent the head end of the bed are of less length than the frame 10 and base 12 to provide a relatively deep recess 17 extending across the base 12 of the bed and in which is received an internally padded tray or receptacle 18 for loosely and shiftably receiving a concaved flexible or resilient pillow 19 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) having its ends elevated and cloth hinged to permit flexing at 21, 22 and 23 between slots for the ears at 24 and 25, and preferably alternate T-shaped slots or cut-outs at 26,26 for the nose, eyes and mouth and adjacent parts of the face with the cheeks contacting at 26a,26a when the occupant lies substantially flat on the stomach.
The slots 24 and 25 for the ears are spaced from a T- shaped slot 26 a distance sufficient that when the occupant turns over or moves to another position with an ear lowered, the lower ear is aligned with an ear slot 24 or 25. Thus, in any sleeping position of the head and body including sleeping on the back, the slots remain open permitting adequate air circulation.
The ends of the receptacle or tray 18 may be hinged and the tray is padded to protect the face, the pillow 19 being of less length transverse of the end of the bed than the width of the tray to permit adequate free shifting or sliding of the pillow as the occupant moves to another position of rest.
The bed is provided with a semi-circular bolster 27 of relatively soft flexible material adapted to be placed and adjusted under the ankle of the feet of the occupant as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Joined folds of strong sheeting or covering 28 of substantial width as shown, covers the mid-section of the occupant and is provided with opposite side reels 29,31 and 32 which are at the sides of the bed and detachably attached to the ends of the folds of the sheeting. The upper fold is detachably attached to its reel 32 and provides a turning fold 33 for automatically turning the body of the occupant, the lower fold 34 for turning and sliding movement of the body, and stitched along its width to the sliding lower sheet 34 is a depending sheet 35 attached to the reel 29. These reels are power-operated by a conventional universal motor 36 with suitable speed reduction and belts to reel in or reel out and to retain the reels in their adjusted position.
When the occupant enters the bed with the top fold 33 disconnected from its reel 32 and disposed at the opposite or left side of the bed facing from the foot (FIG. 7) and the occupant lies on the lower fold 34, this top fold or turning fold 33 will be lifted and drawn or placed across the body and affixed to its reel 32 for the purpose of turning the body as the occupant turns or moves from one position to another. Thus, the upper fold 33 is used strictly for turning and its lower fold upon which the occupant rests, used both for turning and sliding of the body. The sheet section 35 at the left side of FIG. 8 is attached to the turning fold 33 for sliding purposes in that direction.
The base 12 supporting the box spring and mattress 14 has pivotally mounted steel straps or plates 37, one at each side and at the foot end of the base for retaining the box spring and mattress on the base.
FIG. 9 shows an alternate form of flexible pillow 38 which is of cylindrical form having a large central opening 39 for receiving the head of the occupant and spaced slots or cut-outs, one 41 for alignment with the nose and mouth, and two slots or cut-outs 42,42 for alignment with the ears. A further alternate slot 41 may be provided as in the pillow 19 of FIG. 4. This pillow is adapted to be received in the recess 17 and/or tray 18 of the bed assembly and is freely pivoted therein for adjustment to the position occupied by the head.
I claim:
1. In a conventional bed assembly having a bed frame and a mattress and box spring therefor, the improvement comprising means for turning and shifting a body of an occupant to the various positions of sleep by the occupant including a strap of folded sheeting with one fold under the body and extending across the bed, and another fold joined to the first fold parallel to the edge of the bed and extending over the body, and reels at the edges of the bed to each of which an end of the sheeting is affixed for adjusting the position of the occupant.
2. In a bed assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sheeting has an upper turning fold placed across the body and a lower fold upon which the body rests, turns and slides when the reels are operated for shifting and moving the body to various positions of rest and sleep.
3. In a bed assembly having a bed frame and a mattress and box spring therefor, including means for turning and shifting a body to the various positions of sleep by an occupant, said turning means including a lower fold upon which the body rests and having a depending edge, a first reel at one side of the bed operatively connected to the depending edge, an upper turning fold over and joined to the lower fold and placed across the body and having a depending edge overlying the edge of the lower fold, a second reel parallel to and on the same side of the bed as the first reel and operatively connected to the depending edge of the upper fold, and a sheet connected along its width to the lower fold and depending at the opposite edge of the bed, and a third reel at the opposite side of the bed operatively connected to the last-mentioned depending sheet.
4. In a bed assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said reels are power-operated to reel in and out the sheet of material forming the folds.
l =l l l |
US-3874011-A | Children{3 s or infant{3 s furniture | United States Patent Walsh et al.
Apr. 1, 1975 vFiled:
CHILDREN'S OR INFANTS FURNITURE Inventors: Frederick Bartholomew Walsh, 17
Grange Park Ave., Raheyn, Dublin; Leslie Laurence Grennan, 16 Broad Meadow, Swords, both of Ireland Jan. 12, 1973 Appl. No: 322,994
US. Cl. 5/108, 5/62 Int. Cl. A47d 9/02', A61g 7/10 Field of Search 5/62, 108, 109
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmPollock, Philpitt & Vande Sande [57] ABSTRACT An article of childrens or infants furniture, such as a cot, comprises a cradle-portion in which a child or infant lies, a base resiliently supporting the cradleportion, drive means for actuating the cradle-portion in resilient movement and at least one resilient cushioning element which bears against the cradle-portion, to apply cushioning pressure thereto in at least one direction laterally of the base, so as to cushion the cradle-portion against excessive or jerky movement. A device is also disclosed which can be used in conjunction with an existing cot, this device incorporating a platform which is resiliently mounted in a similar manner and upon which the cot to be rocked can be mounted.
4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CHILDREN'S OR INFANT'S FURNITURE This invention relates to childrens or infants furniture, and in particular to beds, cots, cradles or cribs for children or infants, all of which are to be understood as included in the term cot as used hereinafter.
It is well known that an infant can often be soothed or put at ease by rocking or gently agitating the cot and in this connection we would direct attention to the copending patent application Ser. No. 283,893 of Frederick Bartholomew Walsh.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide further improved means enabling a cot to be rocked.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cot having relatively simple means whereby rocking can be carried out automatically in a convenient and effective manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for use in conjunction with an existing cot, enabling the latter to be rocked.
A still further, and more specific object of the invention, is to provide a device which can be used in conjunction with an existing cot, without structural alteration of the cot, to enable the latter to be rocked.
The term rocking' and related words are used in this specification in the broadest possible sense, and are to be understood as embracing any form of gentle agitation. even though this may be of such a nature that it would not normally be regarded as falling within the strict definition of the word rocking Thus, the term *rocking and related words are to be understood as embracing compound oscillatory movement which takes place about a number of axes simultaneously, or which takes place without any well-defined axis of scillation.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a childs cot comprising a cradle-portion, a base resiliently supporting the cradle-portion, drive means for actuating the cradle-portion in resilient movement and at least one resilient cushioning element which bears against the cradle-portion, to apply cushioning pressure thereto in at least one direction laterally of the base.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for use in conjunction with an existing cot, comprising a base, a platform mounted on the base for resilient movement, drive means for actuating the platform in its resilient movement and at least one resilient cushioning element which bears against the platform, to apply cushioning pressure thereto in at least one direction laterally of the base, the platform being adapted to receive and support a cot, whereby the cot is rocked by movement of the platform relatively to the base.
The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings which show, by way of example only, various specific embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. I is a side elevational view of one form of cot with a side panel removed, to show internal details;
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a device for use in conjunction with an existing cot;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 2, the position of a cot used in conjunction therewith being indicated in dotted lines:
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of cot.
Referring to FIG. 1, the cot shown therein comprises a support frame or base 1 which rests on the floor. The base 1 has side panels, one side panel 2 being visible in FIG. 1, but the other side panel has been removed to show internal details.
The cot includes a portion 3 in which the infant lies, referred to herein as the cradle-portion. The sides of the cradle-portion 3 are of the usual open construction, consisting of upright rods. indicated at 4.
The cot portion 3 rests on the base frame by means of four resilient elements, two of which are visible in the drawings, being indicated at 7, and which support the cradle-portion 3 for movement relatively to the base 1. The cradle-portion 3 is capable of limited upward and downward movement and also movement in the horizontal plane, that is to say laterally of the base 1. Such lateral movement may take place either sideways or endwise relatively to the base 1.
The resilient elements 7 are shown in the drawing as being constituted by coil springs, but other forms of resilient elements may be employed, such as pillars or pads of rubber or plastics material of sufficient strength and flexibility.
A motor 20 is mounted on the base frame 1. The motor 20 drives a cam 21 which bears against the cradle-portion 3. Thus the cam 21 causes the cradleportion 3 to execute resilient jogging movement as the cam is driven in rotation by the motor 20. The cam 21 is shown in the drawing as bearing against the underside of the cradle-portion 3, but it could be arranged to bear against any other convenient part of the latter.
The cam 21 may be shaped so as to have a single rise, or two or more rises, so as to provide one or more jogging movements during each rotation of the cam.
As already mentioned, the resilient elements 7 support the cradle-portion 3 for movement relatively to the base 1. In order to prevent excessive lateral movement of the cradle-portion 3 as it is jogged, four more resilient elements are provided, ofwhich two are visible in FIG. 1, at 5. The resilient cushioning elements 5 are shown in FIG. 1 as being constituted by coil springs, but other forms of resilient element could be employed, as in the case of the elements 7. The resilient cushioning elements 5 are engaged between the end walls 6 of the base 1 and end-members of the cradle-portion 3. Thus the cushioning elements 5 serve to cushion the cradleportion 3 against excessive movement and they ensure smooth reversal of the lateral motion of the cradleportion, at the extremes of its travel. Similar cushioning elements could be provided to cushion the cradleportion 3 against excessive sideways movement, both such endwise and such sideways movement being referred to herein by the term lateral.
For the purpose of fixing the cradle-portion 3 in position when desired, so as to prevent unwanted movement thereof, fastening means is provided, consisting of a hook-member 8 carried by the base 1, which can be engaged with an eye-member 9 carried by the cradleportion 3 when required.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 an 3, the device shown therein comprises a support frame or base 31 and a platform 32, the platform 32 being shown detached from the base 31 in FIG. 2. The base 31 carries four resilient support elements 33, which may be coil springs for example. The platform 32 rests on the elements 33 and thus is supported for upward and downward and lateral movement relatively to the base 31. The platform 32 is actuated in its movement by a motor 37 driving a cam 38 which bears against the platform 32 (either against the underside thereof as shown, or elsewhere) Thus the platform 32 is jogged as the cam 38 rotates.
The end-members 41 of the base frame 31 each carry two further resilient elements 42, only two of such elements being visible in the drawings. When the platform 32 is rested in its operative position, in engagement with the resilient elements 33, the elements 42 engage end-members 43 of the platform 32 and thus serve to cushion it against excessive lateral movement (that is to say, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, movement in the endwise direction).
The device shown in FIGS 2 and 3 is used in conjunction with a conventional cot which can be rested on the platform 32, in the position indicated in dotted lines at 30 in FIG. 3. The cot indicated in FIG. 3 is of a type having four feet, which engage over the opposite ends of the platform 32, and either outside or inside the endmembers 41 of the base 31, as convenient, so as to locate the cot relatively to the apparatus. As the platform 32 is jogged by the motor 37, the cot 30 is gently agi tated or rocked.
Fastening means are provided, comprising a hookmember 48 and an eye-member 49, which can be interengaged to prevent unwanted movement of the platform and of the cot carried thereby, when desired.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the cot shown therein comprises a base 51, and a cradle-portion 53, the cradleportion being of the same general construction as the cradle-portion 3 of FIG. 1. The base 51 comprises an open framework consisting of four upright structural members, of which two are visible in FIG. 4, being indicated at 52. The two uprights 52 at each side of the cot are connected by a lengthwise stretcher-member 54. At each side of the cot, the uprights 52 are connected at their upper ends to the cradle portion 53 by means of pivotal joints 56. At their lower ends the uprights 51 are connected to the stretcher 54 by similar pivotal joints 57. Thus the whole base frame 51 is capable of limited flexing movement in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. As the base 51 flexes, it gives rise to endwise oscillatory movement of the cradle-portion 53, likewise in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4, that is to say, movement in the lateral or horizontal direction in relation to the base 51.
If desired, the base 51 could be constructed so as to provide for flexing movement in the sideways direction instead of endwise.
Extending transversely of the base 51, at either end thereof, there are angle-members 58. Each anglemember 58 extends between, and is secured to, the two uprights of the base 51 at one end of the cot. Engaged between the upwardly extending limb 59 of each anglemember 58 and an adjacent part of the cradle-portion 53, is one or more resilient elements 55, which may be constituted by coil springs or which may be made of flexible rubber or plastics material, as previously referred to. As the cradle-portion 53 is oscillated to and fro during flexing movement of the base 51, the resilient elements 55 undergo slight compression and extension, thus serving to cushion the cradle-portion 53 against jerky or excessive endwise movement, and ensuring smooth reversal of the motion thereof.
Flexing movement of the base 51 and movement of the cradle-portion 53 are initiated by a motor 60 mounted on one of the uprights 52 and connected to one of the members 61 of the cradle-portion 53 by means of a reciprocatory connecting rod 62 which is pivoted to the cradle-portion 53 at 63. As the connecting rod 62 reciprocates, it applies a thrust to the cradleportion 53, thus causing simultaneous flexing of the base 51 and endwise lateral movement of the cradleportion 53.
Fastening means are provided, comprising a hookmember 68 and an eye-member 69, which can be interengaged when desired, to prevent unwanted movement of the cradle-portion 53.
It will be understood that, in the construction shown in FIG. 4, the cradle-portion 53 could be replaced by a simple platform similar to the platform 32 of FIG. 2, mounted for oscillation in a similar manner to that described in connection with the cradle-portion 53, the platform being cushioned in its endwise movement by resilient elements similar to the element 55. A device of this form could be used to support and rock an existing cradle resting on the platform, in a similar manner to the arrangement described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
In the foregoing description, two forms of drive means have been employed, namely a motor driving a cam as described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 and 3, and a motor driving a reciprocatory connecting rod as described with reference to FIG. 4. The arrangement described with reference to FIG. 4 could of course be used in the constructions shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 2 and 3 and vice versa. Moreover, other forms of drive could be employed, such as a belt or chain drive for example.
In the arrangements described with reference to the drawings, in each case the motor has been shown as mounted on the base, the drive being applied by the cam or connecting rod to the cradle-portion or plat form. It would be possible for the inverse arrangement to be employed, with the motor mounted on the cradleportion or platform and the cam or connecting rod acting on the base.
Particular reference is directed to the feature of the invention, according to which means are provided for cushioning the cradle-portion or platform against jerky or excessive movement. Any form of resilient element can be employed for this purpose.
Another important feature of the invention, resides in the provision of means whereby movement can be positively prevented, when desired. This feature can be applied to all the embodiments of the invention described herein. Moreover, any other convenient form of clamp or fastener can be employed in place of the particular fastening means described herein.
The two features just referred to have important practical advantages which are obtainable regardless of whether the rocking movement of the cot in question is effected by manual operation or by means of the power drive, as described.
As regards the forms of drive means which may be employed, various kinds of motor are suitable, such as spring motors and electric motors, including linear and synchronous motors and solenoid devices. The motor used may be provided with a variable speed facility, and a timer may be employed, so that the motor is switched off after rocking action has been applied for a predetermined time.
We claim:
1. A childs cot comprising a cradle-portion, a stretcher member for resting upon a support surface, uprights pivotally connected to the cradle-portion at their upper ends and to the stretcher member at their lower ends so as to allow limited oscillatory movement of the cradle-portion, drive means for actuating the cradle-portion in such oscillatory movement, and at least one resilient cushioning element attached to the uprights which engages the cradle-portion, to apply cushioning pressure thereto in at least one direction laterally of the stretcher member.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes a plurality of resilient cushioning elements arranged to apply cushioning pressure to the cradle-portion in two member when required. |
US-3874012-A | Flotation device for a craft | 1 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 FLOTATION DEVICE FOR A CRAFT [75] Inventor: Anthony Florio, San Francisco,
Calif.
[73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization Inc., New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 419,915
[52] US. Cl 9/9, 114/164, 114/54,
244/107 [51] Int. Cl B63b 21/52 [58] Field of Search 9/9, 323, 324, 325;
1 14/164, 16.8, 54, 68, 123; 102/494, 49.5; 85/1 R, 65, DIG. l;244/105, 107
[56] References Cited UN1TED STATES PATENTS 1,818,597 8/1931 Adams ct a1 244/107 2.357.417 9/1944 Marple 9/9 3.240.449 3/1966 Robinson, Jr 244/105 3,341,871 9/1967 Oliveau 9/9 3,372,996 3/1968 Barrett et a1 9/323 3,465,987 9/1969 Harmon et a1 9/9 3,669,311 6/1972 Folden, Jr. et a1 9/323 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner.lesus D. Sotelo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick [57] ABSTRACT A flotation device for craft comprises a compartment in the craft opening on the outside of the craft. A deflated balloon in the compartment is coupled to a source of compressed air. A cover on the outside of the craft encloses the compartment and is affixed to the balloon. The cover separates from the craft when the pressure on the outside thereof exceed a predetermined magnitude above atmospheric pressure thereby removing the balloon from the compartment and causing it to be filled with air from the source of compressed air to float the craft to the surface when it is in a body of water.
4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures n-mmgmm 1197s 3.874.012
EXPLODABLE BOLTS HATCH COVER PULLS AWAY H AFTER sous EXPLODE CHAIN FROM TOP OF BALLOON TO HATCH COVER AlR CYLINDER 5 FIG. 2
FLOTATION DEVICE FOR A CRAFT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a flotation device for a craft.
Objects of the invention are to provide a flotation device for a craft which is simple in structure, inexpensive in manufacture and readily installable on new and existing craft, which functions efficiently,'effcctively and reliably to raise any type of craft such as, for example, an aircraft, a boat or a submarine. which has crashed into the sea. to the surface thereof.
ln order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the flotation device of the invention is raising an aircraft which has crashed in the sea; and
FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the flotation device of the invention in its housed condition.
The flotation device of the invention is for a craft of any type such as, for example, an aircraft, a boat, a submarine. or the like. which may crash or sink beneath the surface of a large body of water such as, for example, the sea.
As shown in H6. 2, a compartment 1 is provided in the craft 2 and opens on the outside 3 of the craft. A deflated balloon 4 is provided in the compartment 1. A source of compressed air 5 such as, for example, an air cylinder. is coupled to the balloon.
A cover 6 on the outside 3 of the craft 2 encloses the compartment 1. The cover is affixed to the craft 2 by any suitable means which responds to a pressure greater than a predetermined magnitude. Thus, for example. the cover 6 may be affixed to the craft 2 by bolts 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. 2, which explode at a predetermined magnitude of pressure. Explosive bolts are available from E. l. du Pont de Nemours and Company under the name Du Pont Explosive Releases and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,996, Column 3, lines LII The cover 6 is affixed to the balloon 4 by any suitable means such as, for example, a chain 9 (FIG. 2). The cover 6 separates from the craft 2 when the pressure on the outside 3 thereof exceeds a predetermined magnitude above atmospheric pressure thereby removing the balloon 4 from the compartment 1 and causing it to be filled with air from the source of compressed air 5. The inflated balloon 4 then floats the craft 2 to the surface 10, as shown in FIG. 1, when the craft is in a body of water 11.
While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
1 claim:
1. A flotation device for a craft, comprising a compartment in the craft opening on the outside of the craft;
a deflated balloon in the compartment;
a source of compressed air coupled to the balloon;
and
a cover on the outside of the craft enclosing the compartment and affixed to the craft by bolts which explode at a predetermined magnitude of pressure, said cover being affixed to the balloon and separating from the craft when the pressure on the outside thereof exceeds the predetermined magnitude above atmospheric pressure thereby removing the balloon from the compartment and causing it to be filled with air from the source of compressed air to float the craft to the surface when it is in a body of water.
2. A flotation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the craft is an aircraft.
3. A flotation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the craft is a boat.
4. A flotation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the craft is a submarine,
* l= l l |
US-3874013-A | Buoy device for locating and retrieving sunken vessels | United States Patent [1 1 Hudson 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 BUOY DEVICE FOR LOCATING AND RETRIEVING SUNKEN VESSELS Gerald E. Hudson, 815 S. 136th, Seattle, Wash. 98168 [22} Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 1211 Appl. No.: 435,275
[76] lnventor:
Primary E.rumim'rTrygve M. Blix Asxislunl Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo AIIUIIIU), Agent. or Firm-Graybeal, Barnard, Uhlir & Hughes [57] ABSTRACT A dual buoy rescue device is provided for locating and retrieving sunken vessels. An essentially cylindrical anchor buoy having a tapered end is secured to the vessel by buoy orientation device comprising a housing mounted to the vessel, a rotatable shaft mounted within the housing, and a shaft extension secured to the anchor buoy. The buoy orientation device is adapted to allow the anchor buoy to float freely above the vessel when the device is in operation, regardless of the orientation of the vessel or the manner in which it sinks. Spaced circumferentially about the anchor buoy and projecting angularly outwardly therefrom are a plurality of spring-loaded fingers which are adapted to move inwardly into the buoy yet remain in their outwardly projected position when subjected to a force directed towards the tapered end of the buoy. A marker buoy adapted to float freely on the surface of the water is connected to the anchor buoy by a long pilot line. The sunken vessel is retrieved by guiding a retrieving ring with a cable or chain attached thereto down along the pilot line over the anchor buoy and the projecting fingers. The ring is then lifted towards the surface by the cable or chain so as to engage the ends of the projecting fingers which maintain their outwardly projected position. The vessel is then towed to the surface by the chain or cable attached to the retrieving ring.
10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FATEHTEU APR 1 i975 SHEET 1 BF 2 FIGO 4 PATENTEDAPR 1197s saw 2 or 2 FIG. 5
FIG '7 BUOY DEVICE FOR LOCATING AND RETRIEVING SUNKEN VESSELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the recovery of submerged objects and more particularly to a device and method for locating and retrieving sunken ships.
2. Description of the Prior Art Marker buoy systems have been utilized in conjunction with locating submerged objects and in particular sunken ships for a considerable period of time. An example of one such marker buoy system can be found in US. Pat. No. 801,777. In addition, such marker buoy systems often include means for aiding the retrieval of the submerged object or sunken ship. Examples of these types of systems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,156,933 and 3,425,070.
A major problem with such buoy systems when utilized in conjunction with locating and retrieving sunken ships is that the apparatus which aids the retrieval of the sunken ship frequently gets entangled with the ship it is sinking. Furthermore, such systems generally will not function properly unless the sunken vessel comes to rest on the bottom in an upright position. For example. the grapple head disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3.156.933 may easily get trapped beneath the sunken vessel if the vessel were to come to rest on the bottom in an upside down position. This would make retrieval olthe vessel by the disclosed device essentailly impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore. a primary object of the present invention to provide a dual buoy rescue device for locating and retrieving a sunken vessel wherein the means utilized for retrieving the vessel cannot become entangled in or trapped beneath the sunken vessel regardless of its orientation on the bottom or the manner in which it sinks.
In accordance with the present invention, an essentially cylindrical anchor buoy is provided having one tapered end with the other end connected to buoy orientation means. The buoy orientation means is securely mounted to the vessel and allows the anchor buoy to float freely above the vessel with its tapered end directed upwardly towards the surface of the water regardless of the orientation of the vessel on the bottom or the manner in which it sinks. In preferred form, the buoy orientation means includes a housing securely mounted to the vessel, a shaft secured within the housing and adapted to freely rotate therewithin, and pivoting means connecting the shaft to the anchor buoy.
A plurality of spaced apart, spring-loaded fingers are disposed circumferentially about and project angularly outwardly from the anchor buoy, the fingers diverging away from the tapered end of the buoy. The fingers are utilized during retrieval of the vessel and are adapted to move inwardly into the buoy when subjected to a force directed essentially towards the buoy orientation means yet remain immobile in the outwardly projected position when subjected to a force directed essentially towards the tapered end of the buoy.
Connected to the tapered end of the anchor buoy by a long pilot line is a marker buoy adapted to float freely on the surface of the water in which the vessel is submerged. In preferred form, the marker buoy contains a light beacon and an electronic signaling device to aid in locating the position of the sunken vessel. The pilot line permits the vessel to be retrieved by guiding a retrieving ring, which is secured to a cable or chain, down to the anchor buoy and over the projecting fingers, the fingers moving into the buoy when the ring passes thereover and then returning to their outwardly projecting position. The ring is then pulled up towards the surface by the cable or chain so as to engage the divergent ends of the fingers, the vessel then being lifted to the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating one embodiment of the present invention as it is being utilized to retrieve a sunken vessel;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the present invention secured to a vessel and in a stored position;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken essentailly along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the springloaded fingers which project outwardly from the anchor buoy;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the buoy orientation means shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the pivotal relationship between the anchor buoy and the buoy orientation means;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention as it is being utilized to retrieve a sunken vessel;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of the lower portion of the anchor buoy illustrated in FIG. 5 with some parts in section;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the present invention in a stored position on a vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, there is shown a sunken vessel 10 and a dual buoy rescue device designated generally by the number 12. When device 12 is in operation, marker buoy l4 floats freely on the surface of the water and is secured to anchor buoy 16 by pilot line 18. Buoy orientation means 20 is secured to vessel 10 and anchor buoy l6 and allows anchor buoy 16 to float freely above vessel 10 regardless of the orientation of vessel 10 on the bottom.
To retrieve vessel 10 from the bottom, a rescue or salvage ship 22 places a retrieving ring 24, which is attached to a strong cable or chain 26, over marker buoy 14 and around pilot line 18. Ring 24 is then guided down along line 18 so that it passes over anchor buoy 16. Ring 24 is then lifted upwardly to engage the ends of a plurality of fingers projecting outwardly from buoy 16, as described hereinafter, and the anchor buoy and vessel 10 are then lifted to the surface by cable or chain 26.
In FIGS. 2 and 4, one embodiment of the present device is shown which is best utilized with submersible vehicles such as submarines. Marker buoy 14 is connected by line 18 to anchor buoy 16. Anchor buoy 16 consists of an essentially cylindrical shell 28 which has a tapered end 30, its other end being connected to the buoy orientation means 20. In preferred form, line 18 is stored on a spool 32 which is mounted to the deck 34 of vessel 10. Line 18 extends from spool 32 through the buoy orientation means 20, through anchor buoy and into marker buoy 14. For convenient storage of a two buoys on the deck of the ship, an essentially nical recessed portion is provided at one end of arker buoy 14 into which tapered end 30 is inserted. lOyS 14 and 16 are then supported on deck 34 by ackets 36 and 38. Since vessel is submersible in IS particular embodiment, the dual buoy rescue dere 12 preferably is either manually released or actited by pressure sensitive means preset to release the oys when the vessel reaches a certain depth, such as .1511 depth for a submarine. [n this particular illustrated embodiment the buoy ientation means includes a housing 40, preferably lindrical in shape, which is securely mounted to deck of vessel 10, preferably by heavy welding. It should noted that this mounting must be quite strong inas- 1ch as the weight of the sunken ship will be borne at ,5 point when the vessel is being lifted to the surface. sposed within housing 40 is a shaft 42 which is apted to rotate freely therewithin, preferably by pro- Iing a reduced neck 43 which is surrounded by hous- 40. An angular extension 44 of shaft 42 projects twardly therefrom and rotates therewith. The free (I of extension 44 is pivotally connected to the end anchor buoy 16 in any desired manner, pivot pin 46 ing preferred so that the plane through which anchor oy 16 pivots is essentially parallel to the longitudinal is of shaft 42. In preferred form, a flexible housing 48 extends rough the center of shaft 42 and angular extension 44 d up into buoy 16, line 18 passing through housing Housing 48 protects line 18 from the effects of :ather and corrosion. As can be seen from this prerred construction, the 360 rotational capability of aft 42 and angular extension 44 and the pivotability anchor buoy 16 about angular extension 44 allows e ship to come to rest on the bottom in any position, t anchor buoy 16 will always be free to float away )m the ship in an upward position with its tapered end I directed upwardly towards the surface of the water which the ship has sunk. Therefore, buoy 16 cannot come entangled in or caught beneath the vessel as it sinking. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, there is illustrated a plurality of igers 50 which are circumferentially spaced about ell 28 of anchor buoy 16. In their normal position, rgers 50 project angularly outwardly from shell 28, verging away from tapered end 30. A plurality of Iontudinal slots 52 are provided in shell 28 through iich fingers 50 pass into the center of buoy 16. Cen- 1lly disposed within and extending the length of shell I is an axial shaft 54, and a plurality of paired brackets i are provided for pivotally securing the radially in- 1rd ends of fingers 50 to shaft 54. Each pair of bracks 56 are welded to shaft 54 in longitudinal alignment th slots 52, and each finger 50 extends between the 'o brackets ofa pair of brackets 56 and is pivotally atched thereto by a cross-pin 58. In this manner, fingers I may pass into and out of buoy 16. To achieve the oper function of fingers 50 during retrieval of a nken ship, a compressed resilient member 60 is seired between each finger 50 and shaft 54 subjacent oss-pin 58 in such a manner as to maintain constant rtward pressure against fingers 50. This pressure reps fingers 50 in the outwardly extended position so to contact the uppermost longitudinal ends of slots 52, slots 52 being of sufficient length to enable fingers 50 to pass into buoy 16.
When a force component directed essentially towards buoy orientation means 20 is exerted against fingers 50, resilient members 60 are further compressed, and fingers 50 move inwardly into buoy 16. When this force is removed, fingers 50 spring back to their outwardly projecting position as illustrated due to the pressure exerted by resilient members 60. When fingers 50 are subjected to a force component that is directed essentially towards the tapered end 30 of buoy 16, fingers 50 resist the force and do not move into buoy 16. In this manner, the retrieval ring 24 may be guided over buoy 16 and fingers 50, fingers 50 being pushed into buoy 16 as the ring passes thereover. After the ring has completely passed over fingers 50, fingers 50 return to the illustrated outwardly projecting position. When line 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) is then drawn upwardly so as to pull ring 24 toward the surface, ring 24 engages the divergent ends of fingers 50 and exerts a force against fingers 50 that is directed essentially towards the tapered end 30, thereby lifting buoy l6 and vessel 10 upwardly to the surface.
If vessel 10 is a surface ship, it would be highly desirable for device 12 to automatically be put into operation merely by contacting water. This would eliminate the necessity for manually activating the device as well as the delay which would be incurred if the device were activated by pressure sensing means. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention which is adapted for activation by water contact. In this embodiment, line 18 is preferably stored on a spool 32 which is located within buoy 14 in lieu of being attached to the deck of vessel 10. This storage location for line 18 simplifies the construction of buoy orientation means 20. Orientation means 20 includes a cylindrical housing 40 and a shaft 42 which is freely rotatable therewithin, as in the previously described embodiment. Secured to the end of shaft 42, however, is a chain 62 which is free to pivot at least about the point of attachment to shaft 42, chain 62 also being attached to buoy 16. As can be seen, this construction of the buoy orientation means will also enable buoy 16 to float freely away from and above vessel 10 regardless of the orientation of vessel 10 as it sinks and as it finally comes to rest on the bottom. Due to the use of chain 62, a ring retainer disk 64 is preferably mounted to the end of anchor buoy 16 subjacent the divergent ends of fingers 50 and preferably at the approximate position of attachment between buoy l6 and chain 62. Disk 64 has a diameter greater than the diameter of buoy 16 so that it will stop the downward progression of ring 24 after it has passed over fingers 50 as well as aid in orientating ring 24 for proper engagement against the ends of fingers 50. Buoys l4 and 16, when not in use, are preferably stored in an upright position on the deck of vessel 10 without being secured thereto. The bottom end of anchor buoy 16 preferably is placed within a cylindrical container 66 with the divergent ends of fingers 50 resting on the upper edge thereof. In this manner, when vessel 10 begins to sink, the buoyant buoys 14 and 16 are free to immediately float upwardly, buoy 14 proceeding to the surface and buoy l6 maintaining its freely floatable position immediately above the vessel 10. Therefore, the location of the ship is marked by buoy 14, and the means for retrieving the ship (fingers 50) are kept free of the ship by buoy l6.
Buoys 14 and 16 may be made buoyant by any means known to the art. While line 18 need not be especially strong, such as 5/16 inch nylon, cable or chain 26 and chain 62 must be of sufficient strength to withstand the weight of sunken vessel during retrieval thereof. In addition, no part of buoy orientation means 20 or of anchor buoy 16 can be weaker than the tow cable or chain 26 on the rescue ship. It should be noted that in order to aid in locating the position of the sunken vessel 10, marker buoy 14 may contain a light signaling device 68, such as a light beacon, as well as an electronic signaling device 70, along with means 72 for energizing both. It should further be noted that if vessel 10 is of sufficiently large size and weight, two rescue ships with bridging therebetween may be required to lift vessel 10. With smaller vessels, however, the anchor chain and winch of most any ship should be sufficient to lift the sunken vessel to the surface.
As can be seen from the above detailed description, the present invention provides a simple yet efficient means for locating and retrieving sunken vessels. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein but that it may be modified within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A dual buoy rescue device for locating and retrieving sunken vessels comprising:
an essentially cylindrical anchor buoy having one end tapered and the other end connected to buoy orientation means mounted to said vessel and adapted to allow said anchor buoy to float freely above said vessel when said rescue device is in operation regardless of the orientation of said vessel, said tapered end being directed upwardly towards the surface of the water in which said vessel is submerged;
a plurality of spaced apart fingers disposed about and projecting angularly outwardly from said anchor buoy, diverging away from said tapered end, said fingers being adapted to move inwardly towards said buoy when subjected to a force component directed essentially towards said buoy orientation means and to resist movement when subjected to a force component directed essentially towards said tapered end; and
a buoyant marker buoy connected to said anchor buoys tapered end by a long pilot line, said marker buoy being free to float on the surface of the water in which said vessel is submerged when said rescue device is in operation, said pilot line permitting said vessel to be retrieved by guiding a retrieving ring down to said anchor buoy and over said fingers so as to engage the divergent ends thereof.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said buoy orientation means comprises a housing securely mounted to said vessel, a shaft secured within said housing and adapted to freely rotate therewithin, and an angular extension of said shaft disposed to rotate therewith, said anchor buoy being pivotally connected to said angular extension, the plane through which said anchor buoy pivots being essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein a flexible housing extends through said anchor buoy, said angular extension and said shaft, and said pilot line passes through said flexible housing and is stored on a spool mounted to the surface of said vessel, said marker buoy including an essentially conical recessed portion in one end thereof wherein the tapered end of said anchor buoy is engaged when said device is not in operation, there being brackets located on the surface of said vessel to releasably hold said engaged buoys when not in operation.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said anchor buoy comprises an essentially cylindrical outer shell having one end tapered and its other end pivotally connected to said angular extension, said shell containing a plurality of longitudinal slots circumferentially spaced thereabout through which said fingers angularly pass, and a centrally disposed axial shaft extending the length of said shell, the radially inwardly ends of said fingers being pivotally connected to said shaft, with a compressed resilient member disposed between each of said fingers and said shaft subjacent the pivotal connections of said fingers so as to exert a radially outwardly force on said fingers, said slots being of sufficient length to enable said fingers to pass radially inwardly into said shell when subjected to a force component directed essentially towards said angular extension.
5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said marker buoy includes a signal light device, an electronic signaling device, and means for energizing said devices.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said buoy orientation means comprises a housing securely mounted to said vessel, a shaft secured within said housing and adapted to freely rotate therewithin, and a length of chain connected to said shaft, there being a ring retainer disk mounted to the end of said anchor buoy subjacent the divergent ends of said fingers and at the approximate position of connection between said anchor buoy and said chain, the diameter of said disk being greater than the diameter of said anchor buoy.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said pilot line is stored on a spool disposed within one end of said marker buoy, said buoys being carried on the surface of said vessel adjacent each other when not in operation so as to allow water contact to activate said device.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said anchor buoy comprises an essentially cylindrical outer shell having one end tapered and its other end pivotally connected to said chain, said shell containing a plurality of longitudinal slots circumferentially spaced thereabout through which said fingers angularly pass, and a centrally disposed axial shaft extending the length of said shell, the radially inwardly ends of said fingers being pivotally connected to said shaft, with a compressed resilient member disposed between each of said fingers and said shaft subjacent the pivotal connections of said fingers so as to exert a radially outwardly force on said fingers, said slots being of sufficient length to enable said fingers to pass radially inwardly into said shell when subjected to a force component directed essentially toward said retainer disk.
9. A device according to claim 6, wherein said marker buoy includes a signal light device, an electronic signaling device, and means for energizing said devices.
10. A rescue device for locating and retrieving sunken vessels comprising:
first buoy means connected to buoy orientation means mounted on said vessel and adapted to enable said first buoy means to float freely above said vessel when said rescue device is in operation regardless of the orientation of said vessel;
finger means disposed about said first buoy means and adapted to move inwardly towards said first buoy means when subjected to a force component directed essentially towards said buoy orientation means and to resist movement when subjected to a force component directed essentially away from said buoy orientation means; and
second buoy means connected to said first buoy gagement therewith.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N 3,874 ,013 Dated April 1 1975 Inventor(s) Gerald E Hudson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Columns 3 and 4 should appear as shown on the attached sheets.
FORM PO-1050 (IO-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u.sv GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 8 93 o 16 and into marker PAGE -2 buoy l4 For convenient storage of the two buoys on the deck of the ship, an essentially conical recessed portion is provided at one .end of marker buoy l into which tapered end 30 is inserted;
Buoys 1 and 16 are then supported on deck 3'4 by brackets 36 and 38. Since vessel 10 is submersible in this particular embodiment,
the dual buoy rescue device 12 preferably is either manually released or activated by pressure sensitive means preset to release the buoys when the vessel reaches a certain depth, such as crush depth for a submarine.
In this particular illustrated embodiment the buoy orientation means 20 includes a housing '40 preferably cylindrical in shape which is securely mounted to deck 3H of vessel 10 preferably by heavy welding. It should be noted that this mounting must be quite strong inasmuch as the weight of the sunken ship will be borne at this point when the vessel is being lifted to the surface. Disposed within housing +0 is a shaft H2 which is adapted to rotate freely therewithin, preferably by providing a reduced neck 43 which is surrounded by housing H0 An angular extension '44 of shaft 42 projects outwardly therefrom and rotates therewith. The free end of extension W is pivotally connected to the end of anchor buoy .-l6 in any desired manner, pivot pin '46 being preferred so that the plane through which anchor buoy l6 pivots is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of shaft H2 I In preferred form, a flexible housing +8 extends through the center of shaft #2 and angular extension 4 4 and up into buoy l6 line 18 passing through housing &8 Housing +8 I protects line 18 from the effects of weather and corrosion. As can be PAGE 3 seen from this preferred construction, the 360 rotational capability of shaft +2 and angular extension H 4 and the pivotability of anchor buoy l6 about angular extension 4 4 allows the ship to come to rest on the bottom in any position, yet anchor buoy 16 will always be free to float away from the ship in an upward position with its tapered end 30 directed upwardly towards the surface of the water in which the ship has sunk. Therefore, buoy 16 cannot become entangled in or caught beneath the vessel 10 as it is sinking. I I
In FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, there is illustrated a plurality of fingers 50 which are circumferentially spaced about shell 28 of anchor buoy l6 In their normal position, fingers 50 project I angularly outwardly from shell 28, diverging away from tapered end 30. A plurality of longitudinal slots 52 are provided in shell 28 through which fingers 50 pass into the center of buoy l6. Centrally disposed within and extending the length of shell 28 is an axial shaft 5 4, and a plurality of paired brackets 56 are provided for pivotally securing the radially inward ends of fingers 50 to shaft 54. Each pair of brackets 56 are welded to shaft 5 in longitudinal alignment with slots 52 and each finger 50 extends between the two brackets of a pair of brackets 56 and is pivotally attached thereto by a cross-pin 58 In this manner,
fingers 50 may pass into and out of buoy l6. To achieve the proper function of fingers 50 during retrieval of a sunken ship,
a compressed resilient member 50 is secured between each finger 50 and shaft 5H subjacent cross-pin 58 in such a manner as to maintain constant outward pressure against fingers 50. This pressure keeps fingers S0 in the outwardly extended position so as to contact the uppermost longitudinal ends of slots 52, slots 52 being of sufficient length to enable fingers 50 to pass into PAGE 4 buoy 16 when a force component directed essentially towards buoy orientation means 20 is exerted against fingers 50 resilient members 60 are further compressed, and fingers 50 move inwardly into buoy l6 When this force is removed, fingers 50 spring back to their outwardly projecting position as illustrated due to the pressure exerted by resilient members 80. when fingers 50 are subjected to a force component that is directed essentially towards the tapered end 30 of buoy l6 fingers 5O resist the force and do not move into buoy l6 In this manner, the retrieval ring 2'4 may be guided over buoy l6 and fingers 50 fingers 5'! being pushed into buoy 16 as the ring passes thereover. After the ring has completely passed over fingers SO fingers 50 return to the illustrated outwardly projecting position. when line 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) is then drawn upwardly so as to pull ring 24 toward the surface, ring 2 engages the divergent ends of fingefs 50 and exerts a force against fingers 50 that is directed essentially towards the tapered end'30, thereby lifting buoy l6 and vessel 10 upwardly to the surface.
If vessel 10 is a surface ship, it would be highly desirable for device 12 to automatically be put into operation merely by contacting water. This would eliminate the necessity for manually activating the device as well as the delay which would be incurred if the device were activated by pressure sensing means. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention which is adapted for activation by water contact In this embodiment line 18 is preferably stored on a spool 32 which is located within buoy 1 in lieu of being attached to the deck of vessel 10; This storage location for line 18 simplifies 5 the construction of buoy orientation means 20. Orientation means 20 includes a cylindrical housing ii] and a shaft H2 which is freely rotatable therewithin, as in the previously described embodiment. Secured to the end of shaft H2 however, is a chain 62 which is free to pivot at least 180 about the point of attachment to shaft +2, chain 62 also being attached to buoy 16.
As can be seen, this construction of the buoy orientation means will also enable buoy 16 to float freely away from and above vessel 10 regardless of the orientation of vessel 10 as it sinks and as it finally comes to rest on the bottom, Due to the use of chain 62, a ring retainer disk 6 is preferably mounted to the end of anchor buoy l6 subjacent the divergent ends of fingers 50 and preferably at the approximate position of attachment between buoy l6 and chain 62. Disk 6k has a diameter greater than the diameter of buoy 16 so that it will stop the downward progression of ring 2H after it has passed over fingers 50 as well as aid in orientating ring 2H for proper engagement against the ends of fingers 50 Buoys l and 16 when not in use, are preferably stored in an upright position on the deck of vessel 10 without being secured thereto. The bottom end of anchor buoy'l6 preferably is placed within acylindrical container 66 with the divergent ends of fingers 50 resting on the upper edge thereof. In this manner, when vessel 10 begins to sink, the buoyant buoys 1 and 16 are free to immediately float upwardly, buoy 1 proceeding to the surface and buoy l6 maintaining its freely floatable position immediately above the vessel 10. Therefore, the location of the ship is marked by buoy l4, and the means for retrieving the ship (fingers 50) are kept free of the ship by buoy l6,
Signed and Scalsd this Attest:
RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Am-siing Officer Commissioner of Paienl: and Trademarkx |
US-3874014-A | Swimming gloves | United States Patent 1191 Davey Apr. 1,1975
[76] Inventor:
i 1 SWIMMING GLOVES Joseph A. Davey, 250 Beach 134th St., Rockaway Park, NY. 11694 [22] Filed: Feb. 6. 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 439,915
[52] U.S. Cl. 9/308 [51] Int. Cl A63b 31/02 [58] Field of Search 9/308, 307. 30]
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.004.684 6/l935 Bell 9/308 3,122.760 3/1964 Glass, Jr. 9/308 3.174.167 3/1965 Pauley 9/308 3.261.040 7/1966 015611... 3,286,287 11/1966 Martin Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant E.\an11'/1e/-Sherman D. Basinger Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam P. Keegan ABSTRACT A swimming mitt of two substantially identical pieces of water impervious material joined together along the edges only, and provided with a thumb stall so that identical mitts can be worn on the right and the left hands.
1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures SWIMMING GLOVES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to swimming gloves, and more particularly to a webbed mitt which enables the user thereof, by spreading his fingers outwardly, to increase the effective area of his hand and thereby attain a greater stroking force to propel him through the water.
Many swimming aids to be worn on the hand have been provided in the past. However, they have been characterized by a complexity that goes far beyond the requirements of the task to be performed. Others have been so cumbersome as to be totally unsatisfactory for the purpose intended SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an improved swimming mitt.
Another object of the invention is to provide a swimming mitt of a configuration that enables it to be worn on either hand ofa swimmer so that two identical mitts may be used rather than a right hand mitt and a left hand mitt.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a swimming mitt that is of simple construction, is economical, and easy to manufacture.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a swimming mitt that permits water to flow freely through the mitt when it is in use.
In carrying out the invention, there is provided a swimming mitt having a palm segment that is flared in a longitudinal direction to conform generally to the outline of a persons hand with the fingers outspread, and a back segment of similar shape. The two segments are joined together along the longitudinal edges only while the ends are left open to permit water to enter and exit freely from the mitt.
Features and advantages of the invention may be gained from the foregoing and from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which follows.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the swimming mitt according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the mitt on a persons hand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, swimming mitt is seen to comprise a first segment or piece 11 having a relatively narrow end 12 and flaring sides 13 and 14 joined by an arcuate forward end 15. A second segment or piece 16. similar to segment 1], is also provided. In the preferred embodiment, the two segments, 11 and 16, are identical so that they may be cut with the same die. Segment 16 has a narrow end 17, flared sides 18 and 19, and an arcuate remote end 20. It will be noted that there are no apertures or openings in either of the two segments and that they are identical in every respect.
The material from which segments 11 and 16 are formed is preferably a plastic, water impervious material such as. for example, polyethylene or vinyl, although any suitable material may be used. Thus, a rubberized fabric can also be used. However, a polyethylcne is preferred because of its low cost. and because of the ease with which it can be joined. Moreover, polyethylene can be textured, printed, or otherwise decorated to enhance the attractiveness of mitt 10.
The two segments, 11 and 16, are joined along their longitudinal sides, side 13 being joined to side 18 and side 14 to side 19, as by heat sealing. The heat sealed or joined seams of the mitt are indicated in the drawing by slant dotted lines. Of course, means other than heat sealing could be used for joining the segments of the mitt. A thumb stall 21 may be provided if desired by heat sealing the two segments together along an arcuate line 22. This will leave a web 23 between thumb stall 21 and the remainder of the mitt. To insure that water does not enter the pocket formed by the two segments of the mitt in web 23, the forward edge of web 23 may be heat sealed at 24.
It will be clear that mitt 10 may be worn on either the right hand or the left hand simply by turning the mitt over as may be required.
To manufacture the mitt all that is required is for two webs or sheets of polyethylene to be superimposed and die cut to conform to the outline of the segments 11 and 16. The longitudinal edges of the segments could be joined together by heat sealing simultaneously with the die cutting so that the completed swimming mitt can be made in one operation. And, since mitt 10, as described, can be worn on either the right hand or the left hand, manufacture is simplified to the extent that a mitt of only one configuration need be made.
In use, a swimmer would be provided with a pair of identical mitts, one for the right hand and one for the left hand. A band would be inserted through the narrow end of the mitt with the thumb placed in stall 21. With the hand thus in place and the fingers outspread, a very effective swimming aid is provided. and because the forward ends 15 and 20 of the two segments making up the mitt are not joined, water can pass freely through the mitt. Thus, when the hand is removed from the water, the mitt will be completely drained without the need for special drainage openings.
Having thus described my invention, it is clear that embodiments other than the one described could be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the thumb stall could be formed by a straight radial line of heat sealing at the remote end of the mitt. Apertures could be provided in one or both mitt segments, although there is no drainage requirement that they be provided. For ornamental purposes, a fringe 25 may be provided on either or both of segments 11 and 16. Therefore, it is intended that the description and drawing be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.
What is claimed is:
1. A swimming glove of the character described suitable for placement on either the right hand or the left hand of a swimmer, said glove comprising, a first sheet of thin flexible plastic material having a narrow end and a wider arcuate end joined by diverging sides so as to conform generally to the outline of a hand with outspread fingers and thumb, a second sheet of thin flexible plastic material substantially identical in shape and size to said first sheet, said sheets being aligned, one on top of the other, and joined together by heat sealed seams extending along the sides of said sheets and a seam forming a thumb stall to form a mitten-like glove with the arcuate ends of said sheets adjacent the finger portion of the glove being substantially open and not joined together, the arrangement being such that, when placed on a swimmers hand with the thumb inserted in the thumb stall, the narrow ends of said sheets loosely encircle the swimmets wrist so that water can enter and drain freely from the glove at both essentially open ends of the glove. |
US-3874015-A | Rocker platform edge binder | United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,874,015
Decoulos et al. Apr. 1, 1975 OC PLATFORM EDGE BINDER Primary E.\'aminerl atrick D. Lawson [75] Inventors: John J. Decoulos, Peabody; Eugene Attorney Agent Altman Oates &
E. Simpson, Lynn, both of Mass. Bell) [73] Assignee: Boston Machine Works Co., Lynn,
Mass. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Fil d; N 8, 1973 An apparatus for applying binding tape to a workpiece having a non-uniform edge profile comprises a tape feeding mechanism, a resilient pressing mechanism and a workpiece advancing mechanism. The tape is [21] Appl. No.: 413,861
[52] U5. Cl. 12/24.5 threaded through the feeding hanism and int the 51] lm. c1 A43d 43/06 p g mechanism which includes a P of Cooperat- [58] Field of Search 12/245, 1 B; 112/153, g j defining a guideway adapted to resiliently 112/130, 137; 156/438 ceive the workpiece and tape and to press the tape against the edge and margin of the workpiece. The workpiece is disposed within the guideway and is en- [5 References Cited gaged by the advancing mechanism. The tape is resiliently pressed against the workpiece in the guideway 7 415 085 233: PATENTS 12/24 5 and is drawn through the feeding mechanism as the 5 2 5/1954 cerium l2/24'5 workpiece 1s rnovedby the advancing mechanism, the
330402347 6/1962 Paulseni: 12/245 cooperating JaWS ad usting for the varylng thickness of 3,261,045 7/1966 Vachon 12 245 the workpiece A Cutter is Provided for severing the tape at the completion of the binding operation.
11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ROCKER PLATFORM EDGE BINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying edge binding tape and. more particularly, is directed towards a rocker platform edge binding appara 2. Description of the Prior Art In making footwear in which some or all of the edges of the rocker platform are exposed, it is desirable that these exposed edges be finished by application of a binder tape. Machines of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,261,045 have been developed for applying binder tape to the edges of workpieces having a uniform thickness, for example insoles. The clog type shoes, presently in vogue, are characterized by rocker platforms having non-uniform edge profiles. A need has arisen for a machine for applying edge binding to rocker platforms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for applying binding tape to the edge and marginal areas of a workpiece having a non-uniform profile in cross section which does not suffer from the heretofore limitations. The apparatus embodying the present invention comprises a tape feeding mechanism, a resilient pressing mechanism and a workpiece advancing mechanism. The pressing mechanism includes a pair of cooperating jaw members which define a guideway adapted to resiliently receive the binding tape and the workpiece. The binding tape is treated with a cementitious material and is threaded through the feeding mechanism into the guideway. A bias element associated with the cooperating jaw members opcrate to resiliently urge the jaws towards one another so that the binding tape is pressed against the workpiece. the tape being drawn through the guideway as the workpiece is moved by the advancing mechanism. A cutting mechanism is provided for severing the tape at the completion of the binding operation.
Other objects. features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after considering the following detailed disclosure.
The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, the scope of which will be indicated in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the binder head of FIG. 4 showing the rocker platform advanced from the position shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, there is shown an edge binding apparatus 10 for applying a binding tape 12 to a workpiece 14 (FIG. 4) having a non-uniform edge profile such as a shoe rocker platform. Edge binding apparatus 10 comprises a cementer 16 for applying an adhesive coating to one side of an endless supply of binding tape 12, a dryer 18 for partially drying the adhesive coating to a sticky state, and an edge binder 20 for pressing the sticky tape into embracing contact with the edge of rocker platform 14.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, edge binder 20 is pivotally mounted to a conventional stitching machine, only a few parts of which are illustrated, these being a post 24 which supports a feed foot 26 the upper end of which is partly surrounded by a feed foot plate 28 secured to the top of post 24, an upper feed member 30, and a presser foot 32. The latter two members are suitably supported above feed foot plate 28 in the customary manner and when the stitching machine is in operation they are lowered by connection to a pedal (not shown) to cooperate with feed foot 26 in feeding rocker platform 14 and tape 12 step by step and in pressing the tape against the margins of the rocker platforms as it is being fed.
Edge binder 20 comprises a bracket 34 having an extending stub 36 which is provided with a through hole adapted to receive an adjusting screw 38 having a spring 40 coiled thereabout between the head of screw 38 and stub 36. Screw 38 is provided for alignment of edge binder 20 with respect to the upper face of feed foot 28. Bracket 34 is mounted to post 24 and carries a binder head 42 and a tape feeding mechanism 44. As hereinafter described in connection with FIG. 3, binder head 42 and feedmechanism 44 operate to shape binding tape 12 as it is applied to the edge and margins of rocker platform 14 by engagement of the rocker platform and the binding tape in the binder head.
Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that feeding mechanism 44 comprises a plate 46 which is pivotally mounted to the stitching machine. A pair of guide plates 48, 50 are mounted in spaced parallel relationship at opposite sides of plate 46 and are adapted to slidably receive a feed slide 52. At the right hand side of feed slide 52, as viewed in FIG. 2, there is provided a U-shaped bracket 53 to which is mounted a binding feed 54. Binding feed 54 is a horizontally disposed, substantially rectangular member tapered and bent inwardly at the left hand end portion at which there is provided a pair of extending fingers 56, 58 defining a substantially U-shaped channel 60. A feed lever 62 is mounted to the right hand side of binding feed 54 for moving feed slide 52 within guide plates 48, 50. A vertically disposed roller 64 which bulges slightly at its center portion is mounted to plate 46 by means of a bracket 65 and a shaft 67. Opposite ends of roller 64 are provided with collars 66 and 68 to which there is mounted a guide 70. As tape 12 exits from dryer 18, it is threaded about roller 64 and under bracket 53 and binding feed 54. At the discharge end of binding feed 54, tape 12 enters binder head 42 which has an opened groove 71 with a substantially U-shaped cross section.
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, binder head 42 comprises a body 100 and a pair of folding members 102, 104. Body 100 has a substantially L-shaped profile in cross section and includes a block portion 101 and a shoulder 103. Folding member 102 includes a slide 105 and a jaw 107, and folding member 104 includes a slide 109 and a jaw 111. Block portion 101 is provided with guide posts 110, 112, 114 and 116. Guide posts 110 and 114 are disposed along a common axis and guide posts 112 and 116 are disposed along a common axis. Slide 105 is formed with a pair of through holes 118 and 120 which are adapted to slidably receive guide posts 110 and 112, respectively. Slide 109 is formed with a pair of through holes 122 and 124 which are adapted to slidably receive guide posts 114 and 116, respectively. Opened groove 71 is formed by working face 126 (FIG. 2) of shoulder 103 and interior working faces 128 and 130 of jaws 107 and 111, respectively. Jaws 107 and 111 are tapered outwardly from the entering end of opened groove 71 towards the discharge end of opened groove 71 and tapered inwardly from an end adjacent opened groove 71 towards an opposite end. Interior working faces 128 and 130 are in spaced parallel relationship and have substantially triangular profiles with rounded corners. Slide 105 is formed with a threaded through hole 136 which is adapted to receive a screw 138, hole 136 disposed between holes 118 and 120. Slide 109 is formed with a threaded through hole 140 which is adapted to receive a screw 142, hole 140 disposed between holes 122 and 124. It will be readily appreciated that screws 138 and 142 are adjusting means for controlling the opening of guide 71. Screw 138 is provided with a locking device 144, for example a nut, and a collar 146 to which there is attached one end ofa bias element 148. Screw 140 is provided with a locking device 150, for example a nut, and a collar 152 to which there is attached the other end of bias element 148. Bias element 148, for example a spring, operates to press working faces 128 and 130 against binding tape 12 and rocker platform 14 as they pass through opened groove 71.
To curl binding tape 12 progressively from its flat state in feeding mechanism 44 to the channel shape it acquires in opened groove 71 of binder head 42, a longitudinal axis of opened groove 71 is set at an angle to that of feeding mechanism 44 so that as binding tape 12 passes from the feeding mechanism to the binder head it turns an obtuse corner as is evident in FIG. 2. As hereinbefore described, the entering end of the binder head is beveled so that interior working faces 128, 130 and exterior working faces 132, 134 are tapered outwardly towards the discharge end of binder head 42. Screws 138 and 142 are adjusted so that opened groove 72 is adapted to receive the narrowest dimension of rocker platform 14. Binding tape 12 is transversely curved in opened groove 71 so as to embrace the edge of rocker platform 14 inserted in binder head 42, cooperating jaws 107 and 111 operate to resiliently press the binding tape against the varying thickness edge and margins of the rocker platform as it is fed through opened groove 71.
As best shown in FIG. 2, binder head 42 is located in proximity to the feeding and the pressing mechanism of the stitching machine so that the feeding and pressing mechanism operate on the edge of the rocker platform at a point close to the portion of the edge which is in opened groove 71 of binder head 42 where it is being embraced by binder tape 12. Feeding elements 26 and 30 hitch the rocker platform edge and tape thereon along step by step. Between successive feeding movements, the presser foot strikes down to press the tape and rocker platform margins against the feed foot plate 28. The tape is thus pulled along by the feeding mechanism in step with the edge of the rocker platform to which it is being applied as a binder. When the feeding mechanism approaches the end of the edge portion to which the tape is being applied, the operator severs the tape by a quick movement of the blade 74. For this purpose blade 74 is clamped on a suitable holder 76 which is mounted to a lever 78 pivoted about a pin 80. Lever 78 is readily swung down against the restoring force of a spring connected thereto by pressing on a handle 84. When lever 78 swings down, blade 74 enters a narrow slot 86 (FIG. 3) between binder head 42 and feeding mechanism 44 and makes a draw cut to the tape. The blade is promptly restored to its former position by spring 82 which rocks lever 78 upwards when released. After blade 74 has been operated to sever tape 12 and the remaining inch of the severed piece has been applied to the rocker platform, the presser foot and upper feed are lifted and the rocker platform is removed from the binder head.
Since the binding tape has been severed at slot 86, the new end must be advanced far enough to extend beyond binder head 42 before the next operation can be started. To accomplish this, feed lever 62 is pushed towards the left and the tape is advanced a sufficient distance to extend beyond binder head 42, fingers 56 and 58 operate as a grip to push tape 12 toward the binder head. Thereafter, feed lever 62 returns to its normal position at the right and the operation of putting a new binding tape on a rocker platform can begin.
When the end of the tape extends beyond binder head 42, the operator takes a rocker platform and presses the edge of the channel of the binder head 42 at a point where the binding on the rocker platform is to begin. The entry of the edge of the rocker platform into the binder channel transversely curls the tape at that point. The presser foot and upper feed mechanism of the stitching machine are then moved down by the operator into operative contact with the rocker platform and the end of the binder tape so that the edge of the rocker platform with the binder tape thereon is fed along, the operator handling the rocker platform in such a manner as to keep the edge pressing the tape in the binding head channel until the end of the edge portion to be bound approaches. The tape is then cut as heretofore described, and the presser foot and upper feed mechanism are lifted after the last of the severed piece of tape has been applied to the rocker platform.
Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and depicted in the accompanying drawings be construed in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed is:
1. A device for applying a tape to the edge of a workpiece and the margins on opposite faces of the workpiece for workpieces having uniform as well as nonuniform edge profiles said device comprising:
a. a body having aworking face;
b. a first holding member having a working face, said first folding member operatively connected to said body;
C. a second folding member having a working face, said second folding member operatively connected to said body, said first and second folding members relatively movable with respect to one another;
d. said working face of said first folding member being disposed in a plane that is substantially in spaced parallel relationship with a plane in which said working face of said second folding member is disposed, said working face of said body being disposed in a plane that is substantially in perpendicular relationship with said planes in which said working faces of said first and second folding members are disposed;
. a guideway formed between said working faces of said body and said first and second folding members, said guideway having a substantially U- shaped profile, the distance between said working faces of said first and second folding members defining a guideway channel that is adapted to receive the tape and the workpiece;
f. said working face of said body that is disposed within said guideway channel being operative to press the tape against the edge of the workpiece as the tape and the workpiece are fed through said guideway, said working faces of said first and second folding members operative to press the tape against the margins of the workpiece on opposite faces thereof as the tape and the workpiece are fed through said guideway, said working faces of said first and second folding members relatively movable towards and away from each other for varying the size of said guideway channel as a function of the edge profile dimension of the workpiece passing through said guideway for accomodating uniform and non-uniform workpiece edge profiles.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 including biasing means operatively connected to said first and second folding members for biasing said first and second folding members towards each other.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2 including adjustment means operatively connected to said first folding member for engagement with said body, said adjustment means operative to establish a minimum distance of said guideway channel between said working faces of said first and second folding members.
4. A device for applying a binding tape to the edge and margin of a workpiece having a non-uniform edge profile, said device comprising:
a. a body;
b. a first folding member mounted to said body;
c. a second folding member mounted to said body,
said first folding member resiliently movable relative to said body and said second folding member;
d. a guideway adapted to receive the binding tape and the workpiece formed by said body and said first and second folding members;
c. said first and second folding members cooperating to press the binding tape against the edge and margins of the workpiece as the binding tape and workpiece are fed through said guideway, said first and second folding members slidably mounted to said body. said first folding member being formed with a threaded hole, a screw threaded into said hole contacting said body. said screw operating as a stop to set the minimum distance between said first and second folding members; and
f. a bias element operatively connected between said first and second folding members, said bias element 5 operating to pull said first folding member towards said second folding member, whereby the binding tape is pressed against the edge and margins of the workpiece.
5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said body includes a block having a integral shoulder, said body having a substantially L-shaped profile in cross section, and wherein each said first and second folding members includes a slide and a jaw, said first folding member slide and jaw relatively movable with respect to said second folding member slide and jaw along a sliding axis.
6. A device for applying a tape to the edge and margin of a workpiece having a non-uniform edge profile, said device comprising.
a. a body including a block having an integral shoulder, said body having a substantially L-shaped profile in cross section;
b. a first folding member mounted to said body;
c. a second folding member mounted to said body,
said first folding member resiliently movable relative to said body and said second folding member; and
d. a guideway adapted to receive the binding tape and the workpiece formed by said body and said first and second folding members;
e. said first and second folding members cooperating to press the binding tape against the edge and margin of the workpiece as the binding tape and workpiece are fed through said guideway, each said first and second folding members including a slide and a jaw, said first folding member slide and jaw relatively movable with respect to said second folding member slide and jaw along a sliding axis;
. each said jaw having working interior and exterior faces, said interior working faces are in spaced parallel relationship and define sidewalls of said guideway, each said jaw tapered outwardly from an entering end of said guideway towards a discharge end of said guideway and tapered inwardly from an end adjacent said guideway towards an opposite end.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a longitudinal axis of said guideway intersects a longitudinal axis of said block which is in perpendicular relationship to said sliding axis at an obtuse angle.
8. An apparatus for applying binding tape to the edge and margins of a workpiece having a non-uniform edge profile, said apparatus comprising:
a. a tape feeding mechanism for advancing the binding tape;
b. resilient pressing means mounted adjacent said tape feeding mechanism. said resilient pressing means including a pair of cooperating folding members, a guideway adapted to receive the binding tape from a discharge end of said tape feeding mechanism formed between said cooperating folding members. opposite sidewalls of said guideway defined by interior working faces of said folding members, one of said folding members relatively movable with respect to the other of said folding members, said folding members cooperating to press the binding tape against the edge and margins of the workpiece as the binding tape and workpiece are fed through said guideway;
. a cementer for applying an adhesive coating to one side of the binding tape; and
. a dryer for receiving the coated binding tape and drying said adhesive coating to a sticky state;
. said binding tape threaded from said dryer to said tape feeding mechanism for advancement to said resilient pressing means;
. said resilient pressing means including a body portion and a bias element, one of said folding members being a first folding member and the other of said folding members being a second folding memher. said first folding member resiliently movable relative to said body and said second folding member, said first and second folding members slidably mounted to said body portion, said bias element operatively connected between said first and second folding members, said bias element operating to pull said first folding member towards said second folding member, whereby the binding tape is pressed against the edge and margins of the workpiece.
LII
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said tape feeding mechanism and resilient pressing means are mounted with respect to each other so that a line drawn from a discharge end of said guideway to an entering end of said guideway intersects a line drawn from an entering end of said tape feeding mechanism to a discharge end of said tape feeding mechanism at an obtuse angle.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tape feeding means includes a plate and a slide feed, said slide feed slidably mounted to said plate, the binding tape threaded between said plate and slide feed, said slide feed movable along an axis extending between an entering end and a discharge end of said tape feeding mechanism.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a pivotally mounted cutter, a slot adapted to receive said cutter formed between said tape feeding mechanism and said resilient pressing means, said cutter operating to sever the binding tape threaded from said tape feeding mechanism to said resilient pressing means when said cutter is received within said slot. |
US-3874016-A | Sweeper | United States Patent [11] 3,
Liebscher Apr. 1, 1975 1 SWEEPER 3,748,679 7/1973 Rosendall 15/42 inventor: Johannes Liebscher, Nassau, Lahn 3,750,215 8/1973 Llebscher 1 5/42 Germany Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts [73] Asslgnee: f f lntematlonal Gunter Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Michael S. Striker Lelfhelt KG, Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany 221 Filed: Aug. 20, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21 APPL No: 389,930 A housing of a sweeper has a circumferential side wall and an open side normally facing a surface to be swept. One or more rotary brushes are journalled in [30] Foreign Application Priority Data the housing and partly project through the open side Aug 19. 1972 Germany 2240852 for p g the Surface A pp auxiliary brush is also mounted in the housing for rotation and has an [52] us. Cl. 15/42, 15/87 n l f ri l hich partly project outwardly be- [51] Int. Cl A47l 11/33 y h i w ll at he open side. An inclined plate- [58] Field of Search l5/42, 87 p d rive whe l is m nted within the confines of the bristles of the auxiliary brush and cooperates with [56] References Cited the latter for rotating it.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 348,778 9/l886 Reynolds l5/87 SWEEPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a sweeper, and more particularly to a sweeper for surfaces of floors or the like.
It is already known to provide sweepers having a housing, the circumferential side wall of which bounds an open side which normally faces the surface to be swept. In this housing rotary brushes are mounted so that they partly project through the open side, into, contact with the surface to be swept. It is also known to provide an auxiliary rotary brush which overlaps, that is partly projects outwardly beyond the side wall of the housing, for the purpose of sweeping alongside this side wall, for instance along baseboards or the like where the main rotary brushes of the sweeper cannot reach. One or more receptacles are provided in the interior of the housing into which the various brushes deposit the swept-up dirt and the like.
In the prior art using this type of sweeper, which has the auxiliary rotary brush the auxiliary rotary brush is driven by a special drive wheel which is joumalled next to it in the housing. Of course, this drive wheel which is in contact with the surface to be swept and is driven by frictional engagement therewith, can drive the auxiliary rotary brush only by providing motion-transmitting means between it and the auxiliary rotary brush. This, necessarily, increases the expenses of constructing such a sweeper which is undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sweeper of the type under discussion which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.
Still more particularly it is an object of the invention to provide such an improved sweeper which avoids the previously necessary provision of special motiontransmitting means for transmitting motion to the auxiliary rotary brush.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel sweeper which is less expensive to construct, and therefore to sell, than those known from the prior art.
In keeping with the above objects, and with others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides, in a sweeper, in a combination comprising a housing having a circumferential side wall and an open side which normally faces a surface to be swept. Rotary brush means is provided in the housing and partly projects through the open side for sweeping this surface. A cupped auxiliary brush is mounted in the housing for rotation and has an annulus of bristles which partly projects outwardly beyond the side wall at the open side. An inclined plate-shaped drive wheel is mounted within the confines of the bristles and cooperates with the auxiliary brush for rotating the same.
With this construction the need for expensive motion-transmitting means between the drive wheel and the auxiliary brush is avoided, because the drive wheel can now act directly upon the rotary brush and drive the same in rotation.
It is advantageous if the auxiliary brush together with its drive wheel is mounted for tilting movement in the housing. in such a manner that when the housing is moved to-and-fro in opposite directions for sweeping purposes, the auxiliary brush and its associate drive wheel can tilt to accommodate themselves to the particular direction. In such a construction different parts of the bristle annulus of the auxiliary brush will come in contact with the surface to be swept, depending upon the direction in which the housing is moved toand-fro, thereby assuring that there will always be an inwardly acting part of the annulus of bristles which becomes active for sweeping the surface. At the side more or less diametrally opposite that part which is in contact with the surface, the bristle annulus is out of contact with the surface so that the dirt can always be swept inwardly of the annulus and towards the interior of the housing, to be supplied to the main rotary brushes which pick it up and deposit it in the receptacle or receptacles provided for this purpose. This eliminates a flinging-away of the dirt in direction outwardly of the housing, and assures that in either direction of movement of the housing the dirt will be reliably picked up. As a result, the sweeper according to the present invention provides a more effective sweeping action than those known from the prior art.
The drive wheel is advantageously shiftable on a shaft or pin which is inclined to the plane of the open side of the housing, and is also turnably mounted, and the pin or shaft is provided on the journal which mounts the auxiliary brush for the aforementioned tilting movement. This assures in a simple manner that the tilting movement is imposed by the drive wheel, which due to the inclination of the shaft in which it is mounted will contact the surface to be swept always only over a part of its periphery.
The drive wheel is advantageously so inclined that it contacts the surface to be swept at a side of the drive wheel which is remote from the adjacent side wall, that is from that portion of the side wall beyond which the annulus of bristles partly projects to the exterior of the housing. This assures in a simple manner that during the to-and-fro movement of the housing the auxiliary brush will always be turned in such a direction that the dirt is swept inwardly of the housing where it can be reached by the main rotary brush or brushes.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sweeper according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a part of the embodiment in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, which shows in FIGS. 1 and 2 one exemplary embodiment of the invention, it will be seen that reference numeral 10 identifies a housing having a frame 11 which is generally annular in configuration and constitutes the circumferential side wall of the housing. The upper side of the frame and of the housing is closed off by a cover or upper portion 12 which is made fast with the frame 1 l. A bracket 13 is mounted on the frame 11 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis and a handle (not shown) can be connected with the bracket 13, by screw threading or the like, so that the housing can be moved to-andfro over a surface to be swept by pushing and pulling on this handle.
Located in the interior of the housing 10, the downwardly facing side of which is open and normally faces the surface to be swept, are wheels on which the housing rolls. These wheels are not illustrated because they are conventional and not necessary for an understanding of the invention. Also located in the interior of the housing are one or more rotary brushes, including at least one brush roller. These brushes also are well known in the art and for the sake of completeness one such a brush roller has been shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and designated with reference character B. Of course more than one may be present and the roller or rollers will rotate about horizontal axes. Also located in the housing will be one or more receptacles which are so positioned that any dirt picked up off the surface to be swept by the brush or brushes B, will be flung into and deposited in the receptacle. The receptacle or receptacles have also not been illustrated as being well known in the art.
None of the features described thus far are new, and they have been mentioned merely for purposes of explanation. The brush or brushes B are usually driven by an appropriate driving connection with the wheels on which the sweeper rolls.
It will be appreciated from the description of the prior art and from the illustration in FIG. 1 that the brush or brushes B cannot reach dirt that is located beneath the edges of the frame 11 or outwardly adjacent to these edges. To be able to reach such dirt also, and thus to sweep up closely against baseboards and the like, the sweeper is provided with one or more (two are shown) auxiliary rotary brushes 23, 23. Each has an annulus of bristles which projects outwardly beyond the frame 11 at the open side of the housing 10 and can thus engage dirt located outwardly adjacent the frame 11.
In the illustrated embodiment the brushes 23, 23 are located at two corners of the housing 10 and are each turnable about a substantially upright axis.
The brushes 23, 23 are cupped as is shown by way of the exemplary vertical section taken through the brush 23 and the mounting element which journals it for tilting movement. Each of the brushes 23, 23' is coupled with a drive 24 which drives it in rotation and employs a substantially plate-shaped inclined drive wheel 52. The drive wheel 52 is located within the confines of the annulus of bristles of the respective auxiliary brush, in FIG. 2 the brush 23.
The drive wheel 52 is mounted on a pin or shaft 53 so that is can turn about and shift axially of the same. The shaft 53 is a part of or secured to a mounting element 54 having two pins 55 with which it is journalled in the interior of the housing 10 so that it can tilt about an axis passing through the two pins 55. The axis extends transversely of the direction in which the housing 10 can be moved to-and-fro, that is between the lefthand an right-hand side of the housing 10 in FIG. 1, so that each time the direction of movement of the housing 10 is reversed the mounting member 54 will tilt about the axis passing through the two pins 55. This axis extends, of course, at least substantially parallel to the surface to be swept which is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2.
The shaft 53 is somewhat inclined to the open side of the housing 10, which means to the surface to be swept that is normally faced by this open side, in such a manner that only that side of the drive wheel 52 which is remote from the part of the frame 11 beyond which the auxiliary brush 23' (or the brush 23) projects, comes in contact with the surface to be swept. This is clearly shown in FIG. 2 where it will also be seen that the drive wheel 52 has a hub 56 of non-circular exterior configuration, which hub 56 extends into an opening 57 of the hub 58 of the brush 23 or 23; the opening 57 has a cross-section corresponding to that of the hub 56. The outer circumferential surface 59 of the hub 58 of the brush 23' or 23 is received in a recess 60 of the tiltable mounting member 54, and the recess is so configurated that the axis about which the respective auxiliary brush 23 or 23' rotates is upright and substantially normal to the surface to be swept.
It is particularly advantageous to use an energy storing device between the respective auxiliary brush 23 or 23 and the wheel 52. In the illustrated embodiment this energy storing device is in form of a helical spring 61 which assures that the brush 23 or 23 will be retained with its hub 58 in the recess 60, and that the drive wheel 52 will be pressed against a washer or disc 63 which is retained against the free end of the shaft 53 by a screw 62 extending through the washer 63 and threaded into a tapped bore in the shaft 53. When the sweeper according to the present invention is used, the wheel 52 is pushed slightly upwardly (in FIG. 2) against the force of the spring 61, so that the spring 61 will always push it into frictional engagement with the surface to be swept in the manner shown in FIG. 2, that is at one lateral side of the drive wheel 52. This assures that there will always be a reliable frictional contact between the drive wheel 52 and the surface to be swept, and that the auxiliary brush 23 or 23 will always be properly turned. When the sweeper according to the present invention is used, it is pushed forward and pulled back by means of the aforementioned handle, that is it performs a movement to-and-fro. During the forward movement the mounting member 54 will tilt in rearwood direction about the axis passing through the two pins 55, that is in direction away from the forward movement, and the auxiliary brush 23 or 23' will come in contact with the surface to be swept with its bristle annulus at that part of the annulus which is located forwardly as seen with reference to the direction of movement of the housing 10. The wheel 52 is in contact with the surface to be swept, rolling over the same and being frictionally entrained, and thereby turning the brush 23 or 23 so that that portion of the bristle annulus which is in contact with the surface will brush dirt inwardly of the housing where it can be engaged by the brush or brushes B and deposited in the non-illustrated dirt receptacle.
When the direction of movement of the housing 10 is reversed, that is when it is pulled rearwardly, then the mounting member 54 again pivots about the axis passing through the two pins 55, but in the opposite direction, and again the wheel 52 turns the brush 23 or 23', causing the same to brush dirt inwardly of the housing for engagement by the brush or brushes B.
Of course, only a single one or more than two of the auxiliary brushes 23 or 23' could be provided, and other modifications could be made without departing in any way from the intent and teaching of the invention.
It should be noted that the non-round configuration of the hub 56 and the opening 57 assures in a simple manner that the wheel 52 will always rotate the respective brush 23 or 23, despite the fact that their axes of rotation are inclined towards one another as shown in FIG. 2. The use of the washer 63 with the screw 62 as an abutment for the wheel-52 greatly facilitates the assembly of the arrangement, because it is merely necessary to place the various components over the shaft 53, and to thereupon pass the screw 62 through an opening in the washer 63 and thread it into the tapped bore in the free end face of the shaft 53.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a sweeper, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can be applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
1. in a sweeper, a combination comprising a housing having a circumferential sidewall and an open side which normally faces a surface to be swept said housing being movable to and fro in opposite directions over said surface; rotary brush means in said housing and partly projecting through said open side for sweeping said surface; a cupped auxiliary brush in said housing and having an upright annulus of bristles which project through said open side and have free ends located in a common plane; mounting means mounting said auxiliary brush for tilting movement in dependence upon the direction of movement of said housing; an inclined drive wheel mounted within the confines of said annulus for axial movement inwardly and outwardly of said open side and cooperating with said auxiliary brush for rotating the same about an upright axis, said drive wheel having a rim; and biasing means biasing said drive wheel in a direction outwardly of said open side so as to maintain contact of said rim of said drive wheel with the surface to be swept.
2. A combination as defined in cliam 1, said mounting means having an upright shaft which is inclined to the plane of said open side; and said drive wheel being mounted on said shaft for rotation about and axial shifting along the same.
3. A combination as defined in claim 2, said housing having two opposite sides at one of which said auxiliary brush projects beyond said sidewall; and wherein said shaft and said drive wheel are so inclined to said general plane that the surface to be swept is contacted by a portion of said drive rim of said wheel which is remote from said one side.
4. A combination as defined in claim 2, said shaft having a free end provided with an abutment; and said drive wheel being in engagement with said abutment.
5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said free end is provided with a tapped axial bore; and wherein said abutment comprises a washer axially adjacent said free end, and a screw extending through said washer and threaded into said tapped bore.
6. A combination as defined in claim 2, said mounting means having a recess, and said auxiliary brush having a hub which is received in said recess; and wherein said shaft extends into said hub, and said biasing means comprises a spring reacting against said drive wheel and said hub so as to urge said hub inwardly of said recess and to bias said drive wheel in said direction outwardly of said open side.
7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said biasing means comprises a helical spring.
8. A combination as defined in claim 1, said auxiliary brush having a hub provided with a non-circular opening; and said drive wheel having a drive wheel hub having a cross-section corresponding to that of said opening and being received in the latter.
mum. a'l'mlas PATENT OFFICE CERTEHCATEE 0F CQRRECTION PATH-4? NO. 3, 74, 016 DATED Apr, 1, 1975 lh'vENZURLS) Johannes Liebscher i: [S m-rf sud *Emt er -0." appeals m if}? ab0veident1fied patent and that said Letters Patent hens-by :LUHEFYZU as shown below- On the cover sheet [73] the name of the Assignee should read Leifheit International Gunter Leifheit KG, Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] twenty-second D3) of July 1975 A nest:
C.(!;|A SON C. MARSHALL DANN (s mg ffu'er Commissioner afParenIs and Trademarks |
US-3874017-A | Rotary brush assembly | United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,874,017
Parker Apr. 1, 1975 I ROTARY BRUSH ASSEMBLY 3,564,637 2/1971 GOlllSlL, 15/182 1. [75] Inventor: Russell H. R. Parker, Cleveland, 3683444 8/1972 Schaefer et a 5/183 Ohio FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Assignee: Superior Brush Australia: Cleveland Ohio 1,036,953 7/1966 Unlted K1ngdorn 15/179 [22] Filed: July 1973 Primary Examinerv Peter Feldman [21] Appl. No.: 380,484 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watts, Hoffman, Fisher &
I-Ieinke Co.
[52] US. Cl. 15/182, 29/1295 511 Int. Cl A46b 7/10 RA T Fleld of Search A roll f a rotary brush ly characterized a 15/183, 4 49 one-piece construction of good strength and rigidity including radially spaced coaxial inner and outer [56] R f Ct d walls, ribs between the walls along the length of the e erences l e roll, and slots in the outer wall for mounting brush and UNITED STATES PATENTS beater elements 1,749,393 3/1930 Pflimlin 29/1295 2,512.544 6/l950 Hammell 15/366 x 5 Clmms, 7 Drawmg Flgures 3,225,374 l2/l965 Daley et al I5/l83 PMENTEU APR 1 1:375
SHEET 3 BF 3 ROTARY BRUSH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to rotary brush assemblies of the type used in cleaning apparatus such as vacuum or suction cleaners, and more specifically to a new and improved roll construction for a rotary brush assembly.
Brush assemblies of the type described are typically comprised of a cylindrical roll body which carries a helical brush strip and a beater bar insert. A conventional practice is to make the rolls from wooden dowels which are provided at their ends with bearing inserts and metal caps. This conventional practice has a number of disadvantages which to a large extent are due to the effects of humidity on the wood. In general, changes in humidity can cause the wooden dowels to crack, split and/or warp and can cause difficult production problems. For example, if the dowels expand or go out of round because of humidity changes, it may be impossible to assemble the metal end caps. Conversely, if the wood shrinks, the end caps may fall off and/or the dowels may be split by the bearing inserts. Shrinkage and expansion of the wood can also make it difficult to securely attach the brush bristles and beater bars to the dowels.
Additional disadvantages of brush assemblies made with wooden dowels include the necessity of weighting the beater bar inserts which are normally lighter than the brush strips in order to achieve dynamic balance, and the fact that such assemblies are not suitable for wet applications because of the danger of warpage.
Attempts have been made to avoid the foregoing problems by making the brush rolls from metal or plastic. A defect of many of the prior art metal and plastic designs is that the constructions do not have sufficient strength and rigidity to resist deformation under the forces applied to the rolls during rotation. Another defect of many of the prior art designs is that the metal or plastic rolls are formed in sections which must be accurately aligned and securely fastened together. These assembly operations required in the manufacture of multi-section rolls are often complicated and unduly add to the cost of the rolls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary brush assembly characterized by a new and improved roll construction which can be used to advantage in place of the wooden rolls or dowels of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary brush assembly characterized by a new and improved roll construction which can be economically produced as a one-piece member.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary brush assembly including a new and improved roll construction having the features described above and which is additionally characterized by good strength and rigidity.
The foregoing objects are attained and the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a preferred brush roll construction comprising a one-piece member having inner and outer, radially spaced, coaxial walls separated by ribs along the length of the roll. The new roll construction may further include centrally located radial walls which serve to reinforce the roll against twisting and/or deflection. Slots are provided in the outer wall of the roll, and these slots form seats for mounting the usual brush strips and beater bars.
The new brush roll construction contemplated by this invention has the further important advantage that it can be produced as a one-piece member as by extruding, molding or die casting. Because of its unique onepiece structure, the brush roll of the invention is economical to manufacture. Another advantage is that the walls and/or ribs of the brush roll can be made with selected heavy sections in order to achieve dynamic balance, thereby avoiding the necessity of weighting the beater elements as has been customary in the past.
Other objects, advantages and a fuller understanding 5 of the invention .will be had from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a brush assembly comprising one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevational view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a-view partially in cross-section and partially in elevation taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3',
FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a brush assembly comprising another embodiment of the invention;
FIG; 6 is an elevational view partially in section of the roll shown in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is shown one embodiment of a rotary brush assembly 10 of the type intended for use in a suction or vacuum cleaner. The brush assembly 10 is generally comprised of a roll 11 which carries brush strips 12 and beater elements 13.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the roll 11 is a one-piece member having a construction which can be molded from any suitable plastic material, such as ABS resin, polystyrene, polyethylene and the like, or produced as a die casting. The one-piece roll 11 is generally cylindrical in'shape and includes inner and outer walls 18, 19, respectively, which are coaxial and radially spaced apart. A plurality of circularly spaced ribs are located between the walls l8, l9, and each of these ribs may extend substantially the full length of the roll 11.
The outer wall 19 of the roll 11 has portions 21 which converge radially inwardly to define a belt pulley 22 located centrally between the ends of the roll. In order to provide a strong roll structure to which power can be transmitted by a belt seated in the pulley 22, the wall 60 portions 21 are made integral with the inner cylindrical wall 18. The roll 11 is further reinforced by a centrally located wall 23 which extends radially inwardly from the wall 18 adjacent the pulley 22. The wall 23 has a central opening 24 for receiving a shaft (not shown) on which the roll 11 may be rotatably mounted.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the outer wall 19 of the roll 11 has two pairs of slots 29, which may extend helically from the ends of the roll toward its center and terminate adjacent the pulley 22. The slots 29, 30 of each pair are displaced 180 from each other about the circumference of the roll. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ribs 20 may extend straight and parallel to the axis of the roll 11 and the slots 29, 30 may be machined in the wall 19 so as to extend across the ribs. Alternatively, the slots 29, 30 may be molded in the wall 19 and the ribs 20 may extend helically along the length of the roll on the same helix angle as the slots.
The slots 29 cooperate to provide a helical seat for mounting the brush strips 12. The brush strips 12 will be recognized as being of a conventional construction comprising bristles 31 carried by a flexible backing member 32 which can be curved to conform with the curvature of the slots 29. The brush strips are initially formed as straight members and are connected to the roll 11 by being wedged between the sides of the slots 29. The slots 30 cooperate in a similar manner to provide a helical seat for the beater elements 13. Each beater element is a strip of flexible material such as plastic which is grooved along opposite sides so that the strip can be retained between the sides of the slots 30 by a wedging action.
A modified brush roll assembly 35 is illustrated in FIGS. -7 and will be seen to comprise a roll 36 which is provided with a brush strip 37 and a beater element 38. In this embodiment of the invention, the brush strip 37 and the beater element 38 extend the full length of the roll 36 which is adapted to be mounted on a rotatable shaft driven at one end by a suitable drive connection (not shown).
The roll 36 is a one-piece member similar to the roll 11 described above in connection with FIGS. I4, and includes radially spaced, coaxial inner and outer walls 39, 40, respectively. The walls 39, 40 are separated by circularly spaced ribs 41 which may extend the full length of the roll. The roll 36 may be strengthened at its center by radial wall portions 42 formed integral with the ribs 41 between the cylindrical walls 39, 40 and by another wall portion 43 which extends radially inwardly from the wall 39. The wall portions 42 are formed with holes 44 and the wall portion 43 is formed with a shaft opening 45. In its illustrated form, the roll 36 can be produced as a die casting or it can be molded from a suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the walls 42, 43 can be eliminated and the roll produced as an extrusion.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of helical slots 50, 51 are formed in the outer wall 40 and extend continuously from one end of the roll 36 to the other end. The slots 50, 51 may be machined in the wall 40 with the ribs 41 extending straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll 36 or the slots may be molded in the wall with the ribs 41 extending helically to conform with the curvature of the slots.
The slot 50 defines a seat for mounting the brush strip 37 and the slot 51 defines a seat for mounting the beater element 38. The brush strip 37 and the beater element 38 are constructed similarly to the corresponding members l2, 13 described above in connection with FIG. 1 and may be secured in the slots by a wedging action.
It will be seen that each embodiment of the invention provides a new brush roll structure which avoids all of the disadvantages associated with the conventionally used wooden rolls or dowels of the prior art. It will also be seen that the new brush roll is uniquely constructed so that it can be made as a one-piece member having good strength and rigidity.
Many other variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing detailed disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than is specifically shown and described.
What is claimed is:
l. A rotary brush assembly comprising a rigid, onepiece extruded, molded, or cast roll including as an integral structure inner and outer radially spaced coaxial walls and a plurality of circularly spaced ribs extending lengthwise of said roll between said walls, said outer wall having slot means formed therein, and brush strip means carried in said slot means.
2. A brush assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which portions of said outer wall converge radially inwardly to form a belt pulley located between the ends of said roll, said outer wall portions being integral with said inner wall.
3. A brush assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said outer wall has at least one slot, and in which said brush means comprises a brush strip seated in said slot.
4. A brush assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slots extend uninterrupted from one end of said roll to the other.
5. A rotary brush assembly comprising a rigid, onepiece roll including as an integral structure inner and outer radially spaced coaxial walls, a plurality of circularly spaced ribs extending lengthwise of said roll between said walls, said outer wall having portions converging radially inwardly to form a belt pulley between the ends of said roll, said outer wall portions being integral with said inner wall, a first pair of helical slots in said outer wall extending from one end of said roll and terminating adjacent said belt pulley, and a second pair of helical slots in said outer wall extending from the other end of said roll and terminating adjacent said belt pulley; and brush strip means and beater element means carried in said slots. |
US-3874018-A | Windshield wiper construction | United States Patent 1 1111 3,874,018 van den Berg et al. Apr. 1,1975
[54] WINDSHIELD WIPER CONSTRUCTION 3,082,463 3/1963 BOCk et al 15/250.32 [75] n entors: Johan H. van den Berg, Hasselt; 3,405,419 10/1968 Charlton 15/250.32
Hoebrechts, Mechelen FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS g g g Alex' Y 1,576,797 6/1969 France 15/250.32 9 e16", asselt, of Belglum 1,047,040 12/1958 Germany 15/250.32 73 Assigneez Nlonroe Belgium v Sinb'rruiden 748,933 5/1956 United Kingdom 15/25032 Belgium Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman [22] June 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce 21 Appl. No.: 373,411
Related US. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] 85 May A universal connecting element adapted to detachably secure a variety of different types and sizes of wind- 52 us. 01. 15/250.32 Shield Wiper blades associated Wiper arms the 51 1111. c1. B60s 1/40 wing element being of a "wided, one'piece [58] Field of Search l5/250 31 250.34 struction fabricated of a corrosion resistant polymeric 15/25035 250.42 material and including an arm end receiving recess and first and second pivotable retaining members for [56] References Cited detachably retaining the outer end of a wiper arm UNITED STATES PATENTS the recess' 2,956,299 10/1960 Ziegler l5/250.32 34 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures WINDSHIELD WIPER CONSTRUCTION This is a continuation-in-part application of copending Ser. No. 250,340, filed May 4, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,033, and is assigned to the assignee thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward a new and improved connecting element for operatively securing a windshield wiper arm to an associated-subassembly consisting of a wiper blade and associated support superstructure. The connecting element of the present invention will be found to have a number of features not shown in the prior art due to the fact that said element is of a one-piece molded plastic construction, preferably fabricated of nylon. As a result of this construction, only a single component part is required instead of a large number of separate components as has been necessary in heretofore known and used similar types of connectors. In addition, by virtue of the fact that the connecting element is fabricated of a polymeric or plastic material, there is no metal to metal contact and thus the connecting element of the present invention exhibits superior noise reducing characteristics. Also, no non-metallic spacer elements are necessary to avoid noise, as has been necessary in prior art connecting elements. Furthermore, by fabricating the connecting element of the present invention of a corrosion-resistant material, no special coating, i.e. painting or the like, is required in order to avoid corrosion of the different metallic parts having different positions on the electromotive scale, as has been necessary in the prior art. Of course, no coloring operations are necessary since pigmentation can be incorporated in the material from which the connecting element is fabricated.
A particular feature of the second embodiment of the connector element of the present invention resides in the fact that the element is adapted to be used in operatively connecting windshield wiper arms having different end configurations to associated wiper blade assemblies. In particular, the connector element is adapted to be operatively associated, not only with wiper arms having the conventional outwardly projecting cylindrical boss or shoulder formed thereon, but also with wiper arms of the type which are formed with laterally inwardly projecting notches. Additionally, the present invention may be used with both types of the aforesaid wiper arms which are of different cross-sectional sizes or widths, namely wiper arms which are approximately /8 inch in transverse dimension, and wiper arms which are approximately nine mm. in transverse section. Accordingly, the present invention will find wide and varied application.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved connecting element for operatively connecting windshield wiper blades and associated superstructure to a wiper arm.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved connecting element of the above character which is of a one-piece molded plastic construction and is thereby adapted to minimize inventory and related manufacturing expenses to the extreme. I a
It is another object of the present inventionto pro vide a new and improved windshield wiper connecting element, as above described, which exhibits superior corrosion resistance and noise reducing characteristics.
element that is ofa simple design, and whichwill have a long and effective operational life.
It still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper connecting element which may be operatively associated with windshield wiper arms having cylindrical bosses or shoulders formed thereon, and also with windshield wiper arms having laterally inwardly extending notches formed thereon.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper connecting element, as above described, which is adapted to be operatively associated with windshield wiper arms of different cross-sectional sizes and lengths.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the connecting element of the present invention, as shown in operative association of a conventional windshield wiper blade, superstructure and wiper arm;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the connecting element shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top elevational view of the connecting element shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the connecting element of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the right end of the connecting element illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a bottom elevational view of the connecting element illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of alternate embodiment of the connecting element of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the connecting element shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a bottom elevational view of the connecting element shown in FIGS. 7 and 8',
FlG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 7,
FIG. 11 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 11 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 12 is an elevated fragmentary perspective view of the end portion of a typical windshield wiper arm with which the present invention-is intended to be operatively associated;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 and illustrates another type of windshield wiper arm with which the present invention may be operatively associated;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary top elevational view of a portion of the connector element shown in FIG. 7, partially broken away, as seen in operative association with a windshield wiper arm of the type shown in FIG. 13',
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and shows the connector element of the present invention in operative association with a windshield wiper arm of the type shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;
FIGS. 17 and 19 are views similar to FIG. 13 and show the connecting element of the present invention in operative association with the windshield wiper arms of the type shown in FIG. 12; and
FIGS. 18 and 20 are fragmentary cross-sectional views taken substantially along the lines 18 and 20 of FIGS. 17 and 19, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a windshield wiper blade assembly is shown in general operative association with a wiper arm 12 which is intended to function in reciprocating the wiper blade assembly 10 across a surface, such as a vehicle windshield (not shown) to be cleaned. The assembly 10 generally comprises a wiper element 14 that is preferably constructed of some desirable resilient material, such as rubber or the like, and which is adapted to be supported by a wiper blade superstructure 16 upon the outer extremity of the arm 12. The wiper element 14 typically comprises a wiping lip portion 18 and a coextensive head portion 20 which are adapted to be supported by a longitudinally extending backing strip or flexor element 24.
The superstructure 16 is shown as comprising a pair of elongated yokes or links 26 and 28 that are substantially identical in construction and operation and which comprise generally U-shaped or claw-like end sections 30 adapted for clamping engagement with the aforementioned flexor element 24 in a manner well known in the art. Extending between and operatively connecting the yokes 26 and 28 in an elongated bridge member 32 having opposite end portions 34 connected to the upper extremities of the yokes 26 and 28. As best shown in FIG. 3, the bridge member 32 is of a generally channel-shaped configuration and comprises opposed side portions 36 and 38 and an interconnecting top or web portion 40. The top portion 40 of the bridge member 32 is formed with a central opening 42 which is adapted to operatively receive a connecting element 44 that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and is operable to support the subassembly consisting of the superstructure 16 and assembly 10 on the outer or terminal end of the arm 12, as will hereinafter be described in detail.
As best shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the connecting element 44 of the present invention is of a molded onepiece construction and comprises a body 46 which is made up of an arm attachment section 48 and a blade attachment section 50. The blade attachment section 50 is formed with areduced thickness portion 52 which defines a pair of laterally extending shoulders 54 and 56. The lateral width of the portion 52 is designed to correspond with the interior spacing between the side portions 36 and 38 of the bridge member 32, whereby the connecting element 44 is adapted to be nestingly received therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The section 50 is formed with a laterally extending opening 58 which is adapted for registry with a pair of aligned openings in the side portion 36, 38 of the bridge member 32, which openings are adapted to receive a suitable pivot pin, rivet or the like 60 for pivotably connecting the connecting element 44 to the superstructure 16, and in particular, the bridge member 32 thereof. As illustrated, when the connecting element 44 is thus connected to the bridge member 32, the blade assembly 10 is pivotable about an axis extending at generally right angles to the arm 12, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
With reference now to the arm attachment section 48 of the connecting element 44, said section 48, as previously mentioned, is formed integrally of the attachment section 50 and comprises a longitudinally extending top portion 62 and a pair of downwardly extending laterally spaced side portions 64 and 66, as best seen in FIG. 5. Extending longitudinally outwardly from the body 46 at the position interjacent the side portions 64, 66 is a resilient spring finger section 68 which defines with the portions 62 through 66, a generally rectangular shaped, longitudinally extending recess 70 that is adapted to nestingly receive the terminal end 72 of the wiper arm 12 in a manner best shown in FIG. 4. The spring finger section 68 is formed with a reinforcing rib or the like 73 on the lower side thereof and is adapted to deform or pivot about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the recess 70, whereby to resiliently bias the terminal end 72 of the arm 12 upwardly toward the underside of the top portion 62. In this configuration, a generally cylindrically shaped lug 74, that is conventionally provided on the terminal ends of windshield wiper arms, is biased upwardly into nesting engagement with an annular opening 76 formed within the top portion 62, whereby to fixedly secure the connecting element 44 against relative longitudinal displacement with respect to the arm 12.
While the connecting element 44 of the present invention may be fabricated of a wide variety of different types of materials, the element 44 is preferably fabricated of a corrosion resistant plastic material which is of a high structural integrity. One material that has been found to be highly satisfactory is Nylon 6 which consists of a Nylon obtained by polycondensation of caprolactam. This particular material has the following general physical characteristics: a tensile strength of between 73,000 and 120,000 lbs/sq. inch; elongation 16 to 42 percent; specific gravity 1.14; and a moisture absorbency of 8 percent at percent humidity. It will be appreciated, of course, that various other materials having similar physical characteristics may be used in fabrication of a connecting element 44 without departing from the scope of the present invention. In accordance with a preferred construction of the present invention, the material from which the connecting element 44 is fabricated is reinforced with a glass fibrous material or an equivalent strengthening substance. While such strengthening material is not absolutely necessary to achieve proper operation of the element 44, the provision of such ancillary material has been found highly desirable in enhancing the structural integrity thereof. Preferably a composition of approximately 70 percent Nylon to approximately 30 percent glass fiber has been found to be highly satisfactory.
One particularly important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the connecting element 44 is of a one-piece molded construction, and thus overcomes a number of particularly objectionable manufacturing characteristics of similar type elements heretofore known and used in the prior art which consisted of multi-components that were fabricated, for example, of various metallic materials. The construction of this invention readily lends itself to injection molding techniques, thus obviating the need for any complicated stamping and assembly operations which have been required with metal connectors. Another feature of the present invention results in the fact that there is no metal-to-metal contact between various components thereof, thus enhancing the noise characteristics of the connecting element 44. In addition, no plastic or similar non-metallic spacer elements are required for separating metal components, as has heretofore been required. Additionally, by fabricating the connecting element 44 of a one-piece molded plastic construction, the corrosion resistance characteristics of the element are inordinately superior to conventional metal connecting elements, with such superior corrosion resistance existing without the need for any painting or other coating operations. Of course, when it is desired to color the connecting element of the present invention, the coloring pigment may be placed directly within the material from which the connecting element 44 is fabricated so as to provide certain aesthetic advantages over conventional metal connectors. Still a further advantage of the present invention over prior known connecting elements results in the minimizing of the light reflection characteristics which may be achieved with molded plastics, as compared with the highly reflective character of conventional metal connectors, whereby to assure against possible distracting glare under certain light conditions.
It will be noted that the spring finger section 68 slopes upwardly toward the outer end of the recess 70 so that at such time as the terminal end 72 of the associated wiper arm 12 is inserted into the recess 70, the finger section 68 is biased slightly downwardly relative to the top portion 62, with such biasing of the spring finger section 68 causing the same to be stressed, which in turn results in the section 68 exerting a continuously upwardly directed force against the underside of the end 72 of the arm 12 to insure positive engagement of the lug 74 within the opening 76. It will be appreciated, of course, that at such time as it is desired to detach the assembly from the arm 12, it is merely necessary to bias the finger section 68 slightly downwardly to permit the end 72 to be moved away from the top portion 62 and thus effect withdrawal of the lug 74 from the opening 76, at which time the entire assembly 10 may be longitudinally displaced away from the end of the wiper arm 12 for purposes of replacement, inspection, etc.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-20, a connecting element 100, in accordance with a modified embodiment of the present invention, is shown as being fabricated of onepiece molded construction in the same manner as the aforedescribed connecting element 44. Generally speaking, the connecting element 100 includes a onepiece body 102 consisting of an attachment section 104 and a mounting section 106. The mounting section 106 of the connecting element 100 is adapted to be secured to a windshield wiper blade assembly, such as the blade assembly 10, in much the same manner as the connecting element 44, whereby to operatively secure the blade assembly to an associated wiper arm. The attachment section 104 is formed with an elongated, generally rectangular shaped channel shaped recess, generally designated by the numeral 108, which, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 11, extends the entire length through the connecting element 100. As will hereinafter be described, the channel 108 is adapted to removably receive selected windshieldwiper arm ends in a manner such that the connecting element 100 is detachably secured thereto.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the mounting section 106 of the connecting element is formed with a reduced thickness web portion 110 around which a later ally thickened peripheral portion 112 is formed. In addition, an annular thickened portion 114 is formed centrally of the web portion 1 10 and defines a central aperture 116 which is analogous to the aforedescribed aperture 58 in the connecting element 44 and is adapted to receive a suitable pin, rivet or the like for securing the connecting element 100 to an associated bridge member of a windshield wiper assembly that is to be secured to a selected windshield wiper arm end.
As best seen in FIG. 10, the attachment section 104 of the connecting element 100 is of a generally rectangular shaped transverse cross section and comprises a pair of laterally spaced generally vertically disposed parallel side portions 118 and 120, which are connected by integral top and bottom or upper and lower portions 122 and 124, respectively, the portions 118-124 defining the elongated arm end receiving channel 108 therebetween. As best seen in FIG. 9, the bottom portion 124 of the connecting element is formed with a pair of spaced apart generally coextensive elongated slots 126 and 128 which define an integral retaining finger 130 therebetween, the retaining finger 130 being analogous to the aforedescribed spring finger 68 and is adapted to function in essentially the same manner in operatively securing a windshield wiper arm end within the channel 108, as will hereinafter be described. The finger 130 includes an outer end portion 132 which projects beyond the outer end of the body 102 of the connecting element 100 and, along with the rest of the finger 130, is inclined generally upwardly into the channel 108. Formed directly below the finger 130 is integral reinforcing rib 134 which is analogous to the aforedescribed rib 73. The spring finger 130 is adapted to deform or pivot about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the channel 108, whereby to resiliently bias the terminal end of the windshield wiper arm end received within the channel 108 into positive engagement with the arm retaining means formed on the element 100 and hereinafter to be described.
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 11, it will be seen that the side portion 118 of the element 100 is formed with a pair of elongated, generally vertically spaced, longitudinally extending slots 138 and 140 which, together with a generally vertically extending slot 142 that extends between the adjacent ends of the slots 138, 140, define another pivotable retaining or spring finger, herein designated by the numeral 136. The finger 136 will be seen to be located at generally right angles with respect to the finger 130 and is pivotable by generally vertical axis in the drawings, i.e., about an axis arranged at generally right angles to the axis about which the finger 130 is pivotable. The outer or cantilevered end of the finger 136 is formed with an inwardly extending projection 144 which is adapted to cooperate with certain types of wiper .arm ends inserted into the channel 108 to operatively retain the same therein, as will hereinafter be described. It will be appreciated, of course, that a preloading may be applied to the spring finger 136 in much the same manner as preloading is provided on the finger 130; i.e., by initially forming the finger 136 in a manner such that the outer end thereof is inclined inwardly into the channel 108.
The channel 108 is shown as being generally rectangular in cross section and the end thereof located at the right side of FIGS. 7-9 is of a transverse dimension of a predetermined magnitude and thereby adapted to receive wiper arm ends having approximately the same transverse dimension. Preferably, although not necessarily, the transverse width of the right end of the channel 108, hereinafter identified by the numeral 108', is in the order of inch, and the center line of the channel portion 108 is shown in FIG. 8 and designated by the numeral 146. The left end of the channel 108 shown in FIGS. 7-9 is formed with an inwardly projecting section 148 having an inclined stop shoulder 150 at the end thereof confronting the right end of the channel 108, i.e., the channel portion 108'. As a result of the inwardly projecting section 148, the left end of the channel 108, hereinafter identified by the numeral 108", is predeterminately smaller than the channel portion 108 and is adapted to receive arm end portion of a corresponding predeterminately smaller, transverse dimension; preferably, although not necessarily, the transverse dimension of the channel portion 108" is approximately 9 mm. The center line of the channel portion 108" is shown in FIG. 8 and is designated by the numeral 152 and is depicted as being laterally offset from the aforementioned line 146 due to the reduced transverse size of the channel portion 108".
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the top portion 122 of the connecting element 100 is formed with an aperture 154 which is analogous to the aperture 76 formed in the aforedescribed element 44. As shown in FIG. 8, the aperture 154 is located on the center line 146, and is thus centrally located with respect to the channel portion 108'. In addition, the top section 122 is formed with three longitudinally spaced apertures 156, 158 and 160, all of which are located on the center line 152 of the channel portion 108.. As viewed in FIG. 8, the apertures 156 and 158 are located on the left side of the aperture 154, while the aperture 160 is located on the right side thereof. Also, the top section 122 is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending slots which, like the apertures 156-160, are located on the center line 152 of the channel portion 108". The slot 162 extends longitudinally between the apertures 156 and 158, while the slot 166 extends longitudinally between the aperture 158 and the aperture 154. A pair of laterally inwardly projecting shoulders 166, 168 are located at the juncture of the slot 162 and aperture 156, and a similar pair of inwardly projecting shoulders 170, 172 are formed at the intersection or juncture of the slot 162 and aperture 168. Additionally, inwardly projecting shoulders 174, I76 and 178, 180 are located at the opposite ends of the slot 164 where the same intersects the apertures 158 and 154, respectively.
Generally speaking, the connecting element 100 depicted in FIGS. 7-20 is adapted to be operatively associated with two different types of windshield wiper arm ends. In particular, the connecting element 100 is adapted to be operatively associated with windshield wiper arm ends of the type shown in FIG. 12 and identified by the numeral 182. This type of windshield wiper arm is also shown in operative association with the connecting element 44 and comprises a centrally located outwardly projecting cylindrical boss portion 184. In addition to the windshield wiper arm 92, the connecting element 100 is adapted to be operatively associated with windshield wiper arm ends of the type shown in FIG. 13 and identified by the numeral 186. This latter type of wiper arm is formed with a pair of generally longitudinally aligned laterally inwardly projecting rectangular shaped notches or notched portions 188 and 190 which are cooperable with the spring finger 136 in a manner hereinafter to be described. It is conventional in the industry to manufacture wiper arm ends of the type shown in FIG. 12 in both /8 inch and nine millimeter transverse widths, while wiper arm ends of the type shown in FIG. 13 are conventionally provided in only a /8 inch transverse width. Accordingly, the aforedescribed dimensions of the channel portions 108' and 108 have been selected to correspond with these dimensions. Of course, it will be appreciated that the present invention is in no way limited to these specific dimensions, since the size of the channel 108 may be adapted to a wide variety of different size wiper arm ends.
Assuming that a wiper arm end, such as that designated by the numeral 182 in FIG. 12, which is of a inch transverse dimension, is to be secured to the connecting element 100, the same is inserted longitudinally into the channel 108 in the manner shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The wiper arm end 182 is inserted until the terminal end thereof engages the stop shoulder 150 defined by the projection 148, which results in the boss portion 184 being longitudinally aligned with the aperture 154, whereupon the spring finger 130 may function to bias the arm end 182 upwardly so that the boss portion 184 thereof is positively engaged within the aperture 154 in essentially the same manner as described in connection with the connecting element 44. In the event the connecting element is adapted to be operatively associated with a inch wide wiper arm end of the type shown in FIG. 13 and designated by the numeral 186, the same is inserted longitudinally into the channel portion 108 to a position wherein the terminal end thereof engages the stop shoulder 150. In this position, one of the notched portions 188, 190 is longitudinally aligned with the projection 144 on the finger 146 and due to the preload or spring bias of the finger 136, the projection 144 thereon will move into nesting engagement with the associated of the notch portions 188 or 190 to positively retain the wiper arm end 186 within the channel 108.
Assuming that the transverse width of the arm end 182 is nine millimeters, the arm end 182 is adapted to be inserted into the channel 108 and extend through the channel portion 108 into the channel portion 108", as shown in FIGS. 17-20. The dimension of the boss portion 184 on windshield wiper arm ends of 9 millimeter width are typically 2.9 millimeters and the plurality of apertures 156, 158 and 160 are therefore approximately 2.9 millimeters in diameter. In addition, the longitudinal slots 162 and 164 are also of approximately 2.9 millimeters in width, whereby when the 9 millimeter wide windshield wiper arm ends are inserted into the channel 108, the boss portions 184 thereon may be received directly within one of the apertures 156-160 or may be inserted into one of the slots 162, 164 and may be moved longitudinally therein before being inserted into one of the adjacent apertures. It is contemplated that the aperture 158 would normally be used for receiving the 2.9 millimeter diameter boss portions of 9 millimeter wide windshield wiper ends 182; however, due to the fact that the longitudinal length of the spring finger is relatively small, it is contem-.
the boss portion 184 directly into the aperture 158. In order to overcome any such difficulty, the windshield wiper arm 182 may be inserted into the channel portion 108 and the boss portion 184 inserted into the slot 164. Thereafter, the arm 182 is biased longitudinally within the channel 108 until the boss portion 184 moves between the shoulders 174, 176 and is nestingly received within the aperture 158. It will be appreciated, of course, that for various applications, the boss portion 184 may be operatively received within the aperture 160, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, or within the extreme left hand aperture 156, as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 19 and 20. In the event the boss portion is to be received within the aperture 156, the same may be initially positioned within the elongated slot 162 and the wiper arm 182 may be biased longitudinally until the boss portion moves between the shoulders 166, 168 into the aperture 156. It will be noted that side play of the 9 millimeter or reduced width wiper arm ends is prevented due to the inwardly disposed projection 148. In addition, however, the projection 144 of the finger 136 serves to minimize such side play in that the spring bias or preload of the finger 136 acts perpendicular to the arm end inserted into the channel 108. It will be noted that by providing a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 156, 158 and 160 into which the boss portion 184 of 9 millimeter wide arm ends 182 may be inserted, the wiper blade may be asymmetrically mounted such that a predeterminate amount of the wiper blade may be located outboard of the interconnection between the blade in the associated wiper arm, whereby to accommodate for certain types of wiper installations.
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments illustrated herein are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A connecting element adapted to detachably secure a windshield wiper blade assembly on windshield wiper arms of the type having outwardly projecting boss portions and/or inwardly projecting recessed areas,
said connecting element comprising means defining an elongated channel adapted to removably receive wiper arm ends therewithin,
said channel having a first portion of a first predetermined width into which wiper arm ends of approximately said first predetermined width are insertable, and a second portion of a second predetermined width into which wiper arm ends of approximately said second predetermined width are insertable,
at least one boss receiving means associated with each of said portions of said channel cooperable with the bosses of wiper arm ends inserted into said recess portions, and
first and second movable retaining fingers formed integrally of said element, one of said fingers adapted for engagement with said recessed areas of certain types of said wiper arm ends, and the other of said retaining fingers being cooperable with wiper arm ends having boss portions thereon for causing positive engagement of said boss portions with selected of said boss receiving means.
2. The invention as set forth in claim 1' wherein said first and second retaining fingers are arranged at generally right angles.
3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said boss receiving means comprises at least one aperture formed in said first and second portions of said channel and adapted to receive boss portions of wiper arm ends inserted into said channel.
4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting element is fabricated of a one-piece polymeric material. 1
5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 which in cludes longitudinally extending slots interconnecting certain of said apertures. Y
6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second channel portion is of a smaller transverse dimension than said first channel portion, and wherein said first and second channel portions have laterally offset center lines.
7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes one aperture formed on said center line of said first channel portion and a plurality of apertures formed'on said center line of said second channel portion.
8. The invention as set forth in claim 7 which includes at least one longitudinally extending slot lying along the center line of said second channel portion and interconnecting certain of said apertures aligned therewith.
9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes inwardly projecting shoulder portions formed at the juncture of said slots and said apertures.
10. The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes a projection extending into said channel and partially defining said second channel portion.
11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said projection defines a stop shoulder.
12. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second retaining finger is cooperable with said projection in preventing side play of a wiper arm end inserted into said channel.
13. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein the transverse dimension of said first channel portion is approximately inch and the transverse dimension of said second channel portion is approximately 9 millimetersfl4. A connecting element adapted to detachably secure a windshield wiper on one end of an associated wiper arm,
said connecting element comprising means defining a recessed area adapted to removably receive said arm end therewithin, and
means including first and second pivotable retaining fingers arranged at generally right angles to one another and formed integrally of said element and adapted to cooperate with a wiper arm end disposed within said recessed area in a manner so as to detachably secure said element to said wiper arm.
15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein said recessed area comprises an elongated channel having a first portion of a first predetermined width and a second portion of a second predetermined width, and which includes means associated with said first and second portions cooperable with wiper arm ends inserted thereinto for removably retaining the same within said channel. 7
16. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes first and second movable retaining fingers formed integrally of said element and adapted to cooperate with wiper arm ends disposed within an elongated channel in said element for removably securing the same therein.
17. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes an elongated wiper arm end receiving channel, and which includes means in the form of at least one aperture for receiving a boss portion formed on a wiper arm end inserted into said channel.
18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said second channel portion is of a smaller transverse dimension than said first channel portion, and wherein said first and second channel portions have laterally offset center lines.
19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes one aperture formed on said center line of said first channel portion and a plurality of apertures formed on said center line of said second channel portion.
20. The invention as set forth in claim 19 which includes at least one longitudinally extending slot lying along the center line of said second channel portion and interconnecting certain of said apertures aligned therewith.
21. A connecting element adapted to detachably secure a subassembly consisting of a wiper blade and a blade supporting superstructure to the outer end of a wiper arm having a recessed area formed therein,
.said connecting element being pivotably connected to the blade superstructure and being of a molded one-piece construction and fabricated of a corrosion resistant polymeric material and comprising an integral retaining finger adapted for engagement with said recessed area of said arm, whereby to detachably secure the same to said element, said finger being located on and extending along one side of said element, with said finger being pivotable about an axis arranged at generally right angles to the pivotal axis between said element and said blade superstructure.
22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes first and second movement retaining fingers formed integrally of said element.
23. The invention as set forth in claim 22 which includes an elongated channel having a first portion of a first predetermined width and a second portion of a second predetermined width, and means including said first and second retaining fingers associated with said first and second portions cooperable with wiper arm ends inserted thereinto for removably retaining the same within said channel.
24. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes an elongated wiper arm end receiving channel, and which includes means in the form of at least one aperture for receiving a boss portion formed on a wiper arm end inserted into said channel.
25. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said second channel portion is of a smaller transverse dimension than said first channel portion, and wherein said first and second channel portions have laterally offset center lines.
26. The invention as set forth in claim 25 which includes one aperture formed on said center line of said first channel portion and a plurality of apertures formed on said center line of said second channel portion.
27. The invention as set forth in claim 26 which includes at least one longitudinally extending slot lying along the center line of said second channel portion and interconnecting certain of said apertures aligned therewith.
28. A connecting element adapted to detachably secure a windshield wiper blade on one end of an associated wiper arm,
said connecting element having means defining a recessed area adapted to removably receive a wiper arm end,
said recessed area having a first portion of a first predetermined width into which a wiper arm end of approximately said first predetermined width is insertable, and a second portion of a second predetermined width different from said first predetermined width and into which a wiper arm end of approximately said second predetermined width is insertable, and
first and second movable retaining fingers formed integrally of said element and cooperable with wiper arm ends inserted into said recessed area for removably retaining the same within said recessed area.
29. The invention as set forth in claim 28 which includes first and second movable retaining fingers formed integrally of said element and adapted to cooperate with wiper arm ends disposed within an elongated channel in said element for removably securing the same therein.
30. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which includes an elongated wiper arm end receiving channel, and which includes means in the form of at least one aperture for receiving a boss portion formed on a wiper arm end inserted into said channel.
31. The invention as set forth in claim 30 wherein said connecting element is fabricated of a one-piece polymeric material.
32. The invention as set forth in claim 29 wherein said second channel portion is of a smaller transverse dimension than said first channel portion, and wherein said first and second channel portions have laterally offset center lines.
33. A connecting element adapted to detachably secure a windshield wiper blade assembly on windshield wiper arms of the type having outwardly projecting boss portions and/or inwardly projecting recessed areas,
said connecting element comprising means defining an elongated channel adapted to removably receive wiper arm ends therewithin,
said channel having a first portion of a first predetermined width into which wiper arm ends of approximately said first predetermined width are insertable, and a second portion of a second predetermined width into which wiper arm ends of approximately said second predetermined width are insertable, said second channel portion being of a different transverse dimension than said first channel portion, and said first and second channel portions having laterally offset center lines, and
at least one boss receiving aperture formed on said center line of said first channel portion and at least one boss receiving aperture formed on said center line of said second channel portion.
sertable, and a second portion of a second predetermined width different from said first predetermined width and into which a wiper arm end of approximately said second predetermined width is insertable, said first and second portions of said recessed area being generally coextensive of one another having the center lines thereof arranged parallel to one another and spaced laterally apart. |
US-3874019-A | Windshield wiper adapter | United States Patent 1191 Speth Apr. 1, 1975 WINDSHIELD WIPER ADAPTER 2,605,491 8/1952 Williams /25032 Inventor: Peter J p 239 88th Ave, 2,607,944 8/1952 Turner et al. l5/250.32 X
Bellerose, 142 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed, Sept 7 1973 958,121 5/1964 United Kingdom 15/25035 [2]] Appl. No.: 395,215 Primary E.\'aminerPeter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blum Moscovitz Friedman 52 us. c1 15/25032, 15/2503'5, 15/25041,
l5/250.42 51 1m. 01. B605 1/2s, Bs 1/40 [57] {*BSTRACT [58] Field of Search 15/2502, .21, .23, .27, adapter P for securmg Pm"e1 5/31, 32, 36, .41 42 spaced windshield wiper blades upon a single driving arm to assure effective wiping. Means are provided to [56] References Cited allow the arm pressure to be substantially equally di- UNITED STATES PATENTS vided between the two wiper blades. The equal pres- 231 930 w t I l5/2502 X sure is effective in maintaining sufficient blade to aggonerc a windshield contact to assure effective wiping action $131111 egardless of being 2,324,365 7/1943 Coutts l5/250.32 X
12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures ATEHIEB APR 1 IBYS sum 2 us 4;
WINDSIIIELD WIPER ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an adapter for use with a windshield wiper driving arm and especially to an adapter for providing improved wiping performance by mounting two parallel wiper blades on a single windshield wiper driving arm. A disadvantage of conventional wiper blades is apparent when a rain fall begins. The failure to quickly remove dirt and film on the windshield thus causing smearing thereon is encountered because of the curved shape of the windshield and the failure of the wiper blade to conform to the contour of the windshield. As the wiper blade sweeps across the windshield. portions thereof do not make intimate contact with the windshield, thus providing cleaning that is less than completely satisfactory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention. an adapter is provided for mounting two parallel spaced windshield wiper blades on a single driving arm. The adapter is formed ofa receiving portion for mounting the adapter onto the driving arm and is further provided with two engaging portions for engaging wiper blades and fixing the same in parallel relationship. A swivel means is also provided which evenly applies pressure to both wiper blades regardless of the position of the wiper blades on the curved windshield during wiping.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper assembly capable of providing improved cleaning of a windshield.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adapter for fixably securing two wiper blades in parallel and mounting the same to a conventional wiper arm.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved adapter having means thereon to allow total arm pressure to be substantially equally divided between two parallel wiper blades during wiping.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specifications.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction. combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection LII FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an alternative view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 6 in a second operative position;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adapter constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a windshield wiper assembly including the adapter illustrated in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view, at an enlarged scale, of the windshield wiper assembly of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adapter constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of a windshield wiper assembly including the adapter illustrated in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an adapter constructed in accordance with still another alternate embodiment of the instant invention; and
FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of a windshield wiper assembly including the adapter illustrated in FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a windshield wiper assembly, generally indicated at 15, disposed upon the windshield 31 ofa car. The assembly is comprised of two standard windshield wipers 32 mounted to a drive arm 29 by an adapter 16.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an adapter 16 is illustrated. The adapter 16 includes a receiving portion 17, having a swivel bridge 20 coupled thereto, and two blade engaging portions 18, both the receiving portion 17 and the blade engaging portions 18 being rotatably secured to axle 24. The receiving portion 17, and the blade engaging portions 18 are formed, as is hereinafter discussed, to correspond to wiper blade engaging portions of driving arms and receiving portions of wiper blades of the insertable variety currently used on many automobiles.
The receiving portion 17 is defined by a housing 23 formed like a sleeve, having a rectangular crosssection, and a flange 22 which flange is secured at a first end to the bottom wall of housing 23. The second end of the flange 22 is formed of a loop configuration and is disposed about axle member 24 to provide for rotation of receiving portion 17 about axle 24.
Each blade engaging portion 18 is formed of an elongated flange member and includes a loop 18 at one end to rotatably dispose the blade engaging portion 18 about axle 24. Spacers 25 are disposed on axle 24 between receiving portion 17 and engaging portions 18 in order to maintain a separation therebetween and prevent displacement of the members during rotation about axle 24. The ends of axle 24 are headed as at 27 to secure the members onto the axle. Swivel bridge 20 is an elongated arm and is secured to receiving portion 17 by a pin 26 which provides a pivot for swivel bridge 20. An elongated bar 28 is secured to the bottom wall of housing 23 and extends out past receiving member 17 and under the swivel bridge 20 to constrain the extent of rotation of swivel bridge 20.
Referring now to FIGS.-4 through 7, a windshield wiper assembly including adapter 16 is therein illustrated. The adapter 16 is secured to a standard drive arm29 by inserting the drive arm into the opening formed by housing 23 of the receiving portion. The
drive arm 29 includes a protuberance formed thereon which protuberance is engaged in the aperture 21 formed in housing wall 23 of the receiving portion 17 and further aids in securing the drive arm 29 in the receiving portion 18.
The windshield wipers are of known construction and are formed of a wiper blade 32, a wiper blade carrier 33, and carrier bracket 34. The carrier bracket 34 is pivotally coupled at a first end to wiper blade carrier 33 and includes a receiving portion 36 which receiving portion is formed substantially the same as the housing 23 of blade receiving portion 17. Thus, as is understood by the skilled artisan, blade engaging portions 18 are inserted into the receiving portion 36 of carrier brackets 34 to secure the carrier brackets 34 to the blade engaging portions 18. The protuberances 19 formed on the blade engaging portions 18 are secured in the apertures 37 formed in carrier brackets 34. As the wiper blades 32 rest upon the windshield 31, the swivel bridge 20 is pivotally disposed against both carrier brackets 34.
In operation, drive arm 29 will wipe the wiper blades 32 across the windshield 31 in a sweeping back and forth motion as is well known with wiping pressure being applied by the usual spring (not shown). As the wiper blades 32 are swept across the windshield, the windshield and the friction drag will cause the leading blade to tilt (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The swivel bridge 20 which rotatably contacts the carrier brackets 34 will be rotated by the leading blade as it is tilted as shown in FIG. 7 and will thus force the trailing blade into firmer contact with the windshield and hence, a more effective cleaning thereof.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10 wherein an adapter, generally indicated at is distinguished from the adapter in FIGS/1 through 7 in its adaptation for use with windshield wiper blades and drive arms of the plug-in variety. A windshield wiper blade of the plug-in variety includes a blade 42, a carrier 43, a passage 44 through carrier 43, and a spring 45 disposed within the carrier 43 and around the passage 44 to provide releasable securing means for plug 56. The drive arm 41 is formed with a plug portion 51 which is mounted to the end of the drive arm and has the plug pointed in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise extension of the drive arm. Plug portion 51 has a narrower portion intermediatethe ends thereof which aids in securing the adapter thereto as will hereinafter be discussed.
Such drive arms are currently standard on some automobiles.
The adapter 40 includes drive arm securing portion 47 and swivel bridge assembly 48. The drive arm secur ing portion 47 is formed of an angle support 38, a plug receptacle 39 mounted to said angle support 38 and a channel shaped drive arm carrier 49 mounted to the angle support at one end thereof. The drive arm 41, including the plug portion 51 secured thereto is inserted into the plug receptacle 39 and is secured in the receptacle by a screw 39' and is further secured by the drive arm securing portion 47 to the adapter 40, with the drive arm cradeled in carrier 49. The angle support 38 is further defined by a depending portion 52 which portion is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the drive arm and provides the support for the remaining operative elements of the adapter 40.
The swivel bridge assembly 48 is formed of two bridge elements 53 and 54 which elements are pivotally joined in spacedapart relationship by pins 58 at their centers to depending portion 52 of angle support 38. Pins 58 pivotally join plug members 55 to bridge elements 53 and 54 to form a parallelogram configuration. The plug members 55 are formed of two portions, a plug 56 and a support arm 57 which arm is coupled to the bridge elements 53 and 54 as hereinabove discussed. Plugs 56 projects outwardly in a plane which is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the drive arm 47, and are formed to include a portion 56' of reduced diameter so as to be insertably engaged in the passage 44 formed in the carrier 43 to thereby secure the wipers 42 on the plugs 56.
In operation the same result is obtained as with the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2 through 7. The leading wiper blade is tilted during wiping and rotates the parallelogram linkage to force the edge of the trailing wiper blade into better engagement with the windshield to provide better contact and more efficient cleaning of the windshield.
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein an adapter 60 is illustrated for joining two spaced apart parallel wiper blades of the plug-in variety to a driving arm 61 also of the plug-in variety. The adapter 60 is formed of a plug receiving portion 62 which portion includes support 62, a cross piece 63 mounted to said support 62' and plug members 64 disposed perpendicular to the cross piece 63 and mounted at opposite the ends thereof. The plug receiving portion 62 is formed as a tube having a portion thereof cut away to allow a spring clasp 65 to be inserted therein. The adapter 60 is rotatably engaged on a plug 66 which plug is part of the drive arm and includes a recessed portion 66' thereon. The spring clasp 65 secures the recessed portion 66 to adapter 60. Standard plug-in wiper blades, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10, are mounted on the plug members 64, and the wiper assembly is operated in the same manner and derives the same benefits as illustrated in the above embodiments.
Still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 wherein an adapter 70 is illustrated which adapter is provided for securing two wiper blades of a plug-in variety onto a drive arm of the insertable variety. The adapter 70 includes a drive arm receiving portion 71 and a swivel bridge 72 pivotally mounted thereon. The first end of the receiving portion 71 is the same as is illustrated above in FIGS. 2 through 7 and secures a drive arm 74 in receiving portion 71 in the same manner as hereinabove described. The portion away from the drive arm is characterized by two extended bridge supports 73 which supports include aligned apertures 75 formed therein which extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the receiving portion 71.
Swivel bridge 72 is formed of an elongated member and includes an aperture 75 formed in the center. The swivel bridge 72 is mounted by a pin 76 passed through apertures 75 to pivotally secure swivel bridge 72 to bridge supports 73. Both ends of swivel bridge 72 include plug members 77 facing in opposite directions. Each plug members 77 is adapted to have disposed thereon a windshield wiper blade carrier of the plug-in variety such as is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10. Wiper blades are placed upon the pin members 77 and the operation of the wiper blade assembly is the same as heretofore described in the other above mentioned embodiments.
It is understood that each of the adapters disclosed herein may be used with either a pin member drive arm or an insertable drive arm as illustrated herein. Morev over, various swivel combinations are contemplated and are not so limited by their failure to be discussed in the above mentioned disclosure. With the adapters of the present invention, the standard arms currently used can have two blades mounted thereon or an adapter can be permanently mounted on a wiper arm for carrying dual blades. With dual blades, wiping action is substantially improved thereby greatly enhancing visibility in a rain storm with resultant improvements in safety.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
What is claimed is:
1. An adapter for supporting two wiper blades on a windshield wiper drive arm comprising wiper blade engaging means for removably disposing two wiper blades on said drive arm in parallel relationship, said wiper blade means including a central arm through which said wiper blade engaging means is mounted on said drive arm, said wiper blade engaging means including swivel means for pivotally mounting each of said wiper blades with respect to said drive arm and for applying contact pressure to said wiper blades, said swivel means further including a pair of arms spaced on opposite sides of said central arm and a pivot pin pivotally mounting said pair of arms with respect to said central arm, and a swivel bridge pivotally mounted to said central arm and adapted to overlie said wiper blades.
2. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wiper blade engaging means includes means for removably mounting said wiper blade engaging means on said drive arm.
3. An adapter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wiper blade engaging means includes a central arm through which said wiper blades engaging means is mounted on said drive arm and said swivel means includes a pair of arms spaced on opposite sides of said gageable with said drive arm, depending arm means depending from said central portion and a pair of posts carried by said depending arm means through which said blades are pivotally mounted, said wiper blade engaging means further including swivel means for pivoting each of said wiper blades with respect to said drive arm and for applying contact pressure to said wiper blades.
5. An adapter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of posts is mounted to said depending arm means through a parallelogram linkage.
6. An adapter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of posts is mounted to said depending arm means through a cross link.
7. An adapter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cross link is pivoted to said depending arm means through a pivot pin.
8. An adapter for fastening two wiper blades to a windshield wiper drive arm comprising mounting means engageable with said wiper blades and drive arm for positioning said wiper blades in parallel relationship with respect to one another, said mounting means including means for pivotally mounting each of said wiper blades to pivot about axes substantially perpendicular to both said wiper blades, said mounting means mounting one said blade with respect to the other said blade for independent movement in parallel planes substantially normal to the surface of the windshield, and for preventing movement of one of said blades during wiping action from lifting or adversely affecting the other of said blades from wiping engagement with a curved windshield surface.
9. An adapter for fastening two wiper blades to a windshield wiper drive arm as claimed in claim 8 wherein said mounting means further includes contact pressure means for maintaining substantially equal contact pressure between said blades and the windshield surface regardless of the location of said blades in the wiping cycle.
10. An adapter for supporting two wiper blades on a windshield wiper drive arm comprising wiper blade en-- gaging means for removably disposing two wiper blades on said drive arm in parallel relationship, said wiper blade engaging means including pivoting means for pivotally mounting each of said wiper blades to pivot about axes substantially perpendicular to both said wiper blades and swivel means for evenly applying contact pressure between said wiper blades and a windshield.
ll. An adapter as claimed in claim 10, wherein said wiper blade engaging means includes means for removably mounting said wiper blade engaging means on said drive arm.
12. An adapter as claimed in claim 10, wherein said wiper blade engaging means includes a central arm to which said wiper blades engaging means is mounted to said drive arm and said pivoting means includes a pair of arms spaced on opposite sides of said central arm and a pivot pin pivotally mounting said pair of arms with respect to said central arm. |
US-3874020-A | Windshield wiper unit | United States Patent 1 Van Eckelen et al.
[ 1 Apr. 1, 1975 WlNDSHlELD WIPER UNIT [75] Inventors: Alex H. A. M. van Eckelen; Johan H. van den Berg, both of Hasselt,
[21] Appl. No.: 330,752
[52] U.S. Cl l5/250.42, 15/250.36, 15/250.38 [51] Int. Cl. B608 l/38 [58] Field of Search l5/250.36, 250.32, 250.37,
3,618,155 11/1971 Mower 15/250.42 3,659,310 5/1972 Rosen l5/250.42
FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 433,467 8/1935 United Kingdom l5/250.42
Primary E.\'aminerPeter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT A windshield wiper unit comprising a wiper assembly including a relatively flexible wiper blade, a bridge assembly disposed adjacent the wiper assembly for operatively securing the same to an associated wiper arm, the bridge assembly including first and second hingedly connected bridge sections, means connecting the opposite ends of the bridge assembly to the wiper assembly in a manner such that a downwardly and outwardly directed force exerted by the bridge assembly upon the opposite ends of the blade assembly will result in the wiper blade applying a relatively uniformly distributed wiping force along the entire length thereof against an associated windshield.
42 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPR 1 ms SHEET 1 [IF 3 PATENTEDAPR' 1 I915 SHEET 2 0? 3 PATENTEDAPR H975 3,874 020 sum 3 5 3 WINDSI-IIELD WIPER UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is highly desirable in the design of windshield wiper blades to assure that equal pressure distribution along the entire length of the wiper blade is achieved so that optimum wiping action occurs upon movement of the blade across the associated windshield. The present method of achieving such uniform pressure distribution has been to utilize two or more link elements located at the opposite ends of the associated wiper bridge such that the applied force at each end of the bridge is in turn applied along the wiper blade at, for example, four different longitudinally spaced locations. Although certain manufacturers have gone to the extent of using three and even four of such links in order to achieve equal pressure distribution, the link concept has been found to be objectionable in view of the fact that at theends of the respective links, a greater pressure is applied to the associated blade relative to the pressure applied in the apace between the ends of the links and the space directly beneath the bridge. Although the use of an elongated metallic flexor element has a pressure equalizing effect, the use of such an element still does not provide the desired uniform pressure application that is necessary in order to achieve optimum wiping efficiency, particularly under high wind speed conditions where the wiper blade tends to lift or raise away from the windshield. Of course, another important disadvantage of the use of the aforementioned links resides in the fact that the manufacturing time and expense is quite burdensome, with a result that the wiper blade assemblies utilizing such links are relatively expensive to purchase by the consumer.
Generally speaking, the present invention is directed toward a new and improved wiper unit which is intended to obviate the aforementioned objectionable characteristics of similar type wiping units known in the art. More particularly, the applicants wiper blade design obviates the need for any link elements connecting the bridge assembly to the wiper blade, and at the same time, the applicants design has been found to provide an optimum uniform pressure distribution over the entire length of the wiper blade. The applicants improved wiper blade assembly utilizes a bridge subassembly consisting of two hingedly or pivotably connected bridge sections. The outer ends of the bridge assembly are longitudinally slidably connected to the ends of an elongated metal or flexor element; however, stop means is provided at each end of the bridge assembly for limiting such longitudinal movement of the ends of the bridge assembly relative to the flexor element. In a normal wiper blade, the flexor element extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rubber wiping element. In the applicants invention, on the other hand, the flexor element is arranged around a segment of the circumference of an imaginary circle whose center is located on the opposite side of the wiping element from the bridge assembly. Accordingly, when the wiper blade is lying on a windshield, the flexor element assumes a generally arcuate configuration or is bow shaped". The result of this arrangement is that the wiper arm force exerted upon a bridge assembly by the associated windshield wiper arm produces a lateral force on a flexor element which in turn results in a high pressure applied along the entire length of the flexor element. At the same time, the longitudinally opposite ends of the bridge assembly produce a downwardly directed force upon the ends of the flexor element. Accordingly, by properly choosing the angle between the flexor element and the bridge sections and the correct radius of the imaginary circle along which the flexor element lies, an optimum uniformly distributed wiping force is obtained.
The advantages of the applicants design include extremely efficient wiper performance, as well as superior anti-windlift characteristics, as compared to prior art wiper designs. In addition, the particular construction of the applicants design enables optimum wiping in connection with relatively curved or arcuate shaped Windshields. Also, due to the fact that there are fewer parts (no links), there are fewer assembly operations and the resultant manufacturing cost of the applicants design is considerably less than comparable units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to windshield wipers and more particularly, to a new and improved wiper design which is characterized by a uniformly distributed wiping force.
It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper design.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper which is adapted to apply a uniformly distributed wiping force against an associated windshield.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper unit which has considerably fewer parts than similar type designs known in the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper which has superior wiping performance and anti-windlift characteristics, and which operates in an improved manner on curved Windshields.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper unit which may have certain component parts thereof fabricated of synthetic plastic materials or the like.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved windshield wiper wherein the angle between the blade and bridge sections may be adjustable to accommodate for different windshield applications.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side elevational view of one embodiment of the improved windshield wiper unit of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top elevational view of the windshield wiper unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portion of the windshield wiper unit shown within the circle 4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the windshield wiper of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the portion of the structure shown within the circle 7 of FIG. 5;
, .FIG. 8 is a longitudinal side elevational view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the portion of the structure shown within the circle 10 of FIG.
FIGS. 11a and 11b are schematic representations of the applicants windshield wiper design, as shown in operative association with a curved windshield;
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal side elevational view of another alternate embodiment of the windshield wiper of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the structure shown within the circle 13 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-l4 of FIG. 13;
'FIG. 15 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the blade assembly of yet another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 and illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a windshield wiper unit 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown generally as comprising a bridge assembly 12 and a wiper assembly 14. The bridge assembly 12 is provided with a conventional wiper arm connector element 16 which is adapted to operatively secure the unit 10 to the outer terminal end ofa windshield wiper arm (not shown), whereupon pivotal or reciprocal movement of the arm back and forth across a windshield results in the wiper blade unit 10 effecting the removal of any moisture or the like accumulating thereon, as is well known in the art.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the bridge assembly 12 comprises a pair of bridge sections or members 18 and 20 which may be fabricated of stamped metal or the like and are of a generally U-shaped configuration in transverse section. In particular, the bridge members 18, 20 comprise upper or top sections 22 and 24, respectively and generally downwardly directed spaced, parallel side sections 26, 28 and 30, 32, respectively. The outer terminal ends of the bridge members 18, 20 are provided with claw-like portions 34 and 36, respectively, which function in a manner hereinafter to be described in operatively securing the bridge assembly 12 to the wiper assembly 14.
As best seen in FIG. 3, the inner end of the bridge member 20 is formed with a pair of spaced apart finger portions 38 and 40 which are spaced slightly laterally outwardly, as seen at 32 and 44, from the side sections 30, 32. The finger portions 38, 40 are formed with a pair of aligned apertures 46 which are adapted for alignment with a pair of similar apertures 48 formed in the side sections 26, 28 of the bridge member 18. Extending through the aligned apertures 46, 48 is a suitable connecting element pivot'pin, rivet or the like, generally designated by the numeral 50 which, when operatively inserted through the apertures 46, 48, functions to hingedly or pivotably connect the bridge members 18, 20, whereby the same may pivot about an axis defined by the element 50. It will be appreciated, of course, that while the aforedescribed element 50 illustrates one desirable way of pivotably or hingedly connecting the bridge members 18, 20, various alternative ways of thus connecting the members are intended to come within the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 16 is adapted to be operatively secured to the bridge assembly 12 at a postion adjacent the hinged or pivotal connection of the bridge members 18, 20. Toward this end, the connector 16 may be provided with a suitable bore or aperture which is adapted for alignment with the aforedescribed apertures 46, 48 and have the element 50 extend therethrough, thus operatively connecting the connector 16 to the assembly 12.
With reference to the wiper assembly 14, as best seen in FIG. 2, the assembly 14 comprises an elongated wiping element 54 fabricated of a resilient deformable material, such as rubber or the like, and which comprises a central longitudinally extending body 56 having an elongated relatively flexible wiping lip 58 formed along the lower side thereof. The body 56 is formed with a pair of elongated grooves or recesses 60, 62 along the opposite sides thereof and extending the entire length of the wiping element 54. The recesses 60, 62 define a reduced thickness neck portion 64 therebetween that integrally connects the body 56 to a head portion 66 which, like the wiping lip 58, is coextensive of the body 56. Operatively associated with the wiping element 54 is an elongated flexor element, generally designated by the numeral 68. The element 68 is preferably, although not necessarily, fabricated of a metallic material and, as shown in FIG. 2, is of a relatively thin flat crosssectional shape. The element 68 is slightly longer than the element 54 and is formed with a central longitudinally extending slot 70 within which the neck portion 64 of the wiping element 54 is adapted to be operatively received. As shown in FIG. 2, when the neck portion 64 is disposed within the slot 70, the head portion 66 of the element 54 is located above the element 68, while the body 56 and wiping lip 58 are located therebelow, with the opposite sides of the flexor element 68 being substantially nestingly received within the slots or.
recesses 60, 62, whereby only the outer marginal edges of the flexor element 68 extend or project laterally be-.
yond the outer sides of the wiping element 54. The flexor element 68 and wiping element 54 provide a unitized subassembly which may be easily removed and replaced when the wiping element 58 of the element 54 becomes worn or for any other suitable reason, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The assembly 14 comprising the wiping element 54 and flexor element 68 are adapted to be operatively secured to the bridge assembly 12 by means of the aforementioned claw portions 34, 36 forming the outer ends of the bridge members 18, 20. More particularly, the claw portions 34, 36 are slightly larger in a lateral dimension than the width of the flexor element 68 and each side of each of the claw portions 34, 36 is formed with a laterally inwardly extending tang or flange portion 76 which, when the claw portions 34, 36 are surmounted upon the wiping element 54 and flexor element 68, are adapted to extend laterally inwardly beneath the lower side of the flexor element 68, with the result that the bridge assembly 12 is secured to the wiper assembly 14, yet the outer ends of the bridge members 18, 20, i.e., claw portions 34, 36, are permitted to slide longitudinally relative to the flexor element 68. In order to limit such longitudinal sliding movement of the bridge assembly 12 relative to the wiper assembly 14, the opposite ends of the flexor element 68 are formed with downwardly deformed tab portions, generally designated by the numeral 78 and one of which is shown in FIG. 4. The tab portions 78 are adapted to engage the outer ends of the claw portions 34, 36 and thereby limit outward sliding movement of the claw portions 34, 36 relative to the flexor element 68. It will be appreciated, of course, that various other types of means for limiting sliding movement between the bridge assembly 12 and wiper assembly 14 could be utilized, such as suitable integrally formed rubber stop portions on the wiping element 54 or the like, all of which alternative stop means are intended to come within the scope of the present invention.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the grooves or recesses 60, 62 within the wiping element 54, and along which the flexor element 68 is disposed, are designed to lie along a segment of the circumference of an imaginary circle, the center of which is located on the opposite side of the wiping element 54 from the bridge assembly 12, the circle having a radius R,, as indicated in FIG. 1. This construction differs from prior art designs wherein the grooves within which the flexor element is disposed extended parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wiping element, and results in a construction wherein the wiper assembly l4 assumes a generally arcuate configuration as defined by the aforementioned imaginary circle.
In operation of the windshield wiper unit of the present invention, upon assembly thereof on an associated wiper arm, the arm produces a downwardly directed force F which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the unit 10, as indicated in FIG. 1. This force F is transmitted into forces F via the bridge assembly 12 which is applied to the opposite ends of the wiper assembly 14. At the same time, due to the hinged connection of the bridge members 18, 20, and the stop means provided by the tab portions 78, laterally outwardly directed forces F are exerted upon the opposite ends of the wiper assembly 14, as also indicated in FIG. 1. It has been found that through proper choice of the angle (see FIG. 1) between the bridge members 18, and the axis of the wiper assembly 14, and further by appropriate choice of the radius R along which the flexor element 68 lies, a substantially uniform wiping pressure distribution can be applied by the wiper assembly 14 along the entire length thereof to the associated windshield. Accordingly, superior wiping performance and anti-windlift characteristics can be achieved as compared to prior art designs. In addition, due to the fact that half of the arm force F, i.e., forces R,, are applied at the opposite ends of the wiper assembly 14 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the assembly 14, the assembly 14 is able to conform to a very high degree with relatively compound curved Windshields so as to assure for efficient cleaning thereof, as best seen in FIG. 11a. Also, it will be appreciated that the wiper blade unit 10 of the present invention requires no links and hence fewer assembly operations are required,
with the result that the unit 10 may be manufactured at a considerable savings relative to prior known devices.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7, a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention is depicted as consisting of a wiper blade unit 10' which includes a bridge assembly 12', both of which assemblies are substantially identical in construction to the aforedescribed structures designated by like numerals, with the exception of the below described details. The wiper blade unit 10 includes a wiper assembly, generally designated-by the numeral 80, which is similar in construction to the aforedescribed wiper assembly 14 and includes an elongated flexible wiper element 82 analogous to the aforedescribed element 54 and comprising a main body 84 having a coextensive wiping lip 86 formed along the lower side thereof. The body 84 is formed with a pair of recesses 88 and 90 along the opposite sides thereof which are parallel to the axis of the element 82 (as opposed to being arcuate shaped as in the wiper element 54 hereinabove described, which recesses 88, 90 define a reduced thickness neck portion therebetween that connects a head portion 94 of the element 82 to the body 84 thereof. As previously described, the neck portion 92 of the element 82 is adapted to be received within a central longitudinally extending slot 96 formed in a flat metallic flexor element 98 which may be of substantially the same construction as the aforedescribed flexor element 68.
The wiper element 82 also differs from the aforedescribed element 54 in that the head portion 94 thereof is of an enlarged thickness at a position intermediate the opposite ends thereof. More particularly, the upper marginal edge or surface of the head portion 94 of the element 82 is defined by an imaginary circle having its center on the opposite side of the wiper assembly 80 from the bridge assembly 12, which upper surface is defined by a radius R as indicated in FIG. 5. An additional difference of the wiper assembly 80 from the aforedescribed assembly 14 resides in the fact that while the bridge assembly 12' is slidably mounted on the flexor element 68, no stop means, (such as the tabs 78) are provided on the element 68. Also, a second elongated flat strip of material, fabricated, for example, of metal or the like, is secured, such as by any suitable bonding means, adhesive or the like, to the upper arcuate shaped surface of the head portion 94. This additional strip of material or member is best seen in FIG. 6 and is designated by the numeral 100. By virtue of the fact that the member 100 lies along the upper surface of the head portion 94 which in turn is defined by the circle of radius R the member. 100 itself lies along the circumference of such imaginary circle. In order to transmit the downward and laterally outwardly directed forces from the bridge assembly 12' to the wiper assembly 82, means is provided on the member 100, which is engageable with the outer ends of the bridge assembly 12 by which such forces may be transmitted from the assembly 12 to the assembly 80. More particularly, the laterally outer ends of the member 100 are preferably turned upwardly to define tab sections 102 that are located directly longitudinally outward from the outer ends of the bridge assembly 12'. The tab sections 102 are adapted to be engaged by the outer ends of the bridge assembly 12', whereby the member 100 will function essentially in the same manner as the aforedescribed flexor element, 68 in causing a uniform pressure distribution of the wiping element 82 upon the associated windshield.
With reference now to FIGS, 8 through 10, still another embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising a windshield wiper unit 110 having a bridge assembly 112 and a wiper assembly 114. The wiper as sembly 114 may be the same or similar in construction to either of the hereinabove described wiper assemblies 14 or 80 and is depicted herein, merely by Way of example, as being of the same general construction as the assembly 80. That is, the wiper assembly 114 includes a flexor element, such as the element 82 and another elongated member analogous to the member 100 which lies along the circumference of an imaginary circle having a radius R, as shown in FIG. 8. The wiper unit 110 differs from the units 10 and 10 in that the bridge assembly 112 thereof is fabricated of a one piece construction, as opposed to consisting of a pair of pivotably connected bridge members. More particularly, the bridge assembly 112 comprises a one piece bridge member 116 including a pair of bridge sections 118 and 120. The member 116 is of a monolithic structure and is preferably fabricated of a synthetic plastic material, such as polyproplyene. The bridge section 118 includes a generally horizontally disposed connector section 122 which is arranged generally parallel to the longitu dinal axis of the wiper assembly 114 and is integrally connected to the sections 118, 120. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the bridge sections 118, 120 are adapted to be hingedly connected to one another so as to provide for relative pivotal movement therebetween in much the same manner as the bridge members 18 and pivoted in the bridge assembly l2 hereinabove described. Toward this end, the one piece bridge member 116 is provided with a reduced cross sectional size or thickness hinge portion, generally designated by the numeral 124, which is adapted to permit relative pivotal or hinged movement of the sections 118, 120 with respect to one another. Accordingly, at such time as a downwardly directed wiper arm force F is applied via the associated connector to the bridge assembly 112, the bridge sections 118, 120 will cause said force to be directed to the wiper assembly 114 in a manner hereinabove described so as to provide a uniformly distributed wiping force along the entire length of the assembly 114.
For certain applications, particularly where it is desirable to remove the moisture from a relatively curved windshield, it may be desirable to locate the pivotal axis of the bridge members adjacent the outer end of the bridge assembly. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, for most normal applications, the pivot or hinge H for the bridge members of the bridge assembly may be located at the center of the assembly 12, as shown in FIG. 11a. With this arrangement, an angle a is defined between the bridge members and the associated blade assembly 14. While this arrangement is satisfactory for relatively flat or planar Windshields W, where the windshield W is ofa more a rcuate configuration as shown in FIG. 1112,- it is desirable to have a greater angle a between the adjacent end of the bridge assembly 12 and the blade assembly 14. Accordingly, by locating the hinge or pivotal connection, as seen at H adjacent the outer end of the bridge assembly which is closest to the curved portion of the windshield, a greater wiping efficiency is achieved since the blade assembly 14 will conform to a much greater degree to the curved windshield than if the hinge connection is located generally centrally of the bridge assembly 12.
In accordance with the present invention, it may be desirable to provide some means on the wiper unit so that the angle between the ends of the bridge assembly and the blade assembly may be varied to accommodate different applications. Toward this end, a windshield wiper blade unit 210 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a bridge assembly 212 consisting of bridge sections or members 214, 216 pivotally connected to one another by suitable pivot or hinge means 218. The bridge assembly 212 is associated with a blade assembly 220 which may be of the same general construction as the afore-described blade assembly 14 and includes an elongated flexor element 222. As in the previously described embodiments of the present invention, the bridge assembly is longitudinally slidably mounted on the flexor element 222, with suitable stop means 224 being provided to limit longitudinal sliding movement of the bridge assembly 212 toward the right in FIG. 12. In accordance with the present invention, adjustment means generally designated by the numeral 226 is mounted on the opposite end of the blade assembly 220 from the stop means 224 and is adapted to function in selectively longitudinally positioning the end of the bridge member 214 along the flexor element 222, whereby to control the angle b defined between the ends of the assembly 212 and the blade assembly 220. It will be appreciated, of course, that the adjustment means may take any one of a number of forms; however, by way of example, the adjustment means 226 is shown as comprising a housing or body 228 disposed above the blade assembly 220 and fixedly secured adjacent the outer end of the flexor element 222 by means of a pair of upstanding let portions 229. The body 228 is formed with an internally threaded bore 230 extending parallel to the axis of the blade assembly 220 and having a suitable screw, bolt or the like threadably received therewithin. As best seen in FIG. 13, the adjustment member 232 is engageable with the outer end 234 of the bridge assembly 212 and may be threadably advanced or retracted relative to the body 228 to vary the position which the adjacent end of the bridge assembly 212 assumes along the flexor element 222. It will be noted that the end 234 of the assembly 212 will be maintained in engagement with the member 232 due to the downward force applied by the associated wiper arm. With this arrangement, the angle b between the ends of the bridge assembly 212 and the wiper assembly 220 may be conveniently changed to adapt a single 1 wiper unit for a wide variety of windshield configurations, thus providing for universality of application, as compared to prior art wiper designs.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate slightly modified constructions of the adjustment means 226 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the construction shown in FIG. 15, an adjustment means 226 is shown as comprising an outwardly projecting section 236 formed on the associated end of the bridge member, which portion 236 is formed with a generally vertical threaded bore 238 adapted to threadably receive an adjustment member or screw 240. As illustrated, the bridge member is adapted to slid longitudinally of the associated flexor element and at such time as the end of the bridge assembly is located at the desired position at the blade assembly, the member 240 can be threadably advanced to lockingly engage a portion of the associated flexor element, thus providing for the desired adjustability. The adjustment means 226" shown in P10. 16 is shown in operative association with a wiper assembly 220" similar to the wiper assembly 80 shown in FIG. 5. In this construction, the associated end of the bridge assembly is formed with a vertical bore 242 having a threaded adjistment member 244 therein adapted for locking engagement with the upper side of the metallic strip, such as the strip 100, mounted on top of the wiper assembly 220". As previously mentioned, various alternative adjustment means may be provided without departing from the scope or fair meaning of the present invention.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a novel windshield wiper unit wherein a uniformly distributed wiping force is provided along the entire length of the wiper assembly. Such a uniform force is achieved without the need of the various links and other costly components heretofore required in similar type wiper units known in the art. By virtue of the extreme simplicity of construction and superior wiping performance of the applicants wiper unit, said unit will find wide and varied acceptance, will have a long operational life, and may be manufactured and assembled in an extremely economical manner.
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A windshield wiper unit comprising a wiper assembly including a relatively flexible wiper blade,
a bridge assembly disposed adjacent said wiper assembly for operatively securing the same to an associated wiper arm,
said bridge assembly including first and second hingedly connected bridge sections,
an elongated strip of material extending between the ends of said wiper assembly and generally coextensive thereof, the opposite ends of said bridge assembly bearing against the opposite ends of said strip of material and applying opposed outwardly directed forces on said ends of said material, and
means including said wiper assembly supporting a portion of said strip of material intermediate said ends thereof in a generally arcuate configuration whereby a downwardly and outwardly directed force exerted by said bridge assembly upon the opposite ends of said blade assembly will result in said wiper blade applying a relatively uniformly distributed wiping force along the entire length thereof against an associated windshield.
2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bridge assembly includes first and second bridge sections and means pivotably connecting said sections, whereby said sections are pivotable relative to one another about an axis extending generally transversely of the wiper unit.
3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bridge assembly is of a one-piece monolithic structure and includes a portion thereof intermediate the opposite ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal movement between said ends.
4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said one-piece bridge member includes a reduced thickness portion providing relative pivotal movement between said ends thereof.
5 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one-piece bridge member is fabricated of a synthetic plastic material.
6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wiper blade includes a relatively enlarged cross section portion intermediate the opposite ends thereof for applying a relatively uniformly distributed wiping force along the entire length of said blade.
7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strip of material is an arcuate-shaped member, said member being secured to said blade and having an intermediate portion thereof spaced further away from the windshield than the opposite ends thereof and adapted to cause the blade to apply a relatively uniform wiping force along the entire length thereof against the windshield.
8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blade comprises an enlarged cross section portion intermediate the opposite ends thereof and said strip of material comprises an elongated arcuate-shaped member secured to said blade and has an intermediate portion thereof spaced further away from the windshield than the opposite ends thereof and cooperable with said enlarged cross section portion for producing a relatively uniform wiping force along the entire length of the blade.
9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said elongated arcuate-shaped member comprises a flexor element fabricated of a flat resilient material and having an elongated slot formed therein, and wherein said wiper blade comprises an upper head portion. connected to a lower wiping lip portion by a reduced thickness neck portion, and wherein said neck portion of said wiper blade extends through said slot in said flexor element.
10. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wiper blade is formed with a pair of elongated slots along the opposite side thereof, said slots being defined in part by an imaginary circle having its center on the opposite side of said blade from said bridge assembly.
11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein at least one end of said bridge assembly is longitudinally slidably connected to said flexor element, and which includes stop means for limiting said longitudinal movement of said one end of said bridge assembly relative to said flexor element.
12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said stop means includes means on said flexor'element and extending generally perpendicular thereto and adapted for engagement with the opposite ends of said bridge assembly. 1
13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wiper blade is defined in part by an imaginary circle having its center located on the opposite side thereof from said bridge assembly, whereby an intermediate portion of said wiper blade located between the opposite ends of said bridge assembly is of a relatively enlarged cross section relative to the cross sectional size of the opposite ends of said blade, and wherein said strip of material is secured to the upper side of said wiper blade and lying generally along the circumference of said imaginary circle, and wherein said elongated strip of material has the opposite ends thereof operatively secured to the opposite ends of said bridge assembly, whereby a downwardly and outwardly directed force exerted against the opposite ends of said member result in said member exerting a relatively uniformly distributed force against said wiper blade.
14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 which includes first and second elongated metallic members generally coextensive of said wiper blade, one of said metallic members lying along the circumference of said circle, and the other of said members being generally linearly aligned with said wiper blade, and wherein the opposite ends of said bridge assembly are longitudinally slidably connected to one of said members.
15. A windshield wiper unit comprising a wiper assembly including an elongated, relatively flexible wiper blade having a wiping lip portion,
a bridge assembly disposed adjacent said wiper assembly for operatively securing the same to an associated wiper arm,
said bridge assembly comprising first and second pivotably connected sections,
means adjacent the opposite ends of said wiper assembly for operatively connecting the opposite ends of said bridge assembly thereto,
an elongated force applying element having its ends directly connected to the opposite ends of said bridge assembly, and
means supporting said element at a position arranged non-parallel to said wiping lip portion of said wiper assembly,
said last mentioned means including a relatively enlarged cross section portion of said blade located intermediate said opposite ends of said wiper assembly.
16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said bridge assembly includes first and second bridge sections arranged in end-to-end abutting relation, and which further includes means pivotably connecting said sections together at the confronting ends thereof.
17. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said sections are pivotable relative to one another about an axis extending generally transversely of the axis of said wiper unit.
18. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said bridge assembly is of a one-piece monolithiic structure and includes a portion thereof intermediate the opposite ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal movement between said ends.
19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said one-piece bridge member is fabricated of a synthetic plastic material.
20. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said force applying element comprises a flexor element fabricated of a flat resilient material having an elongated slot formed therein, and wherein said wiper blade comprises an upper head portion connected to a lower wiping lip portion by a reduced thickness neck portion, and wherein said neck portion of said wiper blade extends through said slot in said flexor element.
21. The invention as set forth in claim 20 wherein said wiper blade is formed with a pair of elongated slots along the opposite sides thereof, said slots being defined in part as lying along the periphery of an imaginary circle having its center on the opposite side of said blade from said bridge assembly.
22. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said wiper blade is defined in part by an imaginary circle having a center located on the opposite side thereof from said bridge assembly, whereby an intermediate portion of said wiper blade located between the opposite ends of said bridge assembly is of a relatively enlarged cross section size relative to the cross-sectional size of the opposite ends of said blade, and which includes an elongated strip of material secured to the upper side of said wiper blade and lying generally along the circumference of said imaginary circle, and wherein said elongated strip of material has the opposite ends thereof operatively secured to the opposite ends of said bridge assembly, whereby a downwardly and outwardly directed force exerted against the opposite ends of said member result in said member exerting a relatively uniformly distributed force against said wiper blade.
23. The invention as set forth in claim 22 which includes first and second elongated metallic members generally coextensive of said wiper blade, one of said metallic members lying along the circumference of said circle and the other of said members being generally linearly aligned with said wiper blade, and wherein the opposite ends of said bridge assembly are longitudinally slidably connected to one of said members.
24. A windshield wiper unit comprising a wiper assembly including a relatively flexible wiper blade adapted to be moved across an associated windshield,
a bridge assembly disposed adjacent said wiper assembly for operatively securing the same to an associated wiper arm,
means providing for relative pivotal movement between the opposite ends of said bridge assembly,
means adjacent the opposite ends of said wiper assembly for operatively connecting the opposite ends of said bridge assembly thereto, and
an elongated, generally arcuate-shaped member secured to said blade, said member having an intermediate portion thereof spaced further away from the windshield than the opposite ends thereof and adapted to cause said wiper blade to apply a relatively uniform wiping force along the entire length thereof against the windshield. 25. The invention as set forth in claim 24 wherein said bridge assembly includes first and second bridge sections arranged in end-to-end abutting relation, and
which further includes means pivotably connecting said sections at the confronting ends thereof.
26. The invention as set forth in claim 25 wherein said sections are pivotable relative to one another along an axis extending generally transversely of the axis of said wiper unit.
27. The invention as set forth in claim 25 wherein said bridge assembly is of a one-piece monolithic structure and includes a portion thereof intermediate the opposite ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal movement between said ends.
28. The invention as set forth in claim 27 wherein said one-piece bridge member is fabricated of a synthetic plastic material.
29. The invention as set forth in claim 24 which includes a flexor element fabricated of a flat resilient material having an elongated slot formed therein, and wherein said wiper blade comprises an upper head portion connected to a lower wiping lip portion by a reduced thickness neck portion, and wherein said neck portion of said wiper blade extends through said slot in said flexor element.
30. The invention as set forth in claim 29 wherein said wiper blade is formed with a pair of elongated slots along the opposite sides thereof, said slots being defined in part as lying along the periphery of an imaginary circle having its center on the opposite side of said blade from said bridge assembly.
31. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which includes first and second elongated metallic members generally coextensive of said wiper blade, one of said metallic members lying along the circumference of said circle, and the other of said members being generally linearly aligned with said wiper blade, and wherein the opposite ends of said bridge assembly are longitudinally slidably connected to one of said members.
32. The invention as set forth in claim 31 which includes interengageable means on said bridge assembly and said second elongated member cooperable to apply a relatively uniformly distributed wiping force along said wiper blade in response to a downwardly and outwardly directed force being exerted by said bridge assembly upon the opposite ends of said wiper blade.
33. The invention as set forth in claim 32 wherein said interengageable means comprises the opposite ends of said second elongated member being turned upwardly and adapted for engagement with the opposite ends of said bridge assembly, and wherein said bridge assembly is longitudinally slidably secured to said first elongated member.
34. A windshield wiper unit comprising a wiper assembly including a relatively flexible wiper blade,
a bridge assembly disposed adjacent said wiper assembly for operatively securing the same to an associated wiper arm,
said bridge assembly including first and second hingedly connected bridge sections,
a force applying element on said wiper element and arranged along a generally arcuate path, and
means for'adjustably connecting said bridge assembly to said wiper assembly in a manner such that at least one end of said bridge assembly may move longitudinally relative to said force applying element.
35. The invention as set forth in claim 34 wherein said bridge assembly includes first and second bridge sections and means pivotably connecting said sections, whereby said sections are pivotable relative to one another along an axis extending generally transversely of the axis of said wiper unit.
36. The invention as set forth in claim 34 wherein said bridge assembly is of a one-piece monolithic structure and includes a portion thereof intermediate the opposite ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal movement between said ends.
37. The invention as set forth in claim 36 wherein said one-piece bridge member includes a reduced thickness portion providing relative pivotal movement between said ends thereof.
38. The invention as set forth in claim 37 wherein said one-piece bridge member is fabricated of a synthetic plastic material.
39. The invention as set forth in claim 34 wherein said wiper blade includes a relatively enlarged cross section portion intermediate the opposite ends thereof for applying a relatively uniformly distributed wiping force along the entire length of said blade.
40. The invention as set forth in claim 34 which includes an elongated arcuate-shaped member, said member being secured to said blade and having an intermediate portion thereof spaced further away from the windshield on the opposite ends thereof and adapted to cause the blade to apply a relatively uniform wiping force along the entire length thereof against the windshield.
41. The invention as set forth in claim 34 wherein one end of said bridge assembly is relatively fixedly secured to said blade and the opposite end of said bridge assembly is longitudinally adjustable along said blade, and which includes means for securing said opposite end of said bridge assembly at preselected longitudinal positions along said blade.
42. The invention as set forth in claim 24 which includes an elongated flexor element on said blade, wherein the opposite ends of said bridge assembly are longitudinally slidably connected to said flexor element, and which includes threadable means for selectively longitudinally positioning one end of said bridge assembly relative to said flexor element, whereby to vary the angle between the ends of said bridge assembly and said blade. |
US-3874021-A | Disposable paintbrushes | United States Patent 1 91 [11] 3, Jacobs 1 1 Apr. 1, 1975 15 1 DISPOSABLE PAINTBRUSHES 3.403.070 9/1968 LewisJr. 15/159 R x Inventor: Herbert v. J o s e 3.805.313 4/1974 Keatmg 15/159 R Philadelphian Apt. 181131. 24111 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS g' gg Phlladelphw, 009.710 2/1935 Germany 15/244 A {22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman I l App NO 337 772 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein &
- Cohen 152] US. Cl 15/202, 15/143 R, 15/159 A.
15/176, 15/187 1571 ABSTRACT [51 1 Int. Cl .1 A46b 3/08 A i tbrush having a plurality of bristles and a bind- 1 Field 01 Search 159 ing therefor. The brush is formed from a piece of 15/147. 172, 17 202. 203. 2 20 woven fabric with the bristles comprising loosely asso- 1 4, 245, 137 ciatecl filler threads having no lateral support and with the binding comprising warp threads woven through 1 1 Referenflfs Cited the filler threads. The bristles are formed by slashing UNITED STATES PATENTS the warp threads in a portion of the fabric to free the 203.7111 2mm 1mm 15/20ex filler threads herein The Slashed Pmlio" the 323.305 7/111115 Evans 15/209 R x fabric forms the binding. The brush is adapted to be 91 111.194 3/1911 Hymcs 15/209 R rcleasably secured by its binding within a clamp of a 2.207.158 7/1940 Neville ct 15/159 A brush holder or can be directly hand-held by its bind- 2.7911.986 5/1957 Schwartz ct a1 15/159 R X i g, 2.948.003 8/1961) Tamsberg 15/209 R X 3.340.556 9/1907 Allen 15/159 R 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR H915 3,874,021
sum 1 a; 4
PAIENIEB ers suwzurq PATENTEU APR 1 I975 saw 3 If g PATENTED APR 1 i975 snmunrq 1 DISPOSABLE PAINTBRUSHES This invention relates generally to a brush for the application of paint and the like and more particularly to disposable paintbrushes which are adapted to be directly held in a user's hand or held within a eusable and releasably secureably brush holder.
Heretofore. various brushes have been proposed for enabling the painting head (bristle head) of the brush to be removed from the handle portion thereof such that the entire brush need not be discarded when the painting head becomes unusable. See for example. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2.326.879 (Ncuhausen). 2,570.4l2 (Vogel). 2.900.654 (Koltvedt). 3.340.557 (Rosenszweig). and 3.353.203 (Ginterl.
While the prior art brushes. like those disclosed in the above enumerated patents are economical insofar as they enable used up painting heads to be replaced without discarding the entire paintbrush, nevertheless, such brushes are somewhat complex and hence may still be relatively expensive.
Inexpensive paintbrushcs have been proposed. such as the entirely disposable paintbrushes shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3.094.729 (Dalton). However. such brushes may not be sufficiently durable for economical use.
It is a general object of this invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of this invention to provide a disosable paintbrush formed of a woven cloth.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a paintbrush having bristles and a binding therefor formed from a piece of woven cloth with the bristles comprising loosely associated filler threads having no lateral support and with the binding comprising warp threads \vovcn through the liller threads.
It is a further object of this invention to provide the combination of a paintbrush formed of a woven cloth and rcleasably securable holder for said brush.
These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a paintbrush comprising bristles and a binding for the bristles. The bristles comprise loosely associated filler threads having no lateral support. The binding comprises warp threads woven through the filling threads. The brush is adapted to be rcleasably secured by its binding within the clamp ofa brush holder or can be directly hand-held by its binding.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. I is a perspective view of a disposable paintbrush and bolder therefor in accordance with one aspect of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disposable paintbrush like that shown held within the holder of FIG. I;
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged plan view of a portion of the paintbrush shown within the phantom line area 3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3a is a greatly enlarged view of a portion of a bristle shown within the phantom line area 3a in H6. 3'.
FIG. 4 is an cvplodcd perspective view of a portion of a paintbrush holder in accordance with one aspect of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled paintbrush holder shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofa paintbrush in accordance with another aspect of this invention; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a paintbrush in accordance with yet another aspect of this invention.
Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts. there is shown by the reference numeral 20. a combined disposable paintbrush and bolder therefor. The combined brush and brush holder basically comprises a brush 22 and a relcasably secureable holder 24. The holder serves to hold the brush for painting therewith. The brush 22 includes a plurality of bristles 26 and a binder 28 holding the bristles together. The bristles are formed of loosely associated threads having no lateral support for their free ends 30. The bristles 26 are connected together by binder 28. The binder serves as the means by which the brush 22 is gripped and held by holder 24.
The holder 24 includes an elongated handle 32 terminating in a wedge-shaped shank 34. The shank 34 in turn terminates in an end wall 36 (see FIG. 4). The handle 32 is adapted to be gripped in the users hands to manipulate brush held within the holder. A hold 38 is provided in the end of handle 32 to enable the brush to be hung or otherwise supported during storage thereof.
The holder also includes releasable gripping means to secure the brush to holder 24 and to enable the brush to be removed from the holder when desired. In the preferred embodiment of this invention. the gripping means comprises a normally closed. spring clamp 40. As can be seen. clamp 40 is of the conventional paperbinder type having a slightly bowed base 42 and a pair of side walls 44 and 46 connected at an angle to the base to form a mouth 48 for the clamp. The walls 44 and 46 each terminate in a free edge 50.
The clamp is formed as an integral unit of spring steel and is normally closed. that is the free edges 50 of the walls 44 and 46 are in contact with one another, thereby closing mouth 48.
The clamp 40 includes a pair of pivotable arms 54 and 56 which are adapted to be grasped and squeezed together to separate the free edges of walls 44 and 46 and thereby open the clamps mouth and enable the insertion or removal ofa brush therefrom. Each arm is of a generally wishbone shape having a pair of legs 58, each of which terminates in an car 60. The cars 60 of each arm project away from each other in opposed directions.
The free edge of each side wall of the clamp 40 is curved back upon itself to form a cylindrical channel 52 therein. The channel serves to receive the car 60 of the associated arm to thereby pivotably secure the arm to the clamp.
In FIG. 4 there is shown the manner which clamp 40 is connected to handle 32. As can be seen. the end wall 36 of handle 32 includes a pair of holes 62. A pair of holes 64, only one of which can be seen. are provided in the bowed bottom wall 42 of clamp 40 and are separated from one another by the same distance as that separating holes 62 in wall 36. Accordingly. when the bottom wall of clamp 40 is abutted against wall 36, the holes in the clamp and the holes in the handle are aligned with one another. The clamp is connected to the handle via a pair of screws 66 in the aligned holes.
3 FIG. 5 shows the holder 24 when assembled as described above.
The holder 24 shown in FIG. 5 is preferably used to hold the novel disposable paintbrushes of this invention. however. it is to be understood that the holder can also be used to hold various prior art disposable brush heads.
One type of disposable brush in accordance with this invention is shown in FIG. 2 by the reference numeral 22. Brush 22 includes a plurality of relatively thin. weblike. brush elements 68. Each ofthe brush elements includes a plurality of bristles 26 formed of loosely associated threads having no lateral support and a binding 28 connecting the threads together. The brush elements are disposed on top of one another. for a reason to be considered later. and are connected together at their bindings by stitches 70.
Each brush element 68 is formed of a woven fabric having plural similar woven layers. each of which including a plurality of longitudinally extending filler threads which are interconnected by plural warp threads. In FIG. 3 there is shown a portion of the top woven layer of the top brush element 68 0f the brush shown in FIG. 2 in order to clearly illustrate the manner in which the filler threads are interconnected by the warp threads. As can be seen. the top layer of brush element 68 includes a plurality of generally parallel filler threads 72. Each of the filler threads is interwoven by a plurality of warp thread legs 74. A single thread forms the plural warp thread by coursing in a serpentine manner to and fro across the width of the fabric for a predetermined length of the fabric while running under and over adjacent filler threads to interconnect those threads and form the binding 26. The portion of the filler threads which are not interwoven with the warp thread legs form the brush bristles 26. with each filler thread forming a separate bristle.
It should be pointed out at this juncture that in practice. the threads forming the filler threads and the warp threads do not extend as straight or as parallel with one another as is shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is prmided to merely illustrate the manner in which the threads are interwoven.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the brush elements 68 are constructed from a strip of woven material. such as seat-belt fabrics of polyester or nylon yarns. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. such fabrics are woven in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 3. In order to form the loosely associated bristles 26 of the brush. all of the warp thread legs adjacent one end of the length of the fabric are slashed or otherwise severed. The severed warp thread legs fall out. thereby freeing portions of the filler thread. The freed portions of the filler threads hang loosely from the unslashed portion of the fabric to thereby form the brush bristles with the unslashed portion of the woven fabric serving as the binding for the bristles.
Owing to the fact that seat belt fabric is relatively thin. i.e.. composed of only a few woven layers. in the preferred embodiment of this invention. several brush elements are sewn together at their bindings. as described above. to provide a brush having sufficient body and thickness for general painting purposes. It is to be understood. however. that a brush may. depending upon the thickness of the fabric utilized and upon the desired use for the brush. be formed of only a single woven brush element. Furthermore. while a preferred embodiment of this invention utilizes brush elements formed of seat belt fabric. as described above. it is to be understood that other fabrics can be utilized to form the brush elements.
Each of the threads in the brush element may be a monofilament thread or. as is preferred, may comprise a yarn formed of plural strands or fibers. As can be seen in FIG. 3a. bristles 26 each comprise a yarn composed of plural fibers. By utilizing plural fiber threads as the bristles 26. the brushes are enabled to hold a substantial volume of paint in the interstices between the fibers in each of the bristles as well as in the interstices between the bristles themselves. This action permits faster painting by reducing the number of times the brush has to be clipped in the paint for a given area of application.
In FIG. 6 there is shown a brush 76 in accordance with another embodiment of this invention. Brush 76 is constructed in the same manner as brush 22 and in cludes plural. relatively thin. web-like brush elements 78 which are disposed on top of one another. Each of the elements include a plurality of bristles 80 formed of loosely associated threads having no lateral support and a binder 82 connecting the filaments together. The brush elements are connected together at their bindings by plural stitches 84 therethrough. Each brush element 78 is formed of a woven fabric having plural woven layers. each of which including a plurality of longitudinally extending filler threads which are litterconnected by plural warp thread legs. Each of the threads preferably comprises a yarn formed of plural strands or fibers. As can be seen. the threads forming the bristles 80 are each of generally cork-screw shape. This shape results from the fact that the fabric is tightly woven wherein the warp thread legs tightly compress the interwoven filler threads. thereby deforming the filler threads laterally. When the warp thread legs are slashed to free the filler threads and thereby form the bristles. the filler threads remain slightly deformed. thereby giving the appearance of a cork-screw shape.
The cork-screw shape ofbristles 80 serves a valuable function in that it enables the brush 76 to hold more paint therein than would otherwise be possible due to the fact that additional paint is held within the relatively wide interstices formed between the adjacent corkscrew strands.
In FIG. 7 there is shown a brush 86 in accordance with another aspect of this invention. Brush 86 is constructed in the same manner as brushes 22 and 76. that is. it includes plural. relatively thin. web-like. brush elements 88, each of which includes a plurality of bristles 90 formed of loosely associated threads having no lateral support and a binder 92 connecting the threads together. The binders 92 are sewn together by plural stitches 94.
The binders of brushes 22 and 76 are substantially shorter than the binder of brush 80, since the former brushes are primarily intended to be held by a releas ably secureable holder. such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, whereas the relatively long binder of brush 86 forms a handle itself. by which the brush can be gripped by the user.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention. the brush 86 is constructed of a parachute-harness-strap fabric. which fabric is woven in a similar manner to seat-belt fabric. but is narrower in width. by severing plural warp thread legs to free the ends of the filler threads and thereby form the brush bristles.
While the brushes 22 and 76 are. as noted above, primarily for use with a releasably secureable holder like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, it is to be understood that those brushes may each be used without any other holder by merely gripping their bindings directly. Similarly, while the brush 86 is primarily for direct hand held use. it is to be understood that releasably seeureable holders. like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, can be used to hold the brush by its binding. if desired.
For some painting applications, stiff bristles are necessary. To that end. the bristles of the disposable woven fabric brushes of this invention may be stiffened by coating them with a stiffening agent such as an acrylic or a polyester resin.
As should be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure. the brushes of this invention are simple in construction and can be made quickly and inexpensively from various types of woven fabrics. Furthermore, the
bristles formed by the tiller threads of the fabric are effective for holding large volumes of paint therein and for enabling the paint to be applied in a smooth, ridgefree coat. Particularly effective, yet inexpensive brushes can be made from nylon or polyester scat-belt or par-richute-harness-strap fabric. Since only short lengths of such fabrics are required, brushes in accordance with this invention can be made of scraps ofsuch fabrics. which would otherwise be discarded, thereby further decreasing costs.
lll
The holders constructed in accordance with this invention are simple and hence economical to construct. In addition, such holders have wide applicability. in that they can be used to hold various types of prior art disposable brushes in addition to the brushes constructed in accordance with this invention.
Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.
What is claimed as the invention is:
l. in combination, a paint brush and a releasable holder therefor, said holder comprising a handle having a clip secured thereto, said clip being ofa paper-binder type having a pair of integral sidewalls forming a mouth therebetween for releasably holding said brush. said brush being formed of plural strips of woven, seat-belt material. each strip comprising a binding having filler threads with warp threads woven therethrough. said threads being formed of multifilament nylon yarn said filler threads being loosely associated and having no lateral support, said loosely associated filler threads serving as bristles for the brush and being coated with a stiffening agent, said strips being disposed on top of each other and secured together by plural stitches through their bindings.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bristles are of a generally cork-screw shape. |
US-3874022-A | Means for removing ink from a screen and including a cleaning head and accumulator | [451 Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent [191 Wogoman et al.
f o G mh Am W mt R mm F0 M a I mmwh WA m n I. L l vw m mu w U u mn D mud N FP.m 0 M M M N E n ARA e ECE V MSHIm 4 5 5 l [73] Assignee: Wells Electronics, Inc., South Bend, Assistant Examiner-Richard Fisher Ind.
Attorney, Agent, or FirmOltsch & Knoblock [57] ABSTRACT Ink is removed from the screen utilized in a silk screen [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 342,740
printing process by positioning a cleaning head having first and second orifices over the screen. A vacuum is drawn at one of the orifices of the cleaning head and causes the cleaning solvent to be withdrawn from the other orifice across the cleaning head in contact with the screen, thus causing ink particles to be removed from the screen and transported in the solvent to a depository.
References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1.669.077 15/321 x 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 sum 1 or 2 MEANS FOR REMOVING INK FROM A SCREEN AND INCLUDING A CLEANING HEAD AND ACCUMULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and means for removing ink from the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process.
Printing by means of the silk screen process has been utilized for centuries. The early screens utilized in such a process were of finely interwoven silk, while the screens used today in the process are of stainless steel, polyester, nylon or similar plastic material fibers in addition to silk. Heretofore, the normal practice of cleaning such screens, whether of silk, steel or plastic material, has been by applying solvent directly to the screen by hand and removing by wiping with lint free cloth. This results in the ink getting on ones hands and even ones clothing, thus constituting a rather messy, timeconsuming and undesirable job. The direct contact of the wiping cloth accelerates the breakdown of the emulsion used on the screen.
The method and apparatus of this invention allows the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process to be cleaned in a rapid, simplified and tidy manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method of this invention relates to the removal of ink from the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process and contemplates the use of a cleaning head having spaced first and second orifices therein. The cleaning head is positioned over the screen, preferably in contact therewith, with the first and second orifices overlying the screen in close proximity. A vacuum is provided at the second orifice which causes solvent to be drawn from the first orifice, across the surface of the screen and into the second orifice after which, along with the ink removed from the screen, the solvent is deposited in an accumulator. The flow of solvent across the screen can be stopped by simply removing or lifting the cleaning head from the screen. By interrupting the vacuum to the second orifice in the cleaning head, the solvent and ink collected in the accumulator will pass into a tank or drum where the ink will settle to the bottom of the tank and the solvent recirculated across the surface of the screen upon resumption of the vacuum.
Means are provided by which the solvent flow from the first orifice in the cleaning head can be terminated while maintaining a vacuum at the second orifice to remove any exccss solvent from the screen such as at termination of the cleaning process.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a method of removing ink from the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process. I
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of removing ink from the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process through means of drawing a cleaning solvent across the surface of the screen.
Still another object of this invention is to providea method of removing ink from a screen utilized in a silk screen printing process in a tidy and efficient manner.
Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for removing ink from the screen utilized in a silk screen printing process.
Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading of the inventions description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus utilized to practice the method of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the accumulator tank constituting one of the components of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. '3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a view of the working surface of the cleaning head constituting one of the components of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and as seen along line 44 thereof.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of this invention. A
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.
A description of the method of this invention can be best understood by referring to the schematic diagram illustrated in FIG. 5. Reference numeral 10 designates the cleaning head which has planar screen contacting faces 12. An oval recess 14 is formed in one of the faces 12. A pair of orifices 16 and 18 are formed within recess 14 at its opposite ends. A tank 20 containing an ink-removing solvent, such as tolulene, is connected to orifice. 16 in cleaning head 10 by a conduit 22 which communicates with the solvent. A container, hereinafter referred to as accumulator 24, having a float 26 therein is provided. Solvent tank 20 is connected to accumulator 24 below float 26 by means of a conduit 28. A vacuum source 30, such as a vacuum pump, is connected to accumulator 24 above float 26 by a conduit 32. Orifice 18 in cleaning head 10 is connected to accumulator 24 below float 26 by a conduit 34. A check valve 36 is positioned in conduit 28. Valve 36 allows liquid to flow through conduit 28 from the accumulator to solvent tank 20 only.
With cleaning head 10 positioned with its faces 12 contacting the upper surface of a screen 38 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a vacuum produced by vacuum source 30 will be developed within the accumulator which at this time is empty of any solvent. As accumulator 24 is being evacuated, a vacuum is also formed through the means of conduit 34 at orifice 18 within re cess 14 in the cleaning head. Valve 36 is constructed so as to close upon the formation of a vacuum within the accumulator and thus prevent any solvent from passing from tank 20 into the accumulator through conduit 28.
The vacuum formed at cleaning head orifice 18 when the cleaning head is positioned against screen 38, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, causes a vacuum to be formed within recess 14 of the cleaning head above the screen. The vacuum in recess 14 causes solvent to be with drawn from tank 20 through conduit 22. out orifice 16 of the cleaning head and across screen 38', and into orifice 18. As the solvent is drawn across screen 38, ink thereon is removed and the solvent and ink pass through conduit 34 into the accumulator below float 26. The amount of vacuum at orifice 18 is sufficiently high in relationship to the size of the screen openings and any air drawn therethrough so that a sizeable vac uum is formed within cleaning head recess 14 even though there are openings in the screen. In fact, the air being drawn upwardly through the screen openings helps loosen the ink from the screen. As more solvent and ink enter accumulator 24 through conduit 34, float 26 will rise until it approaches the top of the accumulator where a valve plug or protrusion 40 closes conduit 32, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, thereby interrupting the vacuum within the accumulator and terminating the flow of solvent between orifices 16 and 18 of the cleaning head. At this moment valve 36 opens, and either through the weight of the liquid within accumulator 24 combined with the weight of float 26 or by a venting of line 32 to the atmosphere, or by removing the cleaning head from the screen to reduce the vacuum, the liquid solvent and ink therein flow through conduit 28 back into tank where the ink settles to the bottom of the tank. Upon the emptying of accumulator 24, float 26 returns to the bottom of the accumulator, thus opening conduit 32 and thereby causing the accumulator to again be evacuated when the cleaning head is positioned against screen 38. Re-evacuation of accumulator 24 causes the solvent to be withdrawn from tank 20 through line 22 and across cleaning head orifices l6 and 18 and screen 38 and back into the accumulator through conduit 34 below float 26. If line 32 were vented to release the ink and accumulated solvent within the accumulator, obviously this line would have to be closed before the evacuation of accumulator would begin again. This cycle of filling and emptying accumulator 24 would continue until the screen is cleaned of ink.
One embodiment of the apparatus for performing the screen cleaning method above described in shown in detail in FIGS. 1-4. In FIGS. l-4 accumulator 24 is shown seated upon the top of solvent tank 20, overlying opening 42 into the tank. Accumulator 24 includes a cylindrical side wall 44, an upper end wall 46 and a lower end wall 48. A pipe 50 extends through accumulator 24and into tank 20 through its opening 42. Pipe 50 preferably terminates approximately one-third of the distance from the bottom of tank 20. Conduit 22 which has one end connected to orifice 16 of cleaning head 10 is connected at its opposite end to the upper end ofpipe 50. Conduit 28 is preferably of rigid tubular form and is connected to lower end wall 48 of the accumulator and projects through tank opening 42 and into the tank. The upper end of conduit 28 is open and communicates at all times with the interior of accumulator 24. The lower end of conduit 28 has check valve 36 connected thereto. Valve 36 may be of the flapper type which closes over the lower end of conduit 28 when a vacuum is formed within accumulator 24 and which opens when the vacuum within the accumulator is reduced. A filter 52 is preferably incorporated into conduit 28 for the purpose of filtering out ink particles which are entrained within the solvent which is returned to the accumulator. A pipe 54 is connected to upper end wall 46 of the accumulator and extends downwardly therein. Conduit 34 which has one end connected to orifice 18 of cleaning head 10 has its opposite end connected to the upper end of pipe 54. The lower end 55 of pipe 54 terminates justabove lower end wall 48 of the accumulator so as to discharge solvent into the accumulator below float 26.
An opening 56 is formed in upper end wall 46. Conduit 32 which is connected at one end to vacuum source 30 has its opposite end placed in communication with accumulator opening 56 either by direct connection therewith or through a valve 58. Valve 58 is shiftable between a first position in which conduit 32 communicates with opening 56 thereby permitting the evacuation of the accumulator and a second position in which conduit 32 is vented to atmospheric air to terminate the vacuum within the accumulator. The construction of valve 58 may assume any one of a number of well known valve constructions. Float 26 within accumulator 24 may be hollow or formed ofa material, such as cork or expanded cellular foam plastic having a density which is less than that of the solvent. Protrusion 40 carried upon the upper surface of float 26 serves as a valve plug for opening 56 in upper end wall 46 of the accumulator. Pipes 50 and 54 extend in a free fit through float 26 so as to prevent rotation of the float within the accumulator and to serve as guides for directing protrusion 40 into opening 56, as seen in broken lines in FIG. 2, as the float rises to the top of the accumulator.
Abrasive material, such as spun nylon, may be in-- serted into the cleaning head recess 14 for the purpose of contacting the upper surface of the screen to loosen the ink thereon as the cleaning head is moved across the screen. During the cleaning process faces 12 of cleaning head 10 contact screen 38 and the cleaning head moves across the screen either by hand or mechanically in circular or back and forth movements. Solvent 66 is drawn from orifice 16 to orifice 18 across the screen due to the vacuum formed within recess 14 in the cleaning head as it contacts screen 38. To stop the flow of solvent, cleaning head 10 at recess 14 need only be raised from the screen, thus causing the vacuum formed within recess 14 to be terminated. A suitable solvent cut-off valve 62 associated with orifice 16 serves when actuated by the user of cleaning head 10 to stop the flow of solvent within orifice 16 with faces 12 of the cleaning head in contact with screen 38, thus permitting the vacuum still present within recess 14 to be utilized to suck up any solvent remaining upon the screen at the conclusion of the cleaning operation.
Lower end wall 48 of accumulator 24 is provided with feet 64 which serve to space the lower end wall slightly above opening 42 in the solvent tank. This allows the atmospheric air to enter the interior of tank 20 as the solvent 66 therein is being withdrawn. It is to be understood that the particular design of recess 14 as well as the number and arrangement of orifices l6 and 18 therein may vary, depending upon the application and construction of the cleaning head.
It is to be further understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details above given, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
What we claim is:
1. Apparatus for removing ink from a screen utilized in a silk screen printing process with a solvent, said apparatus comprising a cleaning head having first and second spaced orifices therein, accumulator means for collecting said solvent after removal of said ink from the screen, said accumulator means including a side wall and upper and lower end walls cooperating to define a chamber within the accumulator means, first opening means in said accumulator means through which a vacuum is formed in said chamber. second opening means in said accumulator means, conduit means extending between said second opening means and said second orifice placing said second opening means and second orifice in flow communication, other conduit means having its one end connected to said first orifice and having its other and adapted for placement in a supply of said solvent, said cleaning head adapted to be placed over said screen and having a vacuum formed between said first and second orifices, and float means within said chamber, said float means being shiftable between the end walls of said accumulator means as said chamber fills with solvent entering from said second opening means, said float means having a draft line representing the depth the float means extends into said solvent when floating thereon, said first opening means being located above said draft line in all operative positions of said float means, said float means carrying means for blocking said first opening means to reduce the vacuum in said chamber as said float means is shifted by said solvent to a selected position within said chamber.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first orifice is located below said draft line in all operative positions of said float means.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 and a third opening means in said accumulator means, said third opening means being located in the lower end wall of said accumulator means, conduit means having one of its ends connected to said third opening means and having its other end adapted for placement in a depository means for said solvent, valve means for closing said third conduit means when a vacuum exists in said chamber with said first opening means being not blocked by said float carried means, said third conduit means being open when said first opening means is blocked by said float carried means to allow solvent within said chamber to drain therethrough into said depository means.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 and valve means for blocking flow communication between said second opening means and said second orifice. |
US-3874024-A | Hose coupling arrangement for pneumatically actuated floor care appliances | United States Patent Ford [ 1 Apr. 1, 1975 HOSE COUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR PNEUMATICALLY ACTUATED FLOOR CARE APPLIANCES [75] Inventor: Roger S. Ford, Memphis, Tenn.
[73] Assignee: The Hoover Company. North Canton, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,150
[52] US. Cl 15/339, 285/7, 285/137 R [51] Int. Cl A471 9/00 [58] Field of Search 15/302, 321, 345, 346,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1933 Brown ct al. 15/321 12/1936 Good 15/345 X 2,516,883 8/1950 Kelly 285/7 2,951,714 9/1960 Carlberg....
3,250,551 5/1966 Draudt 285/7 3,355,762 12/1967 Cavell et al 15/321 3,484,890 12/1969 Case 15/346 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Assistant E.\'aminerC. K. Moore [57] ABSTRACT A hose coupling arrangement is provided which directly connects the cleaner, proper, with its suction hose and also with a pneumatic pulse-carrying conduit that activates cleaning action. The hose coupling arrangement, because of its configuration, insures easy communication between that portion of the pneumatic pulse-carrying conduit extending along the hose and that portion of the pneumatic pulse-carrying conduit fixed to the cleaner.
5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 9 5 SHEET 1 UP 4 PATENTEU APR 1 I975 SHEET u [If 4 HOSE COUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR PNEUMATICALLY ACTUATED FLOOR CARE APPLIANCES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a hose coupling arrangement for a floor care appliance and, more specifically, relates to a hose coupling arrangement for a pneumatically actuated floor care appliance having remote user initiated actuation.
2. Description of the Prior Art One common type of vacuum cleaner is a canister or tanktype cleaner. In such a unit, a housing which normally rests on the floor, includes a motor, dirt-storing bag and fan system therein for creating a vacuum and filtering dirt-laden air drawn into it by reason of the vacuum. A hose extends from this housing, and is normally provided at its opposite end with some type of cleaning nozzle such as a crevice tool, furniture tool or floor nozzle.
Actuation of such a cleaner is generally occasioned by manipulation of a switch mounted on the cleaner housing by either the hand or foot of the user so as to provide suction at the tool end of the suction hose. Such an arrangement requires user effort in moving between the cleaner housing and the manipulative end of the suction hose when the cleaner is turned on and off. Thus, a remotely actuated cleaner, with the initiating button for cleaning action mounted proximate the tool end ofthe hose, would provide the advantage of greater user efficiency since initiation or termination of cleaner operation would not require user movement between the cleaner hose end and the cleaner, per se.
Such a cleaner is disclosed in application Ser. No. 397,151 (Hoover Case 2101), filed concurrently herewith, invented by Charles C. Coons and titled A Fluid or Pneumatically Actuated Floor Care Appliance. In this cleaner, remote actuation of it is dependent entirely upon the use of a pressure pulse created at the tool end of the suction hose which is carried down the hose and thence into the cleaner. Actuation may be fluidic (pneumatic) so that a direct communication (conduit) for the pressure pulse must be provided between the actuatable electric switch mounted in the cleaner housing and the remote end of the suction hose where the pressure pulse is created.
Accordingly, no mechanism for this communication being heretofore known in the prior art, it would be advantageous to provide a novel suction hose coupling arrangement which coupled the cleaner housing to the adjacent end of the suction hose that, upon coupling of the suction passageway for the carrying of dirt-laden air, also resulted in the coupling and direct connection of the pneumatic pulse lines, inwardly to the cleaner and outwardly to the remote tool mounting suction hose end.
It would be additionally advantageous to provide such a structure in which such direct communication of the pulse conduit also resulted, without resorting to extremely close tolerances between the coupling part mounted on the cleaner housing and the coupling part mounted on the adjacent end of the suction hose.
It would also be advantageous to provide structure in the coupling assembly which insured proper automatic alignment of the two pressure pulse conduit sections upon connection of the hose coupler part to the cleaner coupler part.
It would be further advantageous to provide such an arrangement in which molded parts, of relatively easy and inexpensive manufacture, could be utilized so that manufacturing efficiency and low cost resulted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is provided in a canister cleaner as exemplary of a floor care appliance, with the same including an electric switch mounted within the canister cleaner housing and including the provision for either manual actuation at the housing or remote, pneumatic pulsing actuation.
Creation of the pressure pulse or impulse can be by a button-operated piston or a squeeze bulb or any other equivalent means (not shown). This pulse is led through a pneumatic, flexible conduit or relatively small diameter, mounted with the suction hose, proper, so that pressure pulse may be communicated down the hose towards the cleaner housing and electric switch. At the cleaner housing end of the suction hose, a hose coupler part is fixedly mounted to the suction hose by means of a clamp ring or the like. The pneumatic conduit communicates with this coupler part by means of a rigid tube, mounted within the coupler part, over which the pneumatic, flexible conduit is telescoped.
This coupler part terminates in a generally flat face which includes an arcuately extending groove opening towards the housing coupler part. A bore, in the hose coupler part, extends from the rigid tubular member to the groove so as to be in confluent communication with the arcuate groove.
The housing coupler part is mounted fixed relative to the cleaner housing and extends inwardly thereof so as to provide communication for the flow of suction cleaner air inwardly into the cleaner. This coupler part also includes a bore extending longitudinally relative to the axis of the coupling part so as to open to the arcuate groove of the hose coupler part when the suction hose is assembled with the cleaner housing.
The just-mentioned pulse-carrying bore extends inwardly towards the cleaner housing and then turns at a generally rightangle, with this portion of the bore receiving another rigid tubular piece that also extends outwardly of the housing coupler part. Attached to the extending end of the rigid tubular piece is another pneumatic, flexible conduit, also of relatively small diameter, that extends around one-half the periphery of the cleaner and then inwardly of the cleaner housing, adjacent the hinge for the top section of the housing of the cleaner, to be confluently connected at its inner terminating end to a pneumatically actuatable push-push mechanism and switch that provides initiation of the cleaner motor.
A bayonet coupling arrangement is utilized for the connection of the two coupler parts that insures proper orientation of the arcuate groove with its abutting bore to secure confluence.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, both as to its organization and function, with the illustration being of a preferred exemplary embodiment only and in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of a cleaner incorporating the hose coupling arrangement of the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the same cleaner and showing the hose coupling arrangement somewhat enlarged;
FIG. 3 is generally a cross-sectional elevational view of the hose coupling arrangement of the instant invention taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but looking in the opposite direction and taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is generally a cross-sectional elevational view of the hose coupling arrangement taken on line 55 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cleaner housing adjacent the hose entrance and with the hose end shown in phantom.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Refering now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a canister cleaner 10 is provided having a housing 11 composed of a medial housing section 12, an upper housing section 14, a lower housing section 16 and a medallion section 18, with these sections cooperating to form the canister cleaner l0, proper.
Conveniently disposed therein is a motor 20 that provides the driving force for a fan system 22 having a pair of fans 24 and 26 so that high performance for the cleaner 10 is obtained to yield an acceptable and easily marketable cleaner for the housewife.
A housing coupling fitting 28 communicates with the interior of the canister cleaner housing 11, with the same being mounted on the medial housing section 12 so that it communicates with a chamber 30, within the housing 11, within which is disposed a conventional dirt-collecting bag 32. The flow of cleaner air, then, is through the housing coupling fitting 28, the dirtcollecting bag 32 and from thence to the motor 20, for cooling, with this air being motivated by the fans 24 and 26.
A hinge 36 mounts the upper housing section 14 to the medial housing section 12 so that the canister cleaner 10 may be opened and the dirt-collecting bag 32 replaced when necessary. A cord reel 38 is conveniently housed between the upper housing section 14 and the medallion section 18. This cord reel conventionally carries a cord 40 which may be unreeled by the user of the cleaner and plugged into a handy wall outlet (not shown) to provide electrical power for the cleaner.
A handle 42 is fixedly attached to the housing 11 to provide a user grasping means so that the cleaner 10 may be pulled along the floor or carried in a manner similar to a suitcase. A pair of large rollers 44, 44 (only one shown) are mounted at the rear portion of the housing 11 and a single caster wheel 46 is mounted in the front portion of this cleaner housing so that a threepoint floor-engaging configuration is employed.
A push-push mechanism or structure 60 (e.g. FIG. 2) is motivated by a pressure pulse or impulse carried by a first pressure pulse conduit 64 mounted to and carried by a suction hose 66, with the hose having a handle wand or hose tube (not shown) attached to its remote end (not shown) so that cleaning tools for a variety of purposes may be mounted on the end of the handle wand for the various cleaning operations undertaken by the user of the canister cleaner 10.
A second pressure pulse conduit extends around (not shown) and within the cleaner 10 and is connected to the push-push mechanism or structure 60. Impulse or pressure waves, then, are carried by the first and second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70 to the push-push mechanism 60 after having been created by a buttonoperated piston, squeeze bulb or the like (not shown) located in the remote or wand end (not shown) of the cleaner hose 66.
The cleaner 10 also includes a manually operated switch button 74 extending outwardly of the medallion section 18 of the cleaner 10, adjacent the top of the cleaner so that a user may initiate cleaner action manually, at the cleaner housing, itself.
A more detailed and complete description of the operation of the pneumatic system, including the pushpush mechanism 60, manual switch button 74, remote button-operated piston and flow of the pressure pulse may be had by reference to the aforesaid application of Charles C. Coons. It is sufficient for the purposes of this description only to note that the cleaner 10 may be remotely actuated through the just-recited elements by the direct connection function of the hose coupling arrangement of the instant Application.
As set out earlier, pressure pulse conduit 64 is carried by a hose 66, or more specifically, the suction hose 66 carries that part of first pressure pulse conduit 64 comprising a flexible tubing 128. This is accomplished in the following manner. Suction hose 66 is substantially conventional and includes, at the boundary of its interior wall, a coiled spring formed in the manner of a helix and extending for the length of the suction hose 66. A vinyl coating 132 is extruded over the coiled spring 130 to form a unitary wall so that they coact together to provide the needed flexibility for the hose 66. Disposed over the outside of the vinyl coating 132 is a nylon scrim sleeve, with this sleeve being united to the vinyl coating by the application of another vinyl coating 134 and heat to unify all the components of suction hose 66.
The above description refers only to that portion of the hose in which the flexible tubing 128 is not disposed. In that portion of the hose including flexible tubing 128, the flexible hose 128 is situated against the first vinyl coating 132 and the scrim sleeve and the second vinyl coating 134 placed thereover so that the flexible tubing 128 extends parallel to the axis of the hose 66, heat and the second vinyl coating 134, of course,.
bonding the hose elements and flexible tubing 128, one to the other.
The end of the suction hose 66, adjacent to the canister cleaner 10, terminates in a suction coupling fitting or hose coupler part 135. A coupling member 136 of suction coupling fitting has a general annular configuration save for an enlarged, peaked portion 138 that accommodates the flexible tubing 128. This coupling member is fixedly mounted on the end of suction hose 66.
More specifically, the coupling member 136 includes a pair of transversely extending coincident bores 140, 140 (only one shown) and also the male members 142, 142 and 143 of bayonet coupling arrangement 144. Received in the bores 140, 140 are a pair of diametrically opposed pins 146, 146 (only one shown with lateral section rotated to bottom) that are integral with a hose crimp ring 148. This ring is of a split configuration and may include a living hinge (not shown) opposite to the split for'easy encompassing assembly around the suction hose 66. As set out, the hose crimp ring is less than a full circumference to provide a gap at its top that accommodates the bulge occasioned by the first pressure pulse conduit 64. The hose crimp ring also includes an inner periphery 147 having a helix surface so as to conform to the outer helix surface of suction hose 66. Thus, when the hose crimp ring 148 is received in compressing engagement about the suction hose 66, as urged in compression by coupling member 136, the same conforms to both its convolutions and the general bulge provided by first pressure pulse conduit 64.
A hose connection collar 150 taking the form of a hollow cylinder having a radially extending circular flange 151 is disposed in the end of suction hose 66. The outer diameter of the cylinder portion is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the suction hose 66 so that it is easily received within suction hose 66. The outer diameter of the flange 151 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the suction hose 66 so that it provides a seating face against which a portion of the first coupling fitting 136 engages. A felt gasket 152 is also utilized in suction coupling fitting 135 between the end of hose 66 and the flange 151 to provide a sealing relationship between the suction coupling fitting 135 and the suction hose 66.
First pressure pulse conduit 164 extends through and terminates at the cleaner end of the suction coupling fitting 135 in the following manner. Flexible tubing 128 extends into the peaked portion 138 of coupling 136 in a space 139 to be confluently connected to short rigid rube 154 that is confluently connected, in turn, to an axially extending bore 156 provided in a tube seal 158.
Tube seal 158 is annular in shape and made of compressible material so as to be sealingly received in another axially extending bore 160, coaxial with bore 156, and formed in coupler member 136. Beyond the tube seal 158, the bore 160 gradually necks down as it approaches the cleaner so as to form a smaller diameter bore 162 extending towards and terminating nearly at the cleaner end of the coupler member 136.
At a flange 163 formed by the termination of coupler member 136, a segmental, arcuate groove 164 is formed that communicates with the axially extending bore 162. Arcuate groove 164 makes allowance for some misalignment between the termination of the first pressure pulse conduit 64 and the beginning of the second pressure pulse conduit 70, in the event that the suction coupling fitting 135 and the hose coupling fitting 28 are engaged, with some slight imperfection in the axial alignment of axially extending bore 162 in coupler 136 and a similarly axially extending bore 166 in the housing coupling fitting 28. The axially extending bore 166 in housing coupling fitting 28 is, of course, directly connected with the segmental, arcuate groove 164 in suction coupling fitting 136.
Within the housing coupling fitting 28, bore 166 merges with a transverse bore 168 that extends to and terminates at the arcuate periphery of housing coupling fitting 28. A short rigid tube 170 extends into bore 168 and outwardly therefrom to provide an easy connection to a second flexible tubing 172 of second pressure pulse conduit 70. Second pressure pulse conduit 70 then extends around the cleaner (not shown) and into the housing 11 thereof adjacent the hinge 36 for connection to the push-push mechanism 60.
With specific reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, it can be seen that handle 42 includes attached integrally at its lower end a tube fitting 174 of generally hollow, annular shape having a bore 175. Tube fitting 174 includes an outer rim portion 176 that extends radially inwardly relative to the remainder of tube fitting 170 to form, essentially, a stepped bore within tube fitting 174. An enlarged flange 178 on housing coupling fitting 28 is nested within the inner portions of this stepped bore and maintained in this position by the press-fit of housing coupling fitting 28 with the housing 11 through which it extends. Outwardly of enlarged flange 178 the bayonet lugs 142, 142 and 143 of suction coupling fitting are also nested after having been inserted through a series of three bayonet cutouts 180, 182 and 182 in rim portion 176 and turned clockwise.
It should be noted that bayonet cutout 180 is of larger dimension than the'bayonet cutouts 182, 182. In a similar manner, bayonet lug 143 is larger than bayonet lugs 142, 142, with bayonet lug 143 being only slightly smaller than bayonet cutout 180 but larger than bayonet cutouts 182, 182. Thus, the bayonet coupling arrangement 144 serves to orient the adjoining terminations of first and second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70, respectively, to provide direct communication therethrough, with a series of inwardly projecting shoulders 184, 184, 184 limiting turning movement (clockwise) of suction coupling fitting 135 to align the first and second pneumatic pulse conduits.
The operation of the invention should now be selfevident. The hose coupling fitting 135 and attached hose 66 is mounted to cleaner 10 by alignment of the bayonet lugs 142, 142 and 143 with bayonet cutouts 182, 182, 180, respectively. The hose coupling fitting 136 is then inserted through the bayonet cutouts and the bore 175 of tube fitting 174. Upon insertion a sufficient depth to provide axial clearance between the bayonet lugs 142, 142 and 143 and the inner face of the rim portion 176, proper, the hose coupling fitting 135 is rotated clockwise into abutment with inwardly projecting shoulders 184, 184, 184 to lock the bayonet lugs behind the rim portion 176. At the same time, the arcuate groove 164 is placed in confluent communication with bore 166 of housing coupling fitting 28. The'aforesaid requisite insertion depth also places the confronting faces of housing coupling fitting 28 and hose coupling fitting 135 into abutting relationship. i
The flow path of cleaner suction air is then complete and is conventional. The flow path for the pneumatic pulse through the coupling arrangement is also complete. This flow path, within hose coupling fitting 135, being through flexible tube 128, rigid tube 154, the tapered portion of bore 162, segmental arcuate groove 164 and then within housing coupling fitting 28 through bore 166, bore 168, rigid tube and thence to flexible tube 162 to the push-push mechanism 60.
It should be apparent that the invention described satisfies all the advantages set out for it in the beginning portion of the description and that the same functions very effectively in the transmission of pressure pulses to the cleaner 10. It should also be evident that many modifications could be made to the described embodiment which would still fall within the spirit and purview of the description offered.
What is claimed is:
l. A suction cleaner appliance having an on-off switch that is fluid actuated and a hose coupling arrangement therefor, the combination including;
a. a first coupling structure mounted with said floor care appliance,
b. a second coupling structure directly couplable with said first coupling structure,
c. integral, discrete passageway means in each of said first and second coupling structures for the passage of fluid for said fluid actuation, said discrete passageway means in said first and second coupling structures in direct communication with one another when said first and second coupling structures are coupled, and
d. said hose coupling arrangement including another directly connected passageway means, when said first and second coupling structures are coupled, for the passage of cleaner suction air.
2. The suction cleaner appliance and hose coupling arrangement of claim 1 wherein;
a. each of said passageway means for the passage of actuating fluid extends axially through the peripheral wall of its respective coupling structure,
b. one of said passageway means for the passage of actuating fluid in one of said first and second coupling structures includes a transversely extending grooved portion,
c. said first and second coupling structures being in general abutting engagement when in coupled condition, and
d. said transversely extending grooved portion situated adjacent said abutting engagement to insure direct fluid communication between-said fluid passageway means for the passage of actuating fluid in said first and second coupling structures.
3. The suction cleaner and hose coupling arrangement of claim 1 wherein;
a. each of said passageway means for the passage of actuating fluid extends axially through the peripheral wall of its respective coupling structure,
b. bayonet means are provided for coupling said first and second coupling structures together, said first and second coupling structures being tubular, and
c. said bayonet means include alignment means for orienting said passageway means in each of said first and second coupling structures so that direct communication is had for the passage of fluid for said fluidic actuation.
4. A hose and hose coupling arrangement for use with a floor care appliance including;
a. a first tubular coupling part mounted with the housing for said'floor care appliance and extending outwardly therefrom,
b. a second tubular coupling part carrying said hose and coupled with said first tubular coupling part,
c. a third tubular coupling part also mounted with said housing for said floor care appliance, adjacent said first tubular coupling part, and extending outwardly from said housing beyond the outward extent of said first tubular coupling part,
d. bayonet connection means on said third tubular coupling part and said second tubular coupling part for coupling said second tubular coupling part in abutting engagement with said first tubular coupling part,
e. said second tubular coupling part including means for receiving said hose for said floor care appliance and means for receiving a flexible tubing of relatively smaller diameter than said hose, said hose being in fluid-tight relationship with said second tubular coupling part and said flexible tubing being in fluid-tight relationship with said second tubular coupling part,
f. flows through said hose and said tubing being maintained discrete and separate in said second tubular coupling part,
g. said first tubular coupling part having means for receiving and maintaining both of said flows discrete and separate for separate communication to said floor care appliance, and
h. segmental annular groove means provided in one of said first and second coupling parts adjacent said abutting engagement for accommodating misalignment therebetween to insure flow from said tubing being communicated to said floor care appliance.
5. A hose and hose coupling arrangement for use with a floor care appliance including;
a. a first tubular coupling part mounted with said floor care appliance,
b. a second tubular coupling part carrying said hose and coupled with said first tubular coupling part, c. said first and second tubular coupling parts including a first passageway means for the passage of a suction air flow for said floor care appliance and a second passageway means for the passage of fluid pulses,
d. said hose carrying a flexible tubing of relatively smaller size, relative to the size of said hose, for the transmission of fluid pulses therethrough, said hose providing for the transmission of a suction air flow for said floor care appliance,
e. said second passageway means includes a rigid tube disposed in said second tubular coupling part and having at least one end in fluid-tight relationmunication therebetween. |
US-3874025-A | Hinge arrangement for articulated windshield wiper blades | United States Patent Cone Apr. 1, 1975 [541 HINGE ARRANGEMENT FOR 3,659,309 5/1972 Besnard 151250.32
ARTICULATED WINDSHIELD WIPER FOREIGN PATENTS oR APPLICATIONS BLADES 1,920,035 10/1970 Germany l5/250.32
Inventor: Irwin C. Cone, Littleton, Colo.
The Gates Rubber Company, Denver, Colo.
Filed: June 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 371,314
Assignee:
US. Cl. l5/250.42 Int. Cl. B60s 1/02, B605 l/38 Field of Search 15/25031, 250.32, 250.35,
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Scinta ct a1. l5/250.42 Tomlin 15/25042 Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or FirmCurtis H. Castleman, Jr.; Raymond Fink; H. W. Oberg, Jr.
[57] ABSTRACT A low silhouette windshield wiper assembly is described including an articulated pressure-distributing superstructure with an improved connection between the yokes of the superstructure. A non-circular hinge pin is used to conserve space without sacrificing load transmitting capability and, in conjunction with noncircular cross-sectioned apertures in the respective yokes, the ability to restrict the amount of rotation of the hinge is provided.
11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 W5 FIG. 2
HINGE ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to windshield wiper blades and particularly to means for connecting yokes of an articulated pressure-distributing superstructure.
Tough weather resistant plastic materials such as polycarbonate have found increasing use in the superstructure of wiper blades. The plastic materials offer a number of advantages over traditionally used metals, for example the plastic superstructures dont rattle, reflect glare, or scratch Windshields when the squeegee member deteriorates. Heretofore the plastic superstructures have generally comprised a primary and a pair of secondary leaf springs molded in a one-piece integral configuration. While this construction has been generally suitable, there have been drawbacks as well. A significant drawback has been the inability of the blade to conform to radically curved Windshields due to the lack of sufficient flexibility at the end of the secondary leaf spring or yoke (which in turn is a result of the insufficient flexibility f the integral connection between the primary and secondary yokes).
Another drawback with the one-piece molded plastic superstructure has been the overall height of the blade. To reduce stress fatigue at the junction of the primary and secondary yokes, it has been necessary to include a raised connector portion, such as shown in Glynn, U.S. Pat. No. 3176,1537. This raised portion increases the height of the secondary yoke as well as the overall height of the assembly. With the advent of the use of recesses in the cowl of automobiles to hide the windshield wipers from view when in the parked position, it has become necessary to reduce the height of the blade at the secondary yoke as well as the overall height of the blade. For instance, to meet the specifications of most full size American automobiles the 16 inch size wiper blade must not exceed a maximum height of about Vs inch loaded, and must not exceed about 4 inch loaded at the hinge point intersection of the primary and secondary yokes.
The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a low silhouette articulated windshield wiper assembly which overcomes the drawbacks of prior art windshield wiper blades. A further object is to provide an articulated superstructure in a windshield wiper assembly having a hinge arrangement which restricts the angle of relative rotation of the primary and secondary yokes. Another object is to provide a windshield wiper assembly which is very quiet in operation, is very flexible to permit conformance about acutely curved Windshields, is inexpensive to manufacture, and is characterized by simplified assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect. a low silhouette windshield wiper assembly is disclosed comprising a squeegee wiping element. a squeegee retaining backing member and an articulated pressure-distributing superstructure connected to the backing member. The superstructure includes at least two yokes segments, pivotally connected together by a hinge pin having a non-circular crosssection. The dimensions of the hinge pin taken together with the dimensions of aperturess in the primary and secondary yokes restricts the relative rotational angle through which the primary and secondary yokes may traverse about the hinge pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wiper blade according to the subject invention;
FIG. 2 is a detailed partial view of the connection between the primary and secondary yoke showing the individual elements prior to assembly thereof;
FIG. 3 is a truncated sectional view taken along section 3 3 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a partial view of the secondary yoke at the aperture connection.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, a wiper assembly which may be used in conjunction with the windshield of an automobile, for instance, is generally designated at 20. An actuator arm (not shown) has its free end engagable with side arm attaching clip 22 which is pivotally mounted in known manner to the wiper assembly. In general, the wiper consists ofa pressure-distributing articulated super-structure which may be of various configurations, exemplified by a pair of secondary yokes 26, 26' connected intermediate their respective ends to a primary yoke lever 24 which in turn carries the pivotal arm attaching clip 22 intermediate its ends. The wiper assembly is completed by a blade subassembly or refill comprised of a squeegee support backing strip 28 and a conventional elastomeric wiping element or squeegee 30 held by the backing strip.
Each secondary yoke 26, 26 contains two pairs of transversely aligned or staggered claws 32 which slidably connect the superstructure to the blade subassembly maintaining it in operative association. Normally an abutment member or pair of abutment members 34 are connected to the backing member to prevent disengagement of the superstructure from the backing strip.
According to the invention, a unique connection 36 is effected between the primary yoke lever 24 and secondary yoke lever 26, 26. As shown, a substantially flat or rectangular cross-sectional hinge pin 38 interconnects the primary and secondary yokes through apertures 40, 42, and 40' transversely through the yoke members. With the aid of groove 43 in the inward top surface of the secondary yoke 26, the hinged yokes are able to nest for improved low profile; this feature is particularly useful as applied to plastic yokes which have lower modulus than metals.
To insure retension of the pin within the channel formed by side-by-side alignment of the apertures 40, 42, 40' it is desirable, for instance, to pre-deform one end 44 of the hinge member. After the hinge pin is inserted through the channel and the down-turned end 44 abuts against the yoke member, the opposite end of the hinge 48 may be bent downwardly to lock the connection. To facilitate obtaining the desired bend point, serrations 46 are formed in the hinge edges. Clearly, various alternatives could be utilized to accomplish retention of the hinge pin in operative locking association.
Either or both of the apertures in the secondary and primary yokes have a cross-section (lying in aplane longitudinal with the wiper assembly) which is noncircular and which permits the hinge pin 38 to fit loosely therein. As shown with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment the hinge pin 38 fits snugly in each of the outer apertures 40, 40 of the secondary yoke while fitting loosely within the trapezoidal shaped aperture 42 of the primary yoke. The trapezoidal crosssection of aperture 42 permits the primary and secondary yokes to undergo relative angular rotation with respect to one another about the hinge as an axis, but angular deflection or rocking is restricted so that the primary yoke may be deflected upwardly only to a certain point. At that upper deflection point, the base of the aperture 42 abuts against the bottom of hinge 38. Clearly, the hinge member 38 could fit loosely in the apertures formed in the secondary yoke and snugly in the apertures formed in the primary yoke. Alternatively, each of the apertures in the primary and secondary yokes could be over-sized to such dimension that relative motion between the primary and secondary yokes would be permitted but only up to a certain relative angular deflection, the amount of deflection being selectively variable according to the clearance fit between the apertures and pins.
To permit the relative yet restricted pivotal deflection between the primary and secondary yokes at the connection, it is crucially important that the hinge pin 38 be non-circular in cross-section, coupled with the requirement that each of the apertures in the primary and secondary yokes are also of non-circular crosssection. In a preferred form, the apertures formed in the secondary yoke each individually have a crosssection which is substantially non-congruent with the cross-section of the apertures of the primary yoke.
The importance of preventing unlimited relative deflection between primary and secondary yokes, as would occur in the event a round pin were utilized, is evident when the motor vehicle owner attempts to free his windshield wiper when stuck to his windshield in icy conditions. When the user tries to break his wiper free from the windshield by pulling on the superstructure in a direction normal to the windshield, the primary yoke continues to deflect (and the squeegee may take on an acutely curved configuration) until eventually one of a number of things could occur: Hopefully the entire wiper is freed from the hold imposed by the ice; the stress imposed on the end abutment member 34 could (and often does) become so great that the abutment means is broken or released permitting disengagement of the superstructure from the blade; one or more of the links in the pressure-distributing superstructure or backing strip or squeegee can be broken, bent or torn, as the case may be; or in the case of some commericially available blades that have no abutment means at one end of the blade, continued deflection of the primary yoke upwardly and normal to the surface of the windshield results in separation and disengagement of the free end of the secondary yoke from the blade subassembly.
Another important feature of the invention is the ability to minimize the overall height of the windshield wiper as well as the height of the secondary yoke in operation on a windshield surface as a result of using a non-circular hinge connection. Referring to FIG. 4 it is seen that considerable vertical space is conserved by utilizing a pin having a rectangular cross-section of width w and thickness t, versus utilizing a round pin having an aperture diameter 2r, where 2r is approximately the same as w. In this example, the amount of vertical space conserved by utilizing a flat pin as opposed to a round pin is approximately 2r-t. This conserved space is very important when it is desired to produce a low silhouette blade which will fit in the narrow recesses provided in modern automobiles. Furthermore, by utilizing a flat pin one may increase the width of the pin without increasing its vertical thickness and thus distribute the load transmitted through the pin (from the primary yoke) without having to increase the thickness 11 of the secondary yoke. In like manner, the width w of the pin may be increased and simultaneously thickness 11 of the secondary yoke reduced to the point where the thickness and mass of the secondary yoke is sufficient to preclude failure in bearing. As is known, the load carrying capability of a pinned connection is directly proportional to the product of the transverse length of the pin as it extends through the channeled apertures and the width of the pin.
Another advantage of using a flat pin versus a round pin is to minimize abrasion between the pin and channel. This abrasive action normally causes enlargening of the hole, sloppiness in fit and reduction in performance. This is to be contrasted with the non-abrasive rocking motion of the flat pin.
While the foregoing description has particular utility for interconnecting molded plastic yokes together with a hinged pin of high modulus material, e.g. metal, it will be understood that the invention also has application in hinging together metal segments. In any of the cases, the hinge member 38 may alternatively be made of a sturdy piece of plastic which is thrust through the channel formed by the aligned apertures, and then could be heat formed at the ends of the pin in a manner to preclude disengagement of the pin from the channel.
It should be understood that the invention is capable of a variety of other modifications and variations which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification. Such modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A windshield wiper blade assembly comprising an elongate flexible squeegee wiper blade, an elongate squeegee retention member and an articulated pressure-distributing superstructure slidably attached to the retention member, said superstructure comprising a primary yoke having a transversely disposed aperture near each of its ends and a pair of secondary yokes each having a transversely disposed aperture intermediate their respective ends, the primary yoke pivotally connected at each of its ends to one of the secondary yokes by a separate hinge member having marginal end portions and an essentially horizontally disposed body portion having a non-circular cross-section and extending through a channel defined by side-by-side alignment of the respective apertures of the primary and one of the secondary yokes, said channel so dimensioned as to restrict the angle of relative rotation of the primary and secondary yokes about the hinge members, said hinge member having a length greater than that of the channel so that the marginal end portions extend beyond the channel, said end portions being turned so as to individually extend in a direction substantially normal to the body portion for locking pivotal engagement of the hinge member with the yokes.
2. The wiper assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the yoke members at a position inward of the hinge connection has a grooved surface nestable with the yoke member with which it is in connection.
3. The wiper blade assembly of claim 1 wherein the hinge member is of substantially rectangular crosssection.
4. The wiper blade assembly of claim 1 wherein either or both of the apertures in the secondary and primary yokes have a cross-section which permits the hinge member to fit loosely in such apertures.
5. The wiper blade assembly of claim 4 wherein each secondary yoke has a pair of aligned outer apertures, the hinge member fitting snugly in each of these outer apertures while fitting loosely within the aperture formed in the primary yoke.
6. The wiper blade assembly of claim 4 wherein each ofthe secondary yokes has a pair of aligned outer apertures formed therein, the hinge member fitting loosely in such outer apertures and snugly within the aperture formed in the primary yoke.
7. A low silhouette windshield wiper assembly comprising a squeegee wiping element, a squeegee retaining backing member and an articulated pressuredistributing superstructure connected to the backing member, said superstructure comprising a molded unitary plastic primary yoke having a transversely disposed aperture in at least one end thereof, and at least one molded unitary plastic secondary yoke having a pair oftransversely disposed apertures intermediate the respective ends of the secondary yoke, the primary yoke pivotally connected to the secondary yoke by a hinge member through a channel defined by side-byside alignment of the respective apertures of the primary and secondary yokes, said secondary yoke having inward of the hinge connection an upper-grooved surface nestable with the primary yoke for an improved low profile configuration.
8. A low silhouette windshield wiper blade assembly comprising an elongate elastomeric squeegee wiping element. an elongate squeegee-retaining backing memher and a pressure-distributing suuperstructure slidably connected to the backing member at spaced points therealong, said superstructure comprising:
a molded plastic primary yoke member having an aperture non-circular in cross-section disposed transversely through the yoke near each of its end extremities;
a pair of molded plastic secondary yokes each having intermediate its ends an aperture non-circular in cross-section disposed transversely through the yoke;
said secondary yoke apertures each individually having a cross-section which is non-congruent with the cross-section of the apertures of the primary yoke; and
a non-circular hinge member of high modulus material pivotally connecting each of said secondary yokes with the respective ends of the primary yoke through a non-uniform cross-sectioned channel defined by alignment of the respective apertures of the primary yoke individually with each of the secondary yokes, said channel so dimensioned as to restrict the angle of relative rotation of the primary and secondary yokes about the hinge members.
9. The wiper blade assembly of claim 8 wherein said hinge members are substantially flat, generally horizontally disposed, and have a length greater than the channel, the ends of the flat hinge being down-turned to lock the hinge in place.
10. The windshield wiper blade assembly of claim 8 wherein said secondary yoke inward of the hinge connection has an upper-grooved surface nestable with the primary yoke for improved low profile.
11. The windshield wiper blade assembly of claim 9 wherein the flat hinge members has spaced from one end thereof means formed in the hinge member for obtaining the desired bend point of the hinge member to facilitate retention of the hinge member in operative locking association with the yoke members. |
US-3874026-A | Door guide locking means | United States Patent [1 1 Uphoff 1 Apr. 1,1975
[ DOOR GUIDE LOCKING MEANS [75] Inventor: Billie J. Uphoff, Morton, Ill.
[73] Assignee: Morton Buildings, lnc., Morton, 111.
[22] Filed: Aug. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 392,880
[52] US. Cl 16/82, 16/90, 49/449 [51] Int. Cl E05f 5/02 [58] Field of Search 16/82, 90, 91; 49/449; 232/D1G. 46
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,991 5/1886 Diehl 1'6/82 X 447,182 2/1891 Hix 292/DIG. 46 692,463 2/1902 Livingston 49/449 X 1,656,587 1/l928 Huyck 252/DIG. 46 1,744,118 1/1930 Hicks 16/90 3,267,613 8/1966 McQuiston 49/449 3,352,586 11/1967 Hakanson 292/D1G. 46 3,534,431 10/1970 Uphoff 16/82 3,698,883 10/1972 Fazio 49/449 Primary E.\'aminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerPeter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney, Agent, or FirmHill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson 57 ABSTRACT 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures DOOR GUIDE LOCKING MEANS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Laterally moving suspended doors for outdoor buildings, such as farm buildings, garages, automobile repair shops, among many others, have considerable area exposed to the wind. A shallow track and a stop member for a pair of doors have frequently been utilized at the bottom. However, such a bottom track and stop member were usually at about ground level so that a truck could be driven over them without any injury to tires. Bearing in mind that two doors closed in edge to edge manner at the center of the building opening can have a total area of 200 feet and frequently more, it has happened that a wind of unexpected intensity caused the doors to flex inwardly until the bottoms of the doors snapped out of the track and the stop member, were blown into the building and severly injured.
The instant invention overcomes such a disadvantage by way of strongly mounted locking members at the I bases of the doors in the form of latches and with the bumper plate between the guide members in the stop member being notched to receive the latches from both doors to hold the doors in place against wind intensity little less than that of a real hurricane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary outside view of a pair of suspended laterally moving doors disposed over the entrance opening to an outdoor building, including improvements of the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view taken between the doors with the left hand door in closed position;
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the door guide and locking means with the left hand door in closed position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the structure of FIG. 3, with parts broken away and parts shown in section; and
FIG. 5 is an end view of the door guide and locking means indicating how both doors are locked when in edgewise confrontation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 I have shown a building 1 of any desirable outdoor type having an opening 2 therein which opening is closed by means of a pair of edgewise confronting laterally moving doors 3 and 4. A track 5 extends across the building above the opening 2 and each door is suspended from that track by one or more pulley assemblies 6 in a known manner.
At the center region of the opening 2 where the inner edges of the doors 3 and 4 substantially come in contact with each other when in closed position, a post 7 is sunk in the ground to a desired extent. An inverted U-shaped base plate 8 is disposed over the top of the post with the legs of the U hanging downwardly and secured against the sides of the post by screws or equivalent means 9. A pair of inverted U-shaped guide members 10-10, have their depending leg portions welded or equivalently secured to the legs of the base plate 8 as indicated at 11 in FIG. 3. The upper regions of the guide members 10 -10 are spaced above the upper face of the base plate so as to guide the doors into proper edge to edge relationship when closed. A stop member 12 is secured to the guide members l0l0, extending therebetween over the center of the post.
It will be noted that the stop member 12 is notched in the lower portion thereof and indicated at 13. As seen in FIG. 5, this notch 13 is of sufficient width to receive therein a latch element 14 which extends through the notch underneath the upper portion of the stop member 12; and a similar latch member 15 extending through the same notch in the opposite direction. In the illustrated instance, the latch member 14 is carried by the door 3 and the latch member 15 is carried by the door 4 offset to one side of the notch 13. When the doors are closed in end to end relationship, both latch members extend through the notch in opposite directions side by side.
The latch member on each door is securely and solidly mounted. With reference to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the latch member 14 on door 3 is of an L-shape with the latch 14 itself forming the shorter leg of the L extending horizontally while the longer leg 16 extends vertically between the inner upright frame member 17 of the door and the inner end of the thicker horizontal bottom frame member 18 of the door. A plurality of solid securing means 19 which may be screws, bolts, or 16 penny nails, or the like, pass through suitable apertures in the latch leg 16, through the upright frame member 17 and into the horizontal frame member 18. Of course, the same construction is utilized on the door 4 but with a latch disposed on the opposite side of the frame member 17.
Looking at FIG. 2, I have illustrated diagrammatically the effect of a strong wind upon the outer face of the door, the direction of the wind being indicated by a plurality of arrows 20. An extraordinary or unexpectedly strong wind might inwardly bow the door 3, 4 or both, as indicated by the dotted line 21 in FIG. 2, due to the fact that the door will have a slight resiliency, and there will be a small space above the respective latch member as indicated at 22 in FIG. 5, where the latch member underlies the upper end of the notch 13 in the stop member 12. However, even an exceedingly strong wind will not bow the doors sufficient for the bottom edge thereof to escape from the guide member by virtue of the latching with the stop member and thus prevent the door to be blown inwardly and damaged. Of course, suitable hooks, or other engageable members may be utilized on the inside or outside of the door to maintain the doors in edge to edge confronting orv closed position.
Heretofore, when the doors were secured in closed position and a strong wind hit the outer faces of both of them together, there was nothing to prevent the bottoms of the doors from moving out of the door guide and both doors being blown in as a whole. The instant arrangement effectively secures the doors and causes no more effort on the part of the operator than it formerly did to move the doors to closed position.
Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to employ within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.
I claim:
1. Latching means for laterally movable doors to close and open an opening in a building wall having centrally disposed door guide means at the bottom of 3 4 said opening with a stop member to position a pair of L-shaped member, doors in edge to edge relationship when closing said h longer l of h h d member b i di g Wherem the mprovemem comprfses posed vertically between the inner upright frame a pro ecting latch member on the lower inner end of member of the door and the end of the bottom door frame member, and means firmly securing said longer leg in such posi- |
US-3874027-A | Shock absorbing bearing assembly | United States Patent Parsons Apr. 1, 1975 SHOCK ABSORBING BEARING ASSEMBLY Primary E.\'aminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman 75 l t h P H f I 1 men or gi arsons West art Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brumbaugh, Graves,
' Donohue & Raymond [73] Assignee: The Stanley Works, New Britain,
57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: 1973 This disclosure concerns a shock absorbing bearing {211 App] 409 25 assembly for reinforcing a hinged door against wracking forces resulting .from violent movement of the door against its stop. The bearing assembly consists of [52] [1.8. CI. 16/128 a Stud and an arcuate bearing Surface acting as an [Sl] Int. Cl. E05d 9/00 abutment mountable on a door and door frame with [58] new of Search 16/1351 136; 49/396 the stud substantially axially aligned with the hinge axis. Normally the stud is spaced from the arcuate [56] References cued abutment surface to facilitate installation of the bear- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing assembly on the door. However, when wracking 1.799.309 4/1931 Mcar 16/135 forces are pp o the door, the stud and arcuate 3.299.573 H1967 Gustafson 16/135 surface move to absorb the shock and protect the 3.307.295 3/1967 Rolin 49/396 hinges. 3.750.334 7/1971 Slaybuugh 49/396 16 Claims, 9 Drawing F lgures lilo i 5 t l l 1 0Q! sumanm FIG. 4
FIG. 5
WRACKING FORCE DOOR SWING SHOCK ABSORBING BEARING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a shock absorbing assembly for pivotally mounted doors, and more particularly to a shock absorbing bearing assembly which is interposed to divert from the door hinges the stress resulting from shear loadings on the door, called wracking forces, thereby to prolong the useful hinge life.
Many doors exhibit an unfortunate tendency to change position relative to theirjambs after a relatively few years of use. This has frequently occurred heretofore with respect to heavier types of doors, and more particularly with respect to those doors having some means for limiting the maximum angle of opening, such as an overhead door stop or automatic door closer. In these situations. the opening movement of the door is suddenly interrupted when the door has moved to the maximum angle permitted by the associated stop or other hardware. The momentum developed by a door being opened by be considerable, particularly where it has been flung open by a gust of wind or by a careless person. In such violent opening circumstances there is a tendency for the door to carry to a position beyond the limitations imposed by the door stop or door closure device. Thus. the connection point between the door and the door stop or door closure, which is at a pointintermediate the width of the door, becomes a fulcrum about which the door tends to pivot a result of its momentum. A considerable shearing or wracking force may therefore be applied directly to the hinges. The application ofsuch forces over a period of time results in loosening or other damage to the hinges thereby causing the door to sag.
2. The Prior Art Many attempts have been made heretofore to protect and reinforce hinges against wracking forces. For example. there is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,989,772 to J. S. Parsons. a hinge assembly for reinforcing a pivotally mounted door which utilizes a pintle common to both the fastening and reinforcing hinge components. While providing a most effective arrangement, this hinge assembly requires substantial modification of the door and frame structure. a procedure resisted by many builders.
Another hinge assembly consists of a regular butt hinge with extended and bent leaves to reinforce the hinges against wracking forces. However, this assembly does not include an additional motion limiting stop or bearing assembly to help dissipate the lateral wracking forces.
Still another proposal disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.561.038 involves the use of a secondary pivot hinge. Great care however. is required to install this assembly to insure precise alignment of the secondary pivot axis and the axis of the door hinge. Such alignment is difficult to achieve in practice and. if not done properly, results in unwanted forces acting on the door hinges as the door is pivoted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the present invention to provide a bearing assembly for a hinged door which absorbs shearing or wracking forces developed when the door is urged beyond its intended maximum opening.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bearing assembly for a hinged door which is operative to provide supplemental support for the door hinges only under shock conditions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bearing assembly for a hinged door which may be easily installed without major modifications in either the door or door frame and without the need for precise installation or the use of special installation equipment.
In accordance with these and other objectives, the present invention provides a shock absorbing bearing assembly for a hinged door consisting of a pair of normally spaced apart bearing members secured to the door and door frame. One bearing member includes a stud substantially aligned with the axis of the door hinges. The other bearing member includes an arcuate bearing surface acting as an abutment spaced from the stud.- The stud and bearing surface are mounted to engage 'each other in the presence of wracking forces on the door to absorb stresses that would otherwise be transmitted to the door hinges.
More particularly, in normal use of the door. the stud does not engage the arcuate abutment surface. However, when wracking forces are developed by opening of the door against a stop. movement ofthe door causes engagement of the stud and abutment which absorbs the wracking forces and prevents damage to the door hinges. With the stud and arcuate surface normally spaced apart, the bearing assembly may be readily installed on a door and door frame without precisely aligning the stud and arcuate bearing surface with the hinge axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a further understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a pivotally hinged door showing an installed bearing assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the bearing assembly of the present invention in the presence of a shearing or wracking force on the door.
FIG. 6 is an elevation similar to FIG. 1, showing another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7'is a view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 6 at the instant of application of a shearing force to the door.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS screws 24 (FIG. 4) to the upper horizontal surface of the door and lies beneath the leaf 16. As outlined in phantom in FIG. 1, the head plates 16 and 17 are preferably recessed or mortised into the lintel l3 and door 10, respectively.
The inner end of each of the head plates 16 and 17 is provided, respectively, with laterally protruding flange portions 18 and 19. The flanges 18 and 19 are of similar shape, and lie in closely parallel planes throughout the range of movement of the door.
In the present embodiment, the flange 18 is provided with an aperture 21, defining a bearing surface acting as an abutment, located adjacent its outer extremity (FIG. 3). A stud 22, which may be threadedly engaged with or otherwise attached to the lower flange 19, for example by staking, forms another bearing surface and protrudes vertically through the aperture 21 and beyond the plane of the upper flange 18. With the diameter of the stud 22 less than the diameter of the aperture 21, as shown, a substantially annular space 25 surrounds the stud within the aperture to provide a gap between the two bearing surfaces. This arrangement provides for rotational motion of the stud 22 within the aperture 21 without engagement of the two bearing members when the door pivots with the stud and aperture center being substantially aligned with each other and with the pivot axis of the door.
It is a feature of the invention, however, that some misalignment may be tolerated between the stud, the aperture and the pivot axis of the door since precise alignment of these elements is mose difficult to achieve in practice. The gap 25 betwen the stud and the aperture bearing surface provides sufficient freedom for the stud to move with a slightly eccentric motion relative to the aperture without interfering with the normal functioning of the door, and without stressing the hinges 12.
The operation of the present embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the door 10 is depicted in phantom outline at its normal open position, for examaple approximately 90 to the plane of the opening and substantially normal to the frame 13. The door travel is interrupted when it reaches the 90 position by a door stop, for example an overhead door closer or other stop acting on a point on the door intermediate its width. The damaging wracking force develops when the momentum of the door swing is sufficient to carry the door beyond 90, as indicated in FIG. 5. Moreover, when travelling beyond the 90 angle, the point on the door acted on by the door stop serves essentially as a fulcrum point about which the door has a tendency to pivot at the instant the door reaches its maximum opening and is decelerated by the door stop.
Thus when the door 10 is violently opened by a gust of wind or a careless individual, the wracking force produced, indicated by the arrow W in FIG. 5, will be sufficient to cause the door to move laterally approximately in the direction indicated by the arrow V to drive the stud 22 to abut the bearing surface of the aperture 21.
The engagement between the cooperating bearing surfaces of the stud 22 and the flange 18 effectively prevents any further substantial movement of the door in the direction of the arrow V, thereby minimizing the effect of the wracking force W on the hinge 12.
For many applications, particularly when the bearing assembly is to be installed on the door after the door has been mounted, it is particularly convenient to secure the bearing assembly components on the sides or faces of both the door and the door frame. This arrangement is depicted in FIGS. 6-9 in which is illustrated a door pivotally mounted by means of hinges 112 to a peripheral frame structure including a door jamb 111 and lintel 113.
The bearing assembly is indicated generally by reference numeral 114, and includes an upper plate 116 substantially vertically mounted on one face of the lintel 113. A lower plate 117 is substantially vertically mounted on a corresponding face of the door adjacent its top edge.
As indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the plates 116 and 117 is provided, respectively, with similar laterally protruding flanges 118 and 119. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of the flanges 118 and 119 is preferably substantially the same as that described above with respect to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. l5. Indeed, it may be convenient to provide a stud an cooperating aperture substantially in the same configurations described above.
However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 69, a bearing surface 124, spaced from a stud 122 by a gap 125, has a substantially arcuate configuration. The stud 122 is arbitrarily mounted on or is formed as part of the upper flange 118 of the plate 116, and accordingly is fixed relative to the door 110. The arcuate bearing surface 124 preferably has a radius of curvature greater than the radius of shank 123 of the stud 122, and the arcuate length of the surface is sufficient to encompass approximately half of the stud circumference. These particular configurations and dimensions, however, are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
In use, the door 110 pivots between its normal oen and closed positions without substantial engagement of the stud and arcuate bearing surface which acts as an abutment even if the bearing assembly is not precisely aligned with the door hinges 112. The arcuate surface essentially revolves back and forth around the stud as the door moves.
As indicated in FIG. 9, however, the door may be thrust violently open against the action of a door stop. In this event, a wracking force indicated by the arrow Z develops and urges the door to move in a lateral direction indicated by the arrow Y. such movement brings the arcuate bearing surface 124 into engagement with the stud 122. The shock absorbing bearing assembly thereby substantially absorbs the wracking force and protects the door hinges from damage.
It should be noted that while the present bearing assembly is described as mounted at a particular location on the door, other locations may be advantageously selected. For example, it may be appropriate to install one bearing assembly at the lower edge of the door, particularly when the door stop acts on the lower portion of the door. The top location is preferred when the door stop or closer is located at the top of the door since the wracking or shearing forces developed act primarily on the top door hinge.
What is claimed is:
1. A shock absorbing bearing assembly comprising a pair of bearing members, one of said members including a stud and being mountable on one ofa hinged door and door frame for coaction with the other member mounted on the other of said door and door frame, the stud being in substantial alignment with the door hinge axis. and the other member including an arcuate abutment surface spaced from said stud during normal operation of the hinged door and engaged by said stud only when a wracking force is exerted on the door.
2. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the other member includes an aperture defined by the abutment surface for coaction with the stud.
3. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein said stud is mountable on the door.
4. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein said stud is mountable on the door frame.
5. A shock absorbing bearing assembly comprising a pair of bearing members, one of said members being mountable on one of a hinged door and door frame for coaction with the other member mounted on the other of the door and door frame, thet one member including a horizontally extending flange carrying a stud in substantial alignment with the door hinge axis, the other member including a flange adjacent and substantially parallel to the one member flange and carrying an arcuate abutment surface spaced from said stud during normal operation of the hinged door and engaged by said stud only when a wracking force is exerted on the door.
6. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the other member includes an aperture defined by the abutment surface for coaction with the stud.
7. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein said stud is mountable on the door.
8. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein said stud is mountable on the door frame.
9. In combination with a hinged door mounted on a frame for movement about an axis between a closed position and an open position at which door movement is limited by a stop acting on the door at a point intermediate its width. a shock absorbing bearing assembly commprising a first bearing member mounted on the door frame and including a first bearing surface, and a second bearing member mounted on the door and including a second bearing surface, said first bearing surface being adjacent but out of contact with said second bearing surface during normal operation of the door, the bearing surface of said second member engaging the bearing surface of said first member only when violent door movement is interrupted by the stop to absorb a wracking force exerted on the door.
10. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 9 in which one of said bearing surfaces is peripherally formed on a substantially vertically protruding stud.
11. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 10 in which the other of said bearing surfaces is contoured and is substantially parallel with said one bearing surface during normal operation of the door.
12. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 11 in which the longitudinal axis of said stud is in substantial alignment with the door hinge axis.
13. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 12 in which the contour of said other bearing surface is curved and has a center of curvature located approximately on the door hinge axis.
14. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 13 in which said second member comprises a first substantially laterally extending flange member. said stud being connected adjacent the distal end of said flange.
15. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 14 in which said first bearing surface is formed adjacent the distal end of a second substantially laterally extending flange member which is substantially parallel to and overlies said first flange member, said stud extending upwardly from said first flange to a point above the plane of said second flange.
16. The shock absorbing bearing assembly of claim 15 in which said second flange is provided with a substantially circular aperture defined by said first bearing surface and substantially concentric with said stud, said aperture having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of said stud.
$22 3 5TATE FATE @FQE em'emew Q Patent No. 7 27 Dated May 14, 1975 Inventor(s) John 5. Parsons Tt is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Qolumn 1, line 23,, for "by" read =-may--;
6 Column 3, line 31, for "mose" read most lines 40 & 41, for "examaple" read. examplen Column 4, line 20, for "an" read and Erie '35, for oen read open -w lina 46 for "such" read --Such and M Column 5, line 38,. for "comprising" read comprising u eeied tis sixteenth ay 0% September 1975 [SEAL] Attesi: G
RUTH at. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Atresnng Officer Commissioner nj'iatenrs and Trademarks |
US-3874028-A | Bearing for swivel hinges | United States Patent [191 Ernst et al.
[ 1 BEARING FOR SWIVEL HlNGES [75] Inventors: Horst Ernst, Eltingshausen; Armin Olschewski, Schweinfurt; Manfred Brandenstein, Aschfeld, all of Germany [73] Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Company B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands 22 Filed: July 26,1973
2| Appl. N0.: 382,832
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug 5. 1972 Germany 7229170 [52] US. Cl. 16/136 [5|] Int. Cl. E05d 11/04 [58] Field of Search 16/136, 2l; 108/94; 312/252, 11,203
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 757,824 4/1904 Martin 16/21 Apr. 1, 1975 924,51 1 6/1909 Teich 16/136 1,796.068 3/1931 Vandermeer l,885,990 l l/l932 Chesnutt 2.947.021 8/1960 Black 16/2] Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant E.raminerDoris L. Troutman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Murray Schaffer [57] ABSTRACT 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR Sill 1 0| 3 FIG! FIG. 2
PATEHTED APR 1 I975 a 4 W F FIG. 4b
RUE-HEB APR 1 I975 O 5 r F FIG. 5b
BEARING FOR SWIVEL HINGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an axial and radial bearing for a swivel hinge and in particular to an axial and radial bearing for use in the hinges of doors and the like.
Generally hinges, for instance hinges for the doors of motor vehicles comprise cooperating leaves or strips which are adapted to engage one Within the other and are articulatingly held together by a pintle or a bolt extending through the several members. The disadvantage of these hinges lies in the fact that the axial loads placed upon it. for instance due to the dead weight of the door, are transmitted to the engaging surfaces of the leaves which surfaces are adapted to slide or rub against each other. Door hinges. especially those used in motor vehicles. are subject to attack by corroding media such as water. dirt. salt and the like. since the sliding surfaces of the hinge cannot be properly sealed except with immense difficulty. As a result door hinges corrode and disintegrate relatively rapidly, so that after a very short time they can no longer perform their proper swinging movement and after a period of time the hinge may be completely destroyed.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a door hinge and particularly a door hinge for motor vehicles. which overcomes the disadvantages and defects of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bearing for use in door hinges which greatly increases the life and efficiency of door hinges over those known in the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bearing for use in door hinges which increases the efficiency and life span of such hinges without increasing the space requirement for the same.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a bearing for door hinges which is capable of absorbing axial as well as radial loads and which is impervious to corrosive media acting from without the bearing itself.
The above objects. other objects and numerous advantages will be seen from the following disclosure of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome and the objects and advantages enumerated above are obtained by a bearing for swivel hinges comprising a pair of cup shaped bearing rings aligned in the same axial direction and between which a plurality of balls are arranged. Each of the bearing rings has an axially outward directed hinge supporting shoulder which is adapted to be received by respective hinge leaves. and a radially outward extending ball race surface supporting the balls. Each of the ball race surfaces terminate in an axially inwardly directed annular flange. the flange of one of the rings gripping the flange ofthe other of the rings so as to seal the hearing.
The bearing according to the present invention has the advantage of being extremely impervious to the attack of corrosive media because of the overlapping of their annular flanges and the gripping of one with the other. As a result the bearing is self-sealing and can be provided with a life time supply oflubricant. As a result the bearing will have a long and efficient life.
In a particularly advantageous form of the present invention the bearing ring carrying what would be the inner race surface is inverted inwardly in the axial direction so as to form a cylindrical portion which itself forms a portion of the inner race surface. As a result at least the inner race ring is provided with two points of contact with the balls inserted between the race rings. Additionally, the opposite bearing ring is also provided with two race surfaces. When this is so structured the balls are held at four points of contact uniformly spaced thereabout.
In preferred form of the present invention a packing ring is inserted between the bearing rings. The packing functions to seal the interior of the bearing preventing the entry of foreign matter such as dirt, water or lubricant solvent and which serves to seal the interior lubricant within the bearing. The packing further serves to secure the bearing rings together so as to obtain a selfsupporting unit which can be easily transported and mounted within any problem and with great ease on the part of the mechanic.
Full details of the present invention are given in the following description of its preferred embodiments and are shown in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FIG. I is a vertical section through a conventional type of the prior art door hinge,
FIG. 2 is a section through a door hinge embodying the bearing according to the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a section through one form of the bearing of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 through 6 are sectional views similar to that of FIG. 3 showing five further embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As seen in FIG. 1 the conventional type of door hinge customarily employed in a motor vehicle comprises a large strip or leaf 1 which is normally attached to the door having a central eye portion la about which are located a pair of narrower strips or leaves 2 which are normally secured to the vehicle frame or body. The smaller strips 2 may be separable or may be part of an enlarged unitary leaf and are provided with eyes 2a which straddle the central eye In of the door leaf I. The strips 1 and 2 are joined together for articulated movement relative to each other by a pintle or bolt 3.
The drawback of this conventional design resides in the fact that axial forces, for instance those created on account of the dead weight of the cantilevered door, cause sliding friction on the contact surface between the edges of the eyes In and 2a which are in contact with each other. Particular stress and strain is placed on the engaging surfaces of the central eye In and the lower leaf 2a. A consequence of this frictional engagement is in the rapid wear of the lower leaf 2. This wear is further accelerated by the fact that the engaging surfaces are unprotected to the corrosive and rusting action of water, mainly from melting snow and falling rain, and particularly to the action of water in combination with salt which may be used during the winter to melt the road ice. As a result the life of the hinge is decreased and within a short period of time no longer functions efficiently.
According to the present invention these defects are overcome without major modification of the hinge but by the employment of a bearing member generally defined by the numeral 4 inserted between the central eye In of the door leaf 1 and the eye 2a of the lower body leaf 2. The through bolt 3 seen in FIG. 1 is replaced in the embodiment of FIG. 2 with a smaller conically tapered pin 5 which extends through the upper body leaf 2 and only partially through the central bore 6 of the eye la. Alignment of the lower body leaf 2 with the central eye In is accomplished through the bearing 4 of the present invention which is provided with an axially upwardly extending cylindrical guide lug 7 which enters into the bore 6 of the eye la and an axially downwardly extending cylindrical guide lug 8 which enters into the bore 9 of the eye 2a of the lower body leaf 2. The upper inner edge of the surface of the bore 6 of the central eye la is tapered to conform with the conical taper on the bolt 5. In this manner the bolt 5 easily seats itself and is automatically self-adjusting on movement of the hinge. in general, however, the upper portion of the hinge is subject only to a fraction of the axial and radial thrust loads and the corrosive action of the weather than is the lower portion of the hinge.
As seen in FIG. 3 the bearing according to the present invention comprises a first bearing ring 10 forming the inner race member and a second bearing ring 11 forming the outer race member. Between the bearing rings 10 and 11 are located a plurality of balls 12. Each of the bearing rings 10 and 11 is generally cup shaped defining a cylindrical body 7 and 9 respectively closed at one end. The bearing rings 10 and 11 are aligned so that their cups are directed in the same axial direction as if they nested one within the other. The cylindrical portions 7 and 8 form the supporting lugs or shoulders which enter into the bores 6 and 9 respectively of the leaves 1 and 2 as seen in FIG. 2. Each of the bearing rings 10 and 11 is provided with a radially outwardly extending annular shoulder 10a and 11a respectively which form diametrically opposing race surfaces for the balls 12. Each of the annular arms 10a and 110 are provided with a axially inwardly extending flange l6 and 16a respectively. The flange 16 of the inner bearing ring 10 extends over the flange 16a of the outer bearing ring so that the outer bearing ring 11 appears to be nested within the annular flange 16. In general the flanges 16a and 16 engage each other so that the two bearing rings are securely grasped or gripped together so as to form a unitary assembly. The inwardly directed flange 16a of the outer bearing ring serves as a second bearing surface having contact at a point normal to its first race surface. An elastomeric, rubber or plastic ring 17 is wedged between the inwardly directed flanges l6 and 16a which serve both to hold the flanges together and to seal the entry into the interior of the bearing. The hearing may be filled with lubricant of any conventional type.
The bearing rings 10 and 11 are formed from sheet metal or similarly thin walled members and may be molded, extruded and/or pressed into the desired shape and configuration. The bearing rings 10 and 11 are not made by cutting metal or by otherwise working metal in any time consuming expensive process. The inner bearing ring 10 as seen in FIG. 3 may be formed with its cylindrical portion folded over on itself to form the extending lug 7 in a rigid and strong manner. The folding of the thin wall material provides the guide lug of sufficiently strong and very stable character and ensures the cup or pot shape of the bearing ring 10. The outer bearing ring 11 is also formed in the same manner and it too is cup or pot shaped and is provided with a closed bottom 15 which is insertable into the bore 9 of the lower leaf 2.
Preferably as seen in FIG. 3 the inner bearing ring is provided so that its bottom 13 is stretched or elongated so that it extends with a race surface 14 for engagement with the side of the balls 12 themselves. In this manner the bearing takes on the form of a four point bearing in which each of the race rings contacts the balls 12 at two points. These points are diametrically opposed to the similar set of points on the opposite bearing ring. In any event even without the elongation of the bottom 13 of the bearing 10 at least the outer bearing 11 is provided with two point contact so that at the minimum a three point contact is provided with the balls 12. As a result of this multi point contact with the balls the opposite bearing rings 10 and 11 may be tilted with respect to each other as for example under action of the dead weight of the door without loss of contact between the balls 12 and the race surfaces of the bearing rings. Of course both axial and radial load absorption is simultaneously obtained. The bottoms 13 and 15 of each of the cup shaped bearing rings 10 and 11 reinforce and strengthen the body of the bearing rings and also enclose the interior of the structure so that it may be filled with the proper lubricant or permanent grease.
Further the outer bearing ring 11 may be provided with a terminal radially extending flange 18 which overlies the packing 17. This flange l8 acts in combination with the packing 17 to securely lock the outer bearing ring 11 within its nested position in the axial flange 16 of the inner bearing ring 10, thus forming an inseparable unitary assembly and because of the adhesion of the lubricant or grease within the inner space of the bearing to the bottoms 13 and 15 form an additional safeguard against separation during the transport of the bearing.
The packing ring 17 is preferably prestressed in the unassembled state so that when it is placed into its posi tion it becomes stressed and wedged in between the flanges 16 and 16a. The packing 17 is further provided with one or more slots or grooves 19 along its peripheral edge so that should an excess amount of grease or lubricant be put between the bearing rings during assembly the grease or lubricant will be able to be extruded through the grooves 19, thus allowing the bearing to be properly assembled. Further the stressing of the packing ring 17 is allowed by a portion of the packing ring which extends outwardly as seen in FIG. 3 below the edge of the flange 16 and the race surface when the bearing is not yet inserted.
As seen from the above construction a simple axial and radial bearing for swivel hinges is provided in which a pair of cup shaped bearing rings are aligned in the same direction, that is the cups open in the same direction. The bearing rings are provided with an axially outwardly directed hinge supporting lug indicated by 7 and 8 which terminate in radially outwardly extending shoulders which form the ball race surfaces. Each of the ball race surfaces themselves terminate in an axially outwardly directed annular flange in which one nests within the other. The flanges are either caused to grip together or are held in gripping engagement by a packing seal 17 inserted therebetween. Preferably the bearing ring which functions as the inner ring has its cylindrical portion so extending inwardly so that it forms a second race surface. Thus each of the bearing rings is provided with two race surfaces which make point contact with the bearings along normally intersecting diametric lines.
The two embodiments of the bearing as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b are in general constructed on lines similar to those described in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 40 however the packing ring l7a is angularly shaped from a thin elastically resilient packing material which is forced on assembly between the axial flanges l6 and 16a. The packing ring 170 has a barbed hook 20 integrally formed at its upper end which serves to engage the inner surface of the flange 16 so as to securely fix the packing 17a in position. As an additional measure the axial end portion of the flange I6 is stepped radially inward to hold the barb 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4b a noncontacting gland is formed by the flanges l6 and 16a of the bearing rings 10 and II respectively. In order to provide this hearing a self-supporting assembly the edge of the outer flange I6 is swedged or caulked at 16h along several points on its periphery. The swedging or caulking [6h extends over the lip of the flange 16a and thus holds the two members together without the use of a compressive packing such as 17.
In the embodiments represented in FIGS. 5a and 5b the balls have a two point contact with the surfaces 100 and 14 of the inner bearing ring 10 and a multi point contact along an arc with the bearing surface Ila of the outer bearing ring II. A further distinction is that in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 50 and 5b the inner race ring It) is formed of two parts. a central cylindrical portion 21 having an outwardly directed shoulder 22 at its upper end and a angular shaped member 10b which forms the bearing surfaces 10a. The outwardly directed flanged end 22 cooperates with the angular portion 10b to form the lug 7 which is insertable in the bore 6 as seen in FIG. 2.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5a an annular packing ring I7 is inserted between the axially extending flanges l6 andn 16a of the bearing rings 10 and I1 respectively. The packing ring 17 is held by a right angle ring 23 which grips the surface of the flange I6 at its outer periphery.
In the modification shown in FIG. 5b the bearing ring 10 forming the inner race is also made in two parts. However. its inner section or cylindrical section 21 is solid in contrast to the hollow cup shape of FIG. 5a and FIGS. 3 and 4. The solid central portion 21 may be made of any material including steel. plastic or other synthetic material since it absorbs extremely little stress and strain. the major portion of the stress and strain being absorbed by the angular race member 10b which is formed of the sheet metal. As a result the form taken in FIG. 5b may be of particularly low cost. An angular packing ring 17b is inserted between the flange members 16 and 16a. one portion of the packing member lying between the edge of the flange 16a and the surface of the race 10b. The packing 17 may be fixed by an annular securing ring 24 which is bent at a plurality of points along its periphery so as to be spring loaded with respect to the flanges l6 and 16a.
The embodiment as seen in FIG. 6 is adapted for incorporation in a hinge system which requires a relatively stronger construction than the previous embodiments owing to the higher stresses and strains which may be placed upon it. For this purpose, the inner bearing ring 10 is extruded so that its cup shaped central portion 21 has a relatively thick wall rather than the thin wall section shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5a. Otherwise the bearing member as seen in FIG. 6 is similar in construction to that shown in FIG. 3 and functions in the same way.
The bearing according to the present invention is emanently suitable for incorporation of door hinges of motor vehicles. It is not however confined to this application but can be employed wherever swiveling movements having large radial and axial forces occur. Each of the embodiments in addition permit a small degree of angular or tilting moment relatively between the bearing rings and each of the embodiments can be made simply and economically.
Various modifications and changes have been suggested. Other such changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in this art. Accordingly. the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative of the present invention and not limiting of it.
What is claimed:
1. An axial and radial bearing for a swivel hinge comprising a pair of cup shaped bearing rings aligned in the same axial direction and a plurality of balls arranged therebetween. each of said bearing rings having an axially outwardly directed cylindrical portion concentric with the axis of the bearing and closed at one end forming a supporting lug said supporting lug being inserted in said hinge. said supporting lug having radially outwardly extending shoulders forming ball race surfaces, each of said shoulders terminating in an axially inwardly directed annular flange. the flange of one of said rings nesting within the other and means for securing the flange of one of the rings to that of the other of said 2 The bearing according to claim 1 wherein said one of said bearing rings is inverted axially inward to form a cylindrical portion forming an inner race surface engaging said balls.
3. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein said bearing rings are made of sheet metal.
4. The bearing according to claim 1 including a packing ring inserted between the axially extending flanges of said bearing rings.
5. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said bearing rings provides a two point contact with said balls.
6. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the bearing rings has a cup shaped central portion ofa thicker wall section than the radially extending shoulders.
7. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein the bearing ring forming the inner race member is formed in two parts.
8. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein the central cylindrical portion of the cup shaped bearing is solid.
9. A door hinge comprising a first leaf member adapted to be attached to a door and a second leaf member adapted to be attached to a supporting jamb, said first and second members being joined for swinging movement relative to each other, a bearing according to claim 1 arranged between each of said members to absorb axial and radial loads. |
US-3874029-A | Positive locking hinge | United States Patent 1 1 McCullough I 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 v1. .2] Filed:
1 POSITIVE LOCKING HINGE [76] Inventor: Richard C. McCullough. 1154 Eastwood Ave.. Inglewood. Calif. 90304 Jan. 16. 1974 1211 Appl. No.: 433,687
Primary ExamineF-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant E.\'aminerDoris L. Troutman Almrm'y. Agent. or Firm-Pastoriza & Kelly 1 57] ABSTRACT The positive locking hinge includes plates having lower and upper members defining journalling bores for a hinge shaft. This shaft includes a transverse pin receivable in a notch in the upper member of one hinge plate to lock the shaft to the plate against rotation. The lower end of the shaft in turn includes a keying arrangemnet for cooperation with the lower portion of the lower member to lock the shaft to this lower member so that the other plate is locked to the shaft against rotation. The shaft may be moved down wardly to release the pin from the notch and then rotated slightly so that the transverse pin is received in a shallower notch so that the keying arrangement on the lower end of the shaft is free and the hinge plates can swing freely relative to each other.
4 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures POSITIVE LOCKING HINGE This invention relates generally to hinges and more particularly to an improved positive locking hinge wherein the hinge plates by a simple manual manipulation can be caused to lock against swinging movement relative to each other in given desired positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Locking hinge plates are well known in the art, a typical plate being fully shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,900- issued Dec. 28, l97l.
One of the primary problems in commercial development of such locking hinges is the expense of manufacture. Generally, the hinges such as shown in the abovereferred to U.S. patent require a number of additional component parts. Further, the machining necessary on journalling portions of the hinge plates for receiving a hinge shaft or pin become expensive in providing for a locking of the plates in a desired relationship. Desirable features which have not been found in available locking hinges include. in addition to a design which can be economically produced, means for holding the locking arrangement inactive so that the hinges can readily perform their usual function and wherein the means can be released to assure a positive locking of the hinges as opposed to a mere detenting of the hinges into desired positions. Moreover. it is desirable in any such positive locking hinge type arrangement that protuberances above and below the hinge plates be minimized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates an improved locking hinge which is economical to manufacture, employs a minimum number of components for accomplishing the desired end, can be adjusted to operate as a freely swinging hinge and by a simple additional adjustment be made to lock in one or more desired given positions in a positive manner, and wherein protuberances above and below the hinge plates are minimized.
More particularly, the locking hinge includes a first plate having a lower member defining a journalling bore at a lower portion of an edge of the plate and a second plate having an upper member defining a journalling bore at a portion of its edge higher than said lower member so that when the edges of the plates are disposed in parallel adjacent relationship the bores in the lower and upper members are axially aligned and vertically spaced apart. A single hinge shaft passes through the aligned bores and includes a transverse pin extending radially from the shaft between the lower and upper members. Spring means under the pin urge the shaft axially upwardly, the lower end of the shaft and the lower portion of the lower member terminating in keying means such that upward movement of the shaft a first given distance when rotated to a given position locks the shaft to the lower member. The lower edge ofthe upper member includes a first notch of vertical depth greater than the radius ofthe pin for receiving the pin when the shaft is rotated to position the pin vertically under the first notch and then moved upwardly the first given distance to thereby lock the shaft to the upper member whereby the first and second plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the positive locking hinge of this invention illustrating the basic components thereof;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship and wherein the components are positioned so that free swinging of the hinge plates relative to each other can take place;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating another position of certain of the components wherein the hinge plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other;
FIG. 4 illustrates different types of keying means which may be utilized with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3; and,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of yet another type of keying means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the positive locking hinge includes first and second plates 10 and 11. The first plate 10 includes a lower member 12 at a lower edge portion of the plate 10 and, in the embodiment illustrated, additional members 13 and I4 vertically spaced along the vertical edge of the plate. Each of these members includes ajournalling bore such as indicated at 15 for the lower member 12.
The second plate 11 in turn includes an upper member 16 and may include additional members 17 and 18 at its vertical edge also defining journalling bores such as indicated at 19 for the upper member 16. The additional members are vertically staggered relative to each other so that when the plates 10 and II are positioned with their edges in adjacent parallel relationship, the members are interleaved so that the various bores therein are axially aligned.
In'FlG. 1 there is shown a hinge shaft 20 passed through the bores of the members 12, 13 and 14. It will be understood that when the hinge plates are assem' bled, the remaining members I9, 17 and 18 of the plate 11 would also receive the pin 20. The plate 11 is shown in exploded view in order to better expose the various components.
It will be noted that the hinge shaft 20 includes a transverse pin 21 extending radially from the shaft in a position between the upper member 16 and lower member 12 when the plates are assembled. Suitable spring means in the form ofa coil spring 22 which may be positioned between washers 23 and 24, exerts an upward force against the transverse pin 21 thereby tending to move the shaft 20 axially upwardly. Further, the shaft 20 and the lower member 12 terminate at their lower ends in keying means 25 and 26, respectively. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this keying means takes the form of an hexagonal head 25 on the lower end of the shaft and a correspondingly shaped hexagonal socket 26 at the entrance portion of the bore in the lower member 12.
Referring now to the plate 11 and particularly the upper journalling member 16, it will be noted that the lower portion of this upper member includes a first notch 27 of vertical depth greater than the radius of the pin 21 on shaft 20. Further, thesame member 16 includes on its lower end in the particular embodiment illustrated, a second notch 28 which is of less depth than the first notch 27.
FIG. 2 illustrates the plates of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship wherein the transverse pin 21 is received in the second notch 28. In this position, it will be noted that the keying hexagonal head 25 is held out of the socket 26 in the lower entrance portion of the bore in member 12.
FIG. 3 illustrates the plates 10 and 11 wherein the shaft has been rotated as indicated by the arrow 29 so that the transverse pin 21 is receivable in the first notch 27. Since this notch is of greater depth than the notch 28 of FIG. 2, the entire shaft can move upwardly a given distance. This distance is such that the hexagonal head 25 may be received when rotated to a given position in the hexagonal socket 26 of the member 12.
OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 1-3 Referring first to FIG. 2, the pin 21 in the second shallower notch 28 holds the shaft 20 in a position such that the head 25 is free of the socket 26. As a consequence, the shaft 20 can rotate with the hinge plate 11 freely so that the plates swing relatively to each other to function as a normal hinge.
When it is desirable to provide the locking feature, it is only necessary for a person to pull downwardly slightly on the head 25 and rotate the shaft in the direction of the arrow 29 as shown in FIG. 3 to position the pin 21 beneath the first notch 27. The spring 22 will then urge the shaft and pin 21 upwardly to be wholly received within this notch. It will then be appreciated that the journalling member 16 on the second plate 11 is rotationally locked to the shaft 20.
It will also be evident from FIG. 3 that the upward movement ofthe shaft through a given distance will be sufficient to permit the hexagonal head 25 to be received in the hexagonal socket of the first member 12. Thus, this member and the plate 10 are keyed to the shaft 20 against rotational movement so that in effect, the plates 10 and 11 are locked against swinging movement relative to each other.
In the foregoing operation, it will be understood that the shaft 20 must be rotated to a given rotational posi tion to permit the hexagonal head 25 to fit within the hexagonal socket 26. If the first notch 27 is not vertically above the transverse pin 21, the plate 11 is rotated slightly to so position the notch so that pin 21 can be received therein and the hexagonal head 25 fully received in the socket portion 26.
Because of the particular hexagonal head and socket design, it will be appreciated that there are essentially six given rotational positions of the shaft wherein the hexagonal head can be keyed within the hexagonal socket portion ofthe member 12. Thus, there are effectively provided six different positions of the plates 10 and 11 wherein they can be locked together. Further,
because of the vertical walls of the hexagonal sides of the head and the cooperating socket portion, the locking is positive and there is no possibility of the keying means separating by any type of camming action.
FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of the hexagonal head 25 showing the six rotational positions which are spaced by 60. Also in FIG. 4 are shown alternative arrangements for the keying means wherein the head may be of square shape as indicated at 30 in which case there would be four given rotational positions of locking or triangular shape as shown at 31 in which case there would be three given rotational positions at which the plates can be locked. The socket is correspondingly shaped.
In the enlarged view of FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative type of keying means wherein the lower end I of a hinge shaft 33 is provided with a transverse keying pin 34. The lower end of a lower journalling member 32 for one of the plates in turn is provided with a keying slot 35 arranged to receive the pin 34 to key the member to the shaft.
The upper components of the shaft and binge structure is the same as described in FIGS. 1 through 3. With the particular type of keying means shown in FIG. 5, there is only one angular relationship at which the plates may be locked in a positive manner against rotation relatively to each other.
From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention has provided a simple and economical positive locking type hinge. The various components described are very simple to machine as com pared with prior art locking hinges. Moreover, and as described, a simple manipulation of the hinge shaft permits the hinge plates to swing freely in the manner of a conventional hinge. should a locking feature not be desired. On the other hand, when it is desired to hold the hinge plates in a fixed position relative to each other, it is a simple matter to rotate the hinge shaft to position the transverse pin within the first notch 27 as described in FIG. 3.
It will also be appreciated that a minimum of protuberances extend above and below the hinge plates. Thus,there is only a small portion of the shaft 20 at the upper end and the shaft head at the lower end. The lengths of these portions are exaggerated in the draw ings for purposes of clarity but it will be appreciated that they can be substantially less without impairing operation of the hinge structure.
What is claimed is: I
1. A positive locking hinge including, in combination:
a. a first plate having a lower member defining a journalling bore at a lower portion of an edge of the plate,
b. a second plate having an upper member defining a journalling bore at a portion of its edge higher than said lower member so that when the edges of the plate are disposed in parallel adjacent relation ship, the bores in the lower and upper members are axially aligned and vertically spaced apart;
c. a hinge shaft passing through the aligned bores and including a transverse pin extending radially from the shaft between the lower and upper members; and
d. spring means under said pin urging said shaft axially upwardly.
e. the lower end of said shaft and the lower portion of said lower member terminating in keying means 20 and the plunger'26' to rise. thus opening the valve. One, or the other. or both of the conduits 96 and 100 may be provided in a working valve.
FIG. 3 illustrates a modification wherein the diaphragm 20 in either of the embodiments described previously is replaced by an O-ring 21 which encircles and hugs the piston 73 or 73'. The O-ring may seat in the groove 23 at the perimeter of the piston where the rounded edges of the discs 76 and 78 come together. Like the diaphragm 20, the O-ring 21 constitutes a sealing meansfor the piston 73 and 73'. but the O-ring slidably engages the inner cylindrical surface of the chamber 14.
P16. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except in the manner of releasably attaching the two housings together. Corresponding elements in H6. 4 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, but with an a suffix added, and the detailed description of these elements will not be repeated. In FIG. 4, the actuator housing 120 has a centrally located, annular flange 110 at the bottom which is internally screw-threaded. The upper end of the valve housing 22a is externally screw-threaded at 111 for screw-threaded, substantially fluid-tight insertion in the actuator housing flange 110. The valve housing presents an upwardly-facing, annular, flat shoulder 112 extending around the screwthreaded portion 111 for engagement by the bottom end face 113 on the actuator housing flange 110 when the two housings are assembled to each other. When the two housings are so assembled, the head 51a on the upper end of plunger 26a is biased by spring 72a up against the bottom of the actuator housing 12a around the opening 44a in the latter in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
Thus, the invention provides a fluid operated needle valve which combines the advantages of fluid actuation with the tight sealing characteristics of a needle valve closing element to provide a valve which will operate continuously under both high pressure and high temperature conditions without permitting any bypass and- /or leakage of fluid. The valve has a relatively long'operating life since it is resistant to deterioration of the needle and valve seat surface. This prolonged life can be partly attributed to the gentle action of the fluid on the actuator. The provision of the fluid-operated actuator in one housing and the needle valve element in another housing, that is releasably attached to the actuator housing, enables either the actuator assembly or the valve assembly to be repaired or replaced without disturbing the other.
1 claim:
1. In a fluid operated needle valve comprising:
a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet and an annular valve seat between said inlet and said outlet, a conical needle valve element reciprocable in 6 said housing toward and away from sealing engagement with said valve seat to control fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet;
' separate actuator housing releasably attached to said valve housing on the opposite side of said needle valve element from said valve seat. said actuator housing providing a fluid chamber, a fluiddisplaceable actuator reciprocable in said fluid chamber between a retracted position away from said valve housing and. an extended position toward said valve housing, fluid inlet and outlet means communicating with said fluid chamber for effecting movement of the actuator, and spring means in said actuator housing biasing said actuator to said retracted position;
the improvement wherein and further comprising:
a valve stem connected to said needle valve element and extending therefrom into said cavity in the valve housing and terminating thereat in an enlarged head, spring means in said cavity engaged between the inner end of said cavity in the valve housing and said head to bias the latter outwardly against said end wall ofthe actuator housing and to position said needle valve element away from sealing engagement with said valve seat;
and a plunger attached to said fluid displaceable actuator and extending therefrom toward said end wall of the actuator housing and slidably received in said opening in said end wall in all positions of the actuator between said retracted and extended positions, said plunger in said retracted position of the actuator being retracted thereby to a position permitting said enlarged head on the valve stem to directly engage said end wall of the actuator housing around said opening in the latter, said plunger being engageable with said head on the valve stem to move the needle valve element toward the valve seat upon displacement of the actuator from its retracted position toward its extended position.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 029 Dated April 1975 Inventor-(3) Rlchard C F l s It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and -that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Delete columns 5 and 6 and substitute:
--such that upward movement of said shaft a first given distance when rotated to a given position locks the shaft against rotation to said lower member,
I f. i the loweredge of said upper member including a first notch of ,vertical depth greater than the I radius of said pin for receiving said pin when said shaft is rotated to', position the pin vertically under said first notch and then moved upwardly said first given distance to thereby lock said shaft to said upper member whereby said first and second plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other,
g. the lower end of said upper member including a second notch of depth less than the depth of said first notch, whereby said shaft may be lowered said given distance and rotated to posi tion said pin vertically under said second notch and thence moved upwardly into said second notch, said}. latter upward movement being sufficiently less than saidgiven distance to prevent, engagement UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICI'XTE OF CORRECTIQN Patent No.
Dated April 1, 1975 Inventor s Richard C. McCullough PAGE 2 I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
(Continued from previous page) of said keying means so that said shaft is no longer rotatably locked to said lower member and said plates can swing freely relative to each other.
2. A positive locking hinge seem-ding to claim 1, in
which said keying means is defined by a non-circular lower entrance portion to the bore in said lower member and a correspond ingly shaped non-circular head on the lower end of such shaft, dimensioned to be received in said non-circular entrance portion when rotated to said given position.
3. A positive locking hinge according to claim l, in which" said keying includes a transverse keyingpin in the lower pdrtion of said shaft, the lower" edge of said lower member having a keying notch of greater depth than the radius of said keying pin such that when said keying pin is received in said keying notch said shaft is positively locked to said lower member. I
Patent No. 1874029 Dated April 1, 1975 Richard C. McCullough p 3 Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
(Continued from secondpage) I. 4. A positive locking hinge according to claim 1, in which said plates each include additional members at their adjacent edges defining journalling bores, the additional members on Zthe plates being vertically staggered relative to each other so that they may be interleaved to axially align their bores for receiving said shaft.
Signed and Sealed this twenty-third Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:
RUTH C. MASON I C. MARSHALL DANN 111051112X Officer (mnmixsi/mvr uflarcnrs and Trademarks |
US-3874030-A | Apparatus for spreading tows of fibrous materials | [ Apr. 1,1975
[ APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TOWS OF FIBROUS MATERIALS Jack B. Knight, Richmond, Va.
Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY.
Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 339,167
Inventor:
Assignee:
US. Cl. 19/65T, 26/63, 242/157 Int. Cl D0ld 11/02 Field of Search 19/65 T, 66 T; 226/108,
France 26/63 United Kingdom 26/63 United Kingdom 26/63 Germany 26/63 Primary ExaminerDorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watson, Leavenworth, Kelton 8L Taggart 5 7] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for spreading webs of spreadable materials is disclosed. A web of such material is advanced into contact with the convex periphery of a plurality of curved rolls to effect successive incremental lateral spreading of the web material on each curved roll, the curved rolls being spacedly disposed about a fixed axis and rotatably supported between aligned mounting centers disposed on axes extending parallel to the fixed axis. While the web is advanced in an open loop travel course around and in contact with the convex peripheries of the curved rolls, the curved rolls are concurrently unitarily orbited about said fixed axis in a path counter to the advance course of the tow and at an orbiting speed such that a given point on the web contacts the convex peripheries of the curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of curved rolls disposed about the fixed axis.
7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ATENTED APR 1 75 SHEET 1 Bf 2 FIG.
FIG. 2
PATEHTEB APR 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 APPARATUS FOR SPREADING TOWS OF FIBROUS MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Webs of spreadable materials such as, for example, a filter tow for forming cigarette filter plugs generally is supplied in bulk continuous form most usually in a compact bale of such material in which the material has a high density. Accordingly, such materials prior to processing of the same in filter plug forming apparatus must be opened or bloomed to lessen the density thereof. The spreading or opening of such materials, whether they be in tow, non-woven web, carded batts or like continuous stock form, can be accomplished in various known ways. The material may, for example, be passed (primarily for effecting fluffing in 2 or 3 dimensions) through air jets, or over or between roller devices. Such rolls may have knurled, threaded, or slatted surfaces. Edge guide rolls pull the edges of a web outward. One particularly effective type of roll which can be used for spreading is a smooth-surfaced roll which is bowed at its mid-point instead of being in the conventional right cylinder form. It is not used for spreading in contact or cooperating relation with an opposing roll but rather as a single unit. Such curved roll can be, for example, of the type manufactured by the Mt. Hope Machinery Co. Such curved rolls have been employed by passing the material over the roll and in first contact with the concave side, and in an exiting contact with the convex side and in a contact course up to 120 wrap so that the longer curvature of the convex side vs. the concave side produces a uniform spreading action toward the ends of the roll. The curved roll aforesaid has a fixed axle on which is mounted a series of ball bearing assemblies, with the outer races of the latter free to turn while the inner races are fixed to the axle. A rubber sleeve encloses the outer races and rotates therewith. Thus, in operation the sleeve expands and contracts as it rotates about the axle to produce the desired even or uniform spreading. Several rolls in series will accomplish a certain amount of opening of the web. An advantage of using this roll for spreading webs of spreadable material is that it does not produce a severe tearing action on the material, as do knurled or threaded rolls. The curved or bowed rolls act more evenly over the entire web, whereas edge guide rolls may tear the edges with little effect at the center. Slatted rolls are less easily controlled. Thus, while curved rolls are particularly effective for spreading material webs generally where such is in a form that is difficult to open or spread, a great many bowed rolls in series are required since with a 4 /i-inch diameter roll, for example, each spreads the width only about 5 percent. It is desirable therefore, that efficient spreading'be accomplished with a relatively small number of curved rolls and that such equipment in addition to being relatively inexpensive to provide, be compact so that the same can operate in and require but a relatively small space in the cigarette filter making apparatus line. In spreading of woven and non-woven textile fabric or sheet materials which have been bundled, twisted and otherwise foreshortened in the crosswise direction in normal processing, a large number of curved rolls normally are used to effect the large spreading ratio required to return the fabric or sheet to its original width.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides method and apparatus with which webs of spreadable material can be spread from a relatively compact dense continuous stock thereof such as a bale of such material into an opened or bloomed relatively low density form for further processing, as for example, for use in making cigarette filter stock. In making such stock, the opened or bloomed material is fed into cigarette filter rod making machinery of known construction wherein it is formed in a continuous stock of light density material and subsequently sectioned into plug length pieces for incorporation in a cigarette making machine. It also could be employed, e.g., in the textile industry where cloth is twisted, bleached, dyed and untwisted as part of normal processing and then must be spread to its original width for drying. The economics and space requirements of this invention offer a great advantage in such uses. The present invention provides for efficient and effective spreading of such materials, using for that purpose a relatively small number of curved rolls, such curved rolls being arranged in a manner that requires use of only a'small space in the filter making apparatus or other production line as well as requiring only a limited investment to provide apparatus for such purposes.
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of curved rolls of known construction are spacedly disposed about a fixed axis and also rotatably between aligned mounting centers which in turn are disposed on axes extending parallel to the fixed axis. The web or other form of material to be spread is advanced in an open loop travel course around and in first contact with the concave periphery, and then contact with the convex periphery of each of the curved rolls with each roll contact producing a successive incremental lateral separation of the material in the web. Conveniently the curved rolls are mounted on structure which includes a pair of spaced apart plates mounted on and fixed to a central shaft which shaft provides the fixed axis. During the course of the travel of the web around the curved rolls, the same are concurrently and unitarily orbited about the fixed axis in a path counter to the advance course of the web and at an orbiting speed such that a given point on the web in traversing the course contacts the convex peripheries of the curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of curved rolls disposed about the fixed axis. Suitable means to feed the web in its open loop travel course around the plurality of curved rolls and also to off-feed the web from the rolls is provided as well as means for rotating the mounting structure.
Advantageously three curved rolls are employed and they are spaced on the mounting structure equilaterally about and in respect of the fixed axis of the latter structure.
During the course of travel of the web around the curved rolls tension may be produced in the web and to compensate for the same suitable means for variably controlling the degree of tension in the web is provided,
such means advantageously being disposed at the entry of the web to its open loop travel course and being, for example, a spring-loaded roller which engages with the web to selectively vary the tension therein.
It also is possible to employ for purposes of controlling or eliminating web tension in the web during the open loop travel course thereof, a second like set of curved rolls which are disposed in and unitarily orbit in like manner with the first-mentioned plurality of curved rolls, the second plurality being orbited in synchronization with the first plurality to produce in the web a tension which is exactly out of phase with that produced by the first plurality.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention will be had from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of spreading apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a modified form of apparatus comprising two sets of curved rolls in which the second set is synchronized to give a web tension exactly out of phase with that in the first set.
Throughout the description like reference numerals are used to denote like parts in the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for spreading webs of spreadable materials. As used herein web is intended to include various types and forms of material stock in which various materials can be packaged following manufacture thereof and is inclusive of a tow of fibers, non-woven webs, carded batts and woven and non-woven textile fabrics and sheet materials in continuous processes and bulk quantities. Generally, the finished material, if fibrous, can be packed in a relatively dense continuous stock form such as a bale. On the other hand, in textile and sheet processes the material is usually in a continuous stream and requires spreading on a continuous basis. The present invention provides apparatus and method which can be employed conveniently in the production apparatus line for making cigarette filter material since it occupies minimum space particularly in the longitudinal dimension. As is known by those skilled in the art, such cigarette filter manufacture in volves taking a tow of fibrous material, opening or blooming the same to lower the density thereof, and then forming it in suitable apparatus into a continuous wrapped stock of filter material which can be sectioned to provide individual plugs for later use in a cigarette making machine.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown apparatus with which a continuous web of spreadable material can be spread. The apparatus includes a set of curved rolls 12, 14 and 16 each of which is a curved roll of known type as, for example, one manufactured by the Mt. Hope Machinery Company of Taunton, Massachusetts. The curved rolls l2, l4 and 16 are mounted on a suitable mounting structure which includes a pair of plates 18, 20 (FIG. 2) which are spacedly mounted on and fixed to rotate with a central shaft 22, the central shaft being driven by suitable drive means such as an electric motor 24 although other forms of drive also can be employed for this purpose. The curved rolls l2, l4 and 16 as will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2, have each an axle 26 which is fixedly or non-rotatably received in aligned mounting centers located in the two plates 18, 20, the mounting centers being arranged in pairs in correspondence to the numbers of curved rolls in the assembly and being aligned such that a line passing through each pair of mounting centers is parallel with the shaft 22. The axles 26 of the curved rolls as will be noted, are curved or bowed in a curved path extending radially of a line connecting the aligned mounting centers and being at maximum curvature at midlength of the axle. The curved roll includes suitable ball bearing assemblies 27 rotatable on the axle 26, the ball bearing assemblies being shown in FIG. 2, and in turn being covered by a resilient sleeve 28 which encloses all of the ball bearing assemblies in each curved roll and rotates with the ball bearing assemblies, the sleeve 28 preferably being made of rubber. With the curved rolls 21, 14 and 16 thus disposed in plates 18, 20, the convex surfaces thereof are generally disposed outermost on the apparatus so that when the mounting structure is rotated in the manner to be described later, the convex surfaces will engage the travel course of the web 40 of spreadable material as shown. For the purposes of feeding the web 40 of spreadable material onto the apparatus 10, a feed roller assembly comprising rollers 32, 34 and 36 is provided. Rollers 32, 34 function to feed the web 40 onto the apparatus 10 whereas the rollers 34 and 36 function to off-feed the web following the spreading treatment of the same. During the travel of the web 40 through the apparatus and as will appear from later description herein of the operation of the same, there may be produced certain undesirable tension in the web 40. To control variably the degree of tension present in the web 40 while it is on the apparatus 10, there can be provided a tension control mechanism shown generally at 50 which can include a springloaded roller mechanism which engages the web 40 to alter or vary the tension therein.
In operation, the web 40 is fed through the roller set 32, 34 onto the apparatus 10 and around the peripheries of the rollers 12, 14 and 16 in an open loop travel course with the web 40 making a first contact with the concave periphery and a second or exit contact with the convex periphery and up to wrap on each curved roll. Concurrently with the travel of the web around the rollers 12, 14 and 16, the mounting structure is rotated in a direction counter to the loop travel course of the web so as to unitarily orbit the curved rolls about the axis defined by shaft 22 with the rotational speed of the mounting structure being such as to provide an orbiting speed in the curved rolls that causes a given point on the web 40 in traversing its travel course to contact the convex peripheries of the curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of curved rolls in the assembly. During such orbital movement, the curved rolls 12, 14 and 16 also rotate about the axis defined by a line passing through the associated mounting centers for the curved rolls. Further, they rotate in the same direction as the web travel at substantially the same surface speed as the web so that there occurs no slip between the rolls and the web 40 in that direction. The rotation of the curved rolls 12, 14 and 16 caused by web travel generally can be provided as a free rotation if the web is sufficiently strong to that purpose, but if required positive drive means for each apparatus of FIG; 3 could be modified so that the first roll can be provided. Generally, the'line speed of the, a
web in its travel courseis limited by the rotational speed allowable for the particular curved rollemployed. During the course of each contact of the web with a curved-roll convex surface,- the web is spread slightly laterally in an incremental amount which due to the effect of the rotation of the frame providing many such contacts during the travel of the web around the apparatus results in a net spreading many times greater than that which would be obtained if stationary curved roll assemblies were employed. Forexample, if the peripheral line speed of the planetary arranged curved roller assembly is about equal to the web speed, the web will make 1 9% times the number of curved rolls contacts with the convex surfaces of the latter.
In a particularly advantageous form, three curved rolls are provided and mounted as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 providing for most cigarette filter forming operations a satisfactory measure of spreading of the fibrous materials. Other numbers of curved rolls could be employed in the assembly, as for example two, with the upper limit on such rolls being defined only by space limitations and degree of spreading to be achieved. Where a larger number of curved rolls, as for example six, are used in an assembly the amount of spreading effected per roll for a mounting structure of essentially the same dimensions as that depicted in FIG. 1 will be decreased because of a shorter contact arc of the web on each roll so that the net spreading effect produced during one revolution of the mounting structure would be approximately the same as Where only three curved rolls are employed.
The FIG. 3 apparatus is employed where a web of material of low elasticity property is to be spread. With such material the creation of tension in a single spreading assembly may as indicated earlier be provided with a tension controlling device such as a spring-loaded roller. However, it is also possible to offset the effect of any tension produced in the first roller assembly by providing a second like assembly in which the latter is rotated to give the curved rolls therein an orbiting movement in synchronization with the first plurality to produce in the second plurality a web tension exactly out of phase with that produced in the first plurality. Thus, there will be no net variation in the total path length or tension of the web during the course of its travel through the apparatus 100. In the FIG. 3 apparatus, corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals as shown in FIG. 1 with the second set of curved rolls being given prime designations for like parts in such second assembly. The roller 102 is used to guide the web 40 in its off-feed from the first assembly and on to the second assembly. When using a second set of curved rolls as shown in FIG. 3, the spreading action of course is doubled approximately if the same rotational speed of the mounting structure in both assemblies is employed. On the other hand, since the spreading action can be doubled it, accordingly, is possible to reduce the rotational speeds of the mounting structure by one-half if only the same total degree of spreading is desired.
In the foregoing description it will be noted that the same side of the web of material has been treated, that I is, spread. It will be apparent however, that the treatment may be applied to both sides of the web as where it might have different side characteristics. Thus, the
assembly would treat one side ofthe web and by employing a suitable arrangement of idler rolls, the other would be advantageous in the instance where one side -of the sheet was, for example, very abrasive resistant and the other side had very low resistance to abrasion.
It will be apparent from a reading of the foregoing that the method and apparatus for spreading a web of spreadable material as 'provided'in the present invention has been disclosed in certain embodiments thereof only and 'it is possible to produce still other embodiments withoutjdeparting from the scope of the inventive concept herein disclosed and, accordingly, it should be understood that all matter contained in the above description and in the accompanying drawing should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
What is claimed is:
1. In apparatus for spreading the fibers of a web of spreadable material which includes an assembly of a plurality of curved rolls each having a smooth concave peripheral surface portion and a smooth convex peripheral surface portion over which said web can be advanced to effect successive incremental lateral separation of the web on each of said curved rolls,
mounting structure for supporting said curved rolls for rotation in planetary disposition about a fixed axis and for rotation of each about an axis defined by aligned mounting centers disposed parallel with the axes of the others and parallel with said fixed axis,
means for feeding said web in an open loop travel course around and in contact with first the concave peripheral surface portion and then the convex peripheral surface portion of each of said curved rolls, and
means for rotating said mounting structure about said fixed axis in a direction counter to the travel course of said web at a predetermined speed whereby said curved rolls transit an orbiting course about said fixed axis and a given point on the web contacts the convex peripheral portion of said curved rolls a plurality of times in excess of the plural number of rolls in said assembly.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said curved rolls are spaced uniformly from each other and equidistant from said fixed axis.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said assembly comprises three curved rolls, said three curved rolls being disposed equilaterally about said fixed axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said mounting structure includes a shaft, and
a pair of plates spaced on and fixed to said shaft said plates having mounting centers thereon, each mounting center on each plate being aligned with a corresponding mounting center on the other plate, a line passing through each pair of aligned mounting centers being parallel with said shaft, said curved rollers each including an axle fixedly received in one of said pairs of aligned mounting centers, said axle traversing a curved path between said mounting centers, said curved path extending radially outwardly relatively of said line passing through said mounting centers to a maximum curvature at midlength of said axle, ball bearing assemblies rotatable on said axle, and a resilient sleeve enclosing said ball bearing assemblies and rotatable therewith.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for variable controlling tension in said web at the entry thereof to said open loop travel course to compensate for any such tension produced in said web in said open loop travel course.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said tension control means comprises a spring-loaded roller engageable with said web.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a second like plurality of curved rolls, mounting structure for supporting said second plurality in like manner as said first plurality, means for guiding said web in off-feed from said first plurality of curved rolls into an open loop travel course around and in contact with first the concave peripheral surface portion and then the convex peripheral surface portion of each the rolls of said second plurality of curved rolls, and means for rotating said second plurality of curved rolls in a direction counter to the travel course of said web at a predetermined speed to orbit said second plurality in synchronization with said first plurality to produce a web tension therein exactly out of phase with that produced in said first plurality. |
US-3874031-A | Apparatus for the manufacture of rolls from batting | United States Patent 1 1 Simon 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 APPARATL'S FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ROLLS FRO BATTING [75] Inventor: Stefan Simon,
Modling/N iederosterreich. Austria [73] Assignee: Carl Hahn GmbH, Dusseldorf,
Germany [221 Filed: July 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 270.393
Primary IiruminerDorsey Newton .-1I1urne Agent, or Firm-Jason Lipow [57] ABSTRACT An improvement in an apparatus of the automatic feed, separation and winding of a specific length of a fibrous batting for tampons or the like, comprising a rotatable winding fork which is axially displaceable transversely of the plane of transport of the delivered batting, a device for the separation of pieces of batting of specific length, a plurality of confronting, camcontrolled tool groups, each of which comprises a batting holding means comprising at least one, preferably two, cam-controlled clamping jaws for the pieces of batting, said tool group containing a separating means movable transversely of the transport direction of the batting holding means is in engagement with the batting, the improvement which comprises at least two endless flexible members drivable synchronously, stepwise in a common plane of circulation, one clockwise and the other counterclockwise, the winding mandrel being movable transversely of the plane of circulation into an interstice formed by working sections of the flexible members which working sections of the flexible members are disposed in parallel, spaced relation ship and bear partially cooperating, each flexible member having at least one tool group which cooperates with a tool group on the other flexible member so that in faced relationship they divide a pair of tension jaws, a winding cup, a pair of clamping jaws and separating means movable transversely to the batting wherein the length of each tool group corresponds to the length of the piece of batting to be pulled off and wound.
11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 i975 sum 1 ur 4 APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ROLLS FROM BATTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic feed, separation and rolling of strips of specific length of cotton batting for tampons or the like, with a rotatable winding fork that is axially displaceably transversely of the plane of transport of the delivered batting, a device for the separation of pieces of batting of specific length, a plurality of confronting, camcontrolled tool groups consisting each of a holdfast means with two cam-controlled clamping jaws for the pieces of batting and of a separating means which, when the holdfast means is closed, is movable transversely of the transport direction of the batting.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art Apparatus of the above-described known type suffer, if they operate intermittently, from limitations of operating speed which are due to the masses which have to be reciprocated and which result in limited output. In the case of continuously operating apparatus, the cost involved in controls and the cost involved in machinery are considerable in relation to the number of pieces of batting per minute that is, as a rule, desired, and is possible on account of the limited delivery of the intermediate product, c.g., from a carding machine.
Increasing the output of an intermittently operating apparatus by increasing the rotatory speed and reducing the masses leads necessarily to a further shortening of the time necessary for the individual operating procedures and to premature wearing out of the material. Even if the wear could be accepted, nevertheless the loss of product quality due to inappropriate treatment such as uncontrollable stretching of the batting as it is pulled in by grippers or the like, or quality defects due to backlash in winding is no longer tolerable. Differences in stretching result in variations in the weight of the pieces of batting and consequently in pressing faults in the following process, which may run from excessively soft tampons which are unsuitable for insertion in use, to plastified tampons which can no longer expand. Too high a rotatory speed results not only in the scattering of fragments of batting but also in excessively tight rolls and hence in tampons with an excessively low absorption capacity.
It is the object of the invention to construct an apparatus of the kind described above in such a manner that the foreproduct. such as the sliver from the comb, can
be worked under optimum conditions, while on the other hand it is to be possible to achieve a higher output than that of prior-art apparatus without requiring greater expense for this purpose, and without impairing reliability of operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ably two pair of cam-controlled clamping jaws for the pieces of batting, said separating means being movable transversely of the transport direction of the batting when the batting holding means is in engagement with the batting, the improvement which comprises at least two endless flexible members drivable synchronously stepwise in a common plane of circulation, one clockwise and the other counterclockwise, the winding mandrel being movable transversely of the plane of circulation into an interstice formed by working sections of the flexible members which working sections of the flexible members are disposed in parallel, spaced relationship and bear at least partially cooperating tool groups wherein each of said flexible members comprises at least one tool group which cooperates with a tool group on the other flexible member when in facing relationship therewith to define a pair of tension jaws adaptable to engage said batting, at least one winding cup adaptable to receive a wound roll from said winding mandrel, at least one pair of batting clamping jaws adaptable to engage and hold said batting, said winding cup disposed between said tension jaws and said clamping jaws, the length of each tool group in the direction of circulation with respect to said flexible members corresponding to the length of the pieces of padding to be pulled off and wound. v
At the heart of the present invention there is provided a pair of endless cooperating facing conveyor chains, each of which carries at least one facing member adaptable to engage in offset relationship a cooperating member on the facing conveyor chain so as to place batting therebetween under tension. Following said tension jaw, there is provided a winding cup on one of the surfaces of the conveyor chains, usually on the lowermost one. Thereafter, there is disposed at least one, preferably two, upper and lower clamping jaw members to clamp and engage the batting disposed therebetween. Located beneath the batting passing through the nip of the conveyor chains is a movable piece movable transversely to the direction of batting movement which serves to remove a piece of batting from the continuous batting and allow a winding mandrel to readily engage the same and deposit the same in the winding cup.
The present invention has as its basis an intermittent action wherein the conveyor chains are advanced, stopped to permit a winding action, and continue to deposit a wound roll toward the next working station while permitting, at about the same time, the commencement of a second operation on a second piece of cotton batting or the like. There is employed in the invention as seen from the ensuing disclosure, a pair of stepping wheels out of phase from one another but responsive to the movement of a stepping cam common to both stepping wheels. One of the cams moves drive members of the conveyor chain while the other is in association with the winding mandrel to effect the winding action. The drive shaft of the winding cam can be provided with other means to effect a stripping function of the wound roll from the winding member, for instance. Additionally, means can be provided to transfer a wound roll from the conveyor chain transversely to the direction of transport such as onto a transfer device to take the formed roll to another working operation. By providing this intermittently operated apparatus wherein a plurality of functions can occur almost simultaneously at the conveyor chains, there is provided a substantially increased production of wound rolls and resultant tampons per unit time.
The invention achieves this object by the fact that two endless, flexible members are drivable synchronously stepwise in a common plane of circulation, one clockwise and the other counterclockwise, the winding mandrel being movable transverselyof the plane of circulation into an interstice formed by the working sections of the flexible members which are disposed in parallel, spaced relationship, and which bear at least partially cooperating tool groups consisting of a pair of tension jaws, at least one winding cup, two pairs of clamping jaws and one separating arm pivotable transversely of the batting, the length of each tool group as viewed in the direction of circulation corresponding to that of the piece of batting that is to be pulled off.
This accomplishment is based on the replacement of great reciprocating strokes with exclusively forwardoperating but intermittent movements. The time which is necessary for waste motion in the apparatus of the prior art, and which cannot be used for the working of the product, can thus be recovered for an approximate doubling of the actual working time. Furthermore, as a result of the special arrangement for individual movements, it is possible through superimposed timing to achieve an almost continuous process. For example, in parallel operation a considerable increase of output may be attained depending on the number of apparatus used. Furthermore, the apparatus in accordance with the invention assures a precise guidance of the batting until the roll has been made, and a precise guidance of the roll itself until it has been transferred to additional working stations. At the same time the assurance is obtained that the rolls will preserve their shape, so that the roll itself does not have to have an absolute stability of shape. Furthermore, the apparatus permits a spatial separation of the tools for the handling of the batting from the members serving to drive the apparatus, e.g., from the transmission, so that soiling is prevented and a most hygienic working of the batting is assured. The apparatus of the invention is moreover easy to maintain, since all important parts are easily accessible and easily replaceable. Easy adjustment of the tools is also possible in the same manner.
In further development of the invention, it is preferable to make the roll cups approximately semicircular and mount them laterally on the associated endless flexible member, while in the area of the cooperating sections thereof a spring-loaded guiding arm is articulated to the opposite endless flexible member and extends over the width of the batting. This measure contributes towards keeping the diameter of the rolls substantially constant.
It is desirable furthermore to articulate a curved arm on the roll cup which can be pivoted under cam control past the upper edge of the roll cup. This makes it possible to keep the finished roll precisely within the roll cup and carry it as desired without permitting the roll to change its shape during the transportation involved in the process.
In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, an ejection means in the form of a plunger displaceable transversely of the direction of advancement may be provided in the area of the ramp surface of a cam for controlling the above-mentioned curved lever. In this manner the roll may be transferred, for example,
to another conveyor which carries it to the next working station.
Another desirable measure consists in offsetting from one another the associated tension jaws on the endless flexible members in such a manner that they bring about a deflection of the batting in the position in which they engage it. This offset arrangement of the tension jaws has the advantage that the batting is securely guided during the winding and at the same time undergoes a certain stretching which has an advantageous effect particularly on the one end of the piece that is pulled off, so that the piece will feather-edge into the cylindrical periphery of the roll.
Another means for the secure guidance of the batting during the winding procedure may consist in providing both the guide and the engagement surfaces of the tension jaws with edges laterally overlapping the batting.
For the intermittent driving of the apparatus, stepping wheels located opposite one another and offset from one another may be provided, with planes of rotation parallel to one another, which are to be actu' ated by a drivable stepping cam (3) which is disposed between them and whose plane of rotation is perpendicular to those of the stepping wheels. It is desirable in that case that the stepping cam be in engagement with rollers mounted on the stepping wheels, through which the stepping wheels are alternately rotatable. In that case it is expedient that the one stepping wheel be coupled with the drive sprockets of the conveyor chains through a gear drive, and that the other stepping wheel be coupled to the winding mandrel through a countershaft transmission. The stepping cam may be co-rotationally mounted on a drive shaft disposed parallel to the direction of advancement of the batting, on which drive shaft additional control cams are disposed, by which the winding mandrel, the stripper and the ejection plunger may be moved back and forth transversely of the batting by means ofa crank drive in each case. It is thus possible to construct the driving mechanism for the apparatus compactly and completely separate from the tools engaging the cotton batting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An example of the embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawingv FIG. 1 shows an apparatus in accordance with the invention in a diagrammatic side elevational view;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross section taken along line Illl in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line IIIIII in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 shows the apparatus as viewed from the side in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 2 is shown a drive motor I which drives a shaft 2. A cam 3 co-rotationally mounted on shaft 2 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is in engagement with tapered rollers 4 which are mounted on the stepping wheels 5 and 6. These stepping wheels, whose planes of rotation are parallel to one another and perpendicular to those of cam 3 are offset from one another by 180. The stepping wheels are in engagement through the tapered rollers 4 with the cam 3 in such a manner that, upon their rotation, at one time stepping wheel 5 can be rotated, and next time stepping wheel 6 can be rotated, while the other stepping wheel stands still.
The stepping wheel 6 is coupled through gears 7, 8, 9 and 10 (FIG. 3) with two sprocket wheels 11, 12 (FIG. 4) which intermittently drive two endless conveyor chains 13, 14, having confronting sections 13a and 14a. These conveyor chains circulate in the same plane, being guided over loose sprocket wheels 15, 16.
FIG. 3 shows the power transmitting elements for the power drive of the sprocket wheels for the upper and lower chains. The stepping wheel 6 on the shaft 36 drives the gear 7 which is mounted on shaft 60. At the other end of this shaft 60, the sprocketed wheel 12 is mounted for the lower chain 14. The power drive for the upper chain 13 is transmitted through gears 8, 9 and 10. The gear 10 is mounted on a shaft 61 which carries at its other end, the sprocket wheel 11 for the upper chain 13.
Stepping wheel 5, however, is connected through a transmission gear 17 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to a rotatably mounted winding mandrel 18 which is forked at its front end to engage a band of batting 19 at 18a. By means of the cam 3, the stepping wheel 5 and the transmission gear l7 the winding mandrel 18 intermittently performs, in the advanced position represented in FIG. 3, a certain number of half revolutions or whole revolutions depending on the size of the roll and the number of teeth in the transmission gear, such that the fork slot 18a is always horizontal when the winding mandrel is in its end position at the beginning and the end of its winding movement.
The winding mandrel 18 is mounted for displacement transversely to the direction of movement of the batting 19 in order to catch and release same. To this end a pinion 21 on the winding mandrel is given a corresponding length. This pinion is mounted in a yoke 22 which is in engagement with the one end of a crank lever 24 pivotally mounted on a shaft 23 (FIGS. 2 and 3). A roller 24a provided on the crank lever is guided by a cam 25 which is disposed co rotationally on the drive shaft 2 such that, during the rotation of this cam, the crank lever 24 will perform a pivoting movement thereby pushing the winding mandrel 18 back and forth by means of the yoke 22. The arrangement is such that, in the advanced position, the winding mandrel 18 will perform a certain number of revolutions, while the rotational members connected to the stepping wheel, and hence also the conveyor chains, will stand still. When the rotation of the winding mandrel is stopped, the latter will be retracted by the crank lever 24, whereupon the stepping wheel 6 will be rotated.
Two additional earns 26 and 27 are disposed corotationally on the drive shaft 2. Cam 26 is connected through a crank lever 28 which is likewise pivotally mounted on shaft 23 to a rod-like transmission member 29 on which there is mounted a lever 30 with a stripper 31 surrounding the winding mandrel. Upon the retraction of the winding mandrel 18, the finished roll is restrained by this stripper 31 and the pulling of fluff by the winding mandrel is prevented. The roll is then advanced to an ejection position or to a transfer position. In order that the transportion path may be entirely open during this advancing movement, the stripper 31 is slightly retracted by the cam 26.
As soon as the wound roll 20 has reached the transfer station (FIGS. 2 and 4), the conveyor chains 13, 14, are halted by the stepping cam 3 and the stepping wheel 6, whereupon the winding mandrel I8 is advanced. At this moment. at the transfer station, through the control cam 27, crank lever 32, a displaceably mounted rod 33 in engagement therewith, and a lever 34, a plunger 35 is pushed across the direction of conveyor movement and transfers the roll 20 to an additional conveyor means. This conveyor means for the ejected rolls, which is not shown, and which may be, for example, a cup conveyor chain, is driven intermittently through a shaft 36, which is driven by the stepping wheel 6 (FIG. 3).
In the apparatus of the present invention there are employed tool groups or processing groups, each of which groups comprises a pair of tension jaws 37a-37b, suitably three pairs of clamping jaws 38a-38b, 39a-39b and 40a-40b, although only one pair of clamping jaws need be employed. A winding cup 41 carried on the chain 14 is also present in the tool groups. The tool groups can also comprise a parting arm 50 more fully described below and cam means and cam followers whereby parting arm 50 is actuated. The tool groups are carried on the conveyor chains described. In the position represented in FIG. 4, in which the roll 20 is at the transfer station with the conveyor chains stopped, and the winding mandrel 18 is just beginning the winding process, there are provided on the sections 13a and 14a of the conveyor chains, from left to right, a pair of tension jaws 37a-37b, three pairs of clamping jaws 38a-38b, 390-391) and 40a-40b, and these followed by a winding cup 41 on the chain 14 which is adjoined by a guide 42 disposed above it on chain 13. The winding cup 41 is again followed by a pair of tension jaws 37a, 37b.
The associated tension jaws 37a, 37b, are offset from one another so that the band of batting 19 is slightly deflected when these jaws are in the engaged position, as shown in detail at 43 in the case of the pair of tension jaws on the right side in FIG. 4. These tension jaws are provided on both sides with raised edges 37c, 37d, which serve for the precise guidance of the batting. The pair of clamping jaws 38a, 38b, however, consists of members whose engagement surfaces 38c, 38d, confront one another and are provided with teeth or grooves 38e. The clamping jaws of the two following pairs 39a-39b, 40a-40b, are provided each with a roller 39c-39a', 40c-40d, which, in the area where the piece of batting is to be parted from the rest, encounter guiding rails 44-45, so that the jaws of these two pairs are pressed more tightly together in this area of the apparatus in order to grip the batting more tightly. The upper guide rail 44, as shown in FIG. 3, is resiliently held against a spring 46 in a mounting which is fastened to one wall 47 of the structure. In like manner, the lower guide rail 45 is supported in a mounting 49 fastened to a wall 48 of the housing.
On the clamping jaw 40b there is additionally articulated a parting arm 50 whose relatively dull engagement section extends over the width of the band of batting 19. On this parting arm there is provided an inclined surface 50a which, during the forward movement of the conveyor chains 13-14, runs onto a roller 51 fastened to the lower guiding rail 45, causing the parting arm 50 to pivot transversely of the batting 19 into the position indicated at 52 by broken lines, in which the adjacent pairs of clamping jaws 39a-39b, 40a-40b, are pressed tightly together by the guiding rails 44-45. In this manner the fibers of the band of batting 19 are largely pulled apart by the parting arm 50. In the position shown in FIG. 4, this process has been completed, so that the rollers 40c-40a' of clamping jaw pair 40a-40b have again been released by the guiding rails 44-45, so that the winding mandrel 18 can easily pull the torn-off piece of batting out of this pair of clamping jaws.
While the conveyor chains 13-14 are standing still, the winding mandrel 18 is advanced substantially concentrically with the approximately semicircularly shaped roll cup 41 by means of the cam 25, straddling with its upper and lower fork tines the band of batting 19. At this moment a rotatory movement of the winding mandrel is started by cam 3, so that the separated piece of batting is wound from its approximate middle. The guide 42 is articulated at 53 to the link 13b of upper conveyor 13 which is associated with the roll cup 41 and extends over the width of the batting as shown in FIG. 3. This guide is biased with an adjustable spring force in accordance with the consistency of the batting, and is limited in its excursion so that the desired outside diameter of the roll will be attained. For the guidance of the batting during the winding process, this guide arm 42 is provided with raised edges 42a. The tension jaws 37a, 37b, serve at this point mainly for exerting a certain tension on the one end of the piece of batting by deflecting the latter, so as to counteract the tension produced at the parting point during the winding process by the complete separation of the almost but not quite separated fibers.
Upon the completion of the winding process and the retraction of the winding mandrel, the roll 20, in the transport step that follows, continues at first to be held in the roll cup by the guide 42. As the conveyor chains continue their movement the guide is lifted off, so that the roll would lie free in the roll cup 41 and would drop out as it turns around the drive sprocket 12. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment a curved lever 54 is articulated to the roll cup by, a pin 205 and is pivoted, by means of a roller 55 encountering a cam 56, such that the free end of the lever, which has a curvature corresponding to the roll diameter, forms the roll cup into a more or less closed transport chamber, as represented in FIG. 4 at the roll transfer station. At this station the roll is ejected by the plunger 35. Thereafter the roller 55 on lever 54 is released by the cam 56, whereupon the lever is pivoted, preferably by spring power, to the disengaged position.
The arrangement of the individual elements, as shown in FIG. 4, is such that the spacing of the roll cups and pairs of tension jaws corresponds to the length of the pieces that are to be pulled from the band of batting, and the distance between the axes of the conveyor chain sprockets is of the same order of magnitude. Thus, when a fully wound roll is ejected, another piece of batting is already in the winding apparatus. This eliminates waste motion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the conveyor chains are provided with a total of four sets of the elements which are mounted on the chain links, as it can be seen in FIG. 4.
The apparatus described operates as follows.
During each advancing movement of the two conveyor chains 13-14, the length of batting 19 required for the roll 20 is pulled into the winding apparatus by means of the clamping jaws to which the ribbon of batting is delivered. Just before the intermittently advanc ing conveyor chains come to a stop the piece of batting is separated in the manner described above, the pairs of clamping jaws 390-3912, 40a-40b, performing the task of holding the batting tightly while it is being pulled apart by the parting arm 50. For this purpose the individual jaws of these pairs are also especially designed: while jaw 40a has a projection 40e so as to form a support, clamping jaws 39a-39b are slightly chamfered so that the batting can be pulled apart in a desirable manner. After the conveyor chains come to a complete stop (FIG. 4), the slotted winding mandrel l8 straddles the batting held between the two strands of chain l3a-14a and twists it into a roll in the roll cup 41 which is in a position coaxial with the winding mandrel. In this situation the clamping jaws 40a-40b have al ready been released by the guiding rails 44 and 45. During the winding process the ribbon of batting is finally pulled apart in the area between the clamping jaw pairs 39a-39b and 40a-40b, the separated ends of the batting being featheredged by the pulling action, and this is important in preventing the wound roll from unwinding. At the same time the pair of tension jaws 37a- 37b counteract the tension by deflecting the batting. After the completion of this action, which is controlled by the stepping cam 3, first the winding mandrel l8 and then the stripper 31 are retracted, whereupon stepping cam 3 and stepping wheel 6 initiate another advancement, during which the wound roll 20 is transported to the transfer station and another length of batting is pulled into the apparatus and separated, the length of the advancement corresponding to the length of batting required for making a roll. This situation will be the same as that represented in FIG. 4.
The described apparatus can be modified in various ways. For example, the intermittent driving of the conveyor chains and winding mandrel may be produced by a conventional Maltese cross drive or the like. Depending on the batting material used, the individual elements mounted on the chain links may be given a different form to achieve the described manner of operation. Lastly, if required, the batting or the roll may be provided with a removal ribbon in any suitable manner well known in the art, which for this reason is not indicated in the drawing.
What is claimed is:
1. In an apparatus for the automatic feed, separation and winding ofa specific length of a fibrous batting for tampons and the like, comprising a rotatable winding mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel when it contains batting to form a wound roll, means for axially displacing said winding mandrel transversely of the direction of support of a delivered batting in the plane of transport of said batting, means for transporting said batting perpendicular to the transverse movement of said winding mandrel, means for separating pieces of batting of specific length, a plurality of confronting cam-controlled processing groups, each of which processing groups comprises a batting holding means and comprises at least one pair of batting clamping jaws each controlled by a cam for the pieces of said batting, said processing groups containing a cutting means, means for moving said cutting means transversely of the transport plane of the batting when the batting holding means is in engagement with the batting, the improvement which comprises at least two endless flexible members in facing relationship with one another, means for driving said flexible members synchronously stepwise in a common plane of circulation, one clock wise and the other counter clockwise, such as to form at least one working station in the region between said flexible members, said working station having a winding cap laterally disposed in said working station coaxially of said winding mandrel, means for moving said winding mandrel into said winding cup of said working station disposed between said flexible members, means for disposing a portion of one of said flexible members over a portion of the other flexible member to define said working station. said working station having a group of processing parts from each of said flexible members and comprising a pair of tension jaws, means for engaging said batting by said jaws, means for transferring a wound roll from said winding mandrel into said winding cup, means for engaging and holding said batting by said batting clamping jaws, said winding cup disposed between said tension jaws and said batting clamping jaws, said cutting means comprising a cutting lever pivotally mounted at said clamping jaws of one of the two flexible members, means for moving said cutting lever transversely to said batting, the length of each group of processing parts in the direction of circulation with respect to said flexible members corresponding to the length of the piece of batting to be pulled off and wound.
2. An improvement according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of winding cups, and at least two batting clamping jaws, each winding cup mounted to a flexible member, said apparatus including a guide in said winding cup over said batting articulated on the opposite endless flexible member and means for extending said guide over the width of said batting during winding by said winding mandrel to retain the desired outside diameter of the roll so formed.
3. An improvement according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprises a cam, a roller and a curved lever, means for articulating said curved lever to said winding cup, said curved lever pivotally connected to said roller. said roller bearing on said cam whereby said lever is caused to be disposed over said winding cup to provide a substantially closed transport chamber.
4. An improvement according to claim 3 wherein said cam on which said roller bears has a ramp surface and in the region of said ramp surface of said cam there is an ejection means and said apparatus further comprises means for displacing said ejector means transversely of the direction of advancement of the batting to eject a wound roll transversely.
5. An improvement according to claim 4 wherein said ejection means is a plunger.
6. An improvement according to claim 4 wherein said tension jaws are disposed on the respective flexible members so as to be offset from the corresponding cooperating tension jaw member on the other flexible member in such a manner that in the engagement position they effect a deflection of the batting.
7. An improvement according to claim 6 wherein said spring biased guide has edges which laterally overlap batting feed through said apparatus and said tension jaws have engaging surfaces with edges which laterally overlap batting fed through said apparatus.
8. An improvement according to claim 7 wherein said apparatus further comprises a transmission gear and a pair of stepping wheels located outside one another and offset from one another, said stepping wheels having planes of rotation parallel to one another, said apparatus further comprising a stepping cam disposed between and connected to said stepping wheels, said cam having a plane of rotation perpendicular to the planes of rotation of said stepping wheels and means for driving said cam whereby to actuate said stepping wheels, said winding mandrel connected to one of said stepping wheels through said transmission gear.
9. An improvement according to claim 8 wherein said stepping cam is in engagement with a roller mounted on each of said stepping wheels through which the stepping wheels are alternatively rotatable.
10. An improvement according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said flexible members comprises a conveyor chain having drive sockets engaged by one of said stepping wheels through a gear drive, a counter shaft transmission connecting the other of said stepping wheels to said winding mandrel.
11. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said apparatus comprises a stepping cam, a drive shaft and means for driving said drive shaft, said stepping cam is co-rotationally mounted on said drive shaft and disposed parallel to the direction of movement of said batting, said apparatus further comprises a second cam, said second cam mounted co-rotationally on said drive shaft and connected to said winding mandrel, said apparatus comprises a third cam, said third cam is mounted co-rotationally on said drive shaft, said apparatus comprises means for stripping a wound roll from said winding mandrel, said third cam is connected to said means for stripping a wound roll from said winding mandrel, said apparatus comprises a fourth cam, said fourth cam mounted on said drive shaft, said apparatus comprises a crank drive, said fourth cam connected to said crank drive, said ejection means connected to said crank drive whereby rotation of said drive shaft actuates said crank drive which in turn moves said ejection means transversely to the direction of travel of said batting through said apparatus.
l= l l |
US-3874032-A | Method and apparatus for the manufacture of tampons | O United States Patent 1 [111 3,
Simon et al. Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE [57] ABSTRACT MANUFACTURE OF TAMPONS An improvement in a process for the manufacture of [75] Inventors; St f Si tampons wherein a batting is wound into a plurality of Moedli /Ni d t i h rolls, the rolls are transferred to a pressing process Austria; W lf j h t, wherein they are pressed into tampons and the so- Gevel be Germany formed tampons are transferred into storage or packing, which improvement comprises intermittently [73 Asslgnee' 3" Carl Hahn GmbH Dusseldorf feeding said plurality of rolls to a transfer means, in-
ermany termittently removing said rolls from said transfer [22] Filed: July 12, 1972 means and feeding them into a presser, intermittently removing them from said presser and intermittently [21] Appl' 270978 feeding them to a second transfer means and continuously delivering the tampons formed in said presser to [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Storage- July 15, 1972 Germany... 2135495 An apparatus to perform the above described process which apparatus comprises a winding apparatus to [52] U.S. Cl. 19/1445 form wound rolls from the fibrous batting, a transfer [51] Int. Cl A61I 15/00 device to transfer the rolls to a presser, which presser [58] Field of Search 19/1445, 149 forms said rolls into tampons, the apparatus being improved by a means for intermittently feeding the [56] References Cited rolls to the transfer device and regulating means UNI STATES PATENTS associated with the transfer device permitting continuous transmission of said rolls to said presser 533221333 35132; fit le'giiiijiijijiii....:::::::::::: 1121"? while the feed eeeien ef eeie eeeefer eeviee e stationar FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS y 829,! I9 2/1960 United Kingdom l9/l44.5
Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jason Lipow 24 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 i975 sum 1 or 4 FIG. I.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF TAMPONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a method of manufacturing tampons from a continuous band of batting, especially tampons made of cylindrical rolls of cotton batting for feminine hygiene, and to an apparatus for the practice of the method.
2. Discussion of Prior Art In the manufacture of cylindrical objects of this kind from soft cotton batting, the latter material has to be worked by a series of different machines one after the other. Owing to the difficult procedures involved in the manufacture of tampons from cotton batting, some of the machines operate continuously and some intermittently, and consequently difficulties are encountered in the transfer of the rolled tampons from one machine to the other, which are an obstacle to the economic manufacture of tampons without loss of quality, especially when an attempt is made to improve output by operating in parallel, and the manufacturing plant is to be designed for a single continuous production line preceding the packaging machine.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the invention to design a process and an apparatus for the manufacture of tampons such that, in spite of the partially intermittent, partially continuous operation of the machines in the series, a high output will assure the economy of operation of the system, and the relatively easily deformable product will not lose the shape that has been given to it in the manufacturing machines when it is transferred from one to the other. In addition, multi-line production is enabled without difficulty.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, this invention contemplates an improvement in a process for the manufacture of tampons wherein a band of batting is wound into a plurality of rolls, the rolls are transferred to a pressing process wherein they are pressed into tampons and the tampons are transferred into storage or packaging, the improvement comprising intermittently feeding said plurality of rolls to a transfer means, intermittently removing said rolls from said transfer means and feeding them into a presser, intermittently removing them from said presser and intermittently feeding them to a second transfer I means. Thereafter they may be continuously delivered to storage or packaging.
Broadly, this invention further contemplates an apparatus for carrying out the aforesaid process, which apparatus comprises a winding apparatus to form wound rolls from a fibrous batting, a transfer device to transfer the so-formed rolls to a presser, a presser which forms said rolls into a tampon, means for intermittently feeding said rolls from said winding apparatus to said transfer device and regulating means associated with said transfer device permitting continuous transmission of said rolls to said presser while the feed portion of said transfer device is stationary.
The invention also contemplates a process and apparatus for intermittently removing so-formed tampons from said presser and continuously delivering the same through a plurality of transfer means to storage and/or packaging.
The present invention through the use of laterally mounted buffer rail which adjusts the length of the moving transfer means disposed between the winding apparatus and the presser enables continuous feeding of the presser notwithstanding an intermittent feeding of the said transfer means by the winding apparatus at its feed portion. The buffer rail is mounted on rollers that rest laterally to maintain a constant movement of the transfer means downstream from the feed portion by regulating the length of the moving portion of the transfer means. Thus the various apparatuses are tied together so that they work in unison and the shutdown of one apparatus is not necessitated due to conditions of the other apparatus, hence the entire operation proceeds more smoothly and with a greater productivity in terms of tampons per hour manufactured. Additionally, through the use of the various means more fully described below less operator control is needed for shutdown and startup, as for instance, the compressor, during a working day is minimized.
The invention solves this problem in that rolls produced from the band of batting in an intermittently operating winding apparatus are transported in an uninterrupted series to a pressing apparatus by means of a transfer device, the wound rolls being advanced intermittently at the winding apparatus and continuously at the pressing apparatus, and being intermittently transferred to the intermittently operating pressing apparatus which presses them into tampons, whereupon these tampons are delivered by an additional continuously operating transfer device to a storage and from thence continuously to a packaging apparatus.
By this procedure, especially in the transfer from one processing machine to the next, a virtually continuous process is achieved, by and large, in spite of the intermittent procedures involved and additionally, it is quite economical. The transfer device between the winding apparatus and the pressing apparatus is used as a buffer for the rate of feed of the rolls, so that equalization can be achieved between the number of rolls put out by the winding device, which may include defective rolls which have to be eliminated, and the number that are processed by the pressing apparatus, and thus continuous operation may be sustained.
To this end, it is desirable that, at the winding apparatus, the transfer device between the winding and pressing apparatus be driven intermittently by the winding apparatus, and that this drive be interrupted upon the occurrence of a defective roll, while at the pressing apparatus, the transfer device, driven by the latter, will continue to operate constantly. Through this coupling with the winding apparatus it is possible for a defective roll to be ejected by a succeeding roll and for nothing but perfect rolls to be fed in an uninterrupted series to the pressing apparatus. Since the transfer device is designed to serve as a buffer, operation at the pressing apparatus will not be impaired by these interruptions in the receiving of rolls from the winding apparatus. If a longer interruption should occur at the winding or pressing apparatus, it is desirable that the winding and pressing apparatus be automatically stopped with the transfer device that serves as a buffer being virtually completely full, or virtually empty, as the case may be.
A continuous advancing movement by the transfer device at the intermittently operating pressing apparatus is substantially brought about by the fact that the rolls at this pressing apparatus are introduced into the pressing apparatus by a transverse thrusting action performed while the conveyor system is turning a corner, because the arrangement may be made such that a roll will stand briefly still at the turn and perform nothing but a rotatory movement which can be utilized for the transfer action.
An increase in output is achieved by the fact that two winding apparatus are operated in parallel, each followed by a transfer device, and two rolls are transferred each time from each of these transfer devices to a fourline pressing apparatus, from which the tampons are taken by two transfer devices and then fed in a single line to the storage, from which they are again transported continuously to a packaging machine. The multiple-line operation followed by single-line operation is made possible particularly by the nature of the transfer that is performed as the conveyor chains turn corners. To sustain continuous operation in parallel operations of this kind it is desirable that the degree to which the one transfer device serving as a buffer is filled with rolls or tampons be balanced with the other transfer device running in parallel therewith, when extreme situations occur.
It is desirable that, when a buffer rail is filling, the pressing machine be made first to operate faster and, vice versa, when it is emptying, that it be made to operate 10% slower, before the pressing machine or the winding machine, as the case may be, comes to a stop as the buffer rail reaches one or the other end position.
For the transfer from a multi-line operation to a single-line operation, the tampons in the transfer devices connected to the output of the four-line pressing apparatus are transferred by means of two continuously circulating conveyor chains to a single continuously circulating conveyor chain, which again is made possible by the transfer which occurs at points where the conveyor chains turn corners.
The apparatus for the performance of the process comprises a transfer device between the winding apparatus and the pressing apparatus having an endless conveyor chain with roll cups mounted laterally on the links thereof, the said endless conveyor chain being driven through an intermittently drivable sprocket at the winding apparatus and through a continuously drivable sprocket in the area of the pressing apparatus, and being carried between these apparatus around two loose sprockets which are fastened at a distance from one another on a displaceably mounted rail. The roll cups on the chain links in this case assure the preserva tion of the shape given to the individual rolls in the winding apparatus. By the loose sprockets mounted between the drive sprockets on a common, freely movable rail, a buffer is established in a very simple manner, by which differences in chain speeds caused by the partially intermittent and partially continuous drive within the conveyor chain are compensated.
A device for the ejection of the defective rolls, e.g., rolls with metal inclusions or with a defective removal ribbon which is necessary for the use of the tampon, or with no removal ribbon at all, is constituted according to a further improvement by the fact that, in the area of the winding apparatus, the conveyor chain is carried around a fixedly disposed sleeve which is aligned with an ejection plunger in the winding apparatus in such a manner that, when the conveyor chain is not moving,
one of the roll cups is aligned with this sleeve. In this manner a roll in which a defect has been detected by a control system can be ejected through this sleeve by a succeeding roll, so that only cups containing perfect rolls are advanced in the direction of the pressing apparatus. In order to interrupt the drive of the conveyor chain, the drive sprocket on the winding apparatus is advantageously coupled with an intermittently drivable shaft of the winding apparatus through a claw clutch.
Another contribution to the solution of the stated problem is constituted by the fact that the conveyor chain is guided at the pressing apparatus around at least one loose sprocket, engaging the latter over an arc of in such a manner that in this area of engagement the axis of a roll cup will be substantially in alignment with the axis of the loose sprocket on which axis a plunger is provided which is displaceable perpendicularly to the conveyor chain. The roll cups are designed so as to have a longitudinal aperture, this slot-like opening being larger than the diameter of the plunger, so that the roll cup can be pivoted out of reach of the plunger while the latter is still in the extended position. The saving of time in the operation of the plunger is beneficial to the high production rate of the system. This design of the transfer device is advantageously used also at the output end of the pressing apparatusf To enable the tampons to be continuously transferred to a single conveyor chain from two separate conveyor chains which are operating in parallel, one of these endless conveyor chains is, according to another development, carried around a continuously drivable chain drive shaft with which the second conveyor chain, with laterally mounted tampon holders for receiving the tampons, is in engagement in such a manner that, during a half rotation of this sleeve these tampon holders will be in coaxial alignment with the tampon cups of the first conveyor chain. This chain drive shaft is provided in the area of engagement of the first conveyor chain with bores which align with the tampon cups mounted on this conveyor chain during its rotation and in which displaceable plungers are disposed by which the transfer is performed from the one transport chain to the other while it is turning the corner.
The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to a diagrammatically represented embodiment of a system for the performance of the pro cess of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the system for the transportation and transfer of tampons between the individual processing stations.
FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. I through a transfer device associated with a winding apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line IIIIII in FIG. 1 through a first transfer device at the input end of a pressing apparatus and through a second transfer device at the output and of said pressing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 through a third transfer device at the output of the pressing apparatus. It will be understood that when a plurality of similar functions are performed by similar parts, only one such part is shown in detail.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT As represented in FIG. 1, two single-line winding apparatus l disposed one over the other are producing, in an intermittently arranged sequence, rolls which are fed by means of two first transfer devices, shown in detail in FIG. 2, to two endless conveyor chains 15, 16, and by means of the latter to an intermittently operating, four-line pressing apparatus 2, shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. From the pressing apparatus 2 sets of four tampons are transferred to a heated revolver 3a and thereafter to a heated revolver 3 of this pressing apparatus. From said heated revolver 3 of this pressing apparatus sets of four tampons are transferred to two identical endless conveyor chains 21 coaxially with sprockets 34. The conveyor chains 21 are carried in an additional transfer device 4 around two continuously drivable chain drive shafts at which two transfer points each are provided. At these two transfer points the tampons are transferred to a single endless conveyor chain 22 which is likewise carried around the two chain drive shafts 10 at the transfer points. The conveyor chain 22, filled with tampons, runs into a storage station 5 from which it emerges at the discharge end as chain band 6 and delivers the tampons to a boxing station 7 on a continuously operating packaging machine or transfers them by means of a transfer device 8 to an additional conveyor chain which then leads to a packaging station.
The endless conveyor chains 15, 16, are provided with roll cups 20, a certain number of which are fastened at equal intervals laterally to the links of these chains (FIG. 2). The two winding apparatus 1 are capable of driving intermittently the two conveyor chains 15, 16, while they are continuously movable in the area of the pressing apparatus 2 by the sprockets 42, shown in FIG. 1. Between the winding apparatus and the pressing apparatus, these conveyor chains 15, 16 are furthermore carried around two loose sprockets 17a which are fastened on a buffer rail 17 which can be reciprocated horizontally in the direction of the arrows l8, l9.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor chain is driven by the winding apparatus 1 through a claw clutch (FIG. 2) having a claw clutch half 23 fastened to a shaft 29 of the winding apparatus and a reciprocating claw sleeve 24 by which the rotatory movement is transmitted through a claw clutch half 30 which is fastened to one end of the shaft 29. On the other end of this shaft 29 is mounted a toothed-belt pulley 9 which transmits the rotatory movement by means of a toothed belt 9a (FIG. 1) to two chain sprockets 9b which are engaged with the conveyor chain 15 (FIG. 1). The claw sleeve 24 is provided with a circumferential groove 24a which ejection plunger 31, in such a manner that a roll cup 20' in the receiving position is aligned with this sleeve 11, as shown in FIG. 2.
The ejection plunger 31 pushes a roll 35a prepared by the winding apparatus 1 into the roll cup 20 while the conveyor chain is stopped, after which the conveyor chain 15 is advanced by the intermittent drive of the winding apparatus 1 through the engaged claw clutch. In the case of a defective roll which is pushed by the ejector plunger 31 into the roll cup 20, the solenoid actuator 27 receives an actuating pulse from product quality controldevices disposed in the area of the winding apparatus, so that the claw sleeve 24 is shifted by lever 26 to the right as seen in FIG. 2. While the conveyor chain 15 is stopped the claw sleeve may also be disengaged manually by means of an actuating lever 28. In order to keep the conveyor chain 15 in this stopped position, the claw sleeve 24 engages the fixedly disposed claw clutch half 25. This causes the conveyor chain to remain in the rest position in the area of the winding apparatus during the next working cycle, in the course of which the winding apparatus prepares another roll which then ejects the defective roll out of the roll cup 20 through the sleeve 11. The defective roll falls through a chute 41 into a waste receptacle which is not shown.
The endless conveyor chain 15 is carried around the two sprocket wheels 17a fastened to the displaceable buffer rail 17 in such a manner that they can be appropriately advanced to the pressing apparatus 2. Due to the intermittent drive at the winding apparatus and the continuous drive of the chain 15 in the area of the pressing apparatus through sprocket 42 there are different speeds within the conveyor chain which are compensated by the freely movable buffer rail 17. The buffer rail 17 is guided by four rollers 33 (FIG. 2). Drive stoppages caused by defective rolls at the winding apparatus cause the rail to be displaced in the discharging direction 18. Thus the conveyor chain 15 may be considered as a buffer in the direction of movement towards the pressing apparatus 2, because the roll cups 20 on the conveyor chain are filled without interruption in spite of defective rolls, and in spite of diminished output from the winding apparatus the pressing apparatus 2 is able to continue to operate and accept rolls from the conveyor chain 15. Vice versa, it is likewise possible to let the winding apparatus 1 continue to run while the pressing apparatus 2 is briefly stopped, in which case the empty side of the conveyor chain 15 fills up in direction 19.
While the chain is filling in direction 19, the pressing machine is first driven 10% faster and, vice versa, while the chain is emptying in direction 18 it is driven 10% slower, before the pressing machine or the winding machine comes to a stop as the buffer rail 17 reaches the end of its stroke. The endless conveyor chain 16 of the parallel transfer device operates in the same manner.
If defective rolls cause chain drive stoppages having opposite effects on the chain in the upper and in the lower winding apparatus 1 and in the area of the pressing apparatus 2, the rails 17 may assume opposite positions, the one rail, in the extreme case, being stopped in the farthermost position in direction 18 and the other rail being stopped in the farthermost position in direction 19. In this case a signal is transmitted by a limit switch to the solenoid actuator 27 for the conveyor chain on the buffer rail 17 that is stopped in the filling position 19, so that the rolls will be ejected until the conveyor chain has emptied to such an extent that the same position as the other buffer rail 17.
The end positions of the buffer rails 17 in filling direction 19 and in emptying direction 18 are detected by limit switches which give the signals to stop the winding or pressing apparatus, as the case may be.
As seen in FIG. 3, the transfer of the roll from the conveyor chains and 16 to the pressing apparatus 2 is performed by a plunger 32 which is centrally disposed in a sprocket so as to be displaceable transversely of the conveyor chain 15. Each of the conveyor chains 15 and 16 is guided at the pressing apparatus 2 around two such sprockets 12 engaging them on about 90 of their perimeter. The arrangement is such that the axis of the roll cup mounted on the conveyor chains is in alignment with the axis of sprocket 12 and plunger 32 throughout this arc of engagement. In this position one winding cup 20 is also aligned with a lifter 2a of the pressing apparatus 2 which lifts the total of four rolls. which are simultaneously inserted, to the plane of insertion into a preliminary press 50, the rolls being already pressed flat. The flat rolls are pushed into a cavity 51 at the pressing apparatus 2 by an ejected mandrel 52, which is movable to and from by means of a rod controlled by a cam plate in a well known manner (not shown). The individual roll cups 20, as best seen in FIG. 1, are open on one longitudinal side, this elongated opening being larger than the diameter of the plunger 32. In this manner, a roll cup can be pivoted out of reach of the plunger even if the latter should still be in the extended position. The intermittent step-drive for the two endless conveyor chains 15 and 16 in the winding machine area is induced over a switching curve 101, the shaft 102, the driving chain and the motor 109. The continuous drive of the conveyor chains in the presser area is induced over the chain wheels 105 and 106 and the chain 107 and 108 and the motor 109. The tampons are presented in crosshatching in the roll cups 20 of the chains 15 and 16.
In the FIGS. 1 and 2 there is described a transportation element 100 of the winding apparatus. From these transporting elements 100 the rolls 35a are pushed in the transporting cups 20 (roll cups) of the chains 15 and 16 by means of the ejection plunger 31.
Groups of four rolls are transported in front (before) of the lifting device of the pressing device 2 by means of two transporting cups each (FIG. 3). During the quasi-stationary instant (turning of the roll cups 20 only around their own axle center). The four rolls are pushed out of the roll cups 20 on the lifter 20 by means of the plunger 32. The lifter 2a presses the 4 rolls against the upper evaluation angle 110, which is fixed to the press (separate patent application). Then four flat plungers 111 push the pressed flat rolls in the press. After the pressing procedure, the pressed rolls are pushed by round plungers (Ser. No. 235,770, filed Mar. 17, 1972 entitled Apparatus for Pressing Absorbent Cotton Articles, Particularly Tampons for Feminine Hygiene", FIG. 3, Pos. 9) out ofthe press into the pushing of the revolver 3a. The FIG. 3 represents in a clear way the arrangement of the two revolvers 3a and 3 with the joint step drive over the sprockets 112, 113 and 114. It can be seen in FIG. 1 as well. The conveyor elements for conveying the tampons from the lower to the upper revolver as well as the pushing out of the upper revolver in the tampon cups 13 of both chains 21 can be seen from FIG. 3. During the pushing-outprocedure of the total of four tampons, the continuous driven roll cups 13 are turning round their own axle center around the sprocket wheel 34 of FIG. 4 and reach at a quasi-stationary position.
The intermittent drive of the conveyor chains exists only in the area of the winding machine for the chains 15 and 16 and can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and explained above.
In FIG. 1, one common drive motor 104 is represented for the drive of the both winding devices 1 as well as for the intermittent drive of the chains 15 and 16. FIG. 1 shows the drive of the step-switched revolvers 3 and 311 over the switching gear 115, the continuous drive of the conveyor chains 15 and 16 in the area of the presser as well as the continuous drive of both chains 21 with the tampon cups 13 and the continuous drive of the conveyor chain 22 of the joint (common) drive motor 109.
In the pressing apparatus 2 the rolls are formed into tampons 35. After this procedure, the tampons are pushed into a cylindrical bushing 53 of a first revolver 3a by means of the ejector mandrel 52. This first revolver 3a is intermittently turned about 270 to a transfer station, so that the bushing 53 with the tampon is positioned in opposition to a bushing 62 ofa second revolver 3 the axis of it being parallel to the axis of the first revolver 3a. The bushings of both revolvers 3a, 3 are heated. The second revolver 3 is intermittently turned with the same rate as the first revolver about 270 to an ejection station, in which the bushing is coaxially in alignment with the tampon cups 13, which are fastened laterally to the links of the two conveyor chains 21 (FIG. 4).
In said transfer station of the first revolver 3a a transfer plunger 55 is movable to and fro in a U-shaped guide 54 within a plane through the main axis of both revolvers 31, 3 and coaxially to the bushings 53 and 62 of the second revolver 3. The rear end of this plunger forms a toothed rack 56, which mates with a toothed rim 57 of a lever 59 which is pivotably connected to a pivot 58. The other end of the lever is hinged at 60 to a control rod 61, which is movable through a cam in a well known manner (not shown).
A discharge plunger 64 operates in the same manner as the plunger 55 and is provided at the ejection station and movably guided in a U-shaped guide 63 radially to the axis of the second revolver 3 and coaxially to the bushing 62. The rear end of said plunger 64 forms with a lever 68 a rack-and-pinion-gear 65, 67. The lever 68 is pivotable about a pivot 66 and the free end of the lever is hinged to a control rod 70 at 69.
It will be seen that the two buffer rails 17 have the following functions:
1. the balance between the intermittent drive of the chains 15, 16 at the transfer station from the winding apparatus to the chains 15 and 16 respectively and the continuous movement of the chains 15, 16 at the transfer point to the presser and 2. the balance during the ejection of defective rolls by another roll prepared by the winding apparatus in a manner to fill the roll-cups of the chains 15, 16 without any gap only with perfect rolls.
During the standstill ofthe chain 15 or 16 in the area of the sprocket 12 and during the continuous movement of the chain about the sprocket 12 in the proximity of the presser, the buffer rail 17 is moved about the difference of this displacement in the direction of the arrow 18. With the next index operation of the intermittently driven sprockets 9b the chain 15 or 16 is moved about one pitch of the distance of the roll-cups with a higher rate than the chain is continuously driven by the sprockets 12 and 42 respectively at the same time. At this time the buffer rail is moving in the previous initial or normal position in direction of the arrow 19.
The balance of failures is the second function of the buffer rail 17 and the chain 15 or 16. If a defective roll is pushed into a roll-cup of the chain 15 or 16, the continuous drive of the chain is automatically stopped and the roll-cup with the defective roll in it is maintained in the transfer range one cycle of the machine. The following perfect roll pushes the defective roll out of the roll-cup and only thereafter the chain will be moved about one further pitch. During the standstill of the chain about one cycle of the machine, the buffer rail is shifted about the half distance of the distance of two roll-cups of the chain in the direction of the arrow 18.
If the both buffer rails 17 are moved in extremely different positions by the ejection of a plurality of defective rolls, that means, that one of the both buffer rails is shifted much more in for instance the direction of discharge 18 than the other buffer rail, the other chain system will receive an electronic signal for the ejection of perfect rolls until that time at which both buffer rails will reach again the same position. The index number of the presser is slowed down about for a short time by an electric control to bring both buffer rails again in their middle position (in FIG. 1 the full charge position is shown). Both winding apparatuses will be operated until the buffer rails 17 have reached their middle position and thereafter the electric control will be operated in such a way that the presser operates with a normal rate.
For instance, ifin FIG. 1 the upper winding apparatus delivers defective rolls. the buffer rail 17 would be shifted more and more into the direction of the discharge (arrow 18), because of the fact that the chain system at the transfer station from the winding apparatus to the transfer chain will come to a standstill during each machine cycle. During this time each roll in a roll-cup at the transfer point will be pushed out by the following defective roll. If the buffer rail 17 is in its extreme position at the left side of FIG. 1, this position will be electronically scanned and the electronic control will give a signal ejection to the other winding apparatus below. With this signal perfect rolls will be ejected at the transfer point of the winding apparatus below to approach also the extreme left position with the buffer rail 17 as it does the upper buffer rail. If now both buffer rails are moved in a position very narrow to the empty position", then the presser is driven 10% slower and both buffer rails will be moved slowly to their middle position.
If defective rolls will be ejected at the transfer station of the winding apparatus for a longer time, so that the buffer rail will be moved completely to its extremely left position and if also the buffer rail below is moved to the left side and the winding apparatus below has received the signal ejection of perfect rolls, and if in spite of the fact that the rate of the machine cycle of the presser is slowed down about 10%, a balance will be not possible because of the fact that only defective rolls will be ejected, then the presser machine will be stopped until the winding apparatus has filled with rolls the chain so much that both buffer rails will move to their middle position between their extreme left and right position.
If there is any failure within the presser so that the presser is stopped. then one or both winding apparatuses will work for such a time, until both buffer rails will reach their extreme right position in FIG. 1, that means the direction of filling. In this end position again an end switch will be closed by the buffer rail, by which the winding apparatus is stopped. Therefore, in the case of an extreme left or right end-positions of the buffer rail the latter will operate an end switch as to stop the winding-apparatus at the extreme right endposition of the buffer rail 17 or to stop the presser machine at the extreme left endposition of the buffer rail in FIG. 1. So it is possible to balance the degree of admission of rolls to the chain 15 with a degree of admission of rolls to the parallel controlled chain 16, if one of both chains has been extremely filled with or emptied of rolls. And after this procedure they are pushed in revolver 3 into the tampon cups 13 which are fastened laterally to the links of the two conveyor chains 21 (FIG. 4). Thus the transfer of the tampons from the revolver 3 into these tampon cups 13 is performed in the same manner as the feeding of the rolls into the pressing apparatus 2, while a total of four tampon cups 13 are passing around sprockets 34 and while, as a result, the tampon cup 13, the revolver bore of the bushing 62, and the revolver plunger 64 are in coaxial alignment with one another.
The tampons 35 (FIG. 4) are pushed from the two continuously running conveyor chains 21 into tampon containers 14 on the continuously circulating conveyor chain 22 at two transfer points. Each of the conveyor chains 21 is driven in common with the conveyor chain 22 by a chain sprocket 10a, 10b, through the hollow chain drive shaft 10 which is connected to a driving motor through a drive pinion at the end of the shaft, in a manner which is not shown. This system is so arranged that, during one half revolution of the chain drive shaft 10, a sleeve-like tampon cup 13 on conveyor chain 21 will be in alignment, in the sprocket engagement area, with one of the tampon containers 14 whose shape matches that of a tampon and which are carried on the second conveyor chain. The transfer of the tampon 35 takes place while the conveyor chains 21 and 22 are rotating around the chain drive shaft 10 and is performed by means of two plungers 40 which are mounted for rotation about the chain drive shaft 10 in walls of the chassis of the transfer device 4 and are guided by bores in the chain drive shaft 10. Four plungers 40 are disposed for axial displacement in each of the two chain drive shafts, being displaceable by means of rollers 39a which are fastened to blocks 39 which are engaged by a fixed control cam 36 of drumlike construction. The blocks 39 are displaceably disposed on guide rods which are mounted in disks 37 and 38. The cam 36 is affixed to the machine frame, and the machined cam track is of such shape that, when the chain drive shaft 10 rotates by 180, a plunger 40 performs a sinusoidal reciprocating movement in the course of which the transfer takes place.
Since in the represented embodiment the tampons 35 are transferred from two conveyor chains to one, at the first transfer point approached by conveyor chain 22 every other tampon holder 14 must be filled, and the alternate tampon holders 14 must be filled at the second transfer point. For this reason the conveyor chain 22 in this embodiment has a l-inch division, each chain division being associated with one tampon holder 14. Conveyor chain 21 has a division of five-eighths inch and carries one tampon cup every six links. Through coordination of the dimensions from the roll center of chain 21 and the center of the bore of tampon cup 13 in conjunction with the different diameters of the gears on chain drive shaft a coaxial alignment of the bores in tampon cups 13 and 14 is achieved. However, only one tampon cup 13 is associated with every other tampon holder 14 located on the periphery of each of the two chain drive shafts 10. The filled conveyor chain 22 then passes into the storage station 5 from which the tampons are fed to a packaging machine. e.g., a blister packaging machine. This may be realized in a manner which is described in the co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 216,624 dated Jan. 10, I972. The chain conveyor belt 6 running from the storage 5, which serves as a buffer, takes the tampons ejected from the buffer chain and carries them to the drum of the blister packager. A paddle wheel presses the tampons out of the recesses of the sprocket into the recesses in a blister material running on the blister drum, whereupon the packaging of the tampons may be performed in a conventional manner. With the manufacturing installation described, an output of 240 tampons per minute can be achieved.
Especially due to the manner in which the rolls or tampons are transferred from one working process to the next a high output of the product is achieved without harm to the shape thereof, in an installation which, by and large, operates virtually continuously.
What is claimed is:
1. In a process for the manufacture of tampons wherein a band of batting is wound into a plurality of rolls; the rolls are transferred to a pressing process wherein they are pressed into tampons and the tampons are transferred into storage or packaging, the improvement which comprises intermittently feeding a plurality of rolls along a first path to a continuously moving first transfer means, intermittently feeding a plurality of rolls along a second path to a continuously moving second transfer means, intermittently removing said rolls from said first transfer means and feeding them along a third path to a pressing apparatus, intermittently removing said rolls from said second transfer means and feeding them along a fourth path to said pressing apparatus, intermittently removing a plurality of the rolls from said pressing apparatus and feeding them along a fifth path to a third transfer means, and intermittently removing additional rolls from said pressing apparatus and feeding them along a sixth path to a fourth transfer means, the feed to said first transfer means, the removal therefrom and feed to said pressing apparatus and the removal therefrom and feed to said third transfer apparatus being synchronous with the feed to said second transfer means, the removal therefrom and the feed from said second transfer means to said pressing apparatus and the removal therefrom and the feed to said fourth transfer apparatus.
2. An improvement according to claim 1 further comprising continuously feeding the rolls from said third and fourth transfer means in parallel to a single continuously moving receiving means and passing said rolls along a common path to a downstream work station.
3. An improvement according to claim 2 additionally comprising removing the rolls from the first and second transfer means by directing a transverse thrust against them.
4. An improvement according to claim 3 further comprising continuously transporting thereafter tampons along a common path to a packaging apparatus.
5. An improvement according to claim 2further comprising pressing the rolls into tampons in said pressing apparatus and injecting some of the so-formed tampons into said third transfer means and some of said tampons into said fourth transfer means, the rate at which said rolls are pressed being at a greater rate upon the feeding of rolls upstream thereof to respective first and second transfer means than upon the transfer of rolls from said first and second transfer means to said pressing apparatus.
6. In an apparatus for making tampons comprising a winding apparatus to form wound rolls from a fibrous batting, a pressing apparatus which forms said rolls into tampons, a transfer device to transfer the rolls to said pressing apparatus, means for intermittently feeding rolls to said transfer device, the improvement which comprises regulating means associated with said transfer device permitting continuous transmission of said rolls to said pressing apparatus while the portion of said transfer device positioned at said means for feeding said transfer device is maintained stationary, said transfer device comprising an endless conveyor, said regulating means comprising means for changing the path of said endless conveyor to lengthen or shorten the distance of travel between the means for feeding said' transfer device and said pressing apparatus, and means for continuously moving said conveyor at said pressing apparatus when said conveyor is at its stopped position at said means for feeding said transfer device.
7. An improvement according to claim 6 wherein said transfer device comprises a buffer rail, an endless conveyor chain having links, which chain carries over said buffer rail roll cups sized to receive said rolls from said winding apparatus, said cups mounted laterally on said links of said chain, said chain carried at said winding apparatus over an intermittently drivable sprocket and proximate said pressing over a continuously drivable sprocket, means for driving said intermittently drivable sprocket and means for driving said continuously drivable sprocket said intermittently drivable sprocket carrying said chain proximate said pressing apparatus, over said continuously drivable sprocket, means for displacing said buffer rail laterally to permit continuous movement of a portion of said chain away from said winding apparatus while the portion of the chain at said winding apparatus is stationary.
8. An improvement according to claim 7 wherein said buffer rail is mounted to permit reciprocal lateral movement, said rail is disposed on at least one roller, said apparatus further comprising two buffer rail sprocketed wheels, one of which is connected to one end of said buffer rail, the other of which is connected to the other end of said buffer rail and said sprocketed wheels engage said chain.
9. An improvement according to claim 8 wherein said apparatus further comprises a stationarily disposed sleeve and an ejection plunger of said winding apparatus said conveyor chain proximate said winding apparatus is carried into alignment with said stationarily disposed sleeve, said sleeve is in alignment with said ejection plunger of said winding apparatus, which plunger, upon actuation, ejects a formed roll from the transfer device disposed between the winding apparatus and the presser, such that when the conveyor chain is at a standstill, a roll cup of a size to recieve a roll is aligned with said sleeve.
10. An improvement according to claim 9 wherein said conveyor chain at the winding apparatus is connected to a drive sprocket, said apparatus comprises a claw coupling, an intermittently drivable shaft of the winding apparatus and means for intermittently driving said shaft, said claw coupling said drive sprocket with said intermittently drivable shaft and means for disengaging said claw coupling.
ll. An improvement according to claim 10 wherein said means for disengaging said claw comprises an electromagnet and a shifting lever, said shifting lever connected and responsive to said electromagnet.
12. An improvement according to claim 10 wherein a lock is provided on the claw coupling for the stopped position of the conveyor chain.
13. An improvement according to claim 9 wherein said conveyor chain is disposed at said presser in an transfer area of 90 such that the axis of a roll cup is substantially in alignment in the transfer area with a plunger which is disposed in alignment with said roll cup, which plunger is displaceable transversely of the conveyor chain and said apparatus further comprises means for displacing said plunger transversely of said conveyor therein.
14. An improvement according to claim 13 wherein each roll cup is constructed open on one side over the longitudinal dimension in the form of a slot-like opening which is larger than said plunger.
15. An improvement according to claim 6 wherein there is provided a second transfer means connected to the output of said pressing apparatus comprising at least one endless conveyor chain with tampon cups sized to receive a tampon which cups are mounted laterally on the links of said endless conveyor chain, said chain mounted at said pressing apparatus on at leastone loose sprocket, a tampon receiving revolver in said pressing apparatus having at least one bore therein and means for revolving said revolver, said loose sprocket being in an transfer area of 90 such that the axis of a tampon cup is in substantial alignment in this transfer area with the axis of said bore.
16. An improvement according to claim 15 wherein said endless conveyor chain is carried around a continuously drivable chain drive shaft, said apparatus comprises means for continuously driving said chain drive shaft and a second conveyor chain having laterally mounted tampon holders engaging said drive shaft such that, during a rotation of the chain drive shaft, a tampon holder is coaxially aligned with a tampon cup of the endless conveyor chain in an engagement of 90C.
17. An improvement according to claim 15 wherein the chain drive shaft is provided in the transfer range of the first conveyor chain with axial bores which are in alignment with said tampon cups mounted on the conveyor chain within the transfer range and in which displaceable plungers are disposed and said apparatus comprises means for displacing said plungers transversely.
18. An improvement according to claim 17 wherein said means for displacing said plungers transversely comprises a fixedly disposed control cam and a roller engaged by said cam.
19. An improvement according to claim 15 wherein the tampon cups are sized to match said roll cups.
20. In a process for the manufacture of tampons wherein a band of batting is wound into a plurality of rolls, the rolls are transferred to a pressing process wherein they are pressed into tampons and the tampons are transferred into storage or packaging, the improvement which comprises intermittently feeding a plurality of rolls along a first path of a continuously moving first transfer means, intermittently feeding a plurality of rolls along a second path to a continuously moving second transfer means, maintaining the continuous movement of each of said first and second transfer means independent of the feed thereto by lengthening and shortening the path of travel of said first and second transfer means so that the movement is continuous regardless of the intermittent feed to said first and second transfer means, intermittently removing said rolls from said first transfer means and feeding them along a third path to a pressing apparatus, intermittently removing said rolls from said second transfer means and feeding them along a fourth path to said pressing apparatus, intermittently removing a plurality of rolls from said pressing apparatus and feeding them along a fifth path to a third transfer means, and intermittently removing additional rolls from said pressing apparatus and feeding them along a sixth path to a fourth transfer means, the feed to said first transfer means, the removal therefrom and the feed to said pressing apparatus and the removal therefrom and the feed to the third transfer apparatus being synchronous with the feed to said second transfer means, the removal therefrom and feed from said second transfer means to said pressing apparatus and the removal therefrom and the feed to said fourth transfer apparatus.
21. An apparatus for making tampons and transferring said tampons to packaging or storage which comprises a first winding apparatus and a second winding apparatus, each of which form round rolls from a fibrous batting, a first transfer device, a second transfer device and a common pressing apparatus, said first transfer device operable to transfer the rolls from said first winding apparatus to said common presser, said second transfer device operable to transfer the rollers from said second winding apparatus to said common presser, said presser applicable to form the rolls fed thereto into tampons, means for intermittently feeding wound rolls to said first transfer device, means for intermittently feeding wound rolls to said second transfer device, means for continuously moving said first transfer device independent of said second transfer device and for maintaining said continuous movement toward said common pressing apparatus while a portion of said first transfer device is maintained stationary, means for continuously moving said second transfer device independent of said first transfer device and maintaining said continuous movement toward said common pressing apparatus while a portion of said second transfer device is maintained stationary.
22. An apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising means for lengthening and shortening the path of travel of said first transfer device independent of the path of travel of said second transfer device in response to feed by wound roll thereto and means for lengthening and shortening the path of travel of said second transfer device independent of the path of travel of said first transfer device in response to feed of a wound roll thereto.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein each of said means for lengthening and shortening the path of travel of said first and second transfer devices com prises a buffer rail and said transfer device comprises mit continuous movement of said chain away from said winding apparatus while the portion of the chain at said winding apparatus is stationary.
24. An apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising balancing means responsive to each of said means for lengthening and shortening the path of travel of said first and second transfer devices, said balancing means balancing the degree of feed to the first and second transfer devices so that neither transfer device is overfilled with or emptied of rolls. l
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK O-FFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,87L ,o32
DATED April 1,1975 oms Stefan Simon and Wolfgang Johst It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
In Claim 7, iine 38, "px essing over" should read pressing apparatus over In Column 1 line "path of" should read path to Signed and Scaled this twenty-fifth D3) Of November 1975 [SEAL] Attest:
RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'larents and Trademarks |
US-3874033-A | Trumpet | United States Patent [191 Duncan Apr. 1, 1975 TRUMPET [75] Inventor: Raymond E. Duncan, Union, SC.
[73] Assignee: Deering Milliken Research Corporation, Spartanburg, SC.
[22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 85,927
[52] US. Cl. 19/288 [51] Int. Cl D0111 5/72 [58] Field of Search 19/288, 150, 292, 291,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,870,095 8/1932 Casablancas 19/292 X 3,133,320 5/1964 Swanson 19/288 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 199,723 3/1968 U.S.S.R 19/288 682,208 11/1952 .United Kingdom 19/291 Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or FirmEarle R. Marden; H. William Petry [57] ABSTRACT An improved trumpet for a spinning frame which is designed to provide an area for the passage of roving which incrementally increases in width to allow slubs, etc., to pass through without breaking the roving or stretching it.
1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures PMENTEU APR 1 S III III) 24 X ill ' INVENTOR. RAYMOND E. DUNCAN ATTORNEY TRUMPET ln customary practice, a strand of roving is led from a rotatably mounted spindle or package, over a roving bar, and through a bell-shaped trumpet disposed in correct position behind the drafting rolls of a spinning frame, the purpose of the trumpet being to locate the roving accurately and precisely with respect to the drafting rolls so that the roving will enter the bite of the rolls at the correct point and in a straight run.
The bell-shaped trumpets normally have a fixed size opening for the particular desired yarn and therefore, tends to break the roving when there is a slub, trash, etc., in the roving which will not pass through the trumpet opening. If it does not break it will partially stop up which will put stretch in the roving and this causes uneven yarn.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a trumpet which will allow roving which may have slubs, etc., therein to pass therethrough without breaking or stretching.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent as the specification proceeds to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of the principal elements of a spinning frame, and
FIG. 2 is a front view of the new and improved trumpet taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
In FIG. 1 there is shown, diagrammatically, the essential elements of a spinning frame with which a trumpet constructed in accordance with the invention is particularly useful. A creel includes a frame or support 14 from which a number of rolls or packages of roving depend, such as package 12 of roving rotatably suspended from the frame 14. From the package 12 the roving 11 is led over a roving bar 16 and thence downwardly through the trumpet 18 which is mounted on a transverse bar 20 disposed behind the drafting rolls. Customarily. three pairs of drafting rolls are employed, a pair of back rolls 22, a pair of middle rolls 24, and a pair of front rolls 26. The middle rolls 24 rotate faster than the back rolls 22, and the front rolls 26 rotate faster than the middle rolls 24; hence the fibers of the roving are drafted. The roving 11 after leaving the trumpet l8, proceeds through the drafting rolls along parallel paths until it leaves the bite of the front rolls 26. Then it enters the twisting system, indicated generally at 30, and then is twisted in customary fashion and wound on the spindle of the twisting system.
FIG. 2'shows the trumpet 18 in greater detail to illustrate the principles of the invention. The trumpet 18 is generally triangular in shape with an indented portion 32 to accommodate a bolt 34 which secures the trumpet to the traverse bar 20. In normal operation the roving 11 runs through the upper portion 36 of the trumpet but will move down in a lower position if a slub, lint, etc., is encountered by the trumpet. The trumpet is designed to allow the roving to seek its own position in accordance with the size of the roving and to this end the sides 38 and 40 of the trumpet diverge outwardly in the down direction to provide the triangular shaped trumpet shown.
In the preferred form of the invention the trumpet is substantially flat and is molded from a friction resistant plastic like material to provide a substantially frictionless surface for the roving to run over.
It is obvious that a trumpet is provided which will compensate for sudden increases in the roving diameter without breaking the roving and causing an ends down.
I have described the preferred embodiment of the invention but it should be understood that the invention is capable of alteration without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, I desire to be limited only by the claim.
That which is claimed is:
1. A roving guide for a spinning frame comprising: a generally triangular shaped flat body member molded from a friction resistant plastic like material having an opening therethrough, said opening being formed by two side walls which diverge from the apex of said body member and a third wall interconnecting said diverging walls and having a portion thereof bowing upwardly toward the apex of said body member. |
US-3874034-A | Perforated thermoplastic plastic strap closure affixed to an open mouth bag structure | United States Patent 1191 Clayton 1 Apr. 1, 1975 [75] Inventor: William .1. Clayton, Fairport, NY.
[73] Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation, New York,
22 Filed: Feb. 7, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 440,421
Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 216,411, Jan. 10, 1972, abandoned, Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 35,779, May 8, 1970, Pat. No. 3,633,247.
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 796.222 1/1936 France 24/16 PB 1,278,571 10/1961 France 24/16 PB 12/1966 France ..24l30.5 P 6/1949 Switzerland 24/16 PB Primary E.\-aminerD0nald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles A. Huggett; James D. Tierney [57] ABSTRACT A device for easily, quickly, and securely closing flexible bag structures comprising an elongated strap made of resilient material having at least two longitudinally spaced apart perforations. The strap has an end portion of configuration adapted for insertion into and pulling through a perforation in said strap spaced apart from another perforation intermediate said end portion and the perforation through which the end portion is inserted to form a noose. In use, such as for closing the gathered mouth of a bag, a positive lock is provided upon further pulling of said end portion until the intermediate perforation interlocks with the perforation through which the endportion is inserted. Additionally, an improved closure device in combination with a bag structure is provided comprising a plastic strap having a single aperture at one end adapted to receive the opposite end of the strap when the strap is used for securing an open mouth bag in a closed position. Such a strap is advantageously detachably secured near the open mouth portion of the bag to assure user convenience for ready accessibility of the strap locking device when it is desired to secure the bag in a closed position.
1 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3,874,034
SHED 1 0F 2 PERFORATED THERMOPLASTIC PLASTIC STRAP CLOSURE AFFIXED TO AN OPEN MOUTH BAG STRUCTURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 216,411 filed Jan. 10, 1972, now abandoned, which latter application was a Continuation-In- Part application of US. application Ser. No. 35,779 filed May 8, 1970, entitled Perforated Strap Closure For Bags, now US. Pat. No. 3,633,247.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The closure device of the present invention has application as a means for closing flexible bags. The closure device is further characterized as being detachably secured adjacent the open mouth portion of the bag it is desired to close.
2. Description of the Prior Art US. Pat. No. 3,114,184 discloses a device for use as a bag closure which comprises a male to female interlocking means having exterior edges of lateral teeth on the male member, and US. Pat. No. 3,363,293 discloses a bag tie with a locking means similar to that of the above patent. No prior art is known of the type provided by the present invention for the described closure of flexible bag structures. German Pat. No. 1,079,537 discloses locking devices for use as bag closures comprising a flexible strap characterized by having an aperture at one extremity, adapted to receive the opposite extremity of the strap whereby the opposite extremity is passed through the aperture, the aperture edges lockingly engaging protrusions on opposite edges of the closure strap. It will be noted that there is no disclosure in this patent that such locking devices may be or are intended to be detachably attached near or adjacent to the open mouth portion of the bag it is desired to close.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a closure device, for a flexible bag structure, comprising a flexible elongated strap, preferably substantially flat, having at least two longitudinally spaced apart perforations (e.g., circular holes). An end portion of said strap has a configuration adapted (e.g., elongatedly tapered to a point) for insertion into and pulling through one of the perforations spaced apart from another perforation intermediate said end portion and the perforation through which said end portion is inserted to form a noose. Upon further pulling of said end portion until the intermediate perforation interlocks with the perforation through which said end portion is inserted, a positive lock is provided. The noose so formed may be tightened around the gathered folds of a flexible bag structure opening to effect closure of the bag structure.
The closure device of the present invention may as an embodiment comprise several of such intermediate perforations (e.g., circular holes) located substantially on the longitudinal axis of a resiliently flexible elongated strap to provide several points of positive locking action by interlocking with the perforation through which said adapted end portion is inserted as the noose is progressively tightened.
Another embodiment of the closure device of the present invention comprises such a strap having two end portions of a configuration adapted for insertion into and pulling through a perforation spaced apart from a perforation intermediate one of the end portions and a perforation through which said endportion is inserted.
Still another embodiment of the present invention comprises, in combination, an open mouth bag structure having detachably affixed to the exterior surface of one of the bag walls, near or adjacent the open mouth portion of the bag, a closure device comprising a plastic strap having (a) an aperture at one extremity thereof; and (b) a plurality of spaced apart protrusions positioned along one or both longitudinal edges of the strap, the end of the strap opposite said perforation being adapted to be passed through the perforation and further pulled therethrough, when it is desired to remove the strap from the bag and secure the bag in a closed position by forming such a noose. Positive locking action is achieved utilizing such a strap when the protrusions along the longitudinal edges of the strap interlock with the edges of the perforation as the end portion of the strap is inserted and the noose is progressively tightened until the noose snugly engages the gathered mouth of the bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flat top view of a flexible elongated strap embodied by the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flat top view of another embodiment of a resiliently flexible strap;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 2 in a tightened noose position;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are flat top views of still other embodiments of flexible straps as embodied herein;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bag closed by a closure of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a plastic bag in combination with a closure device, as embodied herein, detachabl secured to the bag;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plastic bag in combination with a closure device, as embodied herein, detachably secured to the bag;
FIG. 9A is a plan view of a plastic bag in combination with a closure device as illustrated in FIG. 7 detachably secured to the bag utilizing pressure sensitive adhesive tape; 4
FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a bag closure utilizing the closure device illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9; and
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are top planar views of other embodiments of resilient, flexible straps which may be detachably secured to the bag combination of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like elements throughout, in FIG. 1 there is shown flexible elongated strap 9, made of a plastic material such as polyethylene. Strap 9 comprises an end portion 8 of configuration adapted (i.e., elongatedly tapered to a point P) for insertion into and pulling through a perforation as described hereafter, and two longitudinally spaced apart perforations (i.e., circular holes), of which one perforation 12 is spaced apart from the other perforation 13 intermediate said end portion 8. When used for a bag closure, the strap of FIG. I is adapted for insertion of end portion 8 into perforation 12 and further pulled therethrough until perforation l3 interlocks with perforation 12, thus, the strap provides a noose tightenable around the gathered folds of a flexible bag structure opening to effect closure of the bag structure.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, end portion 8 of strap 9 is of smaller size in width from line aa to end point P of end portion 8 than is the diameter of perforation 12 which is spaced longitudinally apart from intermediate perforation 13. The intermediate perforation 13 is disposed in the end portion 8 of strap 9 where the width of the end portion 8 is greater than the diameter of perforation 12. That is, and as shown, intermediate perforation 13 is disposed in the strap 9 at a portion thereof which is wider than end portion 8.
In FIG. 2 there is shown another embodiment of a flexible strap 10 provided as a closure device for a flexible bag structure and, in FIG. 3, such a strap is shown in the form of a closed interlocked loop. The strap 10 comprises end portions 14 and of a configuration adapted (i.e., elongatedly tapered to a point) to be inserted into and pulled through a perforation longitudinally spaced apart from a perforation intermediate the spaced apart perforation and the inserted end portion to form a noose. In this embodiment, perforations l2 and 13 are disposed so that either one can be used as the perforation into which an end portion of the strap can be initially inserted. Thus, if end portion 15 is used as the inserted end portion, perforation 12 is the spaced apart perforation into which end portion 15 is inserted and perforation 13 is the intermediate perforation which provides the positive locking action when it engages with perforation 12 as the end portion 15 is pulled through perforation 12. Likewise, when end portion 14 is used as the inserted end portion, perforation 13 is the spaced-apart perforation and perforation 12 is the intermediate perforation.
FIG. 3 shows the first of the above options in which end portion 15 is used as the inserted end portion and the noose 16 is formed which may be tightened around the gathered folds of a flexible bag structure opening to effect closure of the bag structure. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the positive locking action provided by interlocking of perforation 12, with perforation 13, when the noose is tightened to where perforations l2 and 13 coincide. This positive locking action is accomplished when the flexible strap is compressed into a curl (e.g., generally U-shaped) upon being pulled through a perforation which is smaller in width (e.g., diameter) than is the width of the strap where the intermediate perforation is located. The resilient force due to the compressing of the strap against the inner edge of the outer encompassing perforation, is less where the holes interlock than it is on either side of the inside encompassed hole along the strap. This compressive force differential causes the interlocking of the holes to be substantially positive, effectively restraining movement in either a noose tightening or loosening direction.
As a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, strap 10 comprises a plurality of intermediate or spaced apart perforations 13 on the longitudinal axis between perforations 12 and 13 to provide said positive locking action at various points as the noose is tightened. FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the closure device of the present invention in which flexible strap 11 comprises perforation 12 in body portion 17 cut at right angles to the parallel side edges 18 and 18 of the strap and in which the diameter of hole 12 is smaller than the width of at least a portion of tapered end portion 19 of the strap 11. End portion 19 of strap 11 is tapered to a point so that it can be inserted into and pulled through perforation 12. Intermediate perforations 13, 13, etc., provide a positive locking action by interlocking with perforation 12 as the noose is tightened. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the end portion 19 may be in the configuration shown wherein the tapered end has shoulders (i.e., shoulders 19) that provide a positive catch in hole 13.
FIG. 6 shows a closure device, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in combination with a flexible bag B to effect closure of the bag opening by securely holding the gathered folds of said bag opening closed. In this embodiment, and with bag B filled or otherwise containing material that may be trash, food products, etc., the closure is effected in the manner aforediscussed in regard to FIG. 3.
The closure device of the present invention may be used with flexible bag structures of various types. Nonlimiting examples of flexible bag structures with which the present closure device is useful include paper, cellophane, vinyl, polyethylene and the like. The closure device may be attached, in detachable manner, to individual bag structures for use when closure of the bag is desiredfNon-limiting means of attaching them to bags include adhesive tape, glue, and pressure sensitive adhesives. An embodiment of the latter is shown in FIG. 7 wherein a closure device 10 as embodied herein is attached by means of, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive to an outside wall of plastic bag 20 having an open mouth at 21. When the bag 20 is used for packaging and is to be closed, strap 10 can be readily detached and used for closure as aforedescribed.
The closure device may be made from any resilient material, examples of which include thermoplastics, suitably flexible paper products, etc., in single film thickness or a plurality of films (laminates) sealed together to give a desired thickness and rigidity for the intended usage.
The closure device, as embodied herein, is desirably provided with an embossed pattern in the body of the strap material to add to the security of the strap in its use as a closure device by imparting more resilient strength to the strap wall in the interlocking position.
However, for some applications, a smooth surface is suitable.
The size specifications of the closure device of the present invention may vary according to its prospective use. For many usages, a strap as embodied herein is suitable when comprised of a suitable plastic material from about 3 mils to about 6 mils or more in thickness, from about 5 to about 7 inches in length and from about to about 1 /2 inches in width, and in which the perforations, when in the form of holes, have a diameter generally about 25 percent of the width of the strap at the area of the perforations. Non-limiting examples of perforations in the present device include circular holes, crossed slits, slits of various orientations, combinations of these and any other suitable configuration of a perforation opening.
A specific example of a closure device of the present invention, generally suitable for closure of plastic garbage bags and food bags comprises as 6 mils thick embossed polyethylene film of the configuration shown in FIG. 5 having an overall length of 6 inches, a width of l inch at the area defined by 3 inch parallel side edges 18 and 18 and circular holes (12, 13, and 13') A inch in diameter disposed in the strap with perforation 12 being about /2 inch from end 17 and the remaining holes being disposed on the substantially longitudinal center line of the device towards the other end of the strap.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, a thermoplastic bag 30 is shown with a flexible, plastic, locking strap 31 detachably secured adjacent the open mouth 32 of bag 30. Locking strap 31 is affixed to the bag utilizing a pressure sensitive adhesive. Such adhesive may be coated on one side of the locking strap or on the surface of bag wall. Conversely, as shown inFlG. 9-A the locking strap, or bag closure element 31, may be detachably secured to bag 30 utilizing tape 33, e.g. paper or plastic, coated with an adhesive.
FIG. 9-B is an illustration, similar to FIG. 6, illustrating a bag, the gathered mouth of which has been securely fastened utilizing the locking strap 31, shown detachably affixed to the bags of FIGS. 8 and 9-A. As shown, in FIG. 9-B, the bag mouth is secured by passing, through the single perforation 34 at one end of locking strap 31, the opposite end 35 of strap 31 and tightening the thereby formed noose around the bag mouth. The strap releasably locks into position when the noose is of suitable circumference, as a result of the flexible protrusions 36 lockingly engaging the edges of perforation 34.
As hereinbefore noted, FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are shown as examples of locking straps having a locking principle substantially similar to locking strap 31. Such straps are shown, by way of example, in connection with the type of closure strap which may be employed within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention enables, for example, a user of disposable bags, such as trash can liners, lawn debris and leaf bags and the like to have, after such bags are filled and ready for closure, a readily accessible closure device, the device being immediately at hand by virtue of its being detachably secured adjacent the open mouth of the bag it is desired to close. Such an arrangement is in sharp contrast with prior art closure devices for this type of bag where closures are generally packaged loosely, in a common container with the bags, but not releasably attached thereto as in the case of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Such variations and modifications are therefore considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A device for closure of flexible bag structures which comprises a flexible elongated strap having at least two longitudinally spaced-apart perforations, one end of said strap being elongatedly tapered such that said tapered end may be inserted into and pulled through one of said perforations spaced-apart from another of said perforations said latter perforation being intermediate said tapered end portion (being inserted) and said perforation through which said end portion is inserted to form a noose, said elongatedly tapered strap end being further characterized by having outwardly projecting shoulders at opposite edges of said strap, approximately at the point where said flexible strap begins to taper, whereby when said noose is formed and said elongatedly tapered end is pulled through said perforation at said end portion of said strap, said intermediate perforation engages with the perforation through which said end portion is inserted to provide for said noose, a lock which is further reinforced by engagement of said shoulders with the engaged perforations. =l |
US-3874035-A | Hanger clip | United States Patent 1191 11.11 3,874,035
Schuplin 1 Apr. 1, 1975 HANGER CLIP 3,463,522 8/1969 Meehan 248/228 x 3,618,176 11/1971 B 24 84B [75] Inventor: .grfi'pme T. Schuplm, Parma Heights, 3,743,228 7/1973 03:1 244/228 [73] Assignee: Fastway Fasteners, lnc., Lorain, ry e G60- V. Larkin Ohi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Baldwin, Egan, Walling &
F 221 Filed: June 26, 1974 etzer [21] Appl. No.: 483,225 [57] ABSTRACT A hanger clip for attachment to an overhead flanged 52 us. c1. 24/84 H, 248/228 beam Providing means for connecting articles such as 511 1m. (:1 A44b 13/00 conduits, Pipes, Wires, hangers for Suspended ceilings. [58] Field of Search 248/228, 227, 305; light fixtures and the like to the beam- The hanger p 2 4 R, 3 A 84 B, 4 182/206 includes means for receiving in slip fit relation the flange of the beam for supporting the clip in depen- [56 1 References Cited dent relation from the beam, together with means co- UNITED STATES PATENTS acting with the slip fit means for resisting withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange. 2,944.781 7/1960 Masters 248/228 3.390856 7/1968 Van Buren 1. 248/228 x 20 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR H975 3.874.035
sum 3 BF 3 HGJY' FIG.I8
HANGER CLIP This invention relates in general to a hanger clip adapted for mounting on a flanged beam, and more particularly, to a hanger clip which can be rapidly mounted on the flanged beam and which, when in mounted condition, resists removal therefrom, and expeditiously provides for supporting articles, such as pipes, conduits, hangers, wires, or the like on the beam structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many prior art types of hanger clips adapted for supporting articles, such as conduits, pipes and the like, from beams. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,944,781 and 3,618,176 issued respectively on July 12, 1960 and Nov. 9, 1971, disclose various types of hanger clips for mounting articles to overhead beams.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel hanger clip which may be expeditiously manufactured in one-piece configuration from, for instance, sheet metal, and which may be rapidly assembled with a flanged beam in depending relation therefrom, and which, when so assembled, effectively resists withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange, and which can be adapted to support a variety of articles, such as pipes, wires, conduits, hangers and the like, from the beam.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel hanger clip for mounting on a flanged beam.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger clip adapted for mounting on a flanged beam, which can be rapidly slipped onto the beam flange and which, when so mounted, resists unintentional withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a hanger clip of the above type which can be expeditiously adapted to a wide variety of articles to effectively support such articles from the beam, such articles being, for instance, wire, conduit, pipe, hangers for suspended ceilings, light fixtures or the like.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a hanger clip which includes slot means therein for mounting the hanger clip in slip fit relation on the beam flange, with tooth means coacting with the slot means for resisting unintentional withdrawal movement of the hanger clip from the beam.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a hanger clip which is of simplified construction, and which can be economically manufactured from sheetlike material, such as for instance, sheet metal, using mass production techniques.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary, perspective illustration of a hanger clip embodying the invention as mounted on the flange ofa Z type building beam or purlin, and illustrating the clip supporting an article of wire thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the clip of FIG. 2, taken from the left-hand side thereof;
FIG. 4 is a rear end elevational view of the clip of FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the clip of FIGS. 2 through 4; I
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of modified form of the hanger clip, showing a bottom bracket secured thereto for supporting a pipe or conduit article instead of the wire of the clip assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further modification of hanger clip illustrating a swingable bracket coupled to the clip body for supporting a threaded hanger, such as for instance a threaded rod;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further modification of hanger clip showing the latter adapted for use in conjunction with mounting chains, for hanging articles from the clip, such as for instance, light fixtures, signs or the like;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further modified form of hanger clip illustrating an integral nut thread formed on the bottom web thereof;
FIG. 10 is a rear end elevational view of the clip of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the FIGS. 9 and 10 clip;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another modified form of hanger clip wherein provision is made for swingably mounting a threaded member, such as a threaded rod, thereon by means of a movable or swingable separate nut member;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the separate nut member of the FIG. 12 assembly;
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a blank prior to being bent into a clip of the general type illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 12;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodimen of hanger clip;
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 15 clip;
FIG. 17 is a front end elevational view taken generally along the plane of line 17-17 of FIG. 16, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 18 is a rear end elevational view taken generally along the plane of line 18-18 of FIG. 16, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIGS. 15 through 18; and
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a blank of sheet material prior to being bent into the clip of FIGS. 15 through 19.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now again to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of hanger clip 10 mounted on flange F of beam B. The
beam in the embodiment illustrated is of a Z type and could be for instance a purlin of a roof structure of a fabricated building. As illustrated, the lower edge flange F of the beam B is generally disposed obliquely with respect to the plane of the bottom web W of the beam.
The clip 10 is preferably formed of some bendable or formable sheet-like material, such as for instance sheet metal, and may be stamped or cut in a one-piece blank (FIG. 14) and subsequently bent into the configuration illustrated for instance in FIG. 1. The clip comprises a body 12 including a base web 12a and side webs 12b, formed into a generally Ushaped configuration, and with the webs 12b having diagonally arranged slots 14 opening onto the exterior of the body 12, and adapted to receive in slipfit relation therein the aforementioned complementary diagonally oriented flange F of the beam B,
Projecting laterally from each of the side webs 12b and disposed generally in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the respective of side web 12b is a flange or wing portion 16, which flange portions are disposed above the associated slot 14 in each of the respective side webs 12b. Depending from the distal end of each flange portion 16 and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the associated side web 12b, are gripping or retaining means 18.
As can be best seen in FIG. 3, the gripping means 18 comprise teeth 19 which project into or just past the lengthwise plane of the associated slot 14 (FIG. 3) so that when the clip is mounted in assembled relation on the flange F of the beam B, the pointed teeth 19 will grip the confronting surface of the flange (FIG. 1) and resist withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam. In this connection the flange portions 16 of the clip are preferably of a generally resilient nature, so that they can be forced upwardly during assembly of the clip on the beam, and also to release the gripping coaction of the teeth means with respect to the flange F of the beam B, and thus facilitate removal of the clip from the beam, if such removal becomes necessary or desirable. for instance, removal can be readily accomplished by inserting a tool, such as a screwdriver or the like beneath the web or flange portion 16 and forcing it away from the flange F of the beam. Moreover, the points on the teeth preferably project generally rearwardly, as shown, to facilitate sliding assembly of the clip on the beam.
The blank 21 (FIG. 14) from which the clip may be formed, and the clip itself when so formed, may be provided with openings 22 in the side webs 12b thereof. The openings are adapted to receive a fastener, such as a rivet or stud 24 coacting with a bracket 26, with a rivet being deformed for securing or holding the bracket 26 to the clip body 12. The bracket may have openings 28 therein (FIG. 2) through which may extend a wire, rod, conduit, or the like for supporting the wire article A on the clip, and thus mounting the article to the beam B. It will be understood that the bracket 26 may be of any suitable configuration and is not necessarily restricted to the type of bracket configuration 26 illustrated in the drawings. However, for purposes of attaching wire to the beam, the bracket 26 illustrated is of the preferable configuration.
The base web portion 12a of the clip may also include an opening 30 therein for likewise attaching other article supportive means, such as for instance the bracket 26' illustrated in FIG. 6 which bracket 26' comprises a resilient gripping member adapted for supporting for instance pipe, or conduit, on the clip. In other respects, the clip of FIG. 6 is generally identical to that of the first described embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5. It will be understood that the brackets 26,26 may be stationarily secured to the clip body or may be so secured that they can be rotated with respect to the clip for selective positioning of the respective bracket to the desired path for the supported article.
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a modification of clip wherein the basic clip structure 10' is generally similar to that of the first described clip of FIGS. 1 through 5 and FIG. 6, but wherein in this clip combination, a swivel bracket 31 is provided, swiveled or pivoted to the body 12 of the clip at pivots 32, and through the aforementioned openings 22 in the side webs 12b of the clip. The swivel bracket 31 is preferably provided with a threaded opening 34 in the base thereof, through which is adapted to coact in threaded coaction a threaded hanger rod R. The threaded rod R can be used for instance in suspending false ceilings from the beam B or can be used in suspending other instrumentalities, such as for instance, lights, fixtures and the like.
FIG. 8 illustrates a clip of the general type of that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, but wherein the openings 22,30 through the respective side and bottom webs l2b,12a, have chain hooks 36 passed therethrough for attaching or suspending articles, such as for instance a light fixture from the clip, thus supporting the light fixture on a beam B.
FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 illustratea further modification of clip wherein the bottom web 12a thereof includes a formed nut thread 40 stamped or formed from the material of the web 12a, and adapted to be received in threaded coaction, a threaded member such as a threaded rod or threaded fastener member.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a further modification of clip, wherein the aforementioned openings 22 in the side webs 12b, support a movable nut member 42 (FIG. 3). Nut 42 has wings 42a extending laterally from the body portion 44 thereof and which are received in the respective opening 22 in the respective side web 12b, thus supporting the nut member 42 in movable relation with respect to the clip body 12. A threaded member such as a threaded bolt 46 may be disposed in threaded coaction with a formed thread 48 on the nut body 44, to movably mount the threaded member 46 with respect to the clip body 12. As can be readily seen, since the wings 42a of the nut 42 are movable within the limit of the respective opening 22, that the threaded member can be moved through a range illustrated by the phantom lines in FIG. 12. The nut 42 can be conveniently formed from, for instance, sheet metal, with the integral thread impression 48 stamped or cut therefrom. Such an arrangement can be utilized in suspending various articles from an associated beam B, and could be used for instance in suspending false ceilings or the like from another beam.
Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 20, there is shown a further embodiment of clip. In this form of clip 10'', the body 12' in end elevation is again of generally U- shaped configuration, however, with the slots 14' being located generally at the juncture of the lateral flange portions 16' with the body 12'. The tooth means 18' in this embodiment for resisting withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange comprises a point or projection 50, formed from the material of the respective flange 16 and bent or directed out of the plane thereof, as best shown in FIG. 16, so that such tooth means 18 will be in a position for resisting withdrawal movement of the clip from the flange F of the beam B.
The flanges 16' are preferably generally resilient so that the clip flange can be moved up away from the flange F of the beam when installed thereon when it is necessary or desired to remove the clip 10" from the beam. Such a clip can be readily formed from a flat blank (FIG. 20) of sheet metal, similarly to the first described clip embodiment. It will be noted that in this arrangement the flanges 16' are disposed obliquely with respect to the horizontal. The openings 22, 30' can be formed in the respective side and bottom web of the clip body for similar purposes aforedescribed in connection with the previously described embodiments of clip. In other words, such openings can be used to support or couple articles such as brackets or chains or the like thereto, for supporting articles on the beam via the clip.
From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the invention provides various arrangements of hanger clips adapted for attachment to flanged beam members or the like, and providing an expeditious means for connecting articles to the beam. The hanger clip includes means for receiving the beam flange in slip fit relation, together with means coacting with the slip fit means for providing gripping or holding the beam, and resisting withdrawal movement of the clip member from the beam flange. The clip member has means for securing articles thereto, such as for instance, conduits, pipes, wires, hangers for suspended ceilings, light fixtures and the like.
The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possiblewithin the scope of the invention claimed.
What is claimed is:
1. In a hanger clip adapted for mounting on a flanged beam or the like comprising, a body having means on said body for receiving in slip-fit relation the flange of the beam for supporting said clip in generally depending relation therefrom, means coacting with the first mentioned means adapted for gripping the beam flange and resisting withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange, and other means on said body for attaching thereto article supportive means.
2. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body comprises a generally U-shaped in end elevation, member.
3. A clip in accordance with claim 2 wherein said gripping means are disposed laterally of the first mentioned means.
4. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first mentioned means comprises a slot in said body opening onto the periphery thereof for receiving therein the beam flange in said slipfit relation.
5. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body comprises a generally U-shaped configuration in elevation including generally laterally projecting body flanges and teeth means on each of said body flanges comprising said gripping means for resisting withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange, said teeth means projecting out of the plane of the respective body flange.
6. A clip in accordance with claim 5 wherein said flanges are generally cantilevered to said body for facilitating sliding movement of said teeth means relative to the beam flange during mounting of the clip on the beam.
7. A clip in accordance with claim 5 wherein said teeth means are so constructed and arranged that they are operative to prevent withdrawal movement of the clip from the beam flange in one direction but facilitate entry of the beam flange into the first mentioned means, in the opposite direction, said first mentioned means comprising laterally spaced parallel extending slots in said body.
8. A clip in accordance with claim 5 wherein said flanges are disposed in oblique planes with respect to the horizontal.
9. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said other means includes an aperture in said body, and means coacting with said aperture and attaching bracket means to said body for fastening an article, such as for instance a wire to said body.
10. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first mentioned means comprises a slot extending obliquely with respect to the horizontal and opening onto the exterior of said body for receiving a complementary obliquely extending beam flange.
11. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said other means comprises means for attaching a bracket to said body, and a bracket secured to said body via said attaching means and including a fastener securing the bracket to said body, said bracket having openings therein through which is adapted to extend an article, such as for instance a wire, for supporting the latter via said clip on the beam.
12. A clip in accordance with claim 1 in combination with an article attaching bracket, and wherein said bracket is attached to said body by fastener means extending through an opening in said body and coacting between said body and said bracket.
13. A clip in accordance with claim 12 wherein said bracket is pivoted to said body at spaced points by said fastener means for swinging movement of the bracket with respect to said body, and means on said bracket formed from the material thereof adapted to support an article, such as for instance a threaded hanger rod, on said bracket.
14. A clip in accordance with claim 1 including nut means mounted on said body and adapted to receive a threaded hanger member in supporting coaction therewith, for mounting the threaded hanger member on the body.
15. A clip in accordance with claim 14 including a threaded hanger member coacting with said nut means in threaded coaction and mounting the threaded hanger member on said clip.
16. A clip in accordance with claim 14 wherein said nut means is swingably coupled to said body for permitting-swingable movement of said nut means with respect to said body, and thus swingable movement of the threaded hanger member with respect to the body.
17. A clip in accordance with claim 16 wherein said means mounting said nut means on said body comprises openings in said body, receiving therethrough wings on said nut means in relatively movable relation, for movably mounting the nut means on said body.
18. A clip in accordance with claim 16 wherein said nut means comprises a sheet metal nut having thread means formed thereon from the material of the nut, said body having laterally spaced openings therein, and said nut having laterally projecting wings received in said openings in movably supported relation and swingably mounting said nut on said body, said body having an opening disposed below said nut and through which is adapted to extend the threaded hanger member in spaced relation to said body for providing for movable positioning of the threaded hanger member relative to said body.
19. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body is of U-shaped configuration in end elevation and has laterally projecting wings thereon, and said gripping means comprising teeth formed from the material of said wings and extending out of the plane of said wings.
20. A clip in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body is of U-shaped configuration in end elevation and has laterally projecting wings, and teeth means projecting from said wings in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of said wings and forming said gripping means. |
US-3874036-A | Sliding clasp fasteners | United States Patent 1 [111 3,874,036
Yoshikawa [45] A r, 1, 1975 SLIDING CLASP FASTENERS [56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Kiichi Yoshikawa,Toy0naka, UNITED STATES PATENTS osakaJapan 3,015,868 1/1962 Ruhrmann 24/205.16 C 3,054,158 9/1962 Yoshida 24/2051 C [73] Ass1gnee: Yoshlda Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, 3,149,387 9/1964 Ruhrmann 24/205.16 C Tokyo, Japan 3,255,504 6/1966 Porepp 24/205.l3 C 3,430,304 3/1969 Swainson 24/205.1 C [22] Filed: Aug. 18, 1972 3,494,008 2/1970 Frohlich 24/205.1 C 3,667,089 6/1972 Porepp 24/205.16 c [21] Appl. No.1 281,724 3,708,836 1/1973 Frohlich 24/205.1 C 3,714,683 2/1973 Frohlich 24/205.l6 C
Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or FirmBucknam and Archer [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 20, 1971 Japan 46-75197 [57] ABSTRACT A sliding clasp fastener is dlsclosed which is provided with means for covering the outer surfaces of the coupling elements and protecting the same against dam- 1 1 C, 24/205.16 C, age during ironing or laundering. The covering means 24/2O5-13 consists of a strip of a warp-knitted fabric having alternate wales and grooves, in which grooves sewing [51] Int. Cl. A44b 19/12, A44b 19/40 threads are accommodated without projecting above [58] Field of Search 24/205.1 c, 205.16 c, the Surface of the element- 24/205.13 C 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 11m SHEET 2 BF 2 FIGS FIG.7'
SLIDING CLASP FASTENERS This invention relates to sliding clasp fasteners and has particular reference to fasteners provided with coupling elements made of plastic materials. I
lt is the usual practice to provide means for protecting such plastic fastener elements from being deformed or otherwise damaged when the fastener is subjected to ironing or laudering. One known way is to employ fancy stitches in a manner to cover the greater portion of the fastener element. Another conventional practice is to lay a narrow elongate flat strip of braid over exposed surfaces of fastener elements in a row and sew it together with the elements onto a stringer tape. Since such braid strip has a uniform thickness throughout its entire width, it tends to develop irregular surface con-- tour when sewn firmly to the tape; that is, the portions of the strip when in contact with the sewing threads become recessed under the influence of sewing pressure, while the opposite longitudinal marginal edges thereof are conversely turned up or flared. These flared edge portions of the strip become forcibly engaged with the interior walls of a slider and render the movement of the latter heavy and sluggish. lf the fastener is allowed to open and close repeatedly with the slider in such restrained desposition, the braid strip will become stained and damaged in forcible contact with the slider, or sometimes the sewn stitches will even be torn.
Whereas, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a sliding clasp fastener which is free from the above disadvantages.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide improved means for protecting sliding clasp fasteners against physical deformation of their fastening elements when they are subjected to ironing or laundering.
These objects and features of the invention will appear clear from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate certain preferred embodiments and in which:
FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view ofa sliding clasp fastener embodying the invention with its two rows of fastener elements on opposed stringer tapes coupled together by the agency of a slider;
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 transverse sectional views respectively showing different embodiments of the invention; and
FIGS. 5 through 8, inclusive, are plan views respectively illustrating covering strips employed in accordance with the invention.
Referring now to the drawings and HG. l in particular, there is shown a sliding clasp fastener which comprises a pair of opposed stringer tapes l1 and rows of fastener element E mounted thereon which are interengageable by the agency of a slider 12. The fastener elements E are formed from a continuous plastic filament into a meandering shape so that they can be mounted astride of an inner longitudinal edge 13 of each stringer tape 11, as shown in FIG. 1. ln accordance with the invention, there is provided an elongate covering or protective means for protectively covering the outer surface of the greater portion of the element E, which means consists of a narrow strip of fabric 15 of a warp-knitted structure essentially consisting of wales 16 of warp stitches and weft threads 17 laid in coursewise to connect the wales 16. A typical example of the construction of this warp-knitted strip 15 is seen in FlG. 5 in which there is further provided tricot stitches l8 linking between adjacent wales 16. There are formed recesses or grooves 19 between adjacent wales l6 wherethe system of the fabric is less dense.
According to the invention, these grooves 19 are utilized to receive sewing threads S from a sewing needle (not shown) which is guided snugly into the grooves 19.
In the various embodiments presently shown, the covering strip 15 is provided with two grooves 19 defined by relatively wide marginal wales 16a and a relatively narrow center wale 16b. The marginal wales 16a constituting a longitudinal selvage 20 of the strip 15 are formed by thicker yarns than the remaining yarns in the system or by double pieces of yarns so as to reinforce the selvage 20 which would otherwise be thin and weak due to one less looping of weft thread 17 than at the center web portion of the strip 15.
Turning back to FIG. 1, the covering strip 15 is arranged symmetrically on each of two arm portions Ea, upper and lower, of each meandering element E and secured together therewith to the stringer tape 11 by sewn stitches S that are accommodated within the grooves 19 in the strip 15 without imparting sewing pressures to the wales 16a so that these wales do not flare up away from the element E but can be held flat and flush with the plane of the element E. In this manner, the sewing threads S being embedded within the grooves 19 are saved from abrasive wear which would otherwise result from frictional engagement with the slider 12.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 employs a covering strip 15 of FIG. 7 which is structurally the same as that of FIG. 5 except that an additional weft thread 17 is laid in to connect two of the strip 15 of HG. 5 in a pair at their respective inner selvages 200. This arrangement advantageously facilitates positioning the two similar strips 15 simultaneously on the upper and lower arms Ea of the elements E with the coupling heads Eb thereof projecting outwardly through the loops of connecting weft thread 17.
ln the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 there is shown a fastener element E in the form of a coil spring which is mounted on and along the inner longitudinal edge of a stringer tape 11. This tape 1 l is of a warp-knitted structure similar to the structure of the strip 15 shown in FIG. 5 and provided with alternate wales and grooves for the purpose of the invention already described. Designated at 21 is a reinforcing core member inserted through the coils of the elements as in the usual practice for this type of element.
FIG. 4 illustrates a sophisticated embodiment which is characterized by the provision of a covering strip 15 which consists of two identical pieces folded back to back so that the strip 15 has one set of wales 16 and grooves 19 in the upper surface for receiving sewing threads S and another set of similar wales and grooves in the lower surface in a symmetrical fashion. The coil element E is provided in its upper arm portion Ea with alternate ridges 22 and grooves 23 to snugly fit with corresponding grooves 19 and wales 16 in the lower surface of the strip 15. This arrangement ensures increased positional stability of the strip 15 relative to the element E when sewn onto the stringer tape 11.
FIG. 8 illustrates a wide warp-knitted fabric 24 consisting of a plurality of strips 15 which are interconnected coursewise by a water soluble plastic filament 25, the arrangement being that the fabric 24 may be 3 readily separated into individual covering strips 15 when immersed in water.
Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the specific form and construction herein advanced, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. As for example, the tricot stitches 18 in the strip 15 of FIG. may be substituted by warp threads 26 laid in between the wales 16 as shown in FIG. 6.
What is claimed is:
1. in a sliding clasp fastener having a pair of opposed stringer tapes and rows of coupling elements mounted on the respective longitudinal edges of said tapes, the improvement which comprises a plurality of pairs of warp-knitted fabric strips having alternate wales of warp stitches and weft thread laid in coursewise to connect said wales forming grooves between adjacent wales, said pairs of fabric strips being each positioned to protectively cover a corresponding row of coupling elements along opposite areas thereof oriented to face the sliding clasp, and sewing stitches securing together the fabric strips associated with each stringer tape and the row of coupling elements mounted thereon, said sewing stitches being received and protectively recessed within said grooves out of wiping contact with the sliding clasp.
2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein one of said warp-knitted strips is integrally connected with a corresponding stringer tape.
3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said coupling elements have ridge parts and at least one of said warp-knitted strips has grooves that received the ridge parts of the coupling elements to stabilize the strip against movement relative to such coupling elements. |
US-3874037-A | Pressure sealing slide fastener | United States Patent [191 Takamatsu Apr. 1, 1975 [21] Appl. No: 439,057
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 6. 1973 Japan 48-16118 [52] US. Cl 24/205.1 R Int. Cl A44b 19/32 Field of Search 24/205.1 R
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,7-16 l 13 5/1956 138K127 6/1959 2.909.823 Ill/1959 3.082.501 3/1963 3.104.437 9/1963 3.121.929 Z/1969 Heimberger 24/205.l C Frohlich 24/205.l C
Primary Evaminer-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A pressure-sealing type of slide fastener is provided for use on closures such as diving suits, tents and the like wherein complete fluid-tightness is required. The fastener has a pair of opposed stringer tapes whose adjacent longitudinal marginal edge portions are tilted upwardly toward each other and held in abutting relation substantially in the fashion of a rafter when the fastener is closed by manipulating a slider. In normal closed condition of the fastener, a free space is maintained between the marginal edge portions of the respective tapes and the fastener elements attached thereto, whereby the tapes are allowed to flex in response to changing external pressure.
5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR H975 3.874.037
11 15 11b 12b Q 15 WWI/l PRESSURE SEALING SLIDE FASTENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to sliding clasp fasteners and has particular reference to a fastener of the pressure sealing type in which adjacent longitudinal marginal edges of a pair of opposed stringer tapes are hermetically sealable when the fastener is closed.
2. Prior Art Many pressure sealing slide fasteners have been proposed for use on diving suits and the like wherein absolute air-tightness and water-proofing are mandatory. Such known sealing fasteners were constructed such that oppositely disposed stringer tapes usually made of rubber or similar elastic materials suitable for fluidsealing purposes are brought resiliently into abutting relation along their adjacent longitudinal edges as the fastener elements are intermeshed to close the fastener. Due to these opposed tape edges being pressed firmly against each other. the movement ofa slider therealong was rendered heavy and sluggish. Another drawback of the prior art devices is that the adjacent marginal tape edges which have been brought resiliently together are prone to spread apart under the influence of increased e\ternal pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved pressure sealing slide fastener which incorporates structural features designed to eliminate the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art; more specifically. to render the movement of the slider light and smooth and further to maintain complete fluid-sealing effect against the inlluence of changing external pressure.
According to the invention. a pressure-sealing slide fastener comprises flat stringer tapes each including an integral web portion and a marginal edge portion which extends at an angle therefrom beyond the center axis, the marginal edge portion resting on a sloping portion on each of the interlocking fastener elements in its free state and being raised slightly therefrom when the elements are interlocked.
This object and other features of the invnntion will appear clear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a pressure sealing slide fastener constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in closed disposition;
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view ofthe same with a slider mounted thereon: and
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing one of the two fastener stringers.
face thereof a series of interlocking fastener elements 13. Each individual fastener element 13 has an engaging portion 13a adapted to engage in interlocking relation with that of theopposed, mating element and a mounting portion 13b adapted to be united to one face of the stringer tape ll,( 12) at a region immediately adjacent a longitudinal marginal edge portion hereafter described. The element 13 is further provided with a slope portion 13c extending from the flat mounting portion 131) upwardly toward and terminating short of the longitudinal center axis of the fastener 10 which is indicated in chain-dotted line AA in FIG. 2 and which is in registry with the center axis of the engaging portions 13a of the elements 13.
Each stringer tape 11,( 12) comprises a flat web portion 11u,(12a) and a longitudinal marginal edge portion llb,(l2b) which is directed upwardly along the slope portions 136 of the fastener elements 13 but is disposed for free movement relative thereto may be seen from FIG. 2. The marginal edge portions l1b,(12b are thus tilted upwardly toward each other and each extend slightly beyond the center axis AA shown in FIG. 3, so that they can abut intimately against each other substantially in the form of a rafter when the fastener elements 13 are interlocked by a slider 14 to close the fastener 10 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 2. To facilitate resilient flexing ofthe adjacent marginal edge portions 1111.121) during the closing and opening of the fastener 10 or when the stringer tapes 11,12 are subjected to increased external pressure. there is provided a longitudinal groove 15 formed in the upper surface of each stringer tape and extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the fastener 10 in a position defining the borderline between the free marginal edge portion 11!),(1212) and the flat web portion 11a.(12u). To this end. the marginal edge portions 11b.12b may be preferably reduced in thickness as compared to the web portions 11u,l2u shown.
In normal closed disposition of the fastener 10, there should preferably be a clearance or free space 16 maintained between the lower surfaces of the adjacent marginal edge portions 1117,1212 that have been brought together and the apex of the slopes 130, which clearance or free gap 16 serves to allow merged marginal edge portions 1117,1212 to move flexibly therein in response to changing external pressure. This arrangement permits the fastener 10 to yield resiliently and flexibly to such external pressure exerted in variable degrees thereupon which would otherwise force the opposed stringer tapes 11,12 to split apart along the adjacent marginal edge portions 1111,1217.
The sealing structure herein-above described is advantageous in that the adjacent marginal edge portions 1112.12!) at their free edges are allowed to increase the area of their contact surfaces 17, hence in bondage substantially in proportion with increasing external pressure. Thus, in accordance with the invention, it is rendered possible to maintain sealing ofthe fastener 10 against changing external pressure and further to facilitate the sliding movement of the slider.
Terms such as upwardly used herein are used for reference purposes without regard to the direction of gravity.
What is claimed is:
1. A pressure-sealing slide fastener comprising:
a. a pair of opposed stringer tapes each including 1. a web portion and 3 2. a marginal edge portion connected thereto and extending at an angle therefrom beyond the center axis of the fastener in its free state: b. a series of interlocking fastener elements each ineluding l. an engaging portion; 2. a flat mounting portion bonded to said web portion. and 3. a sloping portion contiguous to said flat mounting portion and supporting said marginal edge portion in its free state; and c. said marginal edge portions being engageable edgewise with each other and tiltable away from the sloping portion of said elements to increase the angle away from the plane of said tapes as said elements are interlocked.
2. A slide fastener according to claim 1 in which said web portion and said marginal edge portion are flat.
3. A slide fastener according to claim 1 in which said web portion and said marginal edge portion are each of uniform thickness throughout a substantial portion of their extent.
4. A slide fastener according to claim 3 in which said marginal edge portion is at all points of lesser thickness than said web portion.
5. A slide fastener according to claim 1 in which said web portion and said marginal edge portion comprise integral portions of said tape. |
US-3874038-A | Sliding clasp coupling elements | United States Patent [191 Takamatsu [451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 SLIDING CLASP COUPLING ELEMENTS [75] Inventor: Ikuo Takamatsu, Uozu, Japan [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,
Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: July 31, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 384,176
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 3, 1972 Japan 47-91399 [52] US. Cl. 24/205.13 R, 24/205.16 R [51] Int. Cl A44b 19/04 [58] Field of Search 24/205.13 R
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,121,929 2/1964 Morin 24/205.13 R 3,302,259 2/1967 Waldes 24/205.l3 R
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 571,691 9/1945 United Kingdom 24/205.13 R
Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed -a sliding clasp fastener comprising a pair of oppositely disposed stringer tapes each carrying along their'respective longitudinal edges on one surface a series of discrete molded or die cast elements.
Each element is provided in one surface with a recess or indent disposed for reception therein of a marginal edge portion of the stringer tape with a view to reducing the overall thickness of the fastener.
8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SLIDING CLASP COUPLING ELEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sliding clasp fasteners having opposed stringer tapes of the type wherein the fastener elements are attached by injection or die casting to one surface of the respective stringer tapes.
There were known many fasteners carrying molded or die cast fastener elements of a discrete formation which are fixed in position with their leg portions mounted astride of the upper and lower surfaces of the stringer tapes along a longitudinal edge thereof. On account of the fastener elements being exposed on both surfaces of the stringer tapes, the conventional fasteners of this type were open to objection when used on garments such as shirts, ladies one-piece wears and the like where the fastener elements are disposed in contact with the skin of the wearer.
More recent improvements have been introduced wherein the fastener elements are mounted and fixed on only one surface of the stringer tapes so as to leave the other surface, facing toward the garment, free of fastener elements. However, such one-sided fasteners have suffered from the disadvantages that the protrusion of fastener elements above the one surface of the stringer tapes is literally so much greater, which in turn reduces the strength of adhesion of the fastener elements relative to the stringer tapes and which further creates the tendency of such protruding elements to catch the garment or other objects thereby damaging the latter or the fastener itself. A simple solution to this problem would be to reduce the thickness of the fastener elements as measured in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the fastener. However, too thin fastener elements would result in reduced strength of coupling between the elements and would be liable to disengagement from one another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved sliding clasp fasteners carrying on one surface a series of molded or die cast coupling elements, which elements incorporate structural features to render the same relatively thin yet without sacrifice in their coupling strength.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved sliding clasp fasteners of the type described whose elements are secured firmly into position on one surface of the fastener.
These and other objects and features of the invention will appear clear from the following detailed description thereof taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sliding clasp fastener embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the fastener shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa modification according to the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a half portion of another modified fastener according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular, there is shown a sliding clasp fastener 10 which comprises a pair of oppositely disposed stringer tapes ll, 11 each carrying along their respective longitudinal edges l2, 12 on one surface a series of molded or die cast discrete coupling elements 13. Each element 13 consists of an upper coupling member 14 including at opposite sides protuberances l5, l5 and reduced neck portions or sockets 16, I6 engageable with the protuberances l5, 15 of the upper coupling member 14 on the companion stringer tape to establish a coupling engagement of the elements 13 in a horizontal direction and a lower coupling member 17 substantially rectangular in shape with its outer end terminating short of the outer end of the upper coupling member 14 and engageable with the lower face of the upper coupling member 14 on the companion tape to establish a coupling engagement in a vertical direction, as seen in a conventional structure. The coupling elements 13 further consists of a leg portion 18 extending opposite to the coupling members 14, 17 and disposed for attachment to the longitudinal edge 12 of the tape 11.
According to the invention, there is provided a cutaway recess or indent 19 in, the lower surface of the leg portion 18, which recess is defined by a vertical wall 20 adjacent the lower coupling member 17 and a bottom wall 21 of the leg portion 18. The indent 19 has a depth approximating the thickness of the stringer tape 11 such that the end face 22 of the longitudinal edge 12 of the tape 11 is held in abutting relation to the vertical wall 20 and the upper surface 11 of the tape 11 is superposed on and affixed to the bottom wall 21 of the leg portion 18, thus securing the elements 13 firmly through two contact surfaces into position on the fastener 10. If necessary and when providing increased adhering strength between the tape 11 and the element 13, there may be provided a bead-like ridge 23 projecting longitudinally of the tape 11 for engagement in a groove 24 formed in the bottom wall 21 of the leg portion 18. To assure affixation of the elements 13 with greater stability to the respective tapes 11, II, the elements 13 may be stitched as at 25 along the longitudinal edges 12, 12, for which purpose there is provided a stitch-receiving recess formed in the upper surface of each element 13 as shown, whereby the stitchings 25 run substantially parallel with the longitudinal ridge 23.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a modified form of element 13 wherein the lower coupling member 17 is triangular in shape with its apex 26 registering with the outer end of the upper coupling member 14. Another feature of this embodiment is found in the provision of a larger bead-like ridge 23 and a correspondingly large groove 24 for embracing the same, whereby sufficient adhesion is obtained between the element and the tape without the necessity of providing stitches 25.
FIG. 5 shows another moodification wherein the lower coupling member 17 has a height H greater than the thickness T of the tape 11.
It will redound to the advantage of the invention to note that in spite of the leg portion 18 of the element 13 being reduced in thickness to render the fastener relatively thin for the purposes hereinbefore stated, the strength of coupling engagement between the opposed elements 13 is not affected because sufficient dimensions of the coupling members l4, 17 are sustained, and that the elements 13 are firmly secured into position on the tape 11 by virtue of the dual surface contact provided by the indent 19 as aforesaid.
What is claimed is:
1. A sliding clasp fastener comprising, a pair of opposed stringer tapes, and a plurality of coupling elements disposed along and secured to a pair of adjacent longitudinal edge portions of said stringer tapes on corresponding upper surfaces of said tapes, wherein each of said coupling elements comprises;
an upper coupling member having an upper surface;
a lower coupling member underlying said upper coupling member and having a lower surface, said upper surface and said lower surface defining a thickness of said coupling element; and
a leg portion integral with said upper coupling member and said lower coupling member and extending therefrom, said leg portion having an upper surface even with said upper surface of said upper coupling member, and a lower surface, said leg portion having a thickness substantially equal to said upper coupling member thickness, said lower coupling member terminating at a rear edge portion, said rear edge portion together with said lower surface of said leg portion defining an indentation having a depth approximately equal to a thickness of said stringer tapes and comprising a surface contacting the upper surface of one of said tapes and said edge portion contacting a longitudinal edge of said one of said tapes.
2. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1 wherein said coupling elements are die-cast.
3. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1 wherein said coupling elements are molded.
4. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said leg portion has formed in the leg portion upper surface a recess for accommodating stitches that secure the elements to the tape.
5. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein there is provided a groove in the first surface of said indentation for engagement with a correspondingly shaped bead-like ridge projecting from the upper surface of the tape.
6. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower coupling member is rectangular in shape and has an outer end terminating short of an outer end of said upper coupling member.
7. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower coupling member is triangular in shape and has its apex registering with the outer end of said upper coupling member.
8. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said lower coupling member is greater than the thickness of the stringer tape. |
US-3874039-A | Slide fastener stringer with scoops fabricated of a continuous filament | United States Patent 1 Takamatsu Apr. 1, 1975 [75] Inventor: Ikuo Takamatsu, Oaza Daikaiji Uozu, Japan [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: July 26, 1974 211 App]. No.: 492,061
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 24, 1973 Japan 48-99845 [52] US. Cl. 24/205.13 C, 24/205.l6 C [51] Int. Cl A44b 19/12 [58] Field of Search 24/205.l2, 205.1 C, 24/205.16 C, 205.13 C
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,991,320 2/1935 Sipe 24/205.13 C 3,588,967 6/1971 Speck 24/205.13 C
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,404,272 0/1964 France 24/205.l3 C
Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Kenneth J. Dorner Attorney, Agent, or FirmBucknam and Archer [57] ABSTRACT The scoops on each of a pair of fastener stringers are formed of a continuous filament bent in a zigzag configuration. Each scoop is U-shaped, consisting of a pair. of parallel spaced legs and a coupling head interconnecting the legs at the front end of the scoop. Either of the two legs of each scoop is made longer than the other leg and is folded over toward the coupling head to provide a folded portion which is located between the legs in registered relationship. The front ends of the folded portions of each two adjoining scoops on each stringer are interconnected by a front connecting portion which is so positioned relative to the scoops that when the scoops on both stringers are coupled together by a slider moving therealong, the coupling head of every other scoop on each stringer will abut on the corresponding front connecting portion on the other stringer. It is possible in this way to uniformly determine the meshing depth of all the scoops on the pair of stringers.
1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to slide fasteners and more particularly to improvements in a slide fastener stringer construction in which the row of scoops or fastener elements arranged along one of the longitudinal edges of a stringer tape are defined by an elongated continuous filament of a zigzag configuration.
There has been known a slide fastener stringer construction including an elongated continuous filament of metal, synthetic resin or like material which is bent in a zigzag configuration to provide a row of ladderlike portions each extending transversely of the stringer tape and functioning as scoops. Each scoop is in the shape of a U, consisting of a pair of parallel spaced legs and a coupling head at one end thereof. The other ends of the legs are bent in the opposite directions to be connected to the corresponding ends of adjacent scoops. The row of scoops thus fabricated of the continuous filament is usually sewed onto the stringer tape, with a core cord inserted linearly through the spacings between the legs of the respective scoops to assure proper meshing with the scoops on the companion stringer tape and to reinforce the anchorage of the legs onto the tape.
This prior art stringer construction has a serious deficiency with regard to the core cord inserted through the spacings between the legs of the respective scoops. For it is highly difficult, in the manufacture of the slide fasteners of this type, to sew the scoops onto the stringer tape while maintaining the desired linearity of the core cord which has been threaded through the scoop legs. As a consequence, the core cord tends to meander through the scoop legs thereby causing irregularity in the meshing depth of the scoops on both stringer tapes. The smooth functioning of the reciprocating slider along the scoops is practically impossible if such irregularity exists in the meshing depth of the scoops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved slide fastener stringer construction including scoops fabricated on an elongated continuous filament of a zigzag configuration, such that the meshing depth of all the scoops on a pair of stringer tapes can be regulated to a predetermined constant value thereby permitting the scoops to be smoothly and positively coupled and uncoupled by a slider moving therealong.
In order to accomplish this object of the invention, the conventionally known zigzag configuration of a continuous filament adapted to form a row of scoops on one surface of each stringer tape is altered in such a fashion that the coupling head of every other scoop on each stringer tape will abut on parts of the filament on the other stringer tape when the scoops on both stringer tapes are coupled together. The meshing depth ofthe scoops is thus determined by the said parts of the filaments which are solidly anchored to the respective stringer tapes, so that the faulty or irregular intermeshing of the scoops, which has frequently taken place in the prior art stringer construction making use of the core cords, is completely eliminated.
The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and manner of operation, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters denote like'parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of a pair of fastener stringers constructed in accordance with the novel concepts of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of line II-II of FIG. l;'and
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a fastener stringer representing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a pair of slide fastener stringers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by way of one adaptation of this invention, each stringer is of the same construction, so that the description of one stringer will apply to both. Reference characters used to denote parts of the one stringer will therefore by simply primed to indicate corresponding parts of the other stringer.
The pair of fastener stringers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise first and second tapes l0 and 10 and first and second elongated continuous filaments l1 and 11 of metal, synthetic resin or like material, the latter being fastened to the opposed inside edges of the former. The first continuous filament 11, for instance, is bent in a zigzag configuration to provide a row of scoops 12 in ladderlike arrangement each extending transversely of the first stringer tape 10. As best shown in FIG. 2, each of the scoops I2 is substantially U- shaped, consisting of a pair of parallel spaced legs 13 and 14, which are disposed in a plane normal to the plane of the first stringer tape 10, and a coupling head 15 interconnecting the pair of legs at their front ends seen to the left in FIG. 2.
In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower leg 14 of each scoop 12 is made considerably longer than the upper leg 13. The longer lower leg 14 is folded over at 16 toward the coupling head 15 to provide a folded portion 17 which is sandwiched between the upper and lower legs 13 and 14 in registered relationship thereto. The front end of the folded portion 17 is connected via a front connecting portion 18 to the front end of the similar folded portion of an adjoining scoop. On the other hand, the rear end of the upper leg 13 is connected via a rear connecting portion 19 to the rear end of the similar upper leg of an adjoining scoop on the opposite side of the first mentioned adjoining scoop.
In accordance with a feature of this invention, the aforesaid front connecting portion 18 between each two adjoining scoops 12 is located in such a position relative to these scoops that when the scoops l2 and 12' on the first and second stringer tapes l0 and 10' intermesh as shown in FIG. 1, the coupling head 15' of every other scoop 12 on the second stringer tape 10' will abut on the corresponding front connecting portion 18 of the filament 11 on the first stringer tape 10. It is of course understood that the coupling head 15 of every other scoop 12 on the first stringer tape 10 will likewise abut on the corresponding front connecting portion 18' of the filament 11' on the second stringer tape 10'.
It is possible in this manner to adjust to a desired value the meshing depth D of the two rows of scoops l2 and 12' on the first and second stringer tapes l and respectively. The first and second continuous filaments 11 and 11, each configured as above explained, can be easily anchored to the opposed inside edges of the first and second stringer tapes 10 and 10 as by means of sewing threads 20 and 20 respectively.
FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the upper leg 13a of each scoop 12a on the first stringer tape 10 is made longer than its lower leg 14a and is folded over at 16a toward the coupling head to provide a folded portion 17a which also is sandwiched between the upper and lower legs 13a and 14a in registered relationship thereto. As in the preceding embodiment, the front end of the folded portion 170 is connected via the front connecting portion 18 to the front end of the similar folded portion, not shown, of an adjoining scoop on the first stringer tape 10. Other details of construction are exactly as previously set forth in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be apparent that according to this second embodiment, the meshing depth of the scoops 12a and 120' can likewise be regulated by suitably positioning the front connecting portions 18 and 18' relative to the respective scoops 12a and 12a.
While the improved slide fastener stringer construction according to this invention has been shown and described hereinbefore in very specific aspects thereof, it
is of course understood that the invention itself is not to be restricted by the exact showing of the drawings or the description thereof but is inclusive of various modifications within the usual knowledge of those skilled in the art. It is therefore appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the fair meaning or proper scope of the following claim.
What is claimed is:
1. In a pair of stringers for a slide fastener, wherein each of said stringers includes a tape and a continuous filament anchored to said tape, said filament being shaped in a zigzag configuration to provide a row of substantially U-shaped scoops which extend transversely of said tape and each of which consists of a pair of parallel spaced legs and a coupling head interconnecting said legs at the front end of the scoop, one of said legs being longer than the other leg and being folded over toward said coupling head to provide a folded portion which is sandwiched between said legs in registered relationship thereto, the improvement comprising a series of front connecting portions each interconnecting the front ends of said folded portions of two adjoining scoops on each tape, said front connecting portions being so positioned relative to the scoops on each tape that when the scoops on both tapes intermesh, the coupling head of every other scoop on each tape will abut on the corresponding front connecting portion on the other tape, whereby the meshing depth of said scoops on both tapes is determined by the position of said front connecting portion relative to said scoops. |
US-3874040-A | Cam-lock slider | D United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,874,040
Murakami Apr. 1, 1975 1 CAM-LOCK SLIDER 2,539,520 1/1951 Mikulas 24/2o5.14 A 2,968,078 1/1961 Huelster 24/205.l4 A [75] Inventor: Shoets Mumkam" Kumbe Japan 3,068,542 12/1962 Firing 24/205.14 R [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,
Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner.lames T. McCall Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette [22] 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmBucknam and Archer [21] Appl. No.: 406,581
[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A cam-lock type of slider is disclosed for use on a 0m. 19, 1972 Japan 47-1210141u slide fastener, which slider is Provided With an internal recess in the bottom wing for locking engagement with [52] U.S. Cl 24/205.14 R fastener nts when h latt r are f r d down by [51] Int. Cl A44b 19/30 a cam n g a t the pull ta he r ss is config- [58] Field of Search 24/205.l4 A, 205.14 R Such at hen the Slider is locked against movement on the fastener, an element on one stringer tape- [56] Referenc Cit d is held in partly or half coupled relation to the mating UNITED STATES PATENTS element on the opposite stringer tape.
l,998,33l 4/1935 Norton 24/205.l4 A 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures CAM-LOCK SLIDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sliders for slide fasteners and has particular reference to such a slider which has cam means to lock the same against movement on the fastener.
Heretofore, a number of sliders of the so-called camlock type have been proposed in the art, and such known sliders are typically constructed with a cam or cams formed integrally with the pull tab and adapted to press the fastener elements into locking engagement with an internal recess in the bottom wing of the slider. The recess extends to a full transverse width of the bottom wing or element-guide channel between the opposite side flanges of the slider, and hence accommodates the fastener elements that are positioned thereat within the guide channel in the slider. As the fastener elements are thus pressed by the cam into locking engagement with the recess substantially parallel therewith, the tape edges carrying the rows of elements are likewise pressed together with those elements and squeezed forcibly along the contour of the recess, with the resulting resistance of the thus forced tape edges rendering the slider locking operation extremely heavy and sluggish. This would further invite undue frictional wear of the cam part of the pull tab and the surfaces of the fastener elements. Furthermore, because of the necessity of providing an element-guide surface wall of the prescribed thickness at the front and back of the recess in the bottom wing, the overall length of the slider is increased thereby making its appearance less attractive. To produce sliders having such a recess has been also rendered quite difficult by die-casting or injection molding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Whereas, it is an object of the invention to provide improvements in such cam-lock sliders whereby the slider locking and unlocking operation is performed with a maximum of reliability and smoothness and with a minimum of resistance produced in the elementcarrying tape edges.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved cam-lock slider which is relatively small in its overall length and which can be manufactured with ease by die-casting or injection molding.
These objects together with other features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cam-lock slider according to the invention with parts broken away to expose the interior thereof;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the slider of FIG. 1 of which top wing has been removed to better show how the fastener elements are locked in a recess in the bottom wing;
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom wing of the slider having a modified recess according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown a slider 10 embodying the present invention which is generally of the common construction designed for taking two rows of discrete fastener elements'into and out of engagement on the respective stringers to close and open the slide fastener. Each row of fastener elements E (FIGS. 2 and 3) is secured to a beaded inner edge or element-carrying edge I of one stringer tape T and disposed for coupling engagement as at coupling heads 2 with the corresponding row of elements on the other stringer tape T.
The slider 10 comprises a top wing 11 and a bottom wing 12 which are connected together at one end by a neck portion 13. Each wing has inwardly directed side flanges 14 which together with the neck 13 define a Y- shaped guide channel 15 for the passage of the rows of fastener elements E during opening or closing of the fastener. A pull tab 16 generally rectangular in shape is pivotally connected at one end by a pintle 17 to a pair of laterally spaced lugs or bails l8 projecting upwardly from the top wing 11. Intermediate the lugs 18 there is formed an opening 19 in the top wing 11 through which a downwardly projecting cam 20 integral with the pull tab 16 is admitted when the latter is swung into locking position as better shown in FIG. 1. The cam 20 is provided with a rounded corner so as to engage smoothly upon the fastener elements E.
According to an important aspect of the invention, there is provided a recess 21 in the bottom wing 12, which recess is defined by side shoulders 22 extending parallel with a longitudinal axis of the slider 10 and a transverse front shoulder 23 connecting the side shoulders 22 at one end adjacent to a point corresponding to the position of the cam 20 on the pull tab 16, the recess 21 being thus closed at one end by the front shoulder 23 but open at the opposite end registering with an extremity of an exit end 10' of the slider 10. The side shoulders 22 are equidistant from the respective side flanges 14 as indicated by the reference character D which refers to element-guide surface bifurcations 24 extending coplanar with the inner surface 25 of the bottom wing 12. The bifurcations 24 are each wide enough to permit the sliding movement of the fastener elements E thereon during opening or closing of the fastener, without causing the fastener elements E to fall into the recess 21 except when the slider 10 is brought positively into locked position as later described.
It is to be noted that the locking cam 20 has an operative position such that it engages upon one element Ea in either row which is half or partly coupled with the mating element Eb in the opposite row and which is therefore inclined relative to a line of right angles to the longitudinal axis of the fastener or fastener element rows. To lock the element Ea more effectively, the front shoulder 23 is slightly tapered towards the neck 13 so as to permit the inclined element Ea to bear smoothly against and to be arrested at the shoulder 23 when the slider 10 is held in locked position.
With this construction, the slider 10 can be locked effectively against movement on the fastener, when desired, by swinging the pull tab 16 counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 about the pintle 17 into the locking position wherein the pull tab 16 lies flat against the slider top wing 11, with the locking cam 20 pressing the element Ea partly coupled with the corresponding element Eb into locking engagement with the recess 21. More specifically, the element Ea has its coupling head portion e, pressed against the bottom of the recess 21 with the leg portions 2 positioned at one of the bifurcations 24, so that the tape T is slightly bent inwardly along the element-carrying edge I as shown in FlG. 3. Advantageously, since the element Ea is thus disposed to engage only at its coupling head portion e, with the recess 21 while the element Ea is held in partly or half coupled relation to the corresponding element Eb, and the tape portions that lie between the side flanges 14,14 are held substantially free from any stresses with the tape edge I alone directed slightly downwardly with respect to the plane of the fastener, the slider can be locked and unlocked by a light finger touch with a minimum of resistance, and hence frictional wear of either the cam or the element Ea can be held to an absolute minimum. Also advantageously by virtue of the configuration of the recess 21 that has been described, the absence of the element-guide surface of the bottom wing 12 at the back of the recess 21 makes it possible to so much reduce the overall length of the slider 10 and render the same relatively compact. Further advantageously, the provision of bifurcations 24,24 ensures that the rows of fastener elements E be guided in horizontal alignment therealong without being caught in the recess 21, thereby facilitating the movement of the slider 10.
It will be further appreciated that the slider 10 having such characteristic recess 21 can be made with ease by die-casting or injection molding.
Reference to FIG. 4 shows a modified recess 26 according to the invention which has a bottom surface bisected longitudinally into identical halves 27,27 which are inclined downwardly and inwardly towards each other and merged at a longitudinal center 28.
The recess 26 in this embodiment is closed at one end adjacent the neck 13 by a transverse front shoulder or abutment 29, similar to the front shoulder 23 previously described, but open at the other or opposite end registering with the extremity of the exit end 10' of the slider 10. The advantage of the modified recess 26 is that the fastener elements E when pressed by the locking cam 20 are tilted easily along the inclined bisected bottom surface 27 (27') thereby facilitating the locking operation with increased smoothness.
What is claimed is:
1. In a cam-lock slider for a slide fastener wherein the slider has a top wing, a bottom wing, a neck portion interposed between and connecting the top and bottom wings at one end thereof, said wings each having a pair of angularly turned flanges on each side thereof which together with said neck portion define a Y-shaped guide channel within the slider to provide the passage of two rows of fastener elements each having a coupling head portion, a pull tab pivotally connected to said top wing, and a cam projecting from and integral with said pull tab, the improvement which comprises said bottom wing being provided with a shallow recess therein longitudinally extending from a point adjacent said neck portion to the free end of the slider opposite said end at which the top and bottom wings are connected together, said recess extending transversely between bifurcated surfaces elevated with respect thereto each being provided between the recess and one of the side flanges and the other respectively for guiding the fastener elements slidably thereon, and said cam being adapted to take an operative position in which it depresses only the coupling portion of one of the fastener elements in one of the two rows into locking engagement with said recess whereby said one of the fastener elements is held in partly or half coupled relation to a mating element in the opposite row. |
US-3874041-A | Fasteners | United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,874,041
Smith Apr. 1, 1975 1 FASTENERS 2.695.046 11/1954 Tinnerman 51/4175 [75] Famham 3,417,442 12/1968 S m ith ..24/221 A England 3.504.875 4/1970 .lOllllSOll.... 24/221 K 3,600,018 8/1971 Dzus 24/221 A [73] Ass'gnee' 3 5 Fastener West [Shp 3,656,466 4/1972 Dzus 24/221 A [22] Filed. APR 26 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [71] 585.718 2/1947 United Kingdom 24/221 A Appl. No: 464,477
Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Scr. No. 372,325, June 21, 1973.
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 13. 1972 United Kingdom 27646/72 [52] U.S. Cl. 24/221 R, 24/73 RM 51 1m. (:1 A44b 17/00 8 Field of Search 24/221 R, 221 K, 73 RM [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.347.675 5/1944 Dzus 24/221 A 1.372.496 3/1945 Huelster 24/221 A Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a quick-release fastener for joining together two members, of the kind in which the shank of a stud passes through aligned openings in said members and cooperates by relative rotation with a receptacle assembly. A retaining bar within said receptacle cooperates with said stud and is biased away from said stud by one or more spring washers.
6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FASTENERS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 372.325. filed June 21,1973.
This invention relates to quick-release fasteners, which are used for holding together two panels face to face, and which consist of two parts. a stud and a receptacle assembly. In use. a shank of the stud passes through aligned holes in the two panels and cooperates by relative rotation with the receptacle assembly which is secured to the back of the second of the two panels. The stud maybe captive, but is rotatable in the opening in the first of the two panels. With fasteners of this type the two panels may be secured together without providing access to the receptacle assembly at the back of the second panel.
In the past the receptacle has been secured to the back of the second panel by rivetting, but this is a lengthy operation, and in addition, all three holes in the second panel. one for the stud and two for the rivets, must be very accurately positioned with respect to one another. Fasteners have been proposed, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3.417.442. which avoid the necessity of rivetting the receptacle to its corresponding panel. but these have been bulky and have therefore been oflittle use in cases when the fastenings need to be very close together.
Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide fasteners small enough to be capable of use with their studs very close to one another, that is to say within a few millimetres of each other. but having the strength of earlier fasteners. Furthermore, these fasteners should be capable of use with a standard panel pieced with square apertures at International fixing centres.
Thus. according to the present invention a receptacle assembly for use with a stud to provide a quick-release fastener of the kind described comprises a housing arranged to retain the stud. in use the housing being arranged to be mounted at an opening of a panel; a retaining bar, for cooperation with thhe stud. positioned within the housing across the opening in the panel; and at least one spring-washer positioned within the housing acting between the retaining bar and the side of the housing adjacent the panel.
Preferably. the housing has sprung flanges which project through and embrace the edges of the opening in the panel to locate the assembly on the panel. The retaining bar may be incorporated in a plate having a central opening. the bar spanning the opening and being formed integrally with the plate.
In order to allow the receptacle to be mounted on panels of various thicknesses a sprung shim may be provided between the panel and that side of the housing nearest the panel.
The invention also includes a fastener having a receptacle assembly as described above together with a cooperating stud.
One example of a fastener incorporating a receptacle according to the present invention will now be described with refcrence to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. I is a side elevation showing the fastener uncoupled with the receptacle shown in section;
FIG. 2 is a plan view. partially sectioned. of the re- 6 held in place in an aperture of the panel by two washers 4 and 5 which are snapped into position around a reduced portion of the stud. The stud 3 includes a circular head 6 having a diametrical slot 7 for engagement with a screwdriver head. Extending downwards (as shown) from the head 6 there is a reduced cylindrical shank 8 which may be of any suitable length depending on the range of thicknesses of the panels for use with which the fastener is intended. At the lower end of the shank 8 a further generally cylindrical section 9 is formed which is of larger diameter than the shank 8 and it includes a bore 10 and two inclined cam slots 11 open at the bottom. In use, these slots will engage with a part of the receptacle 12.
The receptacle 12 is formed with a housing 13 which itself is formed from a single cruciform-shaped blank of spring steel the arms 14 of which are bent up to form the sides of the housing. The base of the housing has a circular aperture 15. Two of the arms 14 are longer than the other two and these are further bent at 16 to form spring flanges 17 which in use are shown located around the edges of a square opening in the member 2 to which the receptacle is attached.
Within the housing 12 there is a square plate-like washer 18 having an integral bar 19 extending diametrically across the washers hole. In the uncoupled position (FIG. 1) this square washer 18 is held against the bottom of the housing by six leaf-type spring washers 20 arranged in two groups which are opposed to one another. The spring washers 20, which are also square, act between the side of the housing 12 adjacent the member 2 and the square plate-like washer 18.
One further feature of the receptacle is the provision of a spring shim 21 around the flanges of the receptacle. This shim allows the panel 2 to be of various thicknesses whilst still providing a firm attachment of the receptacle.
In order to attach the two panels 1 and 2 together the stud 3 is inserted into the receptacle l2 and the bar 19 enters the lower end of the bore 10 and the cam slots 11. The stud 3 is then rotated through 90 into the position shown in FIG. 3 and the bar 19 thus rides up over the faces of the cam slots and into a depression llu formed therein. As the bar is brought into position the square plate-like washer 18 is lifted against the action of the spring washers 20. The compressing of the springs serves to hold the bar 19 in position in the cam slots and the fastener is therefore locked.
Of course, the number of spring washers is variable. depending merely upon the application of the fastener.
I claim:
1. A fastener receptacle for mounting in an aperture in a first part for releasably attaching the first part to a second part by means of a spiral cam fastener stud rotatably mounted in the second part, said fastener receptacle comprising:
a housing made of resilient sheet metal formed with side panels extending downwardly along the sides of the housing and disposed around a central spring chamber with an end opening to receive the end of the fastener stud;
two opposite side panels extending downwardly beyond the other side panels and formed at their ends with spring flanges for engaging the opposite sides of the aperture in the first part to secure the receptacle to said first part;
receiving means in the housing including a retaining bar extending transversely across the center of the receptacle housing for releasable engagement with the spiral cam of the stud;
retention means to prevent rotation of the receiving means with respect to the housing while retaining the receiving means inside the walls of the housing and permitting the receiving means to shift axially inside the walls of the housing and thereby follow the spiral cam surface in the stud when relative rotation occurs therebetween; and
a spring positioned inside the housing between the receiving means and the base of the housing and engaging the receiving means for urging the retaining bar in a direction away from the spring flanges and toward the opposite end of the housing.
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the housing is formed into a box-like structure with four rectangularly arranged side panels, the receiving means including a plate being relatively flat, having a central opening to receive the end of the fastener stud, and rectangular in configuration so that relative rotation between the plate and the housing is prevented.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spring is a plurality of leaf-type spring washers positioned inside the housing between the receiving means and the base of the housing 4 The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a relatively flat spring shim is positioned around the spring flanges so that it can be positioned between the first member and the housing.
5. A fastener receptacle for mounting in an aperture in a first part for releasably attaching the first part to a second part by means of a spiral cam fastener stud mounted in the second part, said fastener receptacle comprising:
a housing made of resilient sheet metal formed into a box-like structure with four rectangularly arranged side panels extending downwardly along the sides of the housing and disposed around a central spring chamber with an end opening to receive the end of the fastener stud, two of the opposite side panels extending downwardly beyond the other side panels and formed at their ends with spring flanges for engaging the opposite sides of the said aperture in the first part to secure the receptacle to said first part; a relatively flat rectangular plate positioned in said housing and having a central opening to receive the end of the fastener stud and formed with a retaining bar extending transversely across the center of said receptacle housing for releasable engagement with the spiral cam of the stud; and
a plurality of leaf type spring washers positioned inside said housing between the said flat plate and the base of the housing and engaging said flat plate for urging said retaining bar in a direction away from said spring flanges and towards the opposite end of said housing.
6. A fastener receptacle as set forth in claim 5 in which a relatively flat spring shim is positioned around said spring flanges so that it can be positioned between the first member and the housing. |
US-3874042-A | Clamp for thin walled tubing | United States Patent [191 Eddleman et al.
[111 3,874,042 [451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 CLAMP FOR THIN WALLED TUBING [73] Assignee: Biospectrum, Inc., Los Angeles,
Calif.
22 Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 21 App1.No.:325,394
[52] US. Cl. 24/255 SL, 128/346, 251/10 [51] Int. Cl Fl6k 7/04, A6lb 17/10 [58] Field of Search 24/67 R, 52, 260, 245 FF, 24/248 SL, 255 SL, 255 BC, 255 H, 248 B, 248 L, 248 BB, 248 HC, 16 R, 16 PB, 30.5 R, 73 LF, 259 A; 132/48 A, 48 R; 128/346;
2,818,871 1/1958 Beavory 132/48 R 3,166,071 1/1965 Mayer 128/346 X 3,461,876 8/1969 Miller 128/346 3,612,475 10/1971 Dinger 251/10 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 18,231 8/1896 United Kingdom 128/346 Primary E.\'aminer-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edgar W. Averill, Jr.
[57] ABSTRACT A process is disclosed which is useful for sealing a thin walled, flexible, plastic tube such as dialysis membrane tubing. The process utilizes a clamp which has an elongated base member having at least two spaced longitudinal ridges positioned thereon. A second mating member is hinged to the base member and has at least two grooves which are positioned to mate with the ridges of the base member when the clamp is closed. The clamp is held in a closed position by the longitudinal movement of the second mating member whereby its terminus is held in a notch which is located in a lug which is integral with the base member.
5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CLAMP FOR THIN WALLED TUBING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dialysis membrane fabricated from microporous sheeting has found wide application for the separation of various solutes from water and the separation of larger molecules in solution from smaller ones. The dialysis membrane may be a natural or synthetic material and viscous-process regenerated cellulose having a wall thickness between about 0.0008 inches and 0.0035 inches is commonly used. Such membranes are frequently formed into tubes in which shape they are particularly useful for carrying out dialysis or ultra filtration. The tubing may be supplied in a continuous roll and the dialysis is carried out by closing one end of the tubing while introducing a solution to be purified or otherwise altered into the open end. The open end may then be closed and the solution immersed in an eluting liquid.
Various methods have been used to close such dialysis tubing with the usual technique being to wet the end of the tubing to be closed and to tie a knot therein. Another suggested approach is to tie the open end around a rubber or plastic stopper. Such methods, however, are not entirely satisfactory for several reasons. First, leakage is common if the tied end has not been first wetted and, if first wetted, further leakage becomes difficult to detect because the membrane is already wet. Furthermore, the knotting step is time consuming, and does not permit the easy opening of the tubing after the dialysis has been carried out. Secondly, it is frequent that the user will not tighten the knot sufficiently for fear of tearing the membrane. Thirdly, the tieing method is time consuming which is particularly inconvenient when a large number of separations need to be made. Other methods such as applying an adhesive to the inner surface of an end to be closed has not proved entirely successful because of potential contamination and/or leakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive, easy to use method utilizing a closure device or clamp which may be snapped over thin walled dialysis tubing and is capable of forming a leak-proof seal. The member has an elongated base with at least two spaced longitudinal ridges positioned thereon. The base is hinged to an elongated mating member with the hinge being located at one end of each elongated member. The mating member has at least two grooves and the grooves and the member are positioned so that when the closure member is in a closed position, the grooves and ridges are intermeshed. Means are provided for holding the closure member in a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge and the means for holding the member in a closed position are integrally formed with the closure member from a single molded piece of plastic. In this preferred embodiment the hinged portion moves longitudinally so that a tongue on the movable member is pushed into a notch in the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the closure useful with the method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 33 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 1 in a partially closed position.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 1 in a closed position.
FIG. 6'is a view taken along 6-6 of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The closure, indicated in FIG. 1 generally by the reference character 10, is shown fabricated from a single and integral molded piece of plastic. Injection molded polypropylene is one satisfactory plastic which has the advantage, in addition to its strength, of being thermally stable so that it is autoclavable. Polypropylene also may be readily injection molded thereby permitting low cost fabrication. The device has a lower half 11 which is connected through hinge 12 to its upper half 13.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, upper half 13 has a series of longitudinally positioned ribs 20 through 23. Similarly, as shown best in FIG. 3, lower half 11 has a matching set of valleys or grooves 25-28.
Means for holding the closure 10 in a shut position are provided by notch 30 located in lug 31 which cooperates with tongue 32 in a manner shown in FIG. 5.
Preferably, lug 31 is made sufficiently thick so that it is not significantly deformed or bent back by the closing of the clamp. The clamp is held in a closed position by the longitudinal movement of the upper or hinged portion of the clamp. The force for this longitudinal movement is provided by a hinge having a thin and a thick flexible part. The thin part of the hinge is identified by reference character 12 and the thick part by reference character 14. The thin part of the hinge pulls the thick part downwardly and tends to urge the tongue 32 into notch 30.
Unlike most snap closing devices, the device of the present invention does not tend to open with increasing force exerted perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the device. Instead, the upper half of the unit must be moved longitudinally or the base must be flexed downwardly to cause the device to open. Since increasing internal pressure in a length of clamped dialysis tubing tends to cause an outward bowing, its effect is to tighten the closing strength. In other words, to open the device, one bends the end of the base downwardly whereas increased pressure tends to bend the base in the opposite direction.
The number of ribs is another important feature of the present invention and in order to obtain a leak proof seal, there should be at least 2 ribs with 3 or 4 being preferable and as many as 6 being permissible. When more than 6 ribs are used, a stretching action can take place which becomes so severe that tubing failure is possible.
The material of construction of the closure and its thickness should provide sufficient resistence to bowing so that the spacing between the ribs and valleys along the mid point of the closure does not increase with increased internal pressure. Polymers such as polypropylene, rigid polyvinylchloride, high impact polystyrene are examples of plastics having sufficient strength for this purpose.
While the present invention has been discussed with an emphasis on dialysis tubing, the teachings are applicable to closures for other thin-walled tubing as long as the tubing is formed from a material with sufficient flexibility and strength to withstand the stretching action of the closure. As used herein, the term flexible is intended to mean plastic film which can be stretched l% without tearing.
The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.
1 claim:
1. A method for sealing a thin walled, flexible tube, said method comprising closing said tube between intermeshed grooves and ridges located between an elongated base member having at least two spaced, longitudinal ridges positioned thereon, said base member being connected to an elongated mating member by hinge means attached to one end of said mating member and one end of said base member thereby interconnecting said mating member and said base member, said hinge means being integrally formed from the same material of construction used to form said base member and said mating member and having a non uniform thickness which is positioned so that upon closing,
the thinner portion of said hinge means deflects the thicker portion of said hinge means; the mating member further having at least two spaced, longitudinal grooves having about the same shape as the ridges on said base member and positioned so that when said mating member and said base member are moved to a closed position said ridges and said grooves are brought into close and intermeshed proximity, said base member and said mating member having closing means for holding said members in a closed position, said closing means comprising an integral tongue with a notch formed therein attached to one of said mating members, said tongue being located at an end opposite from said hinge means and said notch being shaped to hold the end of the other of said mating members.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said base has three ridges.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said closure member is fabricated from polypropylene.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said hinge means has a thin portion of a generally uniform thickness and a thick portion of generally uniform thickness.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said tongue is substantially rigid whereby said elongated mating member moves longitudinally upon closing. |
US-3874043-A | Apparatus for uncurling the edges of a running web | [ 51 Apr. 1,1975
United States Patent 1191 Holm 26/DIG, l 26/DIG. l 26/DIG l Wmm m.m.m KK add mumm en GUU 833 366 999 NH 8009 952 35 347 633 699 Primary ExaminerRobert R. Mackey [73] Assignee:
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-M0rse, Altman, Oates & Bello 22 Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 21 1 Appl. No.: 404,308
[57] ABSTRACT An adjustable apparatus is provided for uncurling both edges of a running web to insure that the web moves [52] U.S. 26/68, 26/DIG. 1,
34/160, 933 in a flat or open width condition for proper drying. A 26/DIG. plurality of transversely extendlng telescop1c tubes are [51] Int. [58] Field of mounted in closely spaced parallel relation with re- 34/225 38/143 spect to the face of the running web. The tubes are connected to a common plenum chamber which, in turn, is connected to a blower driving recirculated vapor or air through the tubes under pressure. The outer end of each tube is provided with a movable nozzle for directing a jet of air or vapor against the op- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS posing selvedges, forcing them flat against a supporting conveyor. The nozzles are connected to a common support and drive mechanism which allows transverse adjustment of the nozzles to accommodate webs of different widths.
lllll Buck........... Remington.. Hcffelfingcr Foley Bramhall, Jr Wittig Bro\vn......1..
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 10/1951 Belgium 26/DIG. 1 3 Claims 2 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR H975 3 874, 043
APPARATUS FOR UNCURLING TI-IE EDGES OF A RUNNING WEB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to textile machinery and more particularly is directed towards a new and improved apparatus for use in uncurling the edges of a running web such as knit goods and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art In the processing of various types of webs, particularly textiles such as knit goods and the like, the web displays a strong tendency to curl along the side edges. This characteristic is particularly prevalent in knit goods and the problem interferes with production processes. For example, knit material leaving a scouring operation very often will curl along the edges so as to prevent proper drying of the web. While tenter frames and the like have been used to flatten webs, such equipment is generally quite complex and expensive and also may damage the selvedges. Nip rolls have also been used but these have not been adjustable and have not improved the drying action.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in equipment for uncurling the edges of a running web. Another object of this invention is to provide a web edge uncurling apparatus that is readily adjustable to webs of different widths. Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to simultaneously uncurl and dry both edges of a running web.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention features an apparatus for'uncurling and drying the edges of a running web, comprising a conveyor adapted to carry the web along a longitudinal path in a flat or open width condition, a plurality of telescopic tubes extending transversely above the face of the running web, a nozzle movably mounted to opposite ends of each tube proximate to each edge of the web, conduit means connecting the tubes and a blower means connected to the conduit means for delivering vapor or air through the conduit means, the telescopic tubes and through the nozzles against the edges of the web to straighten and dry the edges. Each of the nozzles is connected by a common bracket and a transversely extending lead screw is drivingly connected to the bracket for selectively moving the nozzles inwardly and outwardly depending upon the width of the web being processed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary view in perspective of an apparatus for uncurling and drying the edges of a running web made according to the invention, and,
FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the reference character generally indicates a web of textile material which may be a woven material in an open width condition or a knit material in a flat, tubular condition. The web is carried longitudinally by means of a conveyor 12 which preferably is of an openwork construction such as a mesh screen or perforated belt in order to enhance the draining and drying of the web 10, particularly if the web has passed through a washing or scouring process. The present apparatus is particularly useful in a drying stage of a web scouring apparatus of the sort shown in US. Pat. No. 3,643,475. In such web scouring apparatus, the web is subjected to a scouring action by means of jets of scouring solvent directed across the web and/or passing the web in and out of a tank of scouring solvent for the purpose of removing various impurities and particularly oil from the web. The web leaving the scouring station is then carried in a flat form through a drying chamber where heat is employed to vaporize the solvent from the web. This may be done by passing the web about a set of heated rotary drums, preferably together with a conveyor if the web is knit material in order to prevent stretching of the material. A preferred alternative, when handling knit goods, is to carry the web in a flat, tensionless condition through a drying chamber in which the atmosphere is heated. This may be done by recirculating the atmosphere within the chamber through a heat exchanger and back into the driving chamber whereby the heated vaporized solvent is used as the drying medium. In either case, the web, particularly ifa knit material, will curl along both edges so as to interfere with the handling of the web as well as the drying thereof and produces an uneven roll when wound. If the edges curl back upon themselves, the double fold is less likely to be fully dry when the web leaves the drying chamber and the present invention is provided to eliminate this problem.
Preferably the conveyor 12 carries the web 10 along in a horizontal path as shown in FIG. 1. Disposed above the upper reach of the conveyor and web is a plurality of heads 14 (A), (B), (C) and (D) disposed in spaced parallel relation extending transversely of the web in closely spaced parallel relation to the face thereof. While four heads are shown, this number may be increased or decreased as desired. Each head 14 is comprised of a center housing 16 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally cubicle. This configuration may be altered. Each housing preferably is supported in fixed position by means ofa bracket 18 mounted between opposing side walls 20 and 22 which form a drying chamber for the web 10. For the sake of clarity, only one bracket 18 is illustrated and it will be understood that a bracket or other suitable support means are provided for each of the other heads in the system.
Extending from opposite faces of the housing 16 are tubes 24 and 26, preferably co-axial and extending in closely spaced parallel relation to the face of the web 10. The tubes 24 and 26 extend transversely of the web length and are provided at their outer free ends with a telescopic tube section 28 and 30 slidably mounted in their respective tubes. Each telescopic section 28 and 30 is mounted for smooth sliding movement with respect to its supporting tube and each terminates in a nozzle 32 and 34, respectively. Each nozzle extends diagonally downwardly and outwardly terminating in a somewhat flattened tip forming an elongated slot opening 36 through which gas or air is delivered under pressure to curled edges 37 and 37' of the web 10, as best shown in FIG. 2.
In practice, the telescopic tubular sections 28 and 30 are pre-positioned by moving them in and out as required so that the nozzle tips are located a short distance inwardly of the curled edges in optimum position so that the air or gas delivered by the nozzles will force the curled edges 37 and 37' to uncurl outwardly and lie flat against the supporting conveyor 12. By utilizing a number of units 14 spaced along the path of the web and employing the flat-type nozzle tip, the web edges will be kept uncurled for a time sufficient for the edges to dry and then lie flat naturally.
Air or vapor is fed to the nozzles 32 and 34 by means of a conduit or riser 38, one connected to each of the heads 14 (A), (B), (C) and (D) and indicated by reference characters 38 (A), (B), (C) and (D). All of the risers 38 (A), (B), (C) and (D) connect to a common plenum chamber 40 mounted to the wall and connected to the discharge side ofa blower 42 mounted to the opposite side of the wall 20, as best shown in FIG. 2. In the vapor re-circulating embodiment shown, the blower 42 is connected at its intake side to the interior of the drying chamber by means of a duct 44 communicating with an exhaust port 46 in the wall 20. In this fashion, heated vapor in the drying chamber is drawn through the exhaust port 46 and forced by the blower 42 into the plenum chamber down through the riser 38 into the respective heads 14 from whence the pressurized vapor is delivered in opposite directions through the nozzles 32 and 34 against the curled edges. A heat exchanger can be added to this system to heat the vapor.
Insofar as the web 10 may be fabricated in different widths, the present apparatus provides for conveniently adjusting all of the heads simultaneously to the same extent whereby the nozzles will be properly located for drying and uncurling action regardless of web width. As shown in the drawings, the adjustment mechanism of the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of lead screws 48 and 50 extending transversely above the conveyor and web with the ends thereof rotatably supported to walls 20 and 22 by means of bearings 52 and 54. Each lead screw had a pair of oppositely threaded sections 56 and 58 with each section engaging a separate follower 60 and 62. Thus, rotation of the lead screw 48 will cause the follower 60, 62 to move in opposite directions in or out depending upon the direction of rotation. Both lead screws 48 and 50 are controlled by means of a hand wheel 64 located on the outside of the wall 22. The two lead screws are drivingly connected to one another by means of a continuous chain 66 engaging a gear 68 mounted on the outer end of each of the lead screws.
Each of the followers 60 and 62 is connected to and supports a pair of longitudinally extending parallel frames 70 and 72 from which depend in spaced relation a plurality of hangers 74, 76 each carrying a bracket 78 and 80 rigidly connected at its lower end to a nozzle 32 and 34. respectively. In this fashion, rotation of the hand wheel 64 will cause both lead screws to rotate thereby moving the two frames 70 and 72 simultaneously to or away from one another depending upon the direction of rotation. This movement of the braces,
in turn, will cause the nozzles to move in or out to a set position best suited to the width of the web passing thereunder. The adjustment may be made quickly and easily by manipulation of the hand crank 64. A viewing port 82 is conveniently provided in close proximity to the hand crank in order to allow the operator to view the position of the nozzles.
Having thus described the invention what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States 1. Apparatus for uncurling and drying the edges of a running web, comprising a. walls defining a substantially closed housing containing a hot gaseous atmosphere therein,
b. a conveyor belt having a flat horizontal upper reach disposed in said housing for conveying said web through said housing in a flat and substantially tensionless condition,
c. a plurality of fixed, rigid tubes mounted to said housing and extending in spaced parallel relation, transversely above the upper reach of said belt and said web,
d. a tubular nozzle telescopically connected to each end of each of said fixed tubes and terminating in a downwardly and outwardly directed restricted slot opening oriented parallel to the edge of said web,
e. at least one lead screw having oppositely threaded portions mounted to opposite side walls of said housing with at least one end extending through one of said walls, said lead screw being parallel to said tubes,
f. a pair of followers mounted in spaced relation to each lead screw and threaded one to each threaded portion.
g. a bracket mounted to each follower and movable therewith,
h. all of said nozzles adjacent one side of said web connected to the same bracket and follower whereby rotation of said lead screw will move all of said nozzles along one side of said web in the same transverse direction and all of said nozzles along the other side of said web in the opposite direction.
i. conduit means connected to each of said fixed tubes, and,
j. blower means connected to said conduit means,
k. the intake of said blower means communicating with the interior of said housing whereby the heated gaseous atmosphere is recirculated from said housing through said nozzles to uncurl and dry the edges of said web.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor belt is foraminous.
3. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said intake for said blower means is positioned above the level of said belt. |
US-3874044-A | Apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping and commingling of yarns | United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,874,044
Kwon et al. Apr. 1, 1975 APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR 3,763,525 10/1973 MacKnight 28/l.3
SIMULTANEOUS CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING OF YARNS Inventors: Young D. Kwon, Morristown;
Russell H. Butler, Dover; l-lendrikus J. Oswald, Morristown, all of N.J.; Dong W. Kim, Chester, Va.
Allied Chemical Corporation, New York, NY.
Filed: Mar. 8, 1974 Appl. No.: 449,409
Assignee:
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ll/l968 Longbottom et al. 28/72.ll X l/l973 Nikkel 28/13 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur J. Plantamura; Jack B. Murray, Jr.
[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns are provided. The yarn is introduced as feed into a contact chamber in which the yarn is contacted with a heated fluid, such as steam, at an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, and at a fluid velocity sufficient to vibrate the yarn and cause it to impact upon an impacting surface. The impacted yarn, together with the heated fluid, is then directed into an energy tube wherein the impacted yarn absorbs heat from the heated fluid. The heated yarn then passes into a stuffer tube wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug from which crimped and commingled yarn is subsequently removed.
11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 21 ,2 YARN FEED 5 l 29 T a No o of l2 26 [\I a? \l 22 HEATED F LUID MENTED APR 1 U2UP3 FIG. 3
HEATED FLUID FIG. 4
HEATED FLUID PATENTEBAPR 1 I975 SHEET 3 9f 3 APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR SIMULTANEOUS CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING OF YARNS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to our co-filed application SIMULTANEOUS CRIMPING AND COMMIN- GLING YARNS," Attorneys Docket No. 7000-1089.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to process and apparatus for simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Synthetic fiber yarn to be employed in fabric, such as in carpets and wearing apparel, is frequently subjected to a crimping process to generate curvilinear twists on the yarn so as to impart elastic stretch and bulk to the yarn. Such yarn is also subjected to a commingling process whereby entanglements are inserted between adjacent yarn filaments to enhance cohesiveness between these filaments. In addition, commingling helps to prevent stray filaments from snagging machine guides during subsequent processing and to prevent the separation of individual yarn ends in jet texturizing processes which require more than one yarn end per jet.
In conventional process, the crimping and commingling functions are carried out separately in different steps. Such a division of functions increases process costs and generates increased equipment requirements. Previous attempts to simultaneously crimp and commingle yarn have been unsuccessful in imparting the desired crimp and commingling properties. Typical dual-function apparatus are those disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,409,956 (issued in 1968 to Longbottom et al.) wherein yarn is contacted with a steam jet positioned coaxially with respect to the yarn passage axis, US. Pat. No. 3,303,546 (issued in 1967 to Van Blerk) and East German Pat. No. 17,786 (issued in 1960 to Bruetting) wherein yarn is contacted by steam emitted from an annular opening which is coaxial to the yarn passage axis, and US. Pat. No. 3,611,698 (issued in 1971 to Horn) wherein pairs of facing steam jets impact on a common plane at an angle perpendicular to the yarn passage axis. In the apparatus of US. Pat. Nos. 3,303,546 and 3,490,956 and East German Pat. No. 17,786, coaxial contact of the yarn with steam has the disadvantage of failing to impart any significant amount of commingling to the yarn. In the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,61 1,698, the steam jets do not impart any portion of their force in the direction of the yarn travel through the apparatus, thereby necessitating the use of a mechanical pulling device to cause the yarn to pass through the apparatus. The use of such mechanical pulling for this purpose is not desirable because it tends to destroy any crimp that has been previously imparted to the yarn.
However, most significantly, these prior art apparatus for simultaneous crimping and commingling of yarn have failed to provide the levels of crimp and commingling previously achieved when these functions were carried out in separate steps. Thus, the dual-function apparatus fails to simultaneously perform commingling and crimping functions while maintaining the desired levels of crimp and commingling which separatefunction apparatus had previously achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there are provided apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping and commingling continuous filament yarn. The apparatus of the present invention comprises: a contact chamber assembly including a contact chamber, yarn inlet means for feeding yarn into said contact chamber and fluid supply means for introducing heated fluid into said contact chamber along an axis which forms an angle of not greater than about with respect to the axis of yarn passage through said contact chamber; an energy tube for imparting heat to' the yarn passing therethrough from said contact chamber; and a stuffer tube assembly communicating with said energy tube for yarn passage therethrough and including a stuffer tube for texturizing the yarn.
The process of the invention comprises feeding yarn into a contact zone; contacting the yarn in said zone with a stream of heated fluid, preferably steam, at an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, and at a fluid velocity sufficient to vibrate the yarn and cause the yarn to impact upon an impacting surface; passing said impacted yarn and said heated fluid into an energy (i.e., a heat absorbing) zone wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from said heated fluid; and passing the heated yarn and said fluid into a texturizing zone wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug, and wherein the heated fluid imparts a portion of its mechanical energy to the yarn contained in the yarn plug. The heated fluid is discharged from the texturizing zone, and crimped and commingled yarn is removed from the texturizing zone.
It has been found that the present invention enables simultaneous achievement of levels of commingling which are comparable to, and levels of crimp which are superior than, the levels which result from conventional processes in which crimping and commingling steps are sequentially performed. In addition, the process and apparatus of the present invention have the advantage of imparting such improved crimp and commingling properties in a single apparatus, thereby decreasing equipment requirements and reducing processing costs by as much as 50 percent.
In addition, it has been found that by employing a conventional crimping assembly to pre-crimp the yarn which is fed to the simultaneous crimping and commingling apparatus of the present invention, independent control of the levels of crimp and commingling can be achieved. Further, by employing a precrimping assembly it has been found that increased yarn speeds through apparatus of the present invention may be achieved when higher denier yarns are treated. In a more specific embodiment, wherein a pre-crimping assembly is employed which emits heated fluid coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the assembly, additional force is imparted to the yarn to cause the yarn to move through the apparatus of the present invention, thereby further decreasing the necessity for mechanically pulling the yarn therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 employed in combination with a conventional device to pre-crimp the yarn.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the contact chamber assembly and energy tube of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the contact chamber of FIG. 3 taken along the line lV-IV of FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical process employing the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the energy tube of the prior art apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the energy tube of the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As indicated above, the process and apparatus of the present invention allow the simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarn. In the present invention, the yarn is contacted in a contact zone with heated fluid, e.g., steam, supplied by a pressurized source at an acute angle of not greater than 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, thereby causing the yarn to vibrate and to impact upon an impacting surface. The term yarn passage axis" is herein defined as the axis along which the yarn is fed to the contact chamber. Since it is desirable that yarn be fed to the contact chamber along the longitudinal axis thereof, in the preferred embodiment, the yarn passage axis corresponds substantially to the longitudinal axis of the contact chamber.
The term an impacting surface" is herein meant to define that portion of the interior walls of the yarn passages of the present apparatus upon which the yarn first impacts after being contacted with the heated fluid. In the preferred embodiment, the impacting surface comprises the chamber wall which defines the contact zone. The impacting surface may also comprise the interior wall of the energy tube which defines the heat absorbing zone.
The heated fluid used to treat continuous filament yarns in the present invention may be air, steam or any other compressible fluid or vapor capable of plasticizing action on the yarn. Hot air will give sufficient plasticization in the contact zone for many fibers although it may be desirable for certain fibers to supplement the temperature effect with an auxiliary plasticizing medium. Actually, steam is preferentially used in the subject process since it is a cheap and convenient source of a high pressure fluid with a compound plasticizing action.
The temperature of the fluid medium must be regulated so that the yarn temperatures do not reach the melting point of the fiber. However, with fibers made from fusible polymers, the most effective bulking and the greatest productivity are obtained when the temperature of the heated fluid in the impacting zone is above the melting point of the fiber. In this case, the yarn speed should be great enough so that melting does not occur. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn to be crimped and commingled is contacted in the contact zone with steam supplied at a temperature within the range of about 150 to 500C., and preferably 200 to 450C. and at a pressure of from about 5 to 200 psig., and preferably 5 to 125 psig.
The velocity, herein termed the fluid velocity," at which the heated fluid contacts the yarn in the contact zone must be sufficient to vibrate the yarn and to cause the yarn to impact upon an impacting surface. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the precise velocity which is sufficient to vibrate the yarn and to cause it to impact on an impacting surface varies widely with the yarn denier, the rate of yarn travel through the contact zone, the nozzle alignment, the shape and size of the contact zone, the density of the heated fluid, and other factors. Typically, the fluid velocity of the heated fluid, which contacts the yarn in the contact zone, is sufficient to contact the yarn with a force of from about 0.01 to 50 lbs,/in and preferably from about 0.1 to 30 lbs lin With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to the same or similar element, in the embodi ment of FIG. 1 the apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 and includes: contact cham ber assembly 11 which includes yarn inlet means, indi" cated generally at 12, for feeding the yarn thereinto, heated fluid supply means, indicated generally at 13, for supplying heated fluid thereto and contact chamber 14 which includes contact zone 26, defined by chamber wall 15; energy tube 16 defining passage 17; and stuffer tube assembly, indicated generally at 18, including stuffer tube 18a defining texturizing passage 19, and stuffer tube receiver 21, which includes heated fluid escape vents 20.
Yarn inlet means, indicated generally at 12, for feeding the yarn into apparatus 10 comprises feeder tube 24 which defines yarn feeder passage 25. Tube 24 is positioned substantially concentric to longitudinal axis 22 and communicates contact zone 26 with a yarn source (not shown) to provide for passage of yarn into zone 26. As discussed more fully below, yarn feeder tube 24 may cooperate with a conventional pre-crimping assembly to receive pre-crimped yarn to be fed to apparatus l0.
Heated fluid supply means, indicated generally at R3, for introducing heated fluid into apparatus 10 comprises fluid supply housing 33 which defines heated fluid chamber 34, nozzle 31 and heated fluid inlet 30 which communicates heated fluid chamber 34 with a heated fluid supply source (not shown). While preheating the yarn introduced into chamber 14 is not required, fluid supply housing 33 may be disposed substantially concentric to feeder tube 24 so as to pre-heat yarn passing through feeder tube 24 to a temperature of from about 50 to 200C., and preferably from about to 170C, prior to the yarns entry into contact zone 26. Nozzle 31, which communicates heated fluid chamber 34 with contact zone 26, is disposed so that longitudinal axis 32 of nozzle 31 forms fluid contact angle A with the yarn passage axis, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 to coincide with longitudinal axis 22. Fluid contact angle A is not greater than about preferably not greater than about 45, and is most preferably between about 5 and 45. Nozzle 31 is aligned so as to cause the heated fluid emitted therefrom to contact the yarn at a point downstream from nozzle 31, thereby causing the yarn to pass through apparatus 10. Longitudinal axis 32 of nozzle 31 may intersect the yarn pas sage axis, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be offset from the yarn passage axis, as illustrated in the embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4, as discussed below. While it has been found that a single nozzle 31 is sufficient to impart the desired crimping and commingling properties to yarn, multiple nozzles may be employed so long as the above nozzle-alignment requirements are met, i.e., the nozzle axis of each such nozzle forms an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, i.e., axis 22 in FIG. 1, and the heated fluid emitted from each nozzle contacts the yarn at a point which is downstream from the nozzle itself. In addition, when such a multiple nozzle arrangement is employed, the nozzles must, of course, be positioned so as to cause the vibrating yarn to impact upon an impacting surface (as for example, contact chamber wall 15, as shown in FIG. 1). Therefore, where multiple nozzles are employed, directly opposing pairs of nozzles intersecting axis 22 at a common point should not be used since such an arrangement tends to suspend the yarn so contacted between directly opposing fluid streams and does not effect the desired impacting of the yarn upon an impacting surface.
Inner surface of chamber 14 may be either flat or curved and, as preferred, defines zone 26 to converge in the downstream direction, i.e., in the direction of yarn passage through apparatus 10. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, inner surface 15 of chamber 14 may also define zone 26 to be substantially cylindrical. When inner surface 15 is curved, contact zone 26 may be in the geometric shape of a hyperbola, ellipse or parabola, for example. However, contact zone 26 is preferably substantially conical as illustrated in FIG. 1, and defines conical angle B which is generally not greater than about 85 and preferably not greater than about 45.
Energy tube 16 is positioned about axis 22 and communicates contact zone 26 with energy tube passage 17 to provide for yarn passage therethrough. The diameter of energy tube passage 17 preferably substantially corresponds to the diameter of contact zone 26 at the interface between zone 26 and passage 17. While preheating of energy tube 16 is not required, tube 16 may be heated by a suitable external heating means, as for example, steam heating coils 23, to maintain a temperature of from about 40 to 300C. in energy tube passage 17, so as to further heat yarn passing therethrough and to increase the level of crimp imparted therein.
While the yarn in apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is shown to impact upon contact chamber wall 15, in the desired levels of crimping and commingling may also be achieved by aligning nozzle 31 within the abovediscussed nozzle alignment requirements so as to cause the yarn thereby contacted with heated fluid to first impact upon a portion of interior wall 16a of energy tube passage 17, which comprises the heating absorbing zone of apparatus 10.
Stuffer tube receiver 21 is housed in stuffer tube assembly l8 and defines passage 35, which preferably has a diameter at its interface with passage 17 substantially corresponding to the diameter of passage 17. Passage 35 may be of a uniform cross-section or, as is preferred, diverges in the direction of yarn passage therethrough. When passage 35 diverges in such a manner, inner surface 35a of passage 35 may be either flat or curved. Thus, passage 35 may be of various geometric shapes such as, for example, cylindrical, semi-spherical, parabolic, conical, hyperbolic and elliptical, with the conical and parabolic forms being preferred. When passage 35 is conical, as illustrated in FIG. 1, conical angle C is defined and is generally less than about 85 and preferably less than about 45. Particularly outstanding results are obtained when conical angle C is from about 10 to 20. A fluid exit plate 29 is located at the discharge end of passage 35 and is provided with slots, holes or a combination of both to allow the passage of heated fluid and yarn therethrough. The construction of such a plate is well known and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956.
Stuffer tube 18a, which defines texturizing passage 19, is adapted to contain a compacted yarn mass, designated as yarn plug 27 in FIG..3. Heated fluid escape vents 20 housed in stuffer tube receiver 21 are preferably positioned concentric to axis 22 and communicate passage 19 with the atmosphere to allow escape of heated fluid from passage 19. In the preferred embodiment, vents 20 are disposed so as to cause the exiting heated fluid to be released from passage 19 in a direction substantially opposite to the yarn path travel through apparatus 10 and parallel to longitudinal axis 22. The term substantially opposite, as usedherein includes heating fluid discharged from texturizing passage 19 at an angle of to measured on the basis of the longitudinal axis 22 and countercurrent to yarn path travel. While such a concentric arrangement of fluid escape vents is preferred, it is not intended to be limiting. Thus, stuffer tube 180 may be provided with apertures (not shown) communicating with texturizing passage 19 along the length thereof to permit heated fluid to escape therefrom. In addition, tube 18a may be constructed of a gas permeable material such as a steel mesh screen or micro-porous steel to allow escape of heated fluid from passage 19. While not critical to the present invention, texturizing passage 19 may have a larger diameter than the diameter of energy tube passage 17, so as to form an annulus between the inner periphery of texturizing passage 19 and the outer periphery of energy tube passage 17, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956. Contact zone 26, energy tube passage 17, passage 35, and texturizing passage 19, which comprise the yarn passages" of the apparatus of the present invention, are preferably each disposed substantially concentric to a common longitudinal axis, designated as axis 22 in FIG. 1, which is the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. In addition, it is preferred that inlet means 12 for feeding yarn to apparatus 10 comprise feeder tube 24 disposed substantially concentrical to axis 22 to facilitate yarn feed to apparatus 10.
Yarn is preferably fed to impacting zone 26 along an axis, i.e., the yarn passage axis, which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis 22 of impacting zone 26. However, the yarn passage axis may also be parallel to axis 22 while not coinciding therewith.
Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, apparatus 10 is employed in combination with a precrimping assembly, indicated generally at 40. Precrimping assembly 40 includes: housing 41 which defines zone 42; pre-crimp feeder tube 45 which communicates zone 42 with a yarn source (not shown) for passage of yarn thereinto; nozzle 43 adapted to supply heated fluid under pressure to zone 42 along longitudinal axis 22 of assembly 40; and pre-crimping tube 46, defining pre-crimping passage 44 and communicating zone 42 with passage 44 to provide for yarn passage therethrough. In addition, pre-crimping tube 46 communicates pre-crimping passage 44 with feeder passage 25 of apparatus 10 to provide for passage of yarn precrimped by assembly 40 into apparatus 10. Nozzle 43 is positioned substantially coaxial to axis 22 to contact the yarn in zone 42 along axis 22 and to cause the yarn to be passed into crimping passage 44 and thence into feeder passage 25 of apparatus 10. Pre-crimping tube 46 is also positioned coaxial to axis 22. By increasing the temperature of the heated fluid which contacts the yarn in precrimping assembly 40, the crimp of the yarn entering apparatus 10 can be increased, thereby providing independent control of the levels of crimp of the yarn fed to apparatus 10.
Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated which includes: contact chamber assembly 11 having contact chamber 14 which includes substantially cylindrical contact zone 26; and fluid supply means, indicated generally at 13, for supplying heated fluid to contact chamber 14, which comprises fluid supply housing 33 having heated fluid chamber 34 and heated fluid supply line 30 for allowing heated fluid to pass from a fluid source (not shown) into chamber 14. Contact chamber 14, which is coextensive in FIG. 3 with feeder tube 24, houses multiple offset nozzles 31a and 31b for passage of heated fluid from chamber 34 into contact zone 26. Contact zone 26 is of longitudinal dimension D, extending from (1) the point along the yarn passage axis, defined in FIG. 3 to coincide with axis 22, at which heated fluid emitted from nozzle 31a contact yarn, to (2) upstream interface 36 of energy tube passage 17. Longitudinal nozzle axes 32a and 32b of nozzles 31a and 31b, respectively, form fluid contact angles A and A respectively, with the yarn passage axis, ie. axis 22 in FIG. 3. Each of angles A, and A are not greater than about 85.
FIG. 4 illustrates the offset of nozzles 31a and 31b of FIG. 3. When a nozzle, such as nozzles 31a and 31b of FIG. 3 and 4, is employed which is offset, the longitudinal axis of such nozzle does not pass through center 22a of contact zone 26, i.e., the nozzle axis does not intersect axis 22. It has been found that the desired levels of crimping and commingling may be achieved employing an offset nozzle, either alone, in combination with other nozzles whose longitudinal nozzle axes pass through center 22a of zone 26 or in combination with other offset nozzles, so long as the positioning of each such nozzle satisfies the above-discussed nozzle alignment requirements. When an apparatus of the present invention employs an offset nozzle, the fluid contact angle which the longitudinal nozzle axis forms with the yarn passage axis is, as would be apparent to the skilled practitioner, defined in the view of the apparatus in which the angle between (1) the plane formed by the longitudinal nozzle' axis and (2) the yarn passage axis is maximized.
Referring now to FIG. wherein a process employing apparatus of the present invention is illustrated, continuous filament yarn 51 is unwound from yarn supply spool 50 and passed to feeder and draw rolls 53, 54 and 55 and is then passed to apparatus wherein the yarn is treated and forms yarn plug 27 as described previously. Crimped and commingled yarn is then removed from apparatus 10 by tension supplied by end rollers 56 and 57, and then wound on winding roller 58. As has been previously described, yarn 51 after having been passed over rollers 53, 54 and 55 may be fed into a conventional pre-crimping assembly, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, which cooperates with apparatus 10.
In operation of the apparatus of the present invention, continuous filament yarn is fed by inlet means l2 into contact chamber 14 wherein heated fluid, such as steam, which is supplied under pressure to heated fluid chamber 34 through nozzle 31, contacts the yarn in contact zone 26 (l) at an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, which in FIG. 1 is defined to coincide with longitudinal axis 22, and (2) at a fluid velocity sufficient to cause the contacted yarn to vibrate so as to impact upon a portion of an impacting surface, such as chamber wall 15 of chamber 14.
The impacted yarn together with heated fluid is then passed into energy tube passage 17 wherein the yarn vibrates substantially in the manner shown in FIG. 7 and wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from the heated fluid. As discussed above, aiternate, external heating sources 23 may be applied to en ergy tube 16, thereby further heating the yarn passing through passage 17. Depending upon the condition of operation, e.g., the type yarn, the temperature and pressure employed, the yarn is reduced to a semiplastic state, and thereafter the yarn is aspirated through passage 35 into texturizing passage 19 wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug as in conventional stuffer tube 180, such as is described in US. Pat. No. 3,409,956. From texturizing passage 19, which may be operated at a reduced pressure of from about 0 to 15 psig, heated fluid exits through heated fluid vents 20 located concentric to longitudinal axis 22. Crimped and commingled yarn is preferably removed from stuffer tube 18a at a slower linear speed than the feed rate to texturizing passage 19 so as to maintain the yarn plug therein.
By contacting the yarn in contact zone 26 with heated fluid at an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the yarn passage axis, a certain amount of twist is imparted to the yarn, and the yarn is caused to impact upon an impacting surface, thereby effecting increased commingling of adjacent yarn filaments. in addition, the yarn which is thus impacted vibrates within the heat absorbing zone in an unconventional manner which is believed to further contribute to the crimp and commingling levels achieved. FIG. 6 illustrates vibration patterns in yarn 62 contacted in the ap paratus of US. Pat. No. 3,490,956. As may be seen, this vibration pattern is substantially sinusoidal. HO "7 illustrates the substantially non-sinusoidal vibration which the yarn undergoes in energy tube passage i7 (i.e., the heat absorbing zone) in the apparatus of present invention. As may be seen from H6. '7, adjacent yarn filaments are caused by the vibration to form a folded-wave pattern, the folds of which are exemplified by and 61. This folded wave pattern is believed to enhance the crimp and commingling properties of the yarn.
The process and apparatus of this invention can used to simultaneously crimp and comrningle any natural or synthetic plastizible filamentary material. Thermal plastic material such as polyamides, e.g., poly(epsilon caproamide), poly(hexamethylene adipamide); ceilulose esters; polyesters, e.g., polyethylene terep'nthab ate, poly(hexahydro-p-xylene terephthalate), etc; and polyoleflns and polyacrylics, e.g., polyethylene and polyacrylonitrile as well as copolymers thereof, can be treated by the process and apparatus of the present in vention.
in addition, both monofilaments and yarnsof textile deniers, as well as heavy carpet and industrial yarns (either singly or combined in the form of a heavy tow) may be treated by the process and apparatus of the present invention. When the yarn to be treated is composed of filaments which are made from synthetic materials, a filament of any cross-section type may be treated. Cruciform, Y-shaped, delta-shaped, ribbon, and dumbbell and other filamentary cross-sections can be processed at least as well as round filaments and usually contribute still higher levels of crimp and commingling than is obtained with round filaments.
The process and apparatus of the present invention may be further illustrated by reference to the following examples: In the examples the term crimp bends per inch" is determined by examining a length of yarn under a microscope and counting the number of filament bendings for 1 inch of stretched length. The term entanglements per meter (E.P.M.), which reflects the level of commingling achieved, is determined by passing the yarn through a conventional testing device in which a needle is inserted between filaments. Each time the needle is pushed in the direction of yarn motion by a local entanglement, a counter in the device is activated to count the number of entanglements per meter of the stretched length of yarn. The term crimp elongation after boil (C.E.A.B.) is determined by measuring the length of a sample of crimped yarn at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram/denier. The yarn is then boiled in water for 30 minutes at a pressure of 1 atmosphere. After this period, the yarn is dried at a temperature of 150C. for minutes and then conditioned for a period of 2 hours at a temperature of 223C. and a relative humidity of 65 percent. The length of the conditioned yarn is then determined at a tensile stress level of 0.5 gram/denier. The value thereby obtained is compared to the length of unboiled yarn obtained at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram/- denier and the percent of the elongation calculated.
EXAMPLE 1 A continuous, 70 filament, 1,100 denier nylon 6 yarn, each filament having a Y-shaped cross-section, is fed at a speed of 700 ft/min into the feed tube of an apparatus of FIG. 1 along the longitudinal axis thereof. The yarn is contacted in the contact zone at an angle of 10 with respect to the yarn passage axis by steam supplied to the zone at a temperature of 260C. and a pressure of 150 psig through a nozzle having an inside diameter of 0.04 inch and a nozzle length of 0.1 inch, thereby contacting the yarn with steam at a force of 5 1b,/in The contact zone is a cone defining a conical angle of After being contacted by the heated fluid, the yarn vibrates and impacts upon a portion of the contact chamber wall. The impacted yarn then passes into energy tube passage which has an inside diameter of 0. 1 25 inch and a length of 3 inches, wherein the yarn temperature is raised to about 140C. The heated yarn is then passed into the texturizing passage, which has a diameter of 0.5 inch and a length of 6.0 inches, in which the yarn forms a moving yarn plug and from which crimped and commingled yarn is continuously withdrawn. The treated yarn is determined to have 46 crimp bends per inch, a 35 percent elongation after boil and 40 entanglements per meter.
Nylon 6 yarn having the identical characteristics treated above, is processed by the conventional steam jet apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956 under the same conditions of treatment with the above apparatus. While the treated yarn is determined to have a comparable level of crimp, the yarn treated by the conventional jet texturizing apparatus achieved less than 10 entanglements per meter.
EXAMPLE 2 A continuous, filament, 1,100 denier nylon 6 yarn is treated in an apparatus of the present invention similar to that employed in Example 1. The yarn is fed to the apparatus at a speed of 1,500 ft/min. and is contacted in the impacting zone by steam supplied at a temperature of 260C., and a pressure of psig through a nozzle having an inside diameter of 0.055 inch, thereby contacting the yarn with steam at a force of 5 1b /in The energy tube has an inside diameter of 0.15 inch and a tube length of 5.625 inches. Other process conditions and apparatus dimensions are identical to those employed in Example 1. Under these conditions, the treated yarn is found to have 35 crimp bends per inch, a 29 percent crimp elongation after boil and 30 entanglements per meter.
EXAMPLE 3 Two ends of a continuous, filament, 3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn, each filament having a Y-shaped crosssection, are fed as a yarn bundle to a series of two feeder rolls, such as are illustrated in HO. 3, between which a draw ratio of 1.1 is maintained. Feeder roll 2 is heated to 90C., whereupon the yarn is heated to about 50C. The yarn is then passed to a third feeder roll maintained at C. and operated at a linear speed of 5,280 ft/min., thereby maintaining a draw ratio of 3:1 between rolls 3 and l. The yarn on roll 3 is heated to about 90C.
The pre-heated yarn is then passed into the pre-crimp feeder tube of the apparatus of FIG. 2. 1n the pre-crimp assembly, the yarn bundle is contacted with steam at a temperature of 232C. and a pressure of 50 psi supplied through a coaxial nozzle having an inside diameter of 0.06 inch. The steam and contacted yarn enter the crimping tube which has an inside diameter of 0.145 inch and a length of 5.5 inches. The pre-crimped yarn is then passed through the feeder tube of apparatus 10 along the longitudinal axis thereof. The yarn is contacted in the contact zone at an angle of 8 with respect to the yarn passage axis by steam supplied to the zone at a temperature of 280C., and a pressure of psig. through a nozzle having an inside diameter of 0.076 inch and a nozzle length of 0.1 inch, thereby contacting the yarn with steam at a force of 3 lb lin The contact zone is a cone defining a conical angle of 15. The yarn contacted by the steam impacts upon a portion of the contact, chamber wall, and the impacted yarn is passed into the energy tube having an inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a length of 1.9 inches, wherein the yarn temperature is raised to about 145C. The heated yarn then passes into a texturizing passage which has an inside diameter of 0.54 inch and a length of 7.0 inches, in which the yarn forms a moving yarn plug. Crimped and commingled yarn is continuously withdrawn from the texturizing passage by a series of two end rollers, rollers 4 and 5. The draw ratio between rollers 4 and 3 is maintained at 0.74 and the pull-out ratio (the draw ratio between rollers 5 and 4) is maintained at 1.03, so that a tension of 100 grams is maintained. After roll 5, the
yarn is passed to a Rieter winder at a tension of 100 grams.
The treated yarn is determined to have 35 crimp bends per inch, 30 percent elongation after boil and 38 entanglements per meter.
EXAMPLE 4 Example 3 is repeated employing a 3000 denier undrawn yarn for each end. The yarn bundle is fed by a pre-crimp feeder tube into a pre-crimp assembly to which steam is supplied at a temperature of 240C, a pressure of 75 psi, and a contact force of 4 lb,/in The draw ratio between rollers 4 and 3 is maintained at 0.68 and a tension between rollers 4 and 5 is I20 grams. All other process conditions and apparatus dimensions are those employed in Example 3.
The treated yarn is found to have 40 crimp bends per inch, 3l percent elongation after boil and 46 entanglements per meter.
EXAMPLE 5 Example 3 is repeated employing a 3,150 denier yarn for each end using a pre-crimp assembly to which steam is supplied at a temperature of 270C. and a pressure of 70 psi. Steam is supplied to apparatus at a temperature of 260C. and a pressure of 1 psi through a nozzle having an inside diameter of 0.06 inch,thereby contacting the yarn with steam at a force of 4 lb,/in-. The draw ratio between rolers 4 and 3 is maintained at 0.69 and the tension between rollers 4 and 5 is 120 grams. All other process conditions and apparatus dimensions are those employed in Example The treated yarn is found to have 40 crimp bends per inch, 30 percent crimp elongation after boil and 28 entanglements per meter.
Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for purpose of illustration, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
We claim:
1. A process for simultaneously crimping and commingling continuous filament yarn, which comprises:
a. feeding the yarn into a contact zone;
b. contacting the yarn in said contact zone with heated fluidat an angle of not greater than about 85 with respect to the axis of yarn passage through said contact zone, said heated fluid having a fluid velocity sufficient to vibrate the yarn and to cause the yarn to impact upon an impacting surface;
c. passing the impacted yarn and heated fluid into a heat absorbing zone wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from said heated fluid;
d. directing the yarn under the action of heated fluid into a texturizing zone wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug;
e. exhausting heated fluid from said texturizing zone;
and f. removing crimped and commingled yarn from said yarn plug.
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said heated fluid is steam.
3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the yarn is contacted in said contact zone with heated fluid at an angle of not greater than about 45 with respect to the axis of yarn passage through said contact zone.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein said contact zone conically converges in the direction of yarn passage therethrough and defines a conical angle of not greater than about 5. A process according to claim ll wherein said contact zone is substantially cylindrical.
6. The process according to claim 1 wherein the yarn is fed to the contact zone substantially along the longitudinal axis of said zone and wherein the yarn is contacted in said contact zone with heated fluid at an angle of between about 5 and 45.
7. An apparatus for simultaneous crimping and commingling continuous filament yarn, which comprises:
a. a contact chamber assembly including a contact chamber, yarn inlet means for feeding yarn into said contact chamber and fluid supply means for introducing heated fluid into said contact chamber substantially along an axis which forms an angle of not greater than about 85 with the axis of yarn passage through said contact chamber;
b. an energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid, said energy tube communicating with said contact chamber; and
c. a stuffer tube assembly including a stuffer tube for texturizing said yarn and a stuffer receiver, said stuffer tube and said stuffer receiver communicating successively with said energy tube.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said contact chamber defines a passage which conically converges in the direction of yarn passage therethrough and which defines a conical angle of not greater than about 85.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said fluid supply means is adapted for introducing heated fluid into said contact chamber substantially along an axis which forms an angle of not greater than about 45 with the axis of yarn passage through said contact chamber.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said contact chamber defines a substantially cylindrical passage.
ll. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said yarn inlet means is adapted for feeding yarn into the contact chamber substantially along the longitudinal axis of said chamber, and wherein said fluid supply means is adapted for introducing heated fluid into said contact chamber substantially along an axis which forms an angle of between about 5 and 45 with the axis of yarn passage through said contact chamber. |
US-3874045-A | Simultaneously crimping and commingling yarns | United States Patent [19] Butler et al.
[451 Apr. 1, 1975 SIMULTANEOUSLY CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING YARNS [75] Inventors: Russell H. Butler, Dover; l-lendrikus J. Oswald; Young D. Kwon, both of Morristown, all of NJ.
[73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, New
York, NY.
[22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 449,427
Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or FirmArthur J. Plantamura; Jack B. Murray, Jr.
YARN FEED \l\ [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns are provided. The yarn is introduced as feed into a fluid contact chamber in which the yarn is contacted with a heated fluid, such as steam, substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the fluid contact chamber. The yarn is then directed under the force of the heated fluid through a first energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs a portion of the heat of the fluid, and is then passed into an expansion chamber wherein the yarn impacts upon a portion of the interior surface of the chamber. The impacted yarn is then passed into a second energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat, and thence into a stuffer tube wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug from which crimped and commingled yarn is subsequently removed. In a second embodiment, the expansion chamber and second energy tube are positioned such that the yarn impacts upon an interior surface of the second energy tube.
8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 1197s 3.874.045 saw 2 BF 2 FIG. 7
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
SIMULTANEOUSLY CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING YARNS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to commonly owned, 00- filed application, APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR SIMULTANEOUS CRIMPING AND COMMIN- GLING OF YARNS, Ser. No. 449,409, filed Mar. 8, 1974 (filed by Y. D. Kwon; Russell H. Butler, H. J. Oswald and D. W. Kim).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to process and apparatus for simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Synthetic fiber yarn to be employed in fabric, such as in carpets and wearing apparel, is frequently subjected to a crimping process to generate curvilinear twists in the yarn so as to impart elastic stretch and bulk to the yarn. Such yarn is also subjected to a commingling process whereby entanglements are inserted between adjacent yarn filaments to enhance cohesiveness between these filaments. In addition, commingling helps to prevent stray filaments from snagging machine guides during subsequent processing and to prevent the separation of individual yarn ends in jet texturizing processes which require more than one yarn end per jet.
In conventional process, the crimping and commingling functions are carried out separately in different steps. Such a division of functions increases process costs and generates increased equipment requirements. Previous attempts to simultaneously crimp and commingle yarn have been unsuccessful in imparting the desired crimp and commingling properties. Typical dual-function apparatus are those disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,303,546 (issued in 1967 to Van Blerk), US. Pat. No. 3,409,956 (issued in 1968 to Longbottom et al.) and East German Pat. No. 17,786 (issued in 1960 to Bruetting) wherein yarn is contacted with a steam jet positioned coaxially with respect to the yarn passage axis and US. Pat. No. 3,611,698 (issued in 1971 to Horn) wherein pairs of facing steam jets impact on a common plane at an angle perpendicular to the yarn passage axis. In the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956, and East German Pat. No. 17,786 coaxial contact of the yarn with steam has the disadvantage of failing to impart any significant amount of commingling to the yarn. In the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,61 1,698 the steam jets do not impart any portion of their force in the direction of the yarn travel through the apparatus, thereby necessitating the use of a mechanical pulling device to cause the yarn to pass through the apparatus. The use of such mechanical pulling for this purpose is not desirable because it tends to destroy any crimp that has been previously imparted to the yarn.
However, most significantly, these prior art apparatus for simultaneous crimping and commingling of yarn have failed to provide the levels of crimp and commingling previously achieved when these functions were carried out in separate steps. Thus, the dual-function apparatus failed to simultaneously perform commingling and crimping functions while maintaining the desired levels of crimping and commingling which separate-function apparatus had previously achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there are provided apparatus and process for simultaneously crimpingand commingling continuous filament yarn. The apparatus of the present invention comprises: a fluid contact chamber; yarn feed means for feeding yarn into said fluid contact chamber; heated fluid supply means for introducing heated fluid into said fluid contact chamber substantially along the longitudinal axis of said chamber; a first energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid, said first energy being positioned about a longitudinal axis and communicating with said contact chamber for yarn passage therethrough, an expansion chamber having a cross-sectional area at its interface with said first energy tube which is larger than the cross-sectional area of said first energy tube, said expansion chamber being positioned such that said longitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects an impacting surface in said expansion chamber; a second energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid; and a stuffer tube for texturizing said yarn; said expansion chamber, said second energy tube and said stuffer tube communicating successively with said first energy tube for yarn passage therethrough. In a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, said expansion chamber and said second energy tube are positioned such that the longitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects an impacting surface in said second energy tube.
The process of the present invention comprises: passing yarn into a fluid contact zone; contacting said yarn in said fluid contact zone with heated fluid introduced into said zone substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of said zone; passing said yarn and said heated fluid into a first heat absorbing zone wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid; directing the yarn under the influence of said heated fluid into an expansion zone having a cross-sectional area at its interface with said first heat absorbing zone which is larger than the cross-sectional area of said first heat absorbing zone, said expansion zone being positioned such that yarn passing from said first heat absorbing zone impacts upon an impacting surface in said expansion zone; passing the yarn and said heated fluid from said expansion zone into a second heat, absorbing zone, wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid; passing the yarn and heated fluid from said second heat absorbing zone into a texturizing zone, wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug; exhausting heated fluid from said texturizing zone; and removing crimped and commingled yarn from said yarn plug. In a second embodiment of the process of the present invention, said expansion zone and said second heat absorbing zone are positioned such that yarn passing from said first heat absorbing zone impacts upon an impacting surface in said second heat absorbing zone.
It has been found that the present invention enables simultaneous achievement of levels of crimp which are comparable to, and levels of commingling which are superior than, the levels which result from conventional processes in which crimping and commingling steps are sequentially performed. In addition, the process and apparatus of the present invention have the advantage of imparting such improved crimp and commingling properties in a single apparatus, thereby decreasing equipment requirements and reducing processing costs by as much as 50 percent. Furthermore, the substantially coaxial introduction of heated fluid into the apparatus of the present invention enables easier starting of the apparatus and greatly aids in forcing the yarn through the apparatus, thereby decreasing the necessity for mechanically pulling the yarn therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of first energy tube, expansion chamber and second energy tube of apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical process employing the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the energy tube of the prior art apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the second energy tube of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As indicated above, the process and apparatus of the present invention allow the simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarn. In the apparatus of the present invention, the yarn is contacted in a fluid contact chamber with heated fluid, e.g. steam, supplied through a nozzle by a pressurized source, substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the zone, thereby causing the yarn to pass into and through a first energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from the heated fluid. The yarn then passes into a portion of the apparatus, i.e. the expansion chamber and the second energy tube, wherein the yarn impacts upon an impacting surface.
The term impacting surface" is herein meant to define that portion of the interior walls of the yarn passages of the present invention upon which the yarn first impacts after passing out of the first energy tube. In the preferred embodiment the impacting surface comprises the chamber wall which define the expansion zone. However, the impacting surface may also comprise the inner wall of the second energy tube.
The heated fluid used to treat continuous filament yarns in the present invention may be air, steam or any other compressible fluid or vapor capable of plasticizing action on the yarn. Hot air will give sufficient plasticization in the expansion zone for many fibers although it may be desirable for certain fibers to supplement the temperature effect with an auxiliary plasticizing medium. Actually, steam is preferentially used in the subject process since it is a cheap and convenient source of a high pressure fluid with a compound plasticizing action.
The temperature of the fluid medium must be regulated so that the yarn temperatures do not reach the melting point of the fiber. However, with fibers made from fusible polymers, the most effective bulking and the greatest productivity are obtained when the temperature of the heated fluid in the impacting zone is above the melting point of the fiber. In this case, the yarn speed should be great enough so that melting does not occur. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn to be crimped and commingled is contacted in the fluid contact zone with steam supplied at a temperature within the range of about 150 to 500C. and preferably 200 to 450C. and at a pressure of from about 5 to 200 psig. and preferably 5 to psig.
The velocity at which the heatd fluid is passed through apparatus 10 is not critical, and the process of the present invention may employ any heated fluid velocity which is sufficient to carry the yarn longitudinally through the passages 14, 18, 24 and 26 and into passage 28. However, heated fluid velocity of less than sonic velocity is preferred.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to the same or similar element, in FIG. 1 the apparatus of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 and includes: yarn contact chamber 11 defining fluid contact zone 21; feeder tube 22; nozzle 12; first energy tube 13 defining first energy tube passage 14; offset expansion chamber 17 defining expansion zone 18; second energy tube 23 defining passage 24; and stuffer tube 27 defining texturizing passage 28 and provided with fluid escape vents 29.
Nozzle 12, which comprises the heated fluid supply means in FIG. 1, is positioned so as to emit heated fluid into fluid contact zone 21 substantially along longitudinal axis 16 of zone 21 in the direction of yarn travel through apparatus 10.
Feeder tube 22, which comprises the yarn feed means in FIG. 1, is housed in fluid contact chamber 11 to communicate fluid contact zone 21 with a yarn feed source (not shown) for passage of yarn into apparatus 10 for treatment. Fluid contact zone 21 preferably converges in the direction of yarn passage through apparatus 10 to aid in passing yarn and heated fluid from zone 21 into first energy tube passage 14. Zone 21 is defined by surface 41 which may be either flat or curved and, thus, zone 21 may be of various geometric shapes, such as for example conical, semi-spherical, hyperbolic and parabolic.
First energy tube 13 is positioned about axis 16 and communicates with fluid contact zone 21 to provide for yarn passage therethrough. While preheating of first energy tube 13 is not required, tube 13 may be heated to a temperature of from about 40 to 300C. by a suit able external heating means, as for example, steam heating coils 42, so as to further heat yarn passing therethrough and to increase the levels of crimp imparted therein. So as to provide for increased ease of passage of yarn into expansion chamber 17, the longitudinal axis of first energy tube passage 14 in the preferred embodiment coincides with longitudinal axis 16 of zone 21, and the inside diameter of passage 14 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the opening formed by surface 41 at the interface between zone 21 and passage 14.
Expansion chamber 17, which converges in the direction of yarn passage therethrough, communicates successively with first energy tube passage 14 and second energy tube passage 24 and has a cross-sectional area at its interface with first energy tube 13 which is larger than the cross-sectional area of first energy tube 13. Expansion zone 18, which may be symmetrical or assymmetrical, is defined by expansion chamber wall 19, which may be either flat or curved. Where zone 18 is symmetric, the axis of symmetry of zone 18 preferably corresponds to longitudinal axis 20 of second energy tube 23, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Symmetrical geometrical shapes which zone 18 may have are, for example, semi-spherical, parabolic, conical, hyperbolic and elliptical, with the conical and parabolic shapes being preferred.
Expansion chamber 17 is preferably positioned so as to cause the longitudinal axis of first energy tube 13 to intersect expansion chamber wall 19. In operation of the preferred embodiment, therefore, yarn passing from first energy tube 13 impacts upon an impacting surface in expansion chamber 17, i.e. wall 19. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate such an arrangement of chamber 17 and tubes 13 and 23. According to a second embodiment, expansion chamber 17 and second energy tube 23 are positioned so as to cause longitudinal axis 16 of first energy tube 13 to intersect inner surface 23a of second energy tube 23. In operation of an apparatus having such a configuation, yarn passing from first energy tube 13 first impacts upon an impacting surface in second energy tube 23, i.e. surface 23a. FIG. 4 illustrates such an arrangement of chamber 17 and tubes 13 and 23.
Where expansion zone 18 is symmetric, the interrelationships discussed above between zone 18 and tubes 13 and 23 may be further defined with reference to longitudinal axis 16 of first energy tube 13 and the axis of symmetry of zone 18. The axis of symmetry, i.e. axis 20 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, may be offset from longi tudinal axis 16 by either a pure rotation, a parallel translation or both a rotation and translation. Where, as illustrated in FIG. 1, axis 20 is offset from axis 16 by a parallel translation, axis 20 is parallel to axis 16. Where axis 20, as in FIG. 2, is offset from axis 16 by a pure rotation, axis 20 intersects axis 16 at the interface, designated 43, between passage 14 and zone 18. The rotation offset angle, indicated as A in FIG. 2, is defined as the minimum angle formed by the intersection of axes 20 and 16 when said axes are offset by a pure rotation and is generally from about 90 to less than about 180, and preferably from about 135 to less than about 180.
Alternatively, axis 20 may be offset from axis 16 by both a rotation and translation. Such a configuration occurs, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, when axis 20 and 16: (l do not intersect at the interface, designated 43, between passage 14 and zone 18; and (2) are not parallel. In such a configuration angle B is defined in that view of apparatus in which the angle is a maximum and is generally from about 90 to less than about 180, and preferably from about 135 to less than about 180.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that configurations other than those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be employed in which expansion chamber 17 and second energy tube 23 are positioned such that longitudinal axis 16 of tube 13 intersects an impacting surface, as that term is herein defined.
Second energy tube 23 is positioned about axis 20 and communicates successively with expansion chamber 17 and stuffer tube 27 for yarn passage therethrough. While not required, as with tube 13, tube 23 may be heated to a temperature of from about 40 to 300C. by a suitable external heating means, as for example, steam heating coils 44, so as to further heat yarn passing therethrough and to increase the levels of crimp imparted therein. Second energy tube 23 defines, at the discharge end thereof, passage 26 which may be of a uniform cross-section or, as is preferred,
which diverges in the'direction of yarn passage therethrough. Inner surface 26a of passage 26 may be either flat or curved, thereby defining passage 26 to be of various geometric shapes, such as for example, cylindrical, semi-spherical, parabolic, conical, hyperbolic and elliptical, with the conical and parabolic forms being preferred. Where passage 26 is conical, as illustrated in FIG. 1, conical angle C is defined and is generally less than about and preferably less than about 45. Particularly outstanding results are obtained when conical angle C is from about 10 to 20. Where passage 26 is cylindrical in shape, passage 26 preferably is of a diameter which corresponds to the inside diameter of second energy tube 23. A fluid exit plate 46 is located at the discharge end of passage 26 and is provided with slots, holes or a combination of both to allow heated fluid and yarn to pass therethrough. The construction of such a plate is well known and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956.
Stuffer tube 27 defines texturizing passage 28 disposed about axis 20 and is adapted to contain a compacted yarn mass, designated as yarn plug 31 in FIG. 4. Stuffer tube 27 is provided with a plurality of escape vents 29, illustrated in FIG. 1 as being positioned concentric to axis 20, which communicate texturizing passage 28 with the atmosphere to allow escape of heated fluid from passage 28. While such arrangement is not critical, in the preferred embodiment the longitudinal axis of texturizing passage 28 coincides with axis 20, and vents 29 are disposed so as to cause the exiting heated fluid to be released from passage 28 in a direction substantially opposite to the yarn path travel through apparatus 10 and parallel to axis 20. The term substantially opposite as used herein includes heated fluid discharged from texturizing zone 28 at an angle of to measured on the basis of axis 20 and countercurrent to yarn path travel. While such a concentric arrangement of fluid escape vents is preferred, it is not intended to be limiting. Thus, stuffer tube 27 may be provided with aperatures (not shown) located along the length of passage 28 which are adapted to permit the escape of fluid therefrom. Alternatively, stuffer tube 27 may be constructed of a gas permeable material such as a steel mesh screen or micro-porous steel to allow escape of heated fluid from passage 28. While not critical to the present invention, texturizing passage 28 may have a larger diameter than the maximum diameter of diverging passage 26 so as to form an annulus between the inner periphery of texturizing passage 28 and the outer periphery of passage 26.
In the preferred embodiment, fluid contact zone 21 and first energy tube passage 14 are disposed concentric to longitudinal axis 16, and expansion zone 18, second energy tube passage 24, passage 26 and texturizing passage 28 are each disposed concentric to axis 20.
Referring now to FIG. 5, wherein a process employing the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated, continuous filament yarn is unwound from yarn supply spool 33 and passed to feeder and draw rolls 34, 35 and 36 and is then passed to apparatus 10 wherein the yarn is treated and forms yarn plug 31 as described previously. Crimped and commingled yarn 32 is then removed from apparatus 10 by end rolls 38 and 39 and is then wound on winding roll 40.
In operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, continuous filament yarn is fed through feeder tube 22 into fluid contact chamber 11 into which heated fluid such as steam is introduced through coaxial nozzle 12, thereby causing the contacted yarn to pass into first energy tube passage 14, wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from the heated fluid. As discussed above, alternate external heating sources 42 may be applied to first energy tube 13, thereby further heating the yarn passing through zone 14. The yarn which, depending on the conditions of operation, e.g. the type of yarn, the temperature and pressure employed, is reduced to a semi-plastic state, is then aspirated under the influence of the heated fluid into expansion zone 18 of offset expansion chamber 17 wherein the yarn preferably impacts upon a portion of expansion chamber wall 19. The impacted yarn is then passed under the influence of heated fluid into second energy tube 23, which may also be provided with external heating coils 44 wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat from the heated fluid, and is then passed into texturizing passage 28 wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug as in conventional stuffer tube 27, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956. From texturizing zone 28 which may be operated at a reduced pressure of from about to psig., heated fluid exits via fluid escape vents 29 located concentric to axis 20. Crimped and commingled yarn is preferably removed from stuffer tube 27 at a linear speed which is slower than the linear speed at which yarn is fed to texturizing passage 28, so as to maintain the yarn plug therein.
By aspirating the yarn into expansion zone 18 under the influence of the heated fluid, the yarn bundle is caused to expand, thereby effecting increased commingling of adjacent yarn filaments. Furthermore, by impacting the yarn upon an impacting surface of the present invention a certain amount of twist is imparted to the yarn, thereby further increasing the commingling of adjacent yarn filaments. The yarn which is thus impacted is caused to vibrate within second energy tube passage 24 in an unconventional manner which is believed to' further contribute to the crimp and commingling levels achieved. FIG. 6 illustrates vibration patterns in yarn 62 contacted in the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956. As may be seen, this vibration pattern is substantially sinusoidal. FIG. 7 illustrates the substantially non-sinusoidal vibration which the yarn undergoes in second energy tube passage 24 (i.e. the second heat absorbing zone) in the apparatus of the present invention. As may be seen from FIG. 7, adjacent yarn filaments are caused by the vibration to form a folded-wave pattern, the folds of which are exemplified by 60 and 61. This folded-wave pattern is believed to enhance the crimp and commingling properties of the yarn.
The process and apparatus of this invention can be used to simultaneously crimp and commingle any natural or synthetic plasticizable filamentary material. Thermal plastic material such as polyamides, e.g poly (epsilon caproamide), poly (hexamethylene adipamide); cellulose esters; polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate, poly (hexahydro-p-xylene terephthalate), etc., and polyolefins and polyacrylics, e.g. polyethylene and polyacrylonitrile as well as copolymers thereof, can be treated by the process and apparatus of the present invention.
In addition, both monofilaments and yarns of textile deniers, as well as heavy carpet and industrial yarns (either singly or combined in the form of a heavy tow) may be treated by the present invention. When the yarn to be treated is composed of filaments which are made from synthetic materials, a filament of any crosssection type may be treated. Cruciform, Y-shaped, delta-shaped, ribbon, and dumbbell and other filamentary cross-sections can be procesed at least as well as round filaments and usually contribute still higher levels of crimp and commingling than is obtained with round filaments.
The process and apparatus of the present invention may be further illustrated by reference to the following examples. In the examples the term crimp bends per inch is determined by examining a length of yarn under a microscope and counting the number of filament bendings for 1 inch of stretched length. The term entanglements per meter" (E.P.M.) is determined by passing the yarn through a conventional testing device in which a needle is inserted between filaments. Each time the needle is pushed in the direction of yarn motion by a local entanglement, a counter in the device is activated to count the number of entanglements per meter of the stretched length of the yarn. The term crimp elongation after boil (C.E.A.B.) is determined by measuring the length of a sample of crimped yarn at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram per denier. The yarn is then boiled in water for 30 minutes at a pressure of 1 atmosphere and then dried at a temperature of 150C. for 10 minutes and then conditioned for a period of 2 hours at a temperature of 23C. and a relative humidity of 65 percent. The length of the conditioned yarn is then determined at a tensile stress level of 0.5 gram per denier. The value thereby obtained is compared to the length of the unboiled yarn obtained at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram per denier and the percent elongation calculated.
EXAMPLE 1 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, an undrawn, continuousfilament, 3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is fed to a series of 3 feed rolls. Feed roll 2 is maintained at a temperature of 100 and feed roll 3 is maintained at a temperature of 180. The draw ratio between feed rolls 1 and 2 is 1.1 and between feed rolls 3 and 1 is 3.l. Roll 3 is operated at a linear speed of 5,000 ft. per minute. From feed roll 3 the yarn is passed through an apparatus of the present invention, wherein the yarn is treated as described be low. The treated yarn is removed from the texturizing zone of the apparatus at a rate of 3,300 ft. per minute by end rolls 4 and 5, the draw ratio between end rolls 5 and 4 being set at 1.03. A draw ratio between end roll and feed roll 3 is maintained at 0.66. From end roll 5 the yarn is taken up by a Leesona 959 High Speed winder at a tension of grams.
The yarn is contacted in the fluid contact zone with steam at a temperature of 300C. and a pressure of psig. supplied to the fluid contact zone through nozzle positioned coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the fluid contact zone and having an inside diameter of 0.083 inch. The yarn and steam are then passed under the influence of the steam into the first energy tube passage positioned concentric to the above contact zone axis and having an inside diameter of 0.145 inch and a length of 6.5 inches, in which the yarn is heated to about C. The heated yarn is then directed under the influence of the steam into the expansion chamber which defines a conical expansion zone wherein the yarn impacts uppon a portion of expansion chamber wall. The expansion zone forms a conical angle of 16 and is positioned abut an axis of symmetry which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the first energy tube passage by a 0.2 inch parallel translation. The expansion zone has a minimum inside diameter at the interface with the second energy tube passage of 0.16 inch and a maximum inside diameter at the entry end of said expansion zone of 0.5 inch.
The impacted yarn is then passed into the second energy tube passage having an inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a length of 1.9 inches, wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat from the steam. The yarn is then passed through a conical, diverging passage which has a conical angle of 17, and which expands to a diameter of 0.3 1 inch over a distance of 0.5 inch measured longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the second energy tube. The yarn is then aspirated into a texturizing passage having an inside diameter of 0.54 inch and a length of 9 inches, wherein the flow of yarn is impeded thereby establishing a yarn plug. The stuffer tube is provided with 12 fluid exhaust vents having a diameter of 0.094 inch which are spaced symmetrically in an annular ring to discharge fluid from the texturizing pas sage in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of yarn travel through the texturizing passage.
The yarn treated by the above process is determined to have 25 entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of about 28 percent, a texture energy of 0.8 X and 28 crimp bends per inch.
EXAMPLE 2 Under the identical process conditions of Example 1, undrawn 3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is passed through an apparatus having a conically shaped expansion zone which has a conical angle of 30 and which has a minimum inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a maximum inside diameter of 0.5 inch. All other apparatus dimensions are identical to those employed in the apparatus of Example 1.
Under the above operating conditions, the treated yarn is determined to have about 42 entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of 30 percent, a texture energy of 0.8 X 10*, and 29 crimp bends per inch.
EXAMPLE 3 Under the identical process conditions of Example 1, undrawn 3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is passed through an apparatus having a conically shaped expansion zone which has a conical angle of 42 and which has a minimum inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a maximum inside diameter of 0.5 inch. All other apparatus dimensions are identical to those employed in the apparatus of Example 1.
The yarn treated under the above conditions is determined to have 46 entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of 29 percent, a texture energy of 0.8 X 10", and 31 crimp bends per inch.
Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for the purpose of illustration, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
We claim:
1. A process for simultaneously crimping and commingling yarn which comprises:
a. passing yarn into a fluid contact zone;
b. contacting said yarn in said fluid contact zone with a heated fluid introduced into said zone substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of said zone;
0. passing said yarn and said heated fluid into a first heat absorbing zone, wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid;
d. directing the yarn under the influence of said heated fluid into an expansion zone having a crosssectional area at its interface with said first heat absorbing zone larger than the cross-sectional area of said first heat absorbing zone;
e. passing the yarn and said heated fluid from said expansion zone into a second heat absorbing zone, wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid;
f. said expansion zone and said second heat absorbing zone being positioned such that yarn passing from said first heat absorbing zone impacts upon an impacting surface;
g. passing the yarn and heated fluid from said second heat absorbing zone into a texturizing zone, wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug; and
h. removing crimped and commingled yarn yarn plug.
2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said heated fluid is steam.
3. The process according to claim 1 wherein said impact surface is in said expansion zone.
4. The process according to claim 1 wherein said impact surface is in said second heat absorbing zone.
5. An apparatus for simultaneously crimping and commingling yarn which comprises:
a. a fluid contact chamber;
b. yarn feed means for feeding yarn into said fluid contact chamber;
c. heated fluid supply means for introducing heated fluid to said fluid contact chamber substantially along the longitudinal axis of said chamber;
(1. a first energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid, said first energy tube being positioned about a longitudinal axis and communieating with said contact chamber for yarn passage therethrough;
e. an expansion chamber having a cross-sectional area at its interface with said first energy tube which is larger than the cross-sectional area of said first energy tube;
f. a second energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid;
g. said expansion chamber and said second energy tube being positioned such that said longitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects an impacting surface;
h. said chamber communicating successively with said first energy tube and said second energy tube for yarn passage therethrough; and
i. a stuffer tube for texturizing said yarn communicating with said second energy tube for yarn passage therethrough.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said impacting surface is in said expansion chamber.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said impacting surface is in said second energy tube.
8. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a diverging passage is defined at the discharge end of said second energy tube.
from said |
US-3874046-A | Device for singeing threads | United States Patent n91 Aschwanden et al.
[ Apr. 1,1975
i 1 DEVICE FOR SINGEING THREADS [75] Inventors: Paul Aschwanden, Arth; Konrad Wick, Goldau, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Aktiengesellschaft Fr. Mettlers Sohne Maschinenl'abrik, Arth. Switzerland [22] Filed: Apr. 24. 1973 [2H Appl. No.: 354,081
[52] US. Cl. 28/63 [Sl] Int. Cl. D02j 3/16 [58] Field of Search 28/63. 72 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,4l0.l)72 l l/l968 Nintz ct al. 28/63 3.704.493 l2/l972 Coats ct al 28/63 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 529.253 9/l92l France 38/63 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [57] ABSTRACT A device for singeing threads comprises a housing having a thread passage therethrough along which a thread to be singed is moved. The passage includes an intermediate portion spaced from each end having a plurality of inwardly directed burner nozzles which are arranged around the passage for directing small singeing flames inwardly toward the thread which is moved through the passage. The nozzles are advantageously radially arranged and are supplied from an annular outer conduit which communicates with a supply conduit for a gas and air mixture. In addition to the burner nozzles. the housing includes means for supplying a treatment fluid to the thread passage adjacent the burner nozzles in order to control the singeing of the thread. In the preferred arrangement a treatment fluid such as control air is supplied through radially directed nozzles located both at the discharge end and the entrance end of the passage for the thread.
6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mgmggm 1 1915 3. 874. 046
Fig.1
DEVICE FOR SINGEING THREADS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to devices for treating fibrous material and. in particular. to a new and useful device for singeing threads. which includes a housing having a passage for the thread which carries a plurality of radially arranged nozzles oriented to direct singeing flames inwardly toward a thread moved through the passage and which also includes at least one additional means for directing a treatment fluid such as control air into the passage immediately adjacent the burner nozzles.
2. Description of the Prior Art As it is known. the purpose of the singeing or gassing is to burn off the fibrils projecting from the surface of a thread. Known devices of the type mentioned have the disadvantage of being well suited only for certain natural or synthetic fibers, because the combustion residucs for the various materials have very different properties. A singeing device with a very broad range of application uses pins directed transversely to the thread and serving to strip the residues away. but a further im provement of the adaptability of the singeing device to the nature of the fibrous material is desirable. A particularly desirable object of all efforts in this respect has been the possibility of selectively varying the singeing conditions directly in the singeing zone without thereby making the device complicated in manufacture and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to permit a control of the singeing process by a selective variation of the burning conditions. the present invention provides a device with a thread passage thercthrough in which a plurality of circularly arranged and radially convergent bores is directed toward at middle or singeing part of the passage through which the thread to be treated is advanced. These bores communicate through a common distribution channel with an outer conduit for supplying a t'ucl-gas/air mixture so that at the orifices of the bores facing the thread, small flames can be produced to carry out the singeing process. Additional groups of bores are provided which are also circularly arranged around and radially converging toward the thread but located in the zone or zones preceding and/or following the singeing zone in the direction of the thread motion. Each group of the additional bores communicates with an outer conduit for supplying another gas or gas mixture serving to modify the singeing conditions.
In a further development of the invention. the thread passage comprises a stepped central bore of an individual housing formed by a conical insert or piece inserted into a casing. The circularly arranged bores are provided in this insert so as to lead. at their outer ends, into common annular distribution channels formed as a recess on the periphery of the insert. The channels are closed by the wall of the surrounding housing and further bores are provided in the latter which are adapted to receive the conduits of the fuel-gas/air mixture or of the additional gas or gas mixture. The radially converging inner bores are arranged in groups or sets one above the other in the respective zones or steps of the enclosed space. In the middle or singeing zone there are preferably three superposed groups of bores.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for singeing threads. comprising a housing having a thread passage through which the thread to be treated is advanced. with a middle or singeing part where the thread is actually treated by small flames. a plurality of passages for the used l'uel-gas/air mixture arranged circularly around this part so as to radially converge toward the thread and communicating with an outer conduit for supplying the gas mixture. and a plurality of additional passages similarly arranged around a part or parts of the enclosed space preceding and/or following the singeing part in the direction of the thread motion and communicating with outer conduits for supplying another gas or gas mixture serving to modify the singeing conditions.
A further object ofthe invention is to provide the device in the form of an insert seated in a through hole of a casing and the enclosed space in the form of an axial bore. preferably stepped. and having a plurality of passages in the form of groups of radial bores provided in the insert and leading. at their outside. into common annular distribution channels recessed on the periphery of the insert. closed by the wall of the casing. and communicating with the outside through bores provided in the casing and receiving the respective conduit of gas or gas mixture.
According to another feature of the invention. in each zone of the gas admission into the enclosed space. the radially extending bores are arranged in groups or belts comprising at least one circular row. in the middle or singeing part preferably three such rows situated one above the other.
A further object of the invention is to provide a thread singeing device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.
For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:
FIG. I is an axial cross-sectional view of a singeing device according to the invention, taken along the i inc II of FIG. 22 and FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same device.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a housing or casing 1 which is mounted on the frame of a singeing machine (not shown). The casing l is provided with a tapered through hole 2 in which a correspondingly tapered insert or housing piece 3 is seated. On the periphery of the insert 3, whose outer surface applies against the wall bounding the hole 2, there are provided three vertically spaced substantially annular grooves which, along with the wall bounding the hole surface 2. enclose three chambers 4. S and 6. The middle chamber 5 communicates through a radial bore 7 provided in the casing I with a supply conduit 8 for a fucl-gas/air mixture and through three vertically spaced sets of radial bores 9. provided in the insert 3. with a middle section [0 of an axial through bore I I of the insert 3. The bore II includes outer larger diameter sections I2 and I3 in addition to the middle section 10 which has a smaller diameter than the other two sections [2 and 13. The outer sections [2 and I3 communicate with the chambers 4 and 6 respectively each through a set of radial bores 14 and IS.
The insert 3 has a through slot 16 extending in a radial plane. which is aligned with a corresponding slot [7 provided in the casing l. the latter slot 17 diverging outwardly to form an inlet section 18. The annular chambers 4 to 6 are interrupted by a radially extending slot 16 shown in FIG. 2.
.A thread 19 which is to be singed may easily be introduced from the outside through the slots [7 and I6 and into the geometrical axis of the bore II where it is exposed to radially directed small flames 20 produced at the orifices of bores 9 by ignition of the fuel-gas/air mixture entering through a conduit 8 into chamber 5 and there distributed to the bores.
Chambers 4 and 6 communicate through radial bores 2| and 22 provided in the casing l with outer conduits 23 and 24 through which a treatment fluid such as air is supplied. for example. The thread I) is advanced through the bore II in the direction ofarrow 25 ot'FlG. l. and the air distributed in the chamber 4 to the individual bores l4 and passes to the inlet section [2 of bore H and causes an oxygen enrichment around the thread I) whereby a good combustion of the fibrils which project from the surface of the thread and are to be singed is assured. The air entering into the oulet sec tion 13 of bore 1 I through the bore 1 l ensures an afterburning of any combustion residues which may subsist at the end of the middle section 10 and thereupon cools down the thread I9.
In using the singeing device in accordance with the invention. the singeing process can be adapted to the nature of the fibrous materials forming the thread not only by controlling the fuel-gas/air mixture supply as in the known singeing devices. but also by controlling the air supplied to the thread 19 on the inlet and outlet sides. i.e. before and after the singeing zone. It is also possible to supply other gases or gas mixtures through the conduits 23 and 24. for example oxygen through the conduit 23. Owing to its very large adaptability. the described singeing device may be used for all known fibrous materials. particularly if provided in addition. with stripping pins.
A somewhat reduced adaptability which. however. is still considerably superior to that of the usual singeing devices. can be obtained by providing a supply of another gas or gas mixture only into the section preceding or following the singeing zonev While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application ofthe principles ofthe invention. it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
What is claimed is:
l. A device for singeing threads comprising an outer cylindrical housing. a tubular insert arranged within said housing and having a bore therethrough defining a thread passage with a central narrow diameter portion and a widened end portion at each end. said tubular insert having an exterior wall with an intermediate annular groove defining a communication passage for a combustible fuel with said cylindrical housing. a plu rality of radially extending passages extending from said communicating chamber to the interior of said bore and defining burner nozzles which are oriented around the thread passage for directing small combustion flames toward said thread passing therethrough. a combustion fuel supply pipe connected into said communicating passage through the wall of cylindrical housing. said insert and said housing defining at least one annular treatment fluid communication chamber thercbetween having a plurality of radially extending passages extending from said treatment chamber into said passage at a location adjacent said burners. and means for supplying a treatment fluid to said at least one treatment fluid communications chamber.
2. A device according to claim I. wherein said at least one treatment fluid communications chamber comprises a separate treatment fluid communications chamber defined adjacent each end of said housing between said housing and said insert and each having a plurality of radially extending passages extending inwardly into said thread passage for directing the treatment fluid against the thread moving through the passage.
3. A device according to claim 2. wherein said housing and said insert include aligned radially extending slot extending along the length thereof to permit the thread to be treated to be positioned within the slot and into the thread passage.
4. A device according to claim I. wherein there are three vertically spaced rows of radially extending combustion fuel passages forming burner nozzles each discharging into said intermediate portion of said thread passage and including a separate annular passage defined between said insert and said housing located before said burner nozzles and after said burner nozzles in respect to the direction of thread movement through said thread passage and each having communicating passages extending into said thread passage for directing a treatment fluid against the thread moving therethrough.
5. A device for singeing threads comprising a housing having a thread passage thercthrough including an intermediate portion spaced from each end ofsaid thread passage with a plurality of inwardly directed burner nozzles arranged around said passage for directing small singeing flames inwardly toward the thread moving through the passage. a supply conduit connected to said burner nozzles for supplying combustible fuel thereto. and treatment fluid supply means on said hous ing for supplying a treatment fluid to said thread passage adjacent said burner nozzles for controlling the singeing of said thread. said treatment fluid supply means comprising a first plurality of treatment fluid supply nozzles adjacent one end of said passage for directing the treatment fluid into association with the thread moving therethrough and a second plurality of treatment fluid supply nozzles adjacent the opposite end of said thread passage for directing a treatment fluid into the passage into association with the thread moving therethrough.
6. A device for singeing threads comprising a housing having a thread passage therethrough including an intermediate portion spaced from each end of said thread passage with a plurality of inwardly directed burner nozzles arranged around said passage for directing small singeing flames inwardly toward the thread moving through the passage. a supply conduit connected to said burner nozzles for supplying combustible fuel thereto. and treatment fluid supply means on said hous' ing for supplying a treatment fluid to said thread passage adjacent said burner nozzles for controlling the singeing of said thread. said housing comprising an outer cylindrical part and an inner tubular insert arranged within said outer cylindrical part. said tubular insert having a bore defining said thread passage and 5 having an outer wall with an annular groove located in |
US-3874047-A | Process to provide narrow yarn width of transfer tails of multifilament yarn | United States Patent Peckinpaugh et al.
PROCESS TO PROVIDE NARROW YARN WIDTH OF TRANSFER TAILS OF MULTIFILAMENT YARN Inventors: Frank Lee Peckinpaugh, Colonial Heights; Joseph John Bellemore, Chester, both of Va.
Allied Chemical Corporation, Morristown, NJ.
Filed: Nov. 21, 1972 Appl. No.1 308,360
Assignee:
US. Cl. 28/72.l2, 242/18 PW Int. Cl. DOZg 1/16 Field of Search 28/72.]2; 242/18 PW References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Eldridge ct al. 28/72.]2 X
[ Apr. 1, 1975 Pabis 242/18 PW Porter 242/18 PW Cobb et al. 28/7212 X Le Noir 28/7212 X Wuest 242/18 PW Primary Examiner L0uis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichard A. Anderson ABSTRACT To prevent splaying of multifilament yarn transfer tails formed at the beginning of winding a yarn package during automatic wasteless transfer of yarn from bobbin to bobbin, a commingling jet is employed to provide a burst of commingling air only during transfer or tail formation.
5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PROCESS TO PROVIDE NARROW YARN WIDTH ()F TRANSFER TAILS OF MULTIFILAMENT YARN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When winding yarn onto a package, it is desirable to form a transfer tail. A transfer tail is a length of yarn which, at the very beginning of package formation, is wrapped about the very end of the bobbin, cone, core (or whatever the yarn is being wound upon), so that it is easily accessible and not caught under the layers of subsequently wound yarn. The transfer tail is necessary in the creel of the operation where such yarn packages are subsequently processed. This transfer tail is used to tie to the next package of yarn to be used.
Various winder mechanisms for forming transfer tails are well known. However, with some yarn, particularly uncommingled, textured. multifilament yarn, the tails are unsatisfactory because they splay or become much wider than is acceptable for processing. That is, the yarn becomes a wide ribbon on the package. This is particularly true when yarn does not run through the traverse guide of the winder during transfer of the running length of yarn from one package to the next. The traverse guide causes a roping effect and reduces splaying. (ommingling jets are commonly used to provide coherency in yarn, but have not been previously used to provide improved transfer tail properties during winding of uncommingled yarn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A commingling means is actuated during formation of the transfer tail in the process of winding uncommingled yarn to impart coherency and prevent splaying or unacceptably wide yarn in the transfer tail. Commingling means are well known in the art of yarn processing. For this invention. the preferred means is a commingling air jet such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.577.615, US. Pat. No. 3,75l,775, These commingling jet disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. The commingling means is situated prior to the winder. preferably just prior. The commingling means may be actuated for varying periods. just so long as the yarn which forms the transfer tail is commingled. For example, the commingling means could be actuated so that yarn is commingled for the percent of the yarn package length prior to transfer of the running length of yarn to the next package (during which a transfer tail would be formed) and continuing to commingle yarn for another 10 percent of the new package length. Thus. the first 10 percent and the last 10 percent of each package would be commingled to ensure the yarn which forms the transfer tail is commingled. For efficient. economical operation, the commingling means is actuated only during formation of the transfer tail, preferably for about 2 to about 60 seconds and even more preferably for about 2 to about 10 seconds each time the transfer tail is formed. This burst of commingling air provides sufficient coherency of the yarn to prevent splaying of the transfer tail, i.e., prevents forming a wide ribbon. If the commingling means is far upstream of the winder, the period of actuation of com- LII mingling must be timed so the commingled yarn arrives at the winder as the transfer tail is being formed. A typical and preferred use of the process of this invention is during winding of textured, uncommingled nylon 6 yarn for end use in twisted, plied, shag carpet constructions. It is particularly beneficial for use with automatic wasteless transfer winders. The process has also been found beneficial to improve the appearance of the first few layers of yarn wound on a package, so it does not splay into a wide ribbon. This is particularly noticeable when the winder is strung up by hand either on nonautomatic winders or before the automatic mode begins with automatic winders.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The figure is a schematic showing the preferred apparatus used for the method of this invention. Yarn 6 comes off the last roll 1 of a processing panel, not shown, and through the commingling means 2, such as an air jet. Yam 6 then passes through guides 3, 4 and 5 to winder l0. Commingling means 2 is actuated by known means such as opening a solenoid value 7 in an air line 8 when winder 10 is forming a transfer tail. Actuation is by known means such as a timer 9 synchronized with operation of winder l0.
EXAMPLE The commingling jet disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,751,755, was used on a texturing panel just prior to wind-up on an automatic wasteless transfer winder. The yarn was a textured uncommingled 1300 denier nylon 6. The air was turned on to the jet only during transfer from package to package. Air pressure of psig provided transfer tails having 29 entanglements per meter by a modified hook drop test. Transfer tail formation was very good with 97.5 percent good tails formed. That is, only 2.5 percent of the tails splayed or had a width of over 1 inch.
We claim:
1. In a method of winding uncommingled, multifilament yarn onto a package to form a transfer tail at the beginning of a package, the improvement comprising providing jet means to commingle said yarn prior to said winder, and
commingling said yarn during formation of said transfer tail by actuating said commingling means only during tail formation, whereby said tails have narrow yarn width without splaying.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein said commingling means is actuated for about two to about 60 seconds each time said transfer tail is formed.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein said commingling means is actuated for about 2 to about 10 seconds.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein said commingling means is an air jet means.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein said commingling means remains actuated during the winding of the first few layers of yarn onto the package. |
US-3874048-A | Method and apparatus for fabricating tubing | United States Patent Millar et al.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING TUBING Inventors: Barry C. Millar, lslington; Keith W. Little, Georgetown, both of Ontario, Canada Assignee: Bundy Corporation, Detroit, Mich.
Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 Appl. No.: 311,952
us. 01. 29/33 K, 10/12 T, 10/166, 29/33 P, 29/33 T, 29/200 A, 29/200 B, 29/430, 29/512, 29/563, 29/568, 72/369, 72/422, 198/19, 214/1 B 1111. c1 B23p 23/00 Field of Search 72/405, 419, 420, 421, 72/426, 427, 455, 27, 28, 293, 317, DIG. 11, 24, 306, 311, 369, 388,422; 10/12 T, 166; 198/19, 22 R, 25,27, 28; 29/200 A, 200 13,
33 1), 33 14,33 P, 33 T, 430, 512, 523, 563, 564, 565, 568, DIG. 43; 214/1 BD, 1 P, 2.5,
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1939 Poole et al. 29/33 K Apr. 1, 1975 2,825,075 3/1958 3,120,770 2/1964 3,362,209 1/1968 3,696,481 10/1972 Schmidt 29/200 13 x Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Joseph A. Walkowski Attorney, Agent, or Firml-larness, Dickey & Pierce [5 7 ABSTRACT Tubing is cut to measured lengths which are fed to a series of aligned work stations where they are progressively operated upon by assembling end fittings, flaring the ends, and then bending the tubes to the required shape. Transfer between stations is accomplished by oscillating shafts disposed betweenthe stations carrying transfer arms which swing back and forth above the work level. Each work station has a pair of tube clamps and each pair of arms carries grab clamps. Controls prevent release of the tube clamps at each station until the grab clamps have engaged the tube, and prevent release of the grab clamps until the tube clamps at the next station have engaged the tube. In this manner, lateral positioning of the tubes is controlled. The tubes are end-aligned before each flare station and the first bending station.
30 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 1 I975 SHEET [IZUF 10 PATENTEU APR 1 I975 SHEET 030F 10 q m m 3 N; i E 0 0 Q Q "Q R A E 9 1 1M J. A w\ 4 ME Q a F Lu 1 KM R .0 a 0 Q @s Q PATENTED APR 1 5 SHE! 0; ii? 10 PATENTEDAPR H975 3.874.048 sum USUF 1o PATENTED K News 3.814048 SHEET 0 6 0F 10 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING TUBING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the manufacture of fabricated tubes such as are used in large quantities for automobiles or other products. Examples of such tubes are fuel, vapor, brake, or transmission oil cooler lines. Customarily, these tubes have rather involved and assymetrical bends at different angles, and in some cases have parts assembled on them such as armor coils or flared fitting couplers. The material used for these tubes is frequently copper bonded or welded steel.
2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional systems for fabricating tubing of this type involve operating on the tube at several different locations, for example mounting the end fittings and flaring the tube at one place and imparting the required bends somewhere else. The tubing in process is moved between these operations by hand loaded and hand pushed trucks or similar devices. Operations such as flaring take place at a much higher rate than bending so that the conventional system requires a significant in-process inventory of partially fabricated parts to optimize loading of the unit machines. The result is that the conventional methods might require a period of days or weeks from the time the tubing is originally cut up until the finished fabricated tube length is shipped to the customer.
Other problems with conventional tube fabricating systems concern the bending operations particularly. In conventional bending, a gravity ejection system is frequently used for the finished tubing. This places severe limitations on the tool design. Moreover, minor changes in the design of a tube to be bent sometimes required major changes in the bending tooling.
The following patents were noted in a novelty search on the invention covered by this application:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved method and apparatus for fabricating tubing which greatly increases the production rate and reduces labor costs as compared with previous methods and apparatus.
It is a further object to provide an improved method and apparatus of this nature which better utilizes plant space, eliminates in-process inventories and permits mechanization or other improved systems of fixture storage.
It is also an object to provide a method and apparatus for fabricating tubing which eliminates the need for drop-out of parts at bending stations, thus permitting tooling to be constructed more rigidly and resulting in more uniform parts.
It is another object to provide an improved method and apparatus of this type which reduces scrap rates by eliminating handling of parts and providing a transfer and bending system which tolerates the degree of outof-straightness generally found in commercial tubing.
It is a further object to provide a method and apparatus for fabricating tubing which reduces the cost and complexity of changes in part design without adversely affecting fixture performance and makes possible the use of automatic inspection systems, automated parts bundling and conveyorized handling of groups of tin? ished parts.
It is another object to provide a method and apparatus of this type which enables effective guards to be installed at modest cost to meet safety requirements.
It is a further object to provide a method and apparatus for fabricating tubing which simplifies cost and production efficiency control and offers the possibility of decreasing fixture costs by utilizing standard components.
It is also an object to provide a method and apparatus of this type in which various stations or components of the bending tooling may be effectively constructed in different locations or by different builders and thereafter assembled on the apparatus with a minimum of difficulty.
It is another object to provide an apparatus of this type comprising grab clamps having jaws with means for extending them while in open position, closing them around a tubular member or the like, opening them and then retracting them so the grab clamp can be moved at right angles to the tubular member.
Briefly, the method of this invention comprises the steps of preparing tubes of constant length, indexing them in unison along a series of work stations while holding them substantially at right angles to their path of movement, placing operational holds on the tubes as they reach the work stations, releasing the indexing holds, performing simultaneous operations on the tubes at these work stations while so held, placing indexing holds on the tubes after the operations, releasing the operational holds, simultaneously indexing the tubes to the next work stations, placing operational holds on them at said next work stations and releasing the indexing holds. In the illustrated embodiment, the operations performed on the tubes include positioning the tubes endwise so as to place fittings on and flare the ends and bending the tubes at progressively outward portions thereof. The indexing is along arcuate paths above the work stations.
The apparatus of this invention comprises in essence a tube supply station providing tubes cutto a certain length, work stations including at least one end forming and one bending station, and transfer means for moving the tubes along a path through said work stations and operable to hold them generally perpendicular to their path and control their positions in a direction generally parallel to their length. Means are provided at each work station for holding the tubes, and there are means for preventing release of tubes at each work station until they have been secured by the transfer clamping means, and preventing release of the transfer clamping means at the next work stations until they have been secured thereat.
The means for indexing the tubes includes shafts rockably mounted between the work stations, transfer arms extending from the shafts and grab clamps mounted on the transfer arms. The arms swing in arcuate paths above the work stations as they transport the tubes. The grab clamps have means for extending them while in open position, closing them around the tubes, opening them when the tubes are clamped at the next work stations, and retracting the clamp jaws. The work stations include means for end-aligning the tubes, assembling parts such as fittings on their ends, and flaring the ends. The tubes are further end-aligned before the bending stations, and the latter comprise tooling bars removably mounted on a supported framework.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention showing its overall configuration, the locations of the components not necessarily being consistent with the plan views.
FIG. 2 is a partially schematic overall plan view of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially schematic plan view of the left-hand portion of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially schematic plan view of the right-hand portion of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a plan view with parts broken away of one of the transfer arms shown in its delivery position.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of FIG. 5 taken in the direction of the arrow 6 thereof.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the manner of driving the rockable transfer shafts.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view in elevation taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the transfer grab clamps shown in the pick-up position.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view thereof.
' FIG. 11 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view showing the grab clamps in their retracted and open position.
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the grab clamps in their extended but still open position.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view in cross-section taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 10 showing schematically how the jaw'pivot rings engage the ends of the side plate slots to initiate clamping movement of the jaws.
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing the clamping jaws in their closed position.
FIG. 15 is a partially schematic side elevational view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 3, parts being omitted for clarity, showing the shaped plates used to shift a fitting along the tube when the latter is being transferred from the fitting feed station to the flare station.
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view in cross-section taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 4 and showing a fitting rake.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 4 and showing a tooling bar.
FIG. 18 is a partially schematic view illustrating a typical style of tube clamp at a work station.
FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing a bundle conveyor at the end of the line.
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary top plan view of a typical bending module FIG. 21 is a wiring diagram of the tube fabricating apparatus.
FIG. 22 is a schematic air circuit diagram thereof.
FIG. 23 is a schematic layout showing the location of air cylinders and limit switches, and
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a typical sequence of operations for the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4, the transfer line is generally indicated at 31 and is shown as having 31 stations, although this number will vary with requirements. The stations are aligned and are either variably or equidistantly spaced. The main stations may be considered as divided into two sections, an assembling section (stations 4 through 10) generally indicated at 32 and a bending section (stations 11 through 16) generally indicated at 33. The work stations are all at the same level, being supported by a rectangular framework 34 in section 32 and a similar but wider framework 35 in section 33. At each work station are a pair of tube clamps 36 which hold the pre-cut lengths of tube 37 in positions substantially perpendicular to their direction of travel through the stations. A typical tube clamp is seen in FIG. 18, comprising a reciprocable motor 38 having an upwardly extending piston rod 39 connected to a pair of links 40, the outer ends of these links being connected to jaws 41 pivoted at 42 and having recesses 43 to grasp tube 37. Upward extension of piston 39, as seen in FIG. 18, will retract jaws 41 while downward movement of the piston rod will close the jaws around the tube. At most stations, the jaws will tightly grip the tube but at aligning stations 5, 8 and 11 the depth of grooves 43 is slightly larger than the tube so as to allow axial movement thereof, as will later appear.
The means for indexing tubes 37 along the work stations comprises transfer means generally indicated at 44 located between each pair of adjacent work stations. This transfer means comprises a shaft 45 rockably mounted on framework 34 or 35 and equidistantly spaced between its adjacent work stations. Each shaft has a pair of transfer arms 46 secured to and extending radially therefrom (FIGS. 5 to 8), the outer end of the arms carrying grab clamp assemblies generally indicated at 47. Means are provided for simultaneously rocking shafts 45 between first positions as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 in which they grasp tubes 37 at work stations where operations have been completed, and swinging assemblies 47 along arcuate paths upwardly, forwardly and downwardly until the tubes reach the next work stations where they will be released. The means for rocking shafts 45 comprises racks 48 slidable on frameworks 34 and 35 and controllable by rack cylinders 49 and check cylinders 51, typically shown on framework 35 in FIGS. 3 and 4. Racks 48 mesh with pinions 52 on shafts 45. Thus, the workpieces will not be dropped out of the work stations by gravity but rather lifted above them for transfer.
The construction of a suitable grab clamp assembly 4'7, as well as its operation, is seen in FIGS. 9 through 14. The assembly comprises a reciprocable motor 53 carrying a pair of facing parallel guides 54 mounted on opposite side plates 55. Piston rod 56 of motor 53 has a clevis connected by a pin 57 to a pair of links 58 the outer ends of which are pivoted to jaws 59. Pin 57 is guided by slots in plates 55. Jaws 59 have replaceable outer portions 60 for different diameters of tubes. Arcuate projecting central portions on opposite sides of the jaws are held in pivotal relation with each other by rings 61 which are slipped thereover. The outer ends of jaw portins 60 have recesses 62 for holding a tube 37 against movement in any direction. The inner ends 63 of jaws 59 ride inside guides 54 as piston rod 56 moves from its retracted toward its extended positions (FIGS. 11 through 14). While so doing, jaws 59 are open. After jaw portions 63 reach the ends of the guides further extension of piston rod 56 will cause them to move outwardly as links 58 straighten (FIG. '14), thus closing the jaws around the tube. The closing movement is insured by engagement of pivot rings 61 with the ends 64 of internal slots 65 in side plates 55 (FIGS. 9, l0, and 13), thus limiting further extension of the jaws-The tops and bottoms of rings 61 are flattened to ride in slots 65.
Retraction of piston rod 56 will initially cause the cammed end surfaces of jaw portions 63 to.ride inwardly toward each other on the complementary ends of guides 54, thus initially opening the jaws (FIG. 14 to FIG.- 12). Further retraction of piston rod 56 will retract the jaws away from the tube so that the transfer mechanism is free to swing to its other position.
As will be described below with respect to the control diagrams, means are provided for preventing release of tube 37 by jaws 41 at each work station until jaws 59 of the transfer mechanism have engaged the tube, and further means prevent release of the transfer jaws until the tube clamps at the next work station have engaged the tube. Thus, it is impossible for the tube to have unwanted movement either parallel to its own axis or in. the direction of transfer movement, and the various operations may be performed accurately.
Means are provided for permitting adjustment of clamp assemblies 47 in several different directions with respect to the work stations. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, this means includes a split tapered bushing 66 which secures arm 46 to shaft 45, thus allowing adjustment of the arm along the shaft. Bushing 66 is carried by a sleeve 67 slidably mounted on shaft 45 and is used to clamp the sleeve to the shaft in its adjusted position.
Sleeve 67 carries a bearing support 68 in which arm 46 is adjustably mounted. Thus, the effective length of arm 46 may be adjusted, and it may also be rotated on its own axis. It is locked in position by a split tapered bushing 69.
A post 70 extends upwardly from grab clamp assembly 47 and extends through a split tapered bushing =71 carried by a sleeve 72 at the outer end of arm 46. This permits assembly 47 to be angularly adjusted about the axis of post 70. Thus, the transfer means may be adjusted at the individual work stations for the particular part being fabricated, so as to be clear of clamps 36 and grasp the workpieces at the proper locations for transfer.
A cutting machine is indicated schematically at 73 which will cut the bulk tube into identical lengths 37.- These lengths are fed by means such as a ratchetoperated feed wheel 74 and a reciprocating tube feeder schematically shown at 75 to the first transfer mechanism 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube is shown as receiving fittings at its opposite ends with the tube ends being flared after the fittings are put on. At station 5, a fixed magnetic stop 76 is provided anda reciprocable alignment device 77 urges the tube end against this stop. Tube clamps 36 at this station allow axial movement to take place and will hold the tube in this adjusted position in readiness for transfer to station 6 which has a fitting feeder 78 to place a first fitting 79 on one end of the tube. At station 7, this end of the tube is flared.
In order to move fitting 79 inwardly from the tube end and thus=expose it for the flaring operation, a pair of shaped plates 81, 82 (FIG. 15) are provided between each fitting feed station and its following flare station. These plates have an arcuate slot 83 therebetween into which tube 37 enters. The plates are set at an angle (FIG. 3)-so that fitting 79 will be pushed axially inwardly along the tube as it is transferred to the flare station.
A'flaring press 84-is located at station 7, this press having a pair of dies 85, 86 for holding the end of the tube and a punch 87 for flaring the end. Die 86'is stationary and die 85 horizontally movable toward and away from die 86, these dies having recesses for securing the tube. Tube clamps 36 at station 7 are movably mounted and are actuatable by reciprocable motors 88.
After clamps 36 have secured tube 37 and transfer mechanism 44 has released it, clamps 36 will be moved toward stationary die 86 so that tube 87 may enter the recess thereof. Die 85 will then clamp a tube end and punch 87 will form the flare. Die 85 will be retracted and clamps 36 retracted so that tube 35 will clear stationary die 86 when it is lifted out by the next transfer mechanism.
The tube will then be aligned at its other end at station 8 by a fixed magnetic stop 89 and an alignment device 91, the tube again being held loosely by clamps '36. A fixed fitting rake 91 is provided at station 8 for holding fitting 79 as tube 37 is end-aligned, thus moving the fitting into non-interfering relation with the next transfer mechanism. The tube will then be moved to station 9 where a fitting 92 will be placed on its other endby a fittingfeeder 93, and then to station 10 where that end will be flared. Plates 82, 83 similar to the previous plates are provided between stations 9 and 10, and the dies, punch and movable clamps at station 10 are similar to those at station 7. The flaring press at station 10 is indicated at 94.
Bending section 33 is wider than section 32 so that tubes 37 are within the lateral confines of framework 35. The first station, station 11, is an end-aligning station having an adjustable magnetic stop 95 and an alignment cylinder 96 which urges a fitting rake 97 (FIG. 16) against fitting 79 to engage stop 95. A fitting rake 98 isprovided at the other end of tube 37, movable by a cylinder 99.
Stations 12 through 16 are bending stations at which each tube 37 is formed progressively outwardly toward its ends. The transfer arms 46 and grab clamps 47 at these stations are adjustable in all directions to permit easy pick-up of the bent tubes, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 5 and 6.
The means for bending tubes 37 at these stations comprise replaceable tooling bars or modules 100, I01, I02, I03 and 104 at stations 12 through 16 respectively. A typical tooling module construction is seen in FIGS. 17 and 20. The module comprises a tooling bar 105 which is mounted on framework 35 by brackets 106, 107 which suspend the tooling bar below the level of tubes 37. Dowels 108 (FIG. 4) are used for locating the tooling bars, these dowels coacting between frame 35 and brackets 106 and 107. Crane hooks 109 may be used for lifting the tooling bar when it is to be replaced, these hooks being engageable with lifting eyes 110.
Tooling modules and 101 at stations 12 and 13 have one tube clamp 36 respectively. Stations 14 through 16 have two tube clamps each. At stations where fittings 79 or 92 could tend to slide into interfering relation with clamps or dies because of the orientation of the tube, air blast nozzles indicated schematically at 111 may be provided to hold the fittings at the ends of the tube.
FIG. 20 shows the construction on a portion of a typical tooling bar 105, tube clamps 36 comprising grooved dies 112 and 113 in guides 114. These dies are actuated by cylinders 115 and 116 carried by bar 105, through links 117, 118 and 119, 121 respectively. A back-up die 122 and a bending die 123 are mounted on the tooling bar, die 122 being reciprocably mounted and actuated by a motor 124 through links 125, 126. Die 123 is controlled by a motor 127, mounted on tooling bar 105, through a link 128. The outer end of this link is guided in its motion by a link 129 pivotally connected at 131 to tooling bar 105 and connected at its other end 132 to the outer end of link 128. When tube 37 is placed in position and secured by clamps 112, 113, dies 122 and 123 will be in their dot-dash line positions. They will then move to their solid line positions, bending tube 37 as shown in FIG. 20. Die 122 will rotate around pivot 134 to bend the tube 37 into the shape shown.
After the bending dies have formed the tube, grab clamps 47 of the next transfer mechanism 44 will secure the tube and prevent it from moving. Motors 124 and 127 may then be caused to retract bending dies 122 and 123, and cylinders 115 and 116 will cause tube clamps 112 and 113 to be retracted. When this has been accomplished, shaft 45 of transfer mechanism 44 will rotate through 180, advancing the partially bent tube to the next bending station. The tube at the prior station will be similarly advanced to this station in preparation for the next bending sequence. It should be kept in mind that FIG. 20 only illustrates a portion of the mechanism mounted on-a tooling bar 105 and that similar tooling and clamps will be mounted at the other end of the same bar if required.
A bundle conveyor 135 (FIG. 19) may be mounted after station 16 to receive the bent tubes in compartments 136. A counter and index controls schematically indicated at 137 are provided for moving conveyor 135 in increments by means of a reciprocable motor 138 to a bundle taping or tying device schematically shown at 139. The bundles 140 may then be transferred by means indicated schematically at 141 to a conveyor 142.
FIGS. 21 through 24 show the controls and actuating means for the system as well as a schematic location of the air cylinders and limit switches, and a typical sequence of operations. The functions of the limit switches shown in FIG. 21 are as follows:
-Continued Switch No.
Function In operation, assume a starting position in which transfer arms 46 are in their rear position grasping tubes 37, with reset switch previously actuated to close CRS and valve J (FIG. 22) operated to supply compressed air to the solenoid operated fourway normally closed valves A through I. Cylinders 49 will be activated through valves B to rock transfer arms 46 forward, carrying the tubes 37. When the transfer arms reach their forward position, limit switch LS-l will be actuated. This will energize CR 2, in turn energizing time delay relay TD-2. This will close tube clamps 36 at the stations to which tubes 37 have been delivered, throughvalves D. Closure of the tube clamps will actuate LS-3, thus energizing CR 4 which de-energizes CR 7 and causes grab clamps 47 to be released and retracted through valves C and grab clamp cylinders 53. Thus, it is assured that tube clamps 36 hold the tubes before grab clamps 47 are released. Energization of CR 4 will also cause press station shift cylinders 88 to be actuated through valves G to move tube clamps 36 at stations 7 and in the manner previously described, seating the tubes in stationary clamping dies 86. When the press shift is completed, closure of time delay switch TD-3 will cause the strokes of presses 78 to take place, and subsequent delayed opening of TD-4 will cause cylinders 88 to retract clamps 36 at those stations.
Energization of CR 4 will also cause alignment cylinders 77 and 91 to operate, fitting feed devices 78 and 93 to place fittings on the tubes and will actuate bend cylinders 124, 127 through valves E. Tube feed 75 will also be actuated through valve I.
Energization of CR 4 will also cause previously energized time delay relay TD-l to become de-energized, with its switch controlling valves B opening after a short time delay. This will cause transfer arms 46 to swing back to their previous position, it being noted that the swinging of these arms will take place only after grab clamps 47 have been released and retracted from the tubes.
Complete extension of bending cylinders 124 and 127 will cause LS-5 to close. At approximately the same time, LS-2 will be closed by arrival of transfer arms 46 at their rearward positions.
Closure of LS-2 and LS-S will energize CR 3 and CR 6 respectively. This will in turn energize CR 7 to extend and close grab clamps 47 through valves C, and deenergize TD-2. After a time delay controlled by TD-2 to assure that grab clamps 47 have gripped the tubes, bend cylinders 124 and 127 will return and tube clamp cylinders 115 and 116 will open clamps 36 through valves E and D respectively. Retraction of alignment cylinders 77, 91 will close LS-9. Opening of tube clamps 36 will cause LS-4 to close, energizing CR 5 to close TD-l and thus move the transfer arms forward through valves B, repeating the cycle.
Although the above description of operations omits a number of ancillary operations which will be evident from the drawings, it brings out the fact that tubes 37 will at all times be held securely against undesired lateral or longitudinal movement. The arrangmeent of sequential controls and limit switches prohibits retraction of tube clamps 36 at the work stations until after grab clamps 47 of the transfer mechanisms 44 have secured the tubes against lateral movement, and the grab clamps in turn will not release the tubes until the tube clamps at the next stations have secured them.
We claim:
1. A tube fabricating apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of work stations each having i. an independently operable work performing mechanism, and
ii. tube clamping means operable to support a tube during the performance of work thereon,
b. transfer means for successively advancing tubes between work stations, said transfer means including a plurality of grab clamps operable to support tubes during their movement to or from a work station;
c. means for preventing the disengagement of said grab clamps from the tubes gripped thereby until after the tubes have been secured by the clamping means of a work station to which they are delivered, and
d. power operated means for opening and closing said tube clamping means with tubes supported in stationary positions therein by said grab clamps.
2. The combination according to claim 1, said work stations being aligned, said transfer meansincluding rockable shafts mounted between said work stations, said grab clamps being mounted on said shafts, and means oscillating said shafts in unison whereby said clamps will swing between said work stations.
3. The combination according to claim 2, said oscillating means comprising gears on said shafts and reciprocable rack means meshing with said gears.
4. The combination according to claim 2, further provided with means for adjusting the lateral positions of said grab clamps on said shafts.
5. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with a framework supporting opposite ends of said work stations and shafts, each work station comprising a tooling bar extending between the sides of said framework and removably supported thereon, at least some of said bars supporting the tube clamping means.
6. The combination according to claim 5, said tube clamping means comprising a pair of guides mounted on said bar, a pair of clamps slidably mounted in said guides, and reciprocable motor means mounted on said bar and operating said clamps.
7. The combination according to claim 5, including tube bending means having dies movably mounted on said tooling bar and reciprocable motor means mounted on said tooling bar and operating said dies.
8. The combination according to claim 7, the bending dies of said work stations being located successively outwardly toward the ends of said tubes.
9. The combination according to claim 2, said transfer means further comprising arms mounted on and extending from said shafts, said grab clamps being mounted on said arms, means for adjusting said arms along said shafts; and means for rotatably adjusting said grab clamps on the arm axis and perpendicular to said axis, whereby-said grab clamps may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of tube shapes. 10. The combination according to claim 2, at least two grab clamps being mounted on each of said shafts,
12. The combination according to claim 10, furtherprovided with means responsive to securing of said tubes by the clamping means of a work station for operating a tube bending means of that station, time delay means responsive to securing of the tubes by the clamping means of a work station for returning the transfer means to the previous work station for the next tube and causing the grab clamps to grip said next tubes, and means responsive to disengagement of said tubes by said tube clamping and bending means at the work stations for causing said transfer means to carry said next tubes to their succeeding stations.
13. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which said work stations include at least one end forming station and one bending station.
14. The combination according to claim 13, one of said work stations being a fitting feed station for placing a fitting on one end of the tube, said end forming station having a flare press for flaring said end of the tube, said bending station being located past said en forming station.
15. The combination according to claim 13, including an alignment station between said tube supply and end forming station, said alignmentstation having a stop and means for moving a tube parallel to its length against said stop to align one end of the tube with said end forming station.
16. The combination according to claim 15, said transfer means further comprising rockable shafts between'said stations and arms on said shafts carrying said grab clamps, and means for rocking said shafts in unison.
17. The combination according to claim 14, said transfer means comprising rockably mounted shafts between said'stations, saidgrab clampsbeing mounted on said shafts, and means for shifting the fitting along said tube between said fitting feed station and end forming station, said last-mentioned means comprising plates forming an arcuate slot and set angularly with respect to the path of movement of said tubes, the tubes travelling through said slot during the transfer movement.
18. The combination according to claim 14, the flare press at said end forming station having a pair of dies for holding the tube against movement along its axis,
' one of said dies being fixed, and a punch movable in the direction of the tube axis, tube clamps at each of said work stations for holding the tubes placed therein,
-means supporting the tube clamp at said end forming station for movement toward and away from said fixed die, and means responsive to arrival of each tube between said flare press dies formoving said tube clamp at the end forming station toward the fixed die.
19. The combination according to claim 13, there being a plurality of bending stations in succession, the
bending stations having dies for bending portions of the tube progressively closer to its en'ds, an alignmentstation before the first of said bending stations, an adjustable stop at one endof said alignment station, means for moving said tube against said stop, and tube clamps at each of said stations, the tube clamps at said align ment station loosely retaining the tube so as to permit said alignment to take place.
20. The combination according to claim 19, said bending stations each comprising a tooling bar suspended below and extending transversely of the path of movement of said tubes, and means removably mounting said tooling bars.
21. The combination according to claim 13, further provided with tube clamps at said work stations, means for preventing the retraction of said work station tube clamps until said grab clamps have engaged the tubes, and means for preventing the retraction of the grab clamps until the tube clamps at the next work stations have engaged said tubes.
22. The combination according to claim 13, at least one of said work stations comprising an assembling station, and means at said assembling station for assembling a part lengthwise onto said tube. v
23. The combination according to claim 22, said apparatus further comprising an alignment station following said tube supply station, means at said alignment station for locating each tube in the direction of its axis, said assembling station being located between said alignment station and said end forming station and having means for placing a fitting on one end of the tube, said end forming station having means for flaring said end of the tube, a second alignment station after said end forming station, means at said second alignment station for locating the other end of said tube in the direction of its axis, a second fitting feed station after said second alignment station and a second flaring station after said second fitting feed station.
24. The combination according to claim 23, there being a plurality of bending stations, and means at at least one of said bending stations for holding a fitting at the end of said tube, said last-mentioned means comprising an air blast nozzle.
25. A tube bending apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of equidistantly and longitudinally spaced work stations;
each work station having a laterally extending tooling bar removably suspended below the level of tubes being transferred, a pair of longitudinally slidable tube clamping jaws mounted on said bar, a pair of bending dies mounted on said bar, and reciprocable motor means for actuating said clamping jaws and bending dies;
b. a plurality of rockable shafts equidistantly spaced between said work stations above the level of said tooling bars;
c. at least two arms secured to and extending outwardly from each shaft;
d. tube grab clamps mounted at the outer end of each arm;
e. means for adjusting the position of each arm along its shaft and longitudinally and rotationally adjusting each grab clamp with respect to its arm;
f. means carried by each arm for moving its clamp outwardly and then into engagement with a tube;
g. means for rocking said shafts in'unison to simultaneously transfer tubes to succeeding work stations and then return the clamps to their previous positions;
h. means for withdrawing the tube clamping jaws at each work station in response to gripping of the tube by the grab clamps; and
i. means causing the grab clamps to release the tube in response to engagement of the tube with the clamping jaws at the next work station.
26. A tube fabricating apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of equidistantly spaced and aligned work stations;
b. a tube supply station before the first work station providing a supply of tubes cut to a predetermined length;
c. transfer means including shafts located equidistantly between said work stations and between the supply station and first work station, transfer arms extending from said shafts, grab clamps on the ends of said transfer arms, means sequentially extending, closing, opening and retracting said grab clamps, and means rocking said shafts in unison whereby the clamps will swing between adjacent work stations;
d. a first section of work stations having means for sequentially end-aligning one end of the tube, placing a fitting on said end, flaring said end, end-aligning the other end of the tube, placing a fitting on said other end and flaring said other end;
e. a second section of work stations comprising bending stations, each bending station having a tooling bar extending transversely to and below the path of tube movement, removably mounted at the work station and carrying bending dies, the bending dies at successive bending stations being engageable with portions of the tube progressively toward the ends thereof;
tube clamps at each of said work stations, the tube clamps at the aligning stations being loose to permit said end-aligning movement to take place;
g. means preventing release of the tube clamps at each work station until the grab clamps of the next succeeding transfer shaft have engaged the tube; and
h. means for preventing release of the grab clamps after the tube has been moved to the next succeeding station until the tube clamps at that station have engaged the tube.
27. A tube bending apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of rectilinearly spaced work stations each having tube clamping means and independently operable tube bending means, and
b. transfer means for simultaneously advancing tubes between work stations with the tubes oriented transversely of their direction of travel,
c. said bending means at each work station being operable to bend separate portions of the tubes received therein,
d. said clamping means at each work station being operable to support and position the tubes while they are bent, and
e. said transfer means being operable to maintain the positions of the tubes transversely of the direction of advancement of the tubes as they are advanced between work stations,
f. one of said transfer and clamping means being constantly engageable with each of said tubes during their presence in said bending apparatus.
28. A tube fabricating apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of spaced work stations each having i. an independently operable work performing mechanism,
ii. a clamping mechanism operable to support and position a tube during the performance of work thereon;
b. a plurality of transfer arms pivotally mounted in locations between said work stations,
c. a pair of tube engaging jaws mounted on the end of each of said transfer arms,
d. first power operated means for moving each of said pair of jaws longitudinally of the arm on which it is mounted into and out of surrounding relation with tubes supported in the clamping mechanisms of said work stations; and
e. second power operated means for simultaneously pivoting said transfer arms to advance tubes between work stations.
29. A tube fabricating apparatus comprising:
a. a plurality of spaced work stations;
b. transfer means for successively advancing tubes to be fabricated between work stations with the tubes disposed parallel to one another and perpendicular to their direction of travel;
c. clamps at said work stations for supporting said tubes;
ment station having an abutment engageable with one end of a tube at said one station and means for producing endwise movement of a tube at said one station against said abutment, the clamp at said one station having a fit on the tube supported thereby which permits endwise sliding movement of the tube held thereby.
30. The structure set forth in claim 29 in which said transfer means includes grab clamps operable to hold the endwise alignment of said tubes as the tubes are moved between work stations.
one of said work stations comprising an end align- |
US-3874049-A | Method of making a powdered metal part having a bearing surface | United States Patent Ferguson 5] Apr. 1, 1975 54] METHOD OF MAKING A POWDERED 3,445,148 5/1969 Harris et al. 29/1495 PM 3,785,038 1/1974 Zapf 29/4205 METAL PART HAVING A BEARING SURFACE 175] Inventor: Howard A. Ferguson, Coldwater,
Mich.
[731 Assignee: Russell, Burdsall & Ward, Inc.,
Greenwich, Conn.
[22] Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 350,939
[52] US. Cl... 29/l49.5 DP, 29/149.5 PM, 29/4205 [51] Int. Cl B2ld 53/10, B22f 3/24 [58] Field of Search 29/1495 DP, 149.5 PM, 29/4205, DIG. l8, DIG. 31
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.763.519 9/1956 Thomson 29/1495 PM FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 613,275 11/1949 United Kingdom 29/1495 PM 772,260 l/l955 United Kingdom 29/1495 DP Primary ExaminerC. W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerD. C. Reiley, III Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burton & Parker [5 7 ABSTRACT A method of forming powdered metal parts having a good bearing surface wherein a sintered preform is cold formed and during such forming shear forces are applied to the surface of the preform where the bearing surface is desired by causing a movable die to penetrate and wipe along such surface area of the preform.
5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 9 5 saw 2 0f 2 FIG.6
FIG.E
FIG.8
F'IG.IO
METHOD OF MAKING A POWDERED METAL PART HAVING A BEARING SURFACE FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to the manufacture of powder metal parts and in particular to powder metal parts having a bearing surface characterized by its resistance to spalling and its compressive deformation, and possessing a high tensile strength.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore it has not been possible, so far as I know, to provide powdered metal parts with bearing characteristics of the aforementioned type. According to conventional practice powdered metal is placed in a mold and compacted to form what is termed a green preform". This preform is then sintered to cause a fusion of the powder particles. Thereafter the preform may be either hot or cold formed to increase density and improve strength. While powdered metal parts thus formed may possess good strength and fatigue resistance. such processes do not yield a bearing surface capable, for example, of serving as a ball or roller raceway for a ball or roller bearing assembly.
Heretofore various publications have appeared dealing with methods of hot and cold forming powdered metal parts, for example:
Cold and Hot Forging P/M Preforms by Harry W. Antes, published in l97l by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 20501 Ford Road, Dearborn, Michigan; Sintered Metal Preforms and the Future, by A. Lawley,
supra;
Powder Metallurgy Forging A Process Evaluation and Bibliography, by Henry H. Hausner, published in 1971 by The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa.; Powder Preform Design, by H. A. Kuhn and C. L. Downey, published in I971 by Society of Manufacturing Engineers, supra. A review of these and other publications which have come to my attention do not suggest a method of providing a good bearing surface on a powder metal part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem, as I have visualized it, is to shape the bearing surface to the desired configuration while at the same time densifying it and the underlying metal of the part to a point closely approaching theoretical maximum density. I have found that by following the teachings hereinafter set forth it is possible to provide a powder metal part averaging 1 percent to 2 percent porosity with a selectively densified surface configuration suitable as a ball or roller raceway. Further, I have found that the density at such surface is essentially 100 percent and the metal at such surface possesses excellent tensile and compressive strengths, good elongation characteristic, and requires no further machining to improve surface finish. In some instances where use conditions require it, the bearing surface may thereafter be hardened according to conventional techniques. Such hardening does not affect the surface finish of the bearing.
ln carrying out my method a quantity of powdered metal is first compacted to form a green preform which is then sintered. Following sintering the preform is allowed to cool to room temperature and then is placed in a die cavity. A cooperating die element is then moved into the cavity and against the preform to begin reshaping thereof. During such reshaping the preform is compressed in an upsetting mode which serves to initiate densification of the preform. As such densification progresses the preform moves to fill the cavity. The allowable amount of this movement must be limited by the cavity walls contacting the preform to begin a repressing mode of densification before the tensile strength of the preform is exceeded and fracture occurs. To this point the process steps are known in the art as set forth in the foregoing publications. However, without more, the thus formed powdered metal part will not have the excellent bearing surface imparted thereto which is the object of my invention.
To provide the bearing surface, I have discovered that if the movable die element is shaped to provide a die surface reflecting the desired configuration of the bearing surface to be formed, and the preform is initially designed to have a surface confronting such die surface such that as the two surfaces are forced together there is a relative movement therebetween in which the die surface penetrates and then wipes through or along the preform surface, not only may a high degree of densification at the surface of the preform in contact with the die surface be achieved but additionally and importantly, substantial deformation of the grain structure in the surface of the preform is accomplished. By proper design of the preform and the movable die element, this deformation of the grain structure leads to a substantial increase in the tensile strength of the part at and subjacent the surface intended to be the bearing surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a cross-sectional view through a portion of an annular die cavity for forming a ball bearing race, showing a sintered preform therein and the movable die member or punch in initial contact therewith;
FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but shows the punch further advanced into the die cavity and the preform undergoing initial compaction type deformation;-
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows further penetration of the punch into the die cavity;
FIG. 4 shows full penetration of the punch into the cavity and completion of shaping of the preform;
FIG. 5 represents the typical grain structure of a sintered preform, as for example would appear in a photo-.
micrograph of the grain structure of the preform in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 shows an idealized representation of hydrostatic compression which occurs during forming of the preform;
FIG. 7 illustrates densification of grain structure by shearing;
FIG. 8 illustrates densification of grain structureby both repressing and shear;
FIG. 9 illustrates the grain structure of the completed part in the area of the bearing surface; and
FIG. I0 illustrates the grain structure of the part at the outside diameter of the bearing race.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the manufacture of powder metal parts according to my invention, powdered metal of the desired particle size and composition is compacted or molded into a preform of determined configuration. Such molding may be carried out using conventional equipment. Thereafter the green preform is sintered to fuse the powder particles. After the preform has cooled it is placed in a die cavity 9 as shown in FIG. I for cold forming. In the embodiment herein disclosed the powder metal part to be formed is a ball bearing race. The preform is indicated in cross section in FIG. I at 10. The die cavity 9 is defined by a female member 12 having an inner wall surface 14. An ejector ring 16 closes the bottom of the cavity. A movable die part or punch 18 is adapted to enter the cavity and bear against the preform. The punch includes a pilot shank portion 20 which extends down through the cavity and through an aperture 22 in the ejector ring. The punch also includes a die face 23 which reflects the configuration of the bearing surface, or raceway 100 (see FIG. 4) to be formed in the bearing race.
Prior to placing the preform in the cavity, the preform may be lubricated in any suitable fashion, as by a phosphate coating, to facilitate the forming operation. As shown in FIG. I the punch 18 has just entered the die cavity and the die face 23 has made contact with the preform 10 at a prescribed distance E,,. To obtain the required metal flow this distance E is a controllable variable, and is calculated to provide maximum deformation at the preform 10 at minimum load requirements. Further, it is a controlling factor in determining the desired stress state of the preform to prevent fracturing due to excessive tensile stresses. At this stage, the grain formation of the preform is illustrated in FIG. and comprises equiaxed grain structure with an essentially spheroidized interconnected porosity. Four grains G are shown surrounding a pore or void P. The density of the preform at this stage may range from 75 percent to 90 percent of theoretical maximum density and is normally around 85 percent.
It should be understood that FIGS. 1 through 4, while illustrating various stages in the forming operation, are actually idealized representations of momentary phases in one continuous motion of the punch 18 into the die cavity and the concomitant shaping and densification of the preform into the final powder metal bearing race.
In FIG. 2 the punch has moved a greater distance into the die cavity and has created localized metal consolidation within the preform. This has densified the working area of the bearing race at 24 but has not at this point created any appreciable external metal flow. The grain formation in the area 24 is shown in FIG. 7 which depicts elongated grains with collapsed pores. This grain formation and void deformation has resulted from the shearing forces created by the movable die face 23 pressing against the opposed preform surface b and moving downwardly therealong with a shearing or wiping motion.
Considering further the preform in the stage shown in FIG. 2, the depth of deformation of the preform is directly proportional to the change in the distance from E to 5,. At this stage the preform is being forced against the female die wall 14 and the bottom of the die as represented by the upper surface 17 of the ejector ring, with the forces being proportional to the distance E E, the punch has moved.
In FIG. 3 the punch 18 has penetrated further into the die cavity and both radial and backward (upward) extrusion of the preform has occurred so that at the top of the preform it has just contacted the punch die surface 28 and a repressing mode is beginning to occur in the preform at this point. Here the distance E is equal to 0. The amount of backward metal flow is a function of preform shape and is controlled precisely to within the limit of metal flow before fracture of the preform. At the point where the distance E equals 0 the stress state within the preform changes from tension (occurring during the backward or external metal flow) to compression which eliminates the possibility of fracture. Upon going into compression, pores in the grain structure which have been elongated as a result of tensile shear forces begin to be collapsed and cold welded. This consolidation occurs at all the confined surface. It began along the outside diameter and bottom of the race when the preform was compressed thereagainst as from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, and at the ball race surface area 10b where both shear and compressive forces have effected the greatest consolidation and the density of the preform in this area is approaching its theoretical maximum. Also at the FIG. 3 stage metal flow toward the punch die pilot surface 30 has begun to occur. The depth of grain elongation and pore shearing has by now extended to approximately three quarters of the distance through the cross section of the bearing race.
In FIG. 4 lateral flow of the metal has completely filled the die cavity and the mode of deformation is equivalent to repressing, mentioned above, where a triaxial stress state exists equally over the entire surface of the preform. Here the preform has achieved its final desired shape and on the average throughout the preform there remains only 1 percent to 2 percent residual porosity. For example, in the grain structure at the raceway area 10a, the grains have substantially elongaged (see G-l, FIG. 9) and the pores (see P-l, FIG. 9) essentially completely if not entirely closed and fused such that the density may be considered as being substantially at the theoretical maximum. This has resulted from the high shear and compressive forces which were imposed on this area as the result of the cold working of the preform as the surface 23 of the punch wiped down along the face 10b of the preform. This area of the preform where greatest strength and good bearing qualities are most desired has undergone the greatest deformation and consolidation.
In FIG. 10, which may be considered as representative of the other surface areas of the preform in the FIG. 4 state, elongation and substantial pore collapse have also occurred giving rise to high tensile strength, but not quite to the extent as at the raceway area 10a.
FIG. 8 is illustrative of the repressing mode combined with shear deformation and the accompanying pore and grain elongation and pore collapse which leads particularly to the grain structure of FIG. 9 at the raceway area 10a. A similar but not quite as extreme shear occurs at the other surfaces of the preform as illustrated at FIG. 10.
The following examples are given as representative of the results that may be obtained using the foregoing method.
EXAMPLE I A preform of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 was made using Type I5F2 manganese steel alloy powder furnished by A. O. Smith-Inland Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, comprising approximately:
0.55% Manganese 0.3% Carbon Balance lron having an apparent density of 3.2 grams/cc. This preform was made by compacting the powder in a compacting die with a force of approximately 30 tons per square inch. The resultant density of the green preform was about 6.7 grams/cc The green preform was then sintered in a conventional cycle of 2,050F. from 20 to 30 minutes in an endothermic atmosphere with a neutral carbon potential. The sintered preform was then slowly cooled to obtain an equilibrium of microstructure of ferrite and pearlite. The preform was then lubricated with a phosphate coating and placed in a forming die of the design illustrated in FIG. 1 and formed at a die force of between 60 and 70 tons per square inch to completely fill the die cavity as hereinabove described. Measurement of the resulting density ranged from between 98 percent to I percent of theoretical maximum, and was greatest in the area of the ball race.
EXAMPLE II In this case the metal powder was furnished by the same supplier under designation 46F2 and had a composition of:
0.35% Manganese 0.45% Nickel 0.55% Molybdenum 0.3% Carbon Balance lron With a density of 6.7 grams/cc following sintering, of the character above mentioned, the preform was calculated as having the following typical characteristics:
Rockwell Hardness R B 65 Yield Strength 44,000 p.s.i. Tensile Strength 57,000 p.s.i. Elongation 27:
Following forming according to the method above described the following typical characterists were noted:
Rockwell Hardness R B I05 llO Yield Strength 85.000 p.s.i. Tensile Strength 120,000 p.s.i. Elongation Density from 98% to l0071.
In ball bearing races of Examples I and II excellent spalling resistance, high compressive yield strength and tensile strength were obtained for the bearing raceway. No further machining to improve the surface finish was necessary.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that l have disclosed a method of selective reshaping and densification of a powder metal preform resulting in a powder metal part having excellent qualities for the intended use. As mentioned at the outset I attribute the success of this method to the design of the preform in relation to the dies to be used in its forming so that not only is the preform subjected to densification by upsetting and repressing modes, but in the area where the bearing surface is intended, the movable die part has a surface reflecting the desired shape of the bearing surface and such die surface is moved against and wiped along the 6 surface of the preform to subject the latter to substantial cold working shear and compressive forces resulting in substantial elongation of the grains and pores and what amounts to essentially complete pore collapse and fusion.
In further explanation of the process as disclosed in FIGS. l-4 it will be noted that just at the point where the punch surface 23 first engages the sloping surface 10b of the preform, there is an available volume within the die cavity surrounding the free surface of the preform into which the preform may be moved as the punch descends. This available volume is theoretically equal to the total pore or void volume of the preform. Consequently upon descent of the punch from FIG. 1 through the successive stages of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the preform is reshaped to fill the available volume within the die cavity and the pores or voids in the preform are essentially closed or eliminated. The free surface of the preform is spaced from opposing surfaces of the die cavity by an amount which will allow movement, and consequent cold deformation of the preform, but such movement is limited by the opposed die surfaces so that the tensile stresses within the preform associated with movement of the preform do not exceed the tensile strength of the preform.
It will also be noted that the surface 10b of the pre form where the bearing surface is to be created is arranged to slope along and across the path of travel of the die face 23 of the descending punch so that the compression and shear forces are maximum at and along the surface 10b and subsequently 10a (FIG. 4) of the preform.
What is claimed is:
l. The method of forming a highly densified metal part having a high density bearing surface thereon, comprising:
a. compacting a quantity of powdered metal into a preform;
b. sintering the preform;
c.- cooling the preform;
d. at room temperature in a die shaping the preform to the desired configuration of the metal part including subjecting the preform to both tensile and shear stresses, commencing at the intended bearing surface and progressing substantially throughout the remainder of the preform, of sufficient magnitude to substantially elongate the grain and pore structure of the preform; and
e. subjecting the preform to compressive stresses at the intended bearing surface and thereafter at the other surfaces as the tensile shear stresses approach the point of fracture of the preform, such compressive forces being of sufficient magnitude to prevent fracture of the preform and cause collapse of the elongated pores and welding of the grains across the collapsed pore boundaries throughout the powdered metal part.
2. The invention as defined by claim 1 characterized by moving a die part against and wiping it along the intended bearing surface.
3. The method of forming a highly densified metal part having a high density bearing surface thereon, comprising:
a. compacting a quantity of powdered metal into a preform;
b. sintering the preform;
c. cooling the preform;
d. at room temperature in a die with a single strike shaping the preform to the desired final configuration of the metal part including subjecting the preform to a combination of tensile shear and comcomprising: pressive stresses, commencing at the intended a. compacting a quantity of powdered metal into a bearing surface and progressing throughout the repref m;
mainder of the preform, of sufficient magnitude to substantially elongate the grain and pore structure of the preform; and
b. sintering the preform; c. cooling the preform; d. at room temperature in a die with a single strike e. subjecting the preform to repressive forces during the strike as the tensile stresses approach the fracture point of the metal, such repressive forces shaping the preform to the desired configuration of the metal part by subjecting the preform simultaneously to a combination of metal flows both opposite to and transverse of the direction of the strike movement to elongate the grains and pores;
e. and before fracture of the metal imposing repressive forces upon the metal part of sufficient magnitude to prevent fracture and cause collapse of the pores and weld of the grains across the collapsed pores. |
US-3874050-A | Method of making a bearing | United States Patent 1191 White 1111 3,874,050 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 [5 METHOD OF MAKING A BEARING 3,626,566 12/1971 Kilgour 29/1495 B 3,654,683 4 1 72 Wh't 29 149.5 B [76] Inventor: Charles s. White, 35815-42nd $1., I 9
East, Palmdale, Calif. 93550 [22 Filed; AP 4, 1974 Primary Examiner-Thomas l-l. Eager Att A t, F B rt 11 & Parker 1211 Appl. No.2 457,860 gen m u o Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 334,192, Feb. 20, 1973,
abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. [57] ABSTRACT No. 316,844, Dec. 20, 1972, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 76,110, Sept. 28, A bearing assembly is constructed by windmg a resin 1970, abandoned. impregnated low friction thread on an inner bearing member. The thread turns are then compacted to- [52] U.S. Cl. 29/l49.5 B, 29/ 149.5 NM gether and the resin caused to fuse bonding the turns [51] Int. Cl B23p 11/00 in a continuous matrix. Around the outside of the [58] Field of Search 29/ 149.5 B, 149.5 R, thread layer an outer member is then constructed in 2 1 M, 149.5 PM locked engagement therewith and the thread layer and outer member together form a relatively movable [56] References Cited bearing member around the inner bearing member.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,047,934 8/1962 Magner, Jr. 29/1495 NM 15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAKEWW ms 3'. 874.050
FIC5.6
METHOD OF MAKING A BEARING This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 334,192 filed Feb. 20, 1973, abandoned and which is a'continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application, Ser. No. 316,844, filed Dec. 20, 1972, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 76,110, filed Sept. 28, 1970, and now abandoned.
FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a method of constructing bearings and has particular, though not exclusive utility in the construction of rod end joints.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In the prior art, rod end bearings have been constructed utilizing a low friction cloth, which is adhered inside a preformed outer housing or outer bearing member. The inner ball member is then disposed within the outer housing and the latter is upset around the ball to retain the ball therewithin. While the approach to the manufacture of such bearings has enjoyed substantial success, there have been drawbacks that have for some years prompted efforts to improve on the process but with no essential breakthrough.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to my new approach for the manufacture of such bearings, and other bearings which may be manufactured in accordance with the same, the inner ball member is wound with a continuous, resinimpregnated, bondable, low friction thread, to provide a layer of the thread thereon, and this layer is then compacted and shaped with heat and pressure to closely conform to the ball and fuse the resin whereby the thread turns are locked together in a continuous resin matrix.
Around the outside of the low friction is constructed the outer housing which is locked to the low friction. Such layer and the outer housing thus become the outer bearing surrounding the inner ball member. The housing may be constructed in various ways as by metal plating or spraying, or it may be constructed of preformed parts which are secured to the low friction layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a cross-sectional view through a ball member showing the low friction bondable thread wrapped thereon;
FIG. 2 shows the ball of FIG. 1 after the low friction layer has been shaped and fused with heat and pressure;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section through a portion of the low friction layer and ball of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates one of the steps of one method of forming the housing about the low friction layer;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a finished bearing assembly made according to this disclosure;
FIG. 6 is an elevation of the bearing of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a modified form of the bearing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 a steel ball member 8 having the usual bore 10 and a highly polished bearing surface 12, opposite end faces 14 and 16 provided with chamfers 18 and 20, is shown following the winding thereon of a layer of bondable low friction thread. This thread is more fully described in my co-pending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 76,110 filed Sept. 28, 1970, and in my co-pending U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 316,844 filed Dec. 20, 1972. Briefly, the preferred form of such thread comprises strands or filament bundles of bondable fibers such as Nylon, Dacron or cotton or other bondable fibers intertwined, mingled or twisted with strands or filament bundles of low friction fibers such as, and preferably, Teflon, i.e., tetrofluroethylene. In addition, the thread has been thoroughly impregnated with a bonding resin, such as a phenol formaldehyde resin, or some other suitable resin. The resin is preferably a thermosetting resin though suitable thermoplastics may in some instances be utilized. At the time the thread is wound onto the ball the resin should be essentially solidified, though it may be slightly tacky to facilitate temporary sticking to the ball in the position it is wrapped on. In the case of thermosetting resins, the resin should preferably be in the B-stage condition, viz., essentially free of volatile solvents or other gas producing substances.
The winding may be carried out using thread or coil winding type machinery. The surface of the ball may be covered from a point just spaced from face 14 to just short of face 16, or in other words, substantially as shown in FIG. I. The resin-impregnated thread, which at the time of impregnation is sized and shaped to a specified degree and configuration (generally round) will appear as shown in FIG. 1 following the winding operation.
The next step is to mold the low friction layer. This is accomplished between a pair of heated dies, not shown, which clamp the exposed surface of the low friction and squeeze the low friction layer against the spherically curved surface of the ball. The heat transmitted by the dies to the resin in the thread will cause the resin to soften and coalesce, and the pressure imposed by the dies will tightly press the windings into intimate conformity to the spherical surface of the ball. The dies should remain closed about the ball until the resin has set sufficiently into the C-stage so that it forms a matrix locking the thread turns together in an essentially homogenous mass so that upon removal of the dies the low friction layer thus formed will retain the configuration and size thus imparted to it. In the case of thermosetting resin the C-staging of the resin should be well underway though not yet complete for reasons hereinafter explained. In the case of thermoplastic resin the dies should be cooled sufficiently before opening so that the low friction layer will be stable.
The surfaces of the dies engaging the low friction layer may exhibit a raised grid or network to impress a corresponding grid or network 22 in the outer surface of the low friction layer 24. Such grid in the outer surface of the low friction layer is defined by intersecting grooves 26 shown in FIG. 3. This grid arrangement will help to securely lock the outer housing to the low friction layer. While the grid is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising grooves which intersect at degrees, any other grid arrangement desired may be utilized.
The outer housing 28 shown in FIG. 5 may be applied to the low friction layer in a number of different ways, but one preferable method is partially shown in FIG. 4, wherein the housing is constructed by electrodeposition. First the layer 24 must be rendered electrically conductive. Such is accomplished by coating it with a conductive material such as metallic paint, silver mirroring, or the like well understood in the art. Next the assembly is placed between a pair of non-conductive shields or masks 30 and 32 which closely overlie the exposed faces of the ball and terminate at the edges of the low friction layer, one of which carries an electrode 34 that contacts the ball. The assembly is then immersed in a plating tank and the outer housing is plated up as at 36 between the masks. When the plating has progressed to the desired extent the assembly is removed from the tank and placed in an oven to cure the resin fully to the C-stage. Such curing will also help to further lock the outer housing to the low friction layer. Following curing of the resin the outer housing portion 36 is machined to its final desired configuration, as for example as shown in FIGS. and 6.
The grid network 22 will cause the electrodeposited outer housing to enter into the grooves 26 and thereby serves to tightly lock the outer housing and low friction layer together. Because the surface 12 of the ball is polished, the resin does not adhere to it and the ball may be broken free of the low friction layer by a slight turning or twisting relative to the housing.
The foregoing method of making a bearing assembly having an entrapped ball will provide a bearing with essentially zero play because the low friction layer was originally conformed closely to the ball surface and remains in the same condition throughout the remaining steps of the method and is finally surrounded in intimate engagement by the outer housing. Also, the outer housing will be free of internal stresses which is obviously advantageous. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the masks 30 and 32 may be shaped to provide an outer housing of special configuration, such as a rod end which, with a minimum of machining, may be shaped to the final desired configuration. Techniques of high speed electroplating may be utilized to speed production of parts formed by this method. If the housing 28 is shaped as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 it may be secured in a rod end in any suitable fashion as by the so-called Grumman Grooves or the like.
In addition to electroplating, metallic spraying may also be employed, or the housing may be preformed and then fitted or shaped to the low friction layer and adhesively bonded thereto. For example, the outer housing may be preformed as an annulus which is then placed over the low friction layer and swaged inwardly thereagainst, a layer of adhesive being first interposed between the annulus and low friction layer. In FIG. 7 I show another method. Here a pair of identical annuli 38 and 40, each having a spherically curved inner surface 42 and 44, are adhesively secured to the low friction layer, and the assembly is then surrounded by an outer housing 46. The annuli and housing may be screwed together as by the cooperating threads 48 or held together in any other suitable fashion.
What is claimed is:
l. The method of making a bearing comprising:
winding on the exterior bearing surface of an inner bearing member through a plurality of juxtaposed helical turns a continuous strand of bondable low friction thread impregnated with a bonding resin, treating said windings to form a low friction bearing layer including compacting the thread turns together and into close conformity with the bearing surface of'th'e inner bearing member and fusing together the resin of adjacent turns to bond the thread turns together in a continuous matrix,
and constructing an outer member about the bearing layer in locked engagement therewith to form an outer relatively movable bearing member around the inner bearing member.
2. The invention as defined by claim 1 characterized in that said exterior bearing surface of the inner bearing member is a spherically curved convex surface.
3. The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that the resin is a thermosetting resin and at the time of treating said windings the resin is in the B-stage and the treating comprises softening of the resin and compacting together of the thread turns to effect a coalescence of the resin and at least partially curing the resin into the C-stage.
4. The invention defined by claim 3 characterized in that following construction of the outer member about the bearing layer the resin is treated to fully cure it into the C-stage.
5. The invention defined by claim 1 characterized in that said construction of the outer member comprises electrodepositing metal onto the bearing layer to build up the outer member thereon.
6. The invention defined by claim 5 characterized in that prior to said electrodeposition the bearing layer is rendered electrically conductive by applying thereto an electrically conductive coating.
7. The invention defined by claim 6 characterized in that said treating of the winding comprises impressing on the exposed surface a multiplicity of indentations, and said electrically conductive coating and electrodeposition is applied to said indented surface to effect a mechanical interlock therebetween.
8. The invention defined by claim 4 characterized in that the construction of the outer member comprises an electrodeposition of metal on the bearing layer.
9. The invention defined by claim 2 characterized in that during treating of the windings prior to constructing the outer member thereabout the exposed surface is indented to provide a series of recesses, and the outer member is constructed by electrodepositing metal on such indented surface, and following the electrodeposition of the outer member the resin is further treated to fully cure it to the C-stage.
10. The invention defined by claim 1 characterized in that said outer member and bearing layer are adhesively secured together to effect the interlocked engagement therebetween.
11. The invention defined by claim 10 characterized in that said outer member is swaged in situ about the bearing layer and adhesively secured thereto.
12. The method of making a bearing having an inner ball member entrapped within an outer housing comprising:
winding on the exterior of the inner ball member through a plurality of juxtaposed helical turns a continuous strand of bondable low friction thread impregnated with a bonding resin,
treating said turns with heat and pressure to compact the thread turns together and into close conformity with the surface of the inner ball member and to cause coalescing of the resin of adjacent turns and bonding of the thread turns together in a continuous solidified structure,
impregnated with a bonding resin,
treating said turns with heat and pressure to compact the thread turns together and into close conformity with the surface of the inner ball member and to cause coalescing of the resin of adjacent turns and bonding of the thread turns together in a continuous solidified structure,
adhering to the exterior of the low friction layer a pair of identical annuli arranged in confronting relation and having concave internal surfaces mating with the spherical shape of the low friction layer, and
locking said annuli within an outer housing member. |
US-3874051-A | Method for producing girders | United States Patent n 1 Malik 1 Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD FOR PRODUCING GIRDERS [76] Inventor: Stanislaus Malik. Taeleshahnstrasse 24, 734 Gcislingcn, Germany [22l Filed: Jan. 25, 1974 [2]] Appl No: 436,725
[52] US. Cl 29/155 R. 29/416. 29/463 [5 l] Int. Cl. 823p 17/00, B2ld 39/02 I58] Field of Search 29/!55 R, 155 C. 463. 4l6
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Moycr 29/l55 R Diamond 29/l55 R Hill 927 8/1962 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard L. Schwaab l 57 I ABSTRACT Disclosed is an open-web girder and a method for producing same. according to which two bands of stock material having an undulating pattern along one edge thereof are formed from flat. continuous lengths of material. preferably by making a single undulating cut in one piece of material. the thus-cut bands of material are joined together, e.g., by welding, riveting or the like, such that they are joined at the high points of the undulations and the low points of each band cooperate to form openings in the resultant planar web and finally, the planar web is formed into a profile of a structural girder. for example, by cold rolling.
7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD FOR PRODUCING GIRDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the production of girders, and more especially to the production of openweb girders.
It is known in the prior art to produce such an openweb girder from two separate pieces which may be prepared independently by cutting two separate pre-rolled girder structures such that they have a saw tooth or undulating pattern along one edge. or alternatively by cutting a single prea'olled girder along a single undulating cut-line to divide same into two pieces having the appropriate configuration. positioning the two parts in such a manner that openings are formed therethrough and then joining the two parts together. A process of this type is disclosed in German ()ffenlegunsschrift No. 1.484.301 as well as in Bcratungsstelle fuer Stahlverwendung. Merkblatt No. 36]. Wabentraege|'." 2nd Edition. l97l.
The known methods employ as starting materials already finished girders which have been given the desired profile. Therefore. girders having a double 'l" profile (i.c., l-profilc) are cut at the center along a saw tooth or undulating line into two parts. the two parts are displaced with respect to one another in such a manner that openings are produced therebetwecn. preferably hexagon-shaped openings or alternatively octagon-shaped openings. and are thus joined together.
The disadvantage of this type of process resides in the fact that it is limited both in the selection of the profile itself as well as in the determinastion of the web or girder height which can be modified only to a minor degree by variation of the path along which the girder is cut. to those pre-determined profiles which are available in commerce. To the extent that structural deviations of these pre-determined profiles are desired. it is possible only to introduce additional plates corresponding to the change desired. See German Offenlegunsschrift No. l 484.3()l.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages set forth above and provide a process which is not limited to the production of open-web girders having conventional profilesv It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of producing open-web girders which permits the selection of a dimension and profile of the girder according to any desired configuration.
lt is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved open-web girder in accordance with the method of the present invention.
In accomplishing these and other objects. there is provided in accordance with the present invention a method for producing open-web girders which comprises joining first and second continuous bands of flat stock material having an undulating pattern along one edge thereof such that the high points of the first band join the corresponding high points of the second hand and the low points of said first and second bands cooperate to form openings in the resulting planar web, and thereafter forming the planar web into any desired structural girder profile. In accordance with the method of the invention. the first and second bands of (ill flat stock material having an undulating pattern may be formed either by cutting two separate continuous sheets of material or alternatively by making a single undulating cut in one sheet of stock material. Preferably. the undulating pattern is characterized by alternating peaks and valleys having a trapezoidal configuration. Joining of the two sections may be accomplished by either welding or riveting. and the web is finally profiled by cold rolling. When the two bands are formed by cutting a single sheet of material. it is convenient to merely displace one band with respect to the other by the amount necessary to align the two bands for joining together.
Other objects. features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows. when considered together with the drawings.
BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FlG. l is a top view of a flat. unworked. endless band of material.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the endless band illustrating the line along which the hand is cut in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates the cut and separated band which has been cut along the line shown in FIG. 2'.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the metal band after the two pieces have been displaced with respect to one another and joined together; and
HG. 5 is a cross-section of a girder in final form after having been cold rolled to the desired profile.
DETAILED DESCRlPTlON OF THE lNVENTlON The essential difference between the present invention and the processes known in the prior art resides. first. in the fact that a flat open web having the appropriate openings therethrough is prepared in a continuous process from one or more flat bands of starting material. and then. after cutting the continuous length of open web into lengths corresponding to the girders to be produced. the web is formed into the desired profile. Accordingly. it is possible in accordance with this invention. by the appropriate choice of the width of the metal sheet serving as the starting material. to choose any desired height of the ultimate girder. even in a case where the undulating pattern for cutting the metal sheet is determined before hand. Furthermore, it is possible to completely eliminate the intermediate pieces necessary in accordance with the known methods for increasing the height of the girder. ln addition. in the present invention one is not limited to the section modulus and moment of inertia of the finished profile proscribed with known material. and in contradistinction thereto, it is possible by corresponding selection of the subsequently rolled profile to achieve any desired arrangement of material of particular locations along the structure and/or to avoid such concentrations of material at places in the structure where not desired. Hence. it is possible to design these desired arrangements of material in the web region of the girder also in accordance with economic considerations. Such design modifications may also take place. for example. by rolling on in the continuous process different materials which are supplied together in the endless process, i.e.. before the final forming of the girder into the desired profile.
Referring now to the drawing. there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the web portion 1 of the girder as seen in FIG. 4 is formed from a fiat hand of metal 2 which has been cut in a continuous process along a saw tooth or, a wave-formed or other undulating design along the line 3 as shown in FIG 2. In the drawing. the undulating cut-line is formed in the shape of alternating trapezoidal peaks and valleys As illustrated in FIG. 3. the metal sheet 2 is separated into two parts 4 and S as a result of the cutting step. The parts 4 and 5 are displaced with respect to one another as shown in FIG. 4 and in accordance with the procedures known in the art, and after alignment in the fashion shown in PK]. 4, the parts 4 and 5 are joined together by roll welding, spot welding. electrode welding, riveting or the like. The planar web having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is then formed into the desired configuration by cold rolling. FIG. 5 illustrates the cross-section through an open-web girder which has been formed from a flat web into a selected profile by cold rolling. Obviously. the open-web girders of the present invention can he formed into crosssectional configurations other than the one illustrated in the drawings.
What is claimed is:
l. A method for producing open-web girders which comprises joining first and second continuous bands of flat stock material having an undulating pattern along one edge thereof such that the high points of said first band join the corresponding high points of said second band and the low points of said first and second bands cooperate to form openings in the resulting planar web, and forming said planar web into a profile of a structural girder 2. The method as defined by claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming said first and second continuous bands by cutting a single continuous band along an undulating cut-line and positioning said first and second bands for joining by displacing one of said bands laterally with respect to the other.
3. The method as defined by claim I, further comprising the step of forming said first and second bands by cutting two separate continuous bands of stock material.
4. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said undulating pattern is characterized by trapezoidal peaks and valleys.
S. The method as defined by claim I, wherein said joining comprises welding said first and second bands together 6. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said joining comprises riveting said first and second bands together.
7. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said planar web is profiled by cold rolling. |
US-3874052-A | Method of forming and installing pressure responsive diaphragms | United States Patent [191 Schantz [111 3,874,052 Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD OF FORMING AND INSTALLING PRESSURE RESPONSIVE DIAPHRAGMS Primary Evaminer-C. W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerDan C. Crane [76] Inventor: Spencer C. Schantz, 16608 W. H H
Roger Dr New Berlin. Wis 53153 AIIOHIL), Agent. or [lH7IAlthUl L. Morsell, Jr.
[22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 402,519 A cavity of predetermined shape is formed in the lower housing member of a pressure responsive device I and a fluid duct is drilled through a housing wall to [52] Cl 29/157 gj g gf f g gi communicate with the cavity. A thermoplastic diaq phragm sheet, either directly or in the form of a sheet git. clamped to a i g, i l p d Over h ity d a [5 1 0 g? 92 'fi relatively light vacuum is applied to the fluid duct to 200/ 3 8 3 urge the diaphragm sheet toward the bottom of the cavity. The diaphragm sheet is heated by a stream of [56] References C'ted hot air so that it will be drawn by the vacuum against UNITED STATES PATENTS the bottom of the cavity to permanently assume the 945,992 l/l9l0 Stevens 200/83 .I shape of the cavity. A piston is then placed within the 2.545.857 3/l95l Perkins ct al. 92/98 R cavity on top of the diaphragm and an upper housing HOCh i. R containing a member to be actuated piston move- 31303369 2/l967 cmpcr ct 200/83 R ment is attached to the lower housing member. 3.488.414 l/l970 Naples 264/92 3,801,402 4/1974 Suter 264/92 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 42 1 4O 44 I 40 i x34 ,3 I
i w u h i Z 7}. Q Z4 PATENIEBAPR 1 1975 %..w a w III" '1 METHOD OF FORMING AND INSTALLING PRESSURE RESPONSIVE DIAPHRAGMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pressure responsive diaphragms, and is particularly useful in connection with diaphragms of the type used in pressure responsive switches for automatic washers to terminate the flow of water into the wash tub after a desired water level has been reached in the tub. In such pressure responsive switches, the wash tub is coupled via a fluid duct to a cavity beneath a flexible diaphragm, the latter supporting a piston on its upper side. As the level of water in the wash tub rises, the water pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm increases, and this lifts the piston. When the desired level of water has been reached in the wash tub, the piston operates the actuating arm of a switch, the latter being wired in a manner to cause termination of the water input to the wash tub, and to initiate the next step in the cycle of the washing machine.
This invention is particularly concerned with fabrication of very thin diaphragms of extreme sensitivity and with their installation in a pressure responsive device. In the past, diaphragms for pressure responsive switches of the type above described have been made of molded rubber. However, rubber diaphragms are relatively expensive and tend to lose their resiliency with age. Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive diaphragm which maintains its resiliency for a relatively long period of time, which has no memory, and which can flex without fatigue.
It is a general object of this invention to provide a method of fabricating a relatively large area, extremely thin diaphragm of the type which it was impractical to mold with prior molding methods, the improved method providing a diaphragm of extreme sensitivity, which is long-wearing, and which can flex repeatedly without fatigue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the method of this invention, a cavity of predetermined shape is formed in a lower switch housing member and a fluid duct is drilled through a housing wall into communication with the cavity. A thermoplastic diaphragm sheet is either directly clamped or otherwise supported over the cavity, and a relatively light vacuum is applied to the fluid duct to urge the diaphragm sheet toward the bottom of the cavity. The diaphragm sheet is heated by suitable heating means so that it will be drawn by the vacuum against the bottom of the cavity and will assume the shape of the cavity. In one embodiment of the invention, a piston is then placed within the cavity on top'of the diaphragm and an upper housing member, which has a cavity with a switch therewithin, is attached to the lower housing member.
A general object of the invention is, therefore, to provide an improved method of forming and installing pressure responsive diaphragms wherein the diaphragm is shaped from a flat piece of thermoplastic material by use of a cavity of predetermined shape in one of the parts of the final assembly, said method providing for a simple and inexpensive method of manufacture and one in which the fit of the diaphragm on the parts is insured.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a lower housing member attached to a vacuum pump and having a sheet of thermoplastic diaphragm material clamped over a cavity therein;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the shape assumed by the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet under the influence of a light vacuum;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing hot air applied to the upper surface of the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the final shape of the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet under the combined influence of the vacuum and the hot air;
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a piston on top of the shaped diaphragm sheet, and showing an upper housing member clamped to the lower housing member, the upper housing member containing an electric switch, and the diaphragm being under the influence of a small amount of pressure;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the piston in its uppermost position actuating the electric switch;
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through a pair of clamping rings showing how the diaphragm sheet may be pre-supported if desired;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the clamping rings and of the diaphragm which is clamped by heat and pressure between the two rings; and
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the presupported diaphragm sheet in position over the lower housing member of a switch.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The method of this invention is applicable to the production of any pressure-responsive device of a type which requires a housing member with a cavity contoured in accordance with a predetermined shape for a diaphragm to fit over the cavity. FIG. 1 shows a lower housing member 10 which has a generally cylindrical cavity 12 therewithin and a fluid duct 14 that communicates into cavity 12 and is screw threaded at 16 to receive a threaded fluid coupling 18. Fluid coupling 18 is coupled by means of a suitable hose to an air valve 20, and the latter is coupled by a suitable hose to a vacuum pump 22. The cavity 12 is contoured in accordance with a predetermined shape for a diaphragm which will be described hereinafter and which has a marginal portion 13 which surrounds the cavity 12. Threaded openings 24 are provided in the top peripheral edge of lower housing member 10 for receiving machine screws 26 which hold a clamping ring 28 in place on top of housing member 10.
This invention is concerned with the method of shaping a diaphragm to the contour of recess 12 and with the installation of the diaphragm over recess 12. As a first step in the method, a thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 is placed over recess 12 between lower housing member 10 and clamping ring 28 as shown in FIG. 1. Thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 may be polyethylene or polypropylene or any other suitable thermoplastic diaphragm film material. The thickness of thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 is preferably in the range of 0.001 inches to 0.060 inches. In this particular embodiment of the invention, thickness is usually less than 0.0l inches. A thickness of 0.003 works very well.
After the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 has been placed between lower housing member and clamping ring 28, it is clamped in place around the periphery l3 ofcavity 12 by machine screws 26. Next, a light vacuum is applied to fluid duct 14 by vacuum pump 22 to cause the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 to bow downwardly as indicated in FIG. 2. The vacuum is not sufficient in itself to cause diaphragm sheet 30 to conform to the contour of cavity 12, but rather provides a force which urges diaphragm sheet ,30 toward cavity 12. As long as the diaphragm sheet 30 is at room temperature, it resists the force of the vacuum and remains in the slightly bowed condition shown in FIG. 2.
As the next step of the method of this invention, the thermoplastic diaphragm sheet 30 is heated by suitable heating means such as a stream of hot air issuing from the nozzle 32 of a hair dryer or other suitable source of heated air. It should be understood, however, that other forms of heat may be used. The heat is applied to soften thermoplastic diaphragm 30 so that it will yield to the force of the vacuum and adopt the shape of recess 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
After the thermoplastic diaphragm has fully conformed to the shape of recess 12, the heating nozzle 32 is removed and the diaphragm 30 is allowed to cool. Thereafter, a piston 34 is placed on top of the diaphragm 30, and an upper housing member 36, having a generally cylindrical cavity 38, is clamped on top of lower housing member 10 by means of machine screws 40. The diameter of the cavity 38 in upper housing member 36 matches the diameter of the cavity 12 in lower housing member 10. The diameter of piston 34 is smaller than the diameter of lower cavity 12 by an amount equal to twice the thickness of diaphragm sheet 30 to provide clearance for diaphragm sheet 30 when piston 34 is within cavity 12 as shown in FIG. 5.
A device to be actuated, such as an electric switch 42, having a downwardly depending actuating arm 44, is attached to the top of upper housing member 36 within cavity 38 in such position that actuating arm 44 will be operated when piston 34 is forced upwardly a sufficient distance, as shown in FIG. 6.
Electrical conductors 46 are coupled from the switch 42 to a suitable circuit (not shown) which is to be controlled by switch 42, e.g. to the control circuit of an automatic washer or the like. Electric switch 42 may be either normally open or normally closed or it may be a multiple contact switch having both normally open and normally closed contacts. Fluid coupling 18 is connected by means of a suitable hose to a source of fluid pressure which is to be monitored and controlled, e.g. to the wash tub of an automatic washer. When the water level in the wash tub is low, the fluid pressure on the bottom side of diaphragm 30 will be low and the piston 34 will be near the bottom of cavity 12 as shown in FIG. 5. As the water level in the tub rises, the piston 34 is lifted by the increase in pressure on diaphragm 30 until it enters the upper cavity 38. When the water in the tub reaches a predetermined full level, piston 34 will be raised to a level which operates actuating arm 44 as shown in FIG. 6. This either opens or closes the contacts of switch 42, depending on whether it is normally opened or normally closed, and the electrical signal thus generated is conveyed via conductors 46 to the washing machine control circuit to terminate the flow of water into the wash tub.
In the modification of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the diaphragm sheet 30, instead of being clamped directly over the cavity of a housing member of a switch as in FIG. 1, is first clamped in sheet form between two rings 48 and 49 of thermoplastic material. It is preferred that the upper ring 48 have its clamping surface flat as at 50 in FIG. 8 with the annular edge on a radius as at 51, and that the lower clamping ring 49 have teeth 52 of diminishing height inwardly, the outermost teeth being relatively blunt on the top with the bluntness diminishing inwardly as the height decreases. The sheet is clamped tightly enough to avoid creases in its suspended portion. Heat and pressure are employed, preferably by use of ultrasonic energy, to weld the margins of the diaphragm sheet between the clamping faces of the rings 48 and 49 so that the latter are fused to the sheet. With this form of the invention it is easier to handle the very thin diaphragm sheets and the entire ring assembly of FIG. 7, which includes bolt holes 53, is bolted over the lower housing portion 110, said lower housing portion being of decreased height, as compared to the housing of FIG. 1, by the amount of the thickness of the ring 49, so that the diaphragm sheet 30 is the same distance from the bottom of the cavity in FIG. 9 as it is in FIG. 1. Thereafter the procedure is the same as heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 2 through 6.
It should be understood, however, that the pressure responsive switch described above is not limited to use in connection with automatic washers, but can be utilized in any application where an electrical signal is to be generated in response to a predetermined fluid pressure, which can be either a gas pressure or a liquid pressure. It should also be understood that the pressure responsive piston 34 could be used to perform other types of mechanical work than operating a switch actuating arm. In general terms, this invention is concerned with a method of forming and installing pressure responsive diaphragms and is not limited by the functions that the diaphragm may perform after it has been installed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described pressure responsive device can be designed to be actuated for any desired level of pressure. This is accomplished by selecting the proper weight for piston 34 and the proper dimensions for upper cavity 38. If necessary, a suitable spring may be added, bearing against the top of piston 34, to increase the pressure level at which the electric switch'42 is actuated. These and similar modifications of the disclosed structure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, the step of heating the diaphragm 30 may be performed before the step of applying the vacuum to the fluid duct 14. As long as the diaphragm 30 is heated concurrently with the application of the vacuum, it does not matter whether the initial application of heat precedes or follows the initial application of the vacuum.
What I claim is:
' 1. In a method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device which includes a shaped actuating diaphragm of thin material, the steps of:
a. fabricating a housing member for the pressure responsive device with a cavity of predetermined contour in accordance with a desired diaphragm shape for the pressure responsive device and with a marginal portion surrounding said cavity;
b. providing a duct in said housing member communicating with said cavity;
0. covering said cavity with a diaphragm formed of a flat sheet of thin thermoplastic material;
d. clamping a marginal portion of said diaphragm over said marginal portion of said housing around said cavity;
e. applying a relatively light vacuum to said duct to draw said diaphragm toward the bottom of said cavity;
f. heating said diaphragm to enable it to be drawn by said vacuum against the walls of said cavity to permanently assume said predetermined shape of the cavity;
g. allowing the diaphragm to cool while in said predetermined shape;
h. fabricating a second housing member having a second marginal portion surrounding a cavity, said second cavity having approximately the same outline as said cavity of the first-mentioned housing member; and
. then clamping the marginal portion of said second housing to the marginal portion of the first housing,
with said cavities in alignment with each other and while the shaped diaphragm remains clamped over the margin of the first housing portion.
2. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as claimed in claim 1 in which the diaphragm material is a thermoplastic film having a thickness less than .010 of an inch.
3. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as claimed in claim 1 in which the margin of the diaphragm is first welded between the clamping faces of two rings which fit the marginal portion of the first housing, and in which the rings are secured over the marginal portion of the first housing member around its cavity. I
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the second housing member is clamped over the rings which have the diaphragm welded thereto.
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the rings between which the diaphragm is welded are formed of thermoplastic material. I
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 which includes the step of forming teeth on one of the two rings between which the diaphragm is positioned, and applying heat and pressure to cause the rings, including the teeth, to be fused to the diaphragm.
7. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the teeth are so formed as to extend approximately parallel with the marginal edges of the diaphragm sheet, and in which the teeth are formed so that they decrease in height inwardly.
8. In a method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device which includes a shaped diaphragm of thin material, the steps of:
a. fabricating a mold with a cavity of predetermined contour in accordance with a desired diaphragm shape;
b. providing a duct in said mold communicating with said cavity;
c. fabricating clamping means having marginal clamping areas;
d. clamping the margin of a diaphragm formed of a cool sheet of thin thermoplastic material having a thickness less than 0.010 of an inch by the use of said clamping means while said clamping means is over the margin of said mold and while the mold is cool;
e. applying a relatively light vacuum to said duct to draw said diaphragm toward the bottom of said cavity;
f. heating said diaphragm while the vacuum is being applied to enable it to be drawn by said vacuum against the walls of said cavity to permanently assume said predetermined shape of the cavity;
g. allowing the diaphragm to cool while in said predetermined shape; and
h. assembling the diaphragm in the pressure responsive device while its margins are in clamped condition, and with the clamping means becoming part of the pressure responsive device.
9. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as defined in claim 8 in which the clamping means comprises at least one ring of thermoplastic material, and in which heat and pressure are,employed to weld the diaphragm to said ring so that the ring is permanently fused to the diaphragm material.
10. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as defined in claim 9 in which the clamping means comprises two rings of thermoplastic material, and in which the diaphragm is welded between said two rings.
11. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as defined in claim 10 which includes the step of forming teeth on one of said rings.
12. A method of manufacturing a pressure responsive device as defined in claim 11 in which the teeth are formed so that they decrease in height inwardly. |
US-3874053-A | Method of manufacturing a radiator | United States Patent 1191 Nederlof 1 11 3,874,053 1 Apr. 1, 1975 [54] METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A RADIATOR [75] Inventor: Anton Marie Nederloi, Emmasingel,
Eindhoven, Netherlands [73] Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation, New
York, NY.
[22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 121] App]. No.: 404,358
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 18, 1972 Netherlands 7214059 [52 US. Cl..... 29/l57.3 B, 29/157.3 D, 113/118 D [51] int. Cl. B2ld 53/02, B23p 15/26 [58] Field of Search. 29/1573 R, 157.3 A, 157.3 B,
29/157.3 D; 113/118 R, 118 A, 118 B, 118
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,252,209 8/1941 Schank ct a1. 113/118 R Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant E.\'ami/1erD. C. Reiley, 111
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank R. Trifari; J. David Dainow [57] ABSTRACT 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A RADIATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a radiator comprising a number of parallel cooling medium pipes having fin assemblies connected thereto.
For the manufacture of radiators it is desirable that all fins are situated at the same distance from each other, because optimum action is then obtained. It was found that this is difficult to realize.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention offers a simple solution to this problem. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a metal strip of the desired width dimension is zigzag folded so as to form a stack, thus producing a number of first parts which extend zigzag-like between the sidewalls of the stack and between which second strip parts of the same shape and length are situated; afterwards the stack obtained is compressed so that the said second parts engage each other on both sides of the stack, and a cooling medium pipe is connected to one or to both sides.
By compressing the folded strip until the said two parts engage each other, an extremely sturdy stack is obtained. This stack comprises the first parts, constituting the fins, which are all situated at exactly the same distance from each other, corresponding to the dimension of the transverse extending second parts, so that a very uniform fin structure is obtained. Because a given bend is created in the first parts, the stability of their shape has been improved with the result that bending or other deformation is less liable to occur.
In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the folding of the metal strips is effected by feeding them between two toothed dies.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show how a metal strip can be folded and compressed to form a stack.
FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a part of a radiator in which a fin stack according to FIG. 3 is soldered between each pair of cooling water pipes.
FIG. 5 shows another method of folding the metal strip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 denotes a metal strip. This strip is zigzag folded such that a numher of parallel first parts 2 are produced. Each adjacent pair of parts 2 is connected by a second part 3 which extends transverse thereto.
FIG. 3 shows the same metal strip as FIG. 1, but now compressed such that the parts 3 touch each other, thus forming a continuous wall on both sides of the stack. The parts 2 are slightly bent, with the result that their shape has become particularly stable. The stack is subsequently soldered to cooling water pipes 5 with parts 3 contacting pipes 5, as is shown in FIG. 4. These cooling water pipes communicate on the one side with an inlet 6 and on the other side with an outlet 7 for cooling water.
Finally, FIG. 5 shows how the metal strip 1 is folded by feeding it between two toothed dies 10 and 11 which open and close. The parts 8 and 9 now do not enclose a angle but a somewhat blunt angle. However, there is no objection whatsoever in this case, because the parts 8 are compressed again until they touch each other. Because the length of each of the parts 8 is the same, the distance between the parts 9 will always be the same. A fin stack having a very stable shape and a regular structure can thus be very inexpensively manufactured.
What is claimed is:
1. In a method of manufacturing a radiator, the steps comprising folding a metal strip into a stack of zig-zag folds, each fold comprising a fin part extending transversely across the stack and a side part extending generally lengthwise of the stack, with said stack comprising a series of adjacent fin parts traversing the stack and a series of adjacent side parts along the sides of the stack, compressing said folds such that adjacent side parts are urged into contact, thus forming a continuous wall, and soldering a pipe to said wall of side parts on each side of said stack.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein folding said strip in zig-zag folds comprises forming right angle bends between adjacent fin and side parts.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said pipes soldered to the stack has an inlet and an outlet, the further step comprising securing fluid inlet means to said pipe inlets, and fluid outlet means to said pipe outlets.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said side parts have substantially the same length which is the distance that each two adjacent fin parts are spaced apart.
5. A method according to claim 1, with a further step comprising spacing apart each two adjacent side parts a substantially equal distance. |
US-3874054-A | Wheel process | United States Patent [191 Reppert 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 WHEEL PROCESS [75] Inventor: Merlyn R. Reppert, Torrance, Calif.
[73] Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co., New York,
[22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 420,109
[52] U.S. Cl 29/l59.0l, 29/15903, l13/116 D, 301/63 R, 301/64 R [51] Int. Cl ..B21h1/02, B2lk 1/32 [58] Field of Search 29/159.01, 159.02, 159.3, 29/l59.03; 72/405, 379; 113/116 D; 301/63 R, 63 D, 64 SD, 64 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,088,992 8/1937 Bierwirth et a1. 29/159.01 2,097,101 10/1937 Maclennan 29/l59.01 X 2,159,880 5/1939 Bierwirth et a1. 29/15903 2,779,994 2/1957 Mclntosh 29/159.01 3,664,000 5/1972 LeJeune 29/l59.01
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 517,347 l/l94O United Kingdom 29/159.0l
Primary E.\'aI1zinet- C. W. Lanham Assistant E.\'aminet-Victor A. DiPalma Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles L. Harness [5 7.] ABSTRACT A polished steel wheel center with hub, outwardspreading spokes, and rim; the metal having substantially the same thickness throughout; the ratio of the center diameter to the hub height being substantially 5; the center having slots intermediate the outer areas of thespokes; the center having deeply recessed lug pockets intermediate the spokes; the terminus of the rim, the bottom of the lug recesses, and the bottom of the hub being in substantially the same plane; the slots being in a plane intermediate top and bottom of the hub.
Method of forming an automobile wheel center comprising as a first step, prepolishing the stock; forming a deep draw in the blank; forming alternate spoke and lug pocket areas, the lug pocket areas beingapproximately in the same plane as the periphery of the blank; further forming the lug pockets to depress same below the plane of the peripheral plane of the blank while simultaneously reducing the height of the hub area; in a subsequent forming step, still further depressing the lug pockets below the plane of the periphery, and still further reducing the height of the hub area; forming lug bosses and stamping out the hub center; and piercing peripheral slots and lug holes.
5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTE APB H975 3.874.054
sum 1 (IF 2 PATENTEI] APR 1 I975 sum 2 gr 2 WHEEL PROCESS" This invention is directed to an improvement in the manufacture of automobile wheels, and more particularly concerns a method for forming the center of the wheel, together with electroplating same.
It is known to form an automobile wheel by stamping a center, followed by forming, polishing, plating, and welding the center into a plated rim. These wheel centers of the prior art, however, are relatively shallow, and offer no problems with regard to subsequent polishing steps to prepare the centers for electroplating. That is to say, all areas of these prior centers were accessible to polishing equipment. The same is not true for centers which have been subjected to deep drawing operations. By deep drawing is meant that the lug pockets are so deeply recessed that they are not accessible to conventional polishing machinery. As a matter of fact no prior processes have been available to make suitable deeply drawn wheel centers. By the process of this invention these and other problems have been solved. For example, for the first time, using the process of this invention it is possible to form a wheel center in which the lug pockets contain enough metal and are sufficiently strong to be punched to standard size lug holes. Also these wheel centers can be electroplated, using the process of this invention. Prior to this invention such deeply drawn lug pockets, even had they existed, could not have been suitably electroplated.
My wheel forming process is directed to the wheel center. Its ultimate attachment to the rim is conventional. In making a deeply drawn platable wheel center my invention requires three crucial operations. The first of these operations is that the strip stock be prepolished. (If it is not prepolished, even if the other steps are carried out, the resulting wheel center cannot be properly electroplated.) The second crucial operation is actually a series of operations carried out in a sequence of die presses. It is extremely important in this series of operations that the blank be initially very deeply drawn, i.e., forming a hat blank, with the depth of the draw being at least about one-quarter of the diameter of the blank, and the diameter of the draw being approximately five-sixths the diameter of the blank. This initial step gives sufficient depth of metal for the subsequent spoke forming steps and for lug pocket forming. steps. If this deep draw is not made a weak lug pocket will result which will not have enough metal thickness to be stamped (i.e., pierced to form lug hole), or which may even crack during the forming processes. As a third crucial point the hub area, i.e., the center of the wheel center, must be reduced in height over several successive die forming operations.
Finally, as a fourth greatly preferred step, in the electroplating step, I use a collector" in association with the wheel center to insure that the lug pockets will be adequately plated. These steps constitute the improvements in my process over and above the standard and well known procedures of the prior art for making automobile wheels of the stamped and plated type. These steps are to be superimposed on the known conventional procedures.
In the figures, FIGS. l/la-7/7a inclusive show successive stamping, drawing, and forming steps whereby the wheel center is made. In this sequence of FIGS. 1, 2, etc., show half of the center in top plan view. FIGS.
1a, 2a, etc., show the corresponding sections. FIG. 8a
shows a finished wheel comprising rim and center, and FIG. 8b shows a section taken along the lines h-b.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the collector which is used in electroplating. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the collector of FIG. 9 mounted in a 'center ready to carry out the electroplating operation.
Strip Stock The blanks, i.e., the strip stock, were l6 X 96 inches and in thickness 0.l68 inch. One such blank makes six wheels. This is a standard type of steel available commercially identified as hot rolled steel, pickled and oiled. The stock material is not critical. For example, aluminum-killed steel, rimmed steel, and draw quality steel are suitable.
Prepolishing Each sheet of stock is polished. I prefer to do this by passing each sheet through six different polishing operations. The grinding equipment is conventional. Preferably, six machines are used, one for each of the six polishing operations. Each machine suitably carries a circular polishing belt vertically positioned. The work piece is fed through the machine by means of two sets of duplicate pinch rolls on the incoming side. The leading edge of the work piece proceeds between the polishing belt and a pressure roll. The pressure roll presses the work piece against the polishing belt. Four pinch rolls pick up the work piece as it emerges from the grinding belt and drop it in a stack on a work table. The machine suitably is equipped with a dust collector, since the combination of metal removed from the surface of the work piece and the abrasive material removed from the polishing belt is considerable. When I use l6 inch-wide stock, I prefer that the dimensions of the polishing belt be 18 inches wide by 126 inches in total length. The belt is, of course, endless. As stated, these finishing operations proceed through six separate steps, one for each of the series of six machines. The first machine uses No. I50 aluminum oxide grit. After all the stock strips of a given piece are passed under the belt of the first machine (approximately 40 strips) the belt is transferred to the second machine and is thus reused on all of the strips once more. A new l50- grit belt is put on the first machine. In the second machine the used belt acts as further finishing means. In the third polishing machine a new belt of No. 220 grit aluminum oxide is used. All the work is passed under this belt for step No. 3. For step No. 4 the same belt (now used) is used once more on the number four machine for all of the work pieces. For step No. 5 a belt using No. 220 grit of silicon carbide is placed on the number five machine. All the stock pieces are passed under this belt for step No. 5. For step No. 6 the used belt from the number five machine is placed on the sixth and last machine, and all of the stock strips are passed under same. Thus six steps and six machines in all are used, but only three grades of polishing belts. New belts are used on the first, third, and fifth machines, and the used belts are transferred respectively to the second, fourth and sixth machines. They are discarded after the latter use.
The stock strips coming off the last belt have a surface which is sufficiently polished to accept nickel electroplating, even after forming, drawing, stamping, etc. as will be hereinafter explained. I aim at a finish in the range of about No. 8-l6. Such finish can, of course, be
attained by polishing means other than that described and well known to those skilled in the polishing art. It is the finish that counts, and not how it was obtained.
Polishing machinery is available commercially for the polishing operations. I used a machine made by the Acme Manufacturing Co. of Detroit.
As has been explained, it is essential for the subsequent nickel and chrome electroplating operations that the stock strips achieve a very fine finish at the outset before any subsequent stamping, etc. operations are commenced. In addition to providing a suitable surface for eventual electroplating, prepolishing also provides immediate benefits in that it removes mill scale and aids in the operation of the die lubricant in operations in the die shop below described.
Stamping, Drawing, Forming, etc.
The following concerns operations in the die shop.
The first step is to stamp out and draw the hat blank as shown in FIG. l/l-a. This is accomplished by a die having the indicated configuration, in a press of, for example, 500 Tons. As noted, this operation gives a blank with a deeply drawn and elevated interior. This area is drawn to an extent far greater than will be necessary in the subsequent finished wheel. The reason for this great depth of draw is that a considerable excess of metal must be provided for the steps hereinafter explained wherein the lug pockets are formed. In overall diameter this piece is about 12.5 inches and in depth about 3 inches. The dome of the hat is about inches in diameter.
In step No. 2 (see FIGS. 2/2u) the second die presses down in what will become the five lug pockets. In this step the proto-spoke areas are formed as gathers. This step slightly increases the diameter of the blank, to about 12 /8 inches, while simultaneously reducing the center height, to about 3 3/16 inches. In this operation the beginnings of the lug pockets are formed. Also there may be evident in this step some ripples in the proto-spokes. The lug pocket areas are formed in the same plane with the periphery, and approach the center hub area for about 3 4 inches before merging into the hub area. The hub or center area itself is about 3 inches in diameter. Providing enough metal to make the lug pockets results in an excess of metal in the spoke and hub areas. Hence in the subsequent steps the forming operations must include compression to reduce this excess metal.
In step No. 3 (see FIGS. 3-a/3a) the third die makes a further indentation into the lug area while at the same time compressing down the hub area and the spoke areas. It would not be possible to make this necessary indentation into the lug areas if it were not possible to compress further the hub area and the spoke areas, since the latter areas are in effect reservoirs of metal needed to make the indentations into the lug areas. At this point it may be noted that if the initial deep drawing for blanks Nos. 1 and 2 had not been carried out, the final deep indentations contemplated for the lug areas in steps 4 and subsequent would not be possible, for the reason that the lug areas otherwise would have been too thin to permit stamping out the lug holes. Step No. 3 gives a blank which is again increased in diameter, e.g., to about 13 Va inches. The hub area is further compressed, and now has a height of about 2 inches. The lug areas further approach the center, and are now slightly below the peripheral plane. The extreme edge of the lug area may measure 4 /2 inches from the periphery to the center.
Continuing with blank No. 4 (see FIGS. 4/4a) it will be seen that at this step the wheel has very nearly achieved its final form. The geometry of the wheel has been finalized, except that the lug bosses have not yet been formed nor have the five rim slots been stamped, nor the hub hole. The spokes and hub have been brought down to their final height. In this step No. 4 the die turns the peripheral rim down to give a inch peripheral depth. This rim may have a /4 inch straight side. The lug area is now about one-half inch below the annular rim. The center diameter has now been reduced to 12 /8 inches and the center height has been reduced to 2 /2 inches, i.e., ratio of substantially 5 to 1.
In some instances, the upper surfaces of the spokes from step 4 may have a slight ripple. If the ripple is present it is barelv detectable by touch or eye. It is readily removed by a pressing step, with a die designed particularly for pressing the spoke surfaces, in step N0. 5. Pieces Nos. 4 and 5 are substantially the same except for the ripple, if any.
Continuing on to blank No. 6 (see FIGS. 6/6a), at
this step the lug bosses are created by raising central sections of the lug areas about 5/16 of an inch. This, of course, requires a considerable amount of metal. However, this metal is available by reason of the preceding series of deep draws. These lug bosses have to be formed as a separate operation. This step cannot be combined with the step of forming the final lug recess. In proceeding from blank No. 3, if it is attempted to form simultaneously the ultimate lug recesses and the lug bosses, the metal will be ruptured. In blank No. 6 also the hub hole is stamped out.
In the final step, No. 7, the peripheral (rim) slots and the lug holes are pierced. The lug areas can of course be pierced for holes to fit different size hubs on different cars, for example Chevrolets, Ford, Pontiacs, and the like.
The lug holes may be five-eighths inch at the bottom (facing the car), tapering to three-fourths inch at the top. The lug holes are coined and tapered at this step. After step 7 the wheel can be taken direct to final polishing and plating. The lug holes are punched to provide a conical opening. This is desirable in mounting the wheels using conventional lugs, which are of course conical in terminal section. The entrance angle into the lug holes is, of course, adapted to the angle of the lugs intended to be used with the wheels.
After step 7 the wheel can be taken direct to polishing and plating operations.
Conventional die lubricant is used in all die operations, and the final product from the stamping plant is thus coated with a thin film of die compound. This film is permitted to remain while the center is in storage. However, prior to the nickel and chromium plating operation this film must be removed. This is customarily done by agitation in a caustic bath followed by a water rinse, and acid bath, and a second water rinse.
Five hundred ton presses in series are suitable for carrying out the forming operations described in this section, except for Step 5, for which a 2,000 or 2,500- ton press is recommended.
All of the above steps are done cold. Hot working is not necessary.
As noted, it is crucial to the entire series of steps following step 1 that metal be made available to the forming operations by compression of already drawn metal.
First Nickel Bath Second Nickel Bath Chromium Bath Metal Time in Concentration Amperage Bath (Minutes) 12 ounces/gal. ditto 44 ounces/gal.
l8 min.,l2 sec. 2 min.,48 sec. 200 ampslsqft. ditto 50 amps/sq.ft.
ditto Only in this way can the great height/depth differences in spoke, hub area, and lug area be retained with good structural strength. 15
Supplemental Polishing The wheel center is now put through additional polishing operations prior to plating. These operations comprise roughing and buffing. However, only the spoke and peripheral areas (annular rings) are polished, since these are the only areas that can be reached by the polishing equipment. The lug areas are too deep to be affected. These operations are carried out in order to blend out the die marks on the tops of the spokes and in the peripheral area. The roughing operation on the spokes is suitably done in two steps, the difference being that the first step is done with a medium-grade abrasive and the second is done with a finer abrasive. Both of these steps involve the use of a con ventional cloth and emery polishing wheel. A polishing stick consisting of medium-grade tallow and emery is fed into the wheel simultaneously with exposure of the spoke areas to the polishing wheel.
The buffing operation likewise suitably uses two steps. One man can buff the peripheral areas, then can hand the wheel center to the second man who buffs the spoke areas. More buffing area is covered than in the roughing steps.
The Plating Operation The electroplating steps are three. The cleaned piece is plated with a first coating of nickel, then a second coating of nickel (in a distinctly independent operation) and finally with a coating of chromium metal. These electroplating operations are standard in the art. They are used, for example, to plate numerous types of automotive accessories, e.g., bumpers, molding strips, door handles, and the like. The function of each electroplating coating is well known. The first plating of nickel levels the surface of the piece, i.e., pits and scratches are filled in and the surface is generally levelled. The second nickel coating is thicker, and provides very high resistance to corrosion. The coating of chromium metal is added to provide resistance to scratching, such as may result when the car is washed or the wheel is polished by hand, etc. This coating of chrome metal is fairly critical and is generally less than 0.000l inches thick. If it is plated any thicker its appearance would be rather dull, since chromium metal is a gray color in thick layers. If it is any thinner it cannot adequately protect the upper coat of nickel from scratches, etc. The nickel coatings themselves are very carefully controlled. Too much nickel results in a rough surface, and not enough nickel would show scratches and polishing lines from the steps preceding the plating operation. If there is not enough chromium the underplated area would tend to turn yellow very quickly.
In these'plating operations the use of my electrolytic collector is essential. This is described below.
The Electrolytic Collector The electrolytic collector (see FIG. 9) comprises a plug 2, a plurality of legs 4, a base plate 6, and washer 8 held together by nut 12 and bolt 14. Each of the legs 4 has a foot 16. The legs 4 and the feet 16 are painted to insulate them from the electrolytic bath. However, the bottom of each foot 16 is unpainted and does in fact conduct the electric current. The legs are in electric contact with the metal base plate 6. The feet 16 are preferably formed of titanium metal, and their bottoms are preferably platinum plated. The function of the collector is to attract nickel and chromium ions into the deep lug pockets thereby to provide a coating of metal in these areas as thick as that given to the more accessible spoke and peripheral areas. The material of plug 2 can be plastic (i.e., polyvinylchloride) or wood, or the like. The material is not critical so long as it fits into the hub hole and provides good electrical insulation.
In FIG. 10 the collector is shown in position in the polished center, ready to be taken through the nickel and chromium electrolytic plating steps.
An essential consequence of this entire series of steps is that it yields a wheel center which can be adequately plated. No other wheel center made by forming and drawing, so far as is known, can be adequately plated.
To state this another way, the initial polishing operation of the blank above referred to places the ultimate lug pockets in condition for plating. This is crucial, since absent such prepolishing, if these deeply indented lug pockets, in a rough pre-formed condition were plated by the standard technique, the plating would not adequately seal the pores of the metal, and after a few months of service under road conditions, the lug area would show signs of rust.
Although all the description herein refers to a 5- spoke wheel, this is obviously not critical. It can be used also to make a four-spoke wheel, for example, Pinto, many foreign imports, and the like. Additionally in the larger categories the same technique can be used to make a 6-spoke wheel.
The final step of welding the center into the wheel rim is also standard, and equipment and procedures for accomplishing this are conventional in the art. It may be stated in general that the waiting rim has already been plated. The plated center (prepared by the process of this invention) is pressed into the plated rim, is aligned, and then it is welded using a short arc. This gives the final wheel ready for installation on the automobile.
What is claimed is:
1. In the method comprising forming an automobile wheel center comprising stamping out a blank from 7 stock, drawing same, forming spoke ridges, and stamping lug and hub holes, the improvement comprising:
1. as a first step, prepolishing the stock;
2. in the drawing step, forming a deep draw with the depth of the draw being about one-quarter the diameter of the resulting blank;
3. forming alternate spoke and lug pocket areas, the lug pocket areas being approximately in the same plane as the periphery of the blank;
4. further forming the lug pockets to depress same below the plane of the peripheral plane of the blank while simultaneously reducing the height of the hub area;
5. in a subsequent forming step, still further depressing the lug pockets below the plane of the periphery, and still further reducing the height of the hub area;
6. forming lug bosses and stamping out the hub center;
7. piercing peripheral slots and lug holes.
2. Method according to claim 1 in which the center piece resulting from step (5) is pressed in the spoke areas to flatten out any ripples on the spoke surfaces.
3. The method according to claim 1 in which the wheel center is given five spokes.
4. The method according to claim 1 in which the prepolishing is accomplished by a plurality of steps using graded abrasive grits in a belt polishing system.
5. The method according to claim 4, using 3 polishing belts in six polishing steps, in which the first polishing belt material is grit aluminum oxide; the second polishing belt is the belt resulting from use in the first step; the third polishing belt material is 220 grit aluminum oxide; the fourth polishing belt is the belt resulting from use in the third step; the fifth polishing belt material is 220 grit silicon carbide; and the sixth polishing belt is the belt resulting from use in the fifth step. |
US-3874055-A | Method of making vehicle wheel | Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Wilcox METHOD OF MAKING VEHICLE WHEEL [76] Inventor: Raymond J. Wilcox, 44 Via Casitas, Pn'mary Lanham San Luis Rey Downs, Calif. 92068 Feb. 22, 1974 Assistant E.\'aminerVictor A. DiPalma Attorney, Agent, or FirmReising, Ethington & Perry 22 Filed:
[57] ABSTRACT A wheel manufactured from an elongated section of Appl. No.: 446,199
sheet steel is disclosed together with a method for its manufacture. Five rim retaining flanges are formed in the sheet steel. A rim retaining lip is formed along one edge of each of these five flanges. A reinforcing rib is formed adjacent each side of each rim retaining 34 00 6 l l 1 wart; .2151 42 R 3 5 R 6 I: U 24 9 .16 v t w M Z UH H ,B mm M 0A0 m 5 MUS H M 9 n l 2 mm m wa e 9 u 5 l 0 C C W .MZ S te nil .L IF m 1 H 5. 55
flange, making a total of ten reinforcing ribs. The
a v sheet steel, formed with flanges and ribs, is coiled into 6] References uted a single closed loop. Ten circumferentially spaced ra- UNITED STATES PATENTS dial vanes are formed in the loop. The five rim retaining flanges interconnect pairs of adjacent vanes at the outer diameter of the resulting wheel. At the inner diameter of the resulting wheel, five hub attachment flanges interconnect pairs of vanes. A threaded hub, fitted with bearing positioning shoulders, is welded and riveted to the five hub attachment flanges to complete the wheel.
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 50mm 5/1939 Great Britain................... 29/159.03 8 Claims 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR SHEET 3 OF 3 METHOD OF MAKING VEHICLE WHEEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vehicle wheel and a method for its manufacture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Trucks and trailers are commonly fitted with pairs of rims and tires positioned side-by-side. A popular method for mounting such pairs of rims and tires on vehicles involves mounting each pair of rims and tires on a single wheel carried by a vehicle axle. This approach to mounting pairs of rims and tires has proven quite satisfactory. One illustration of the efficiency of this mounting concept is the relative ease with which tires can be changed inasmuch as both rims, together with both tires. can be removed upon the removal of one set of retaining bolts.
Commercially successful wheels of the type designed to carry two rims are typically manufactured by a casting process. Although pressed metal techniques have held out the prospect of reduced costs and simplified manufacture, they have not displaced castings to date.
A great number of pressed metal alternatives to cast wheels have been proposed over a period spanning several decades. The following patents are representative of the work done prior to the present invention: Pannecoucke. et al. Pat. No. 2.0l3,895; Sherman Pat. No. 2.653.057: Sherman Pat. No. 2,660,477; Schilberg Pat. No. 2,890.91 l; and Mitchell Pat. No. 3,394,966. Various specific designs. and various basic approaches, are disclosed in these patents.
Structural deficiencies in certain prior art pressed steel wheels have rendered those wheels commercially unsatisfactory. For those wheels, performance failures, including failures due to stress concentrations, have been unacceptable. Furthermore, in certain prior art pressed steel wheels. the complexity of the wheel design has prevented satisfactory mass manufacture. For various reasons. as noted above, prior to the present invention. no pressed steel wheel has gained widespread commercial acceptance.
SL'MMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a pressed steel wheel and the method of its manufacture. This wheel, in contradistinction to the prior art, is characterized by a structural design obviating performance failures, especially those resulting from stress concentrations. A further distinction of the present invention over the prior art resides in the simplicity of the design of the instant wheel. and the ease of its manufacture.
The wheel of the present invention is manufactured from an elongated section of sheet steel. Five spaced rim retaining flanges are formed in this section of sheet steel. A rim retaining lip is formed along one edge of each ofthese five rim retaining flanges. Ten reinforcing ribs are formed in the sheet steel, one reinforcing rib being formed on each side of each of the five rim retaining flanges. The sheet steel, formed with flanges and ribs. is coiled into a single closed loop. Ten circumferentially spaced radial vanes are formed in the loop. These vanes extend from the five rim retaining flanges, which define the outer diameter of the wheel, to five hub attachment flanges, which define the inner diameter ofthe wheel. A threaded hub, provided with bearing positioning shoulders, is welded and riveted to the hub BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The instant invention, together with further advantages and features thereof, can best be understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a vehicle axle carrying a wheel manufactured in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the wheel shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a press operation included in the method of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates an elongated section of sheet steel at an intermediate stage of the manufacture of the wheel of the present invention;
FIG. 5 depicts the wheel of the present invention at an intermediate stage in its manufacture;
FIG. 6 illustrates the wheel of the present invention after the vanes of the wheel are formed as radial elements;
FIG. 7 depicts the hub incorporated in the wheel of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 shows the wheel of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference should now be made to the drawings and more particularly to Flg. 1 wherein the wheel of the present invention generally designated 10 is illustrated. The wheel 10 is carried by a vehicle axle 12. First and second conventional rims l4 and 16 are secured to and carried by the wheel 10. In normal use, each of the rims l4 and 16 is fitted with a tire (not illustrated). A retaining ring 18, a spacer ring 20, mounting studs 22, and mounting nuts 24 are used to mount the rims 14 and 16 on the wheel 10 in a conventional manner. As shown in FIG. I, but best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 8, the wheel 10 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending vanes 26, a plurality of rim retaining flanges 28, a plurality of rim retaining lips 30, a plurality of hub attachment flanges 32, and a hub 34, all of which are described more completely hereinafter. A brake drum 36 is rigidly coupled with the hub 34 through a drum connecting member 38 and a plurality of fasteners, illustrated as bolts and nuts 40. The drum connecting member 38 is welded to the hub 34 at the weld bead 42. A hub cap 44 is threaded into the hub 34 which houses front and rear bearings 46 and 48 supporting the Wheel 10 on the axle 12. The brake drum 36 and brake mechanism, and the bearings 46 and 48 and associated members, are not described herein in detail as they form no part of the present invention.
Reference should now be made to FIGS 3 through 8 which are referred to in the course of the following description of the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a coil of sheet steel generally disignated 50 supplied from a feeding mechanism generally designated 52 into a press, illustrated schematically and generally designated 54. The specification for the steel used in the manufacture of a particular wheel necessarily depends upon the operating demands on that wheel. Inasmuch as the present invention is directed to a wheel and the method of its manufacture without reference to the selection of steel for its fabrication, no detailed discussion of the applicable conventional selection criteria for selecting steel is pursued herein.
At the machine 54 the steel from coil 50 is stamped and formed. In the preferred embodiment a multistation press is used, and the wheel is formed therein to the intermediate stage illustrated in FIG. 4. It is understood and appreciated that various permutations and combinations of machining operations can be organized to practice the method of the present invention. Multi-station presses, or several presses, or combinations of multi-station presses and several presses can be used in the instant method. Furthermore, the sequence of steps can be arranged in a variety of sequences within the method disclosed herein, In the preferred embodiment, however, at the end of the first series of processing steps illustrated schematically in FIG. 3, the vehicle wheel will have the form shown in-FIG. 4 comprising a single elongated section ofsheet steel generally designated 56. A plurality of spaced rim retaining flanges 28, five in the preferred embodiment, are formed in the sheet steel. A rim retaining lip 30 is formed along one edge of each flange 28. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 58, ten in the preferred embodiment, are formed in the sheet steel; several reinforcing ribs could be substituted for each of the ribs 58, or reinforcement could be achieved in the subject wheel by alternative, know reinforcement means. A respective reinforcing rib 58 is formed adjacent each side of each flange 28. Tabs 60, disposed within and at the ends of the flanges 28 are formed integrally with the flanges 28 during the series of forming operations performed on the sheet steel 56. Preferably the tabs 60 are integral with the respective flanges 28 at all edges where they abut. It is understood and appreciated, however, that the tab 60 could be formed otherwise during the manufacture of the wheel 10.
The elongated section of sheet steel formed as illustratedin FIG. 4 is coiled into a single closed loop as illustrated in FIG. 5. The two ends of this loop are butted and joined together in the. preferred embodiment, preferably by welding at weld bead 61. As alluded to above, it is understood and appreciated that various of the forming operations described herein as complete prior to coiling could be performed after coiling and still be within the method of the present invention. Forming dies 63 and 65 are brought into engagement with the coiled wheel as illustrated in FIG. 6 in phantom line. These forming dies deform the coil of FIG. at predetermined circumferentially spaced points to produce the radial vanes 26 and the hub attachment flanges 32. The hub, preferably prepared as illustrated in FIG. 7,
is attached to the. wheel at the hub attachment flanges 32. Preferably the hub is welded to the hub attachment flanges by weld beads 62, and riveted by rivets 63 as best shown in FIG. 2. Alternative welds could be used, as well as other rivets, bolts, ets., in the attachment of the hub 34 to the flanges 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the hub is provided with threads 64, and a plurality of formed bearing positioning shoulders 66.
The tabs dependent from the rim retaining flanges 28 at the ends of the flanges opposite the lips 30 are provided with threaded attachment means 67 in the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, backing plates (alternatively, nuts or other elements could be used) are secured, preferably by welding, at beads 68, to the interior side of the tabs. The backing plates are then drilled and threaded to receive the rim retaining studs 22.
Although the foregoing description has proceeded in terms of a specific preferred embodiment, it should be understood and appreciated that various modifications and revisions could be engrafted thereon within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
I claim:
1. A method for fabricating vehicle wheels comprisforming a plurality of spaced rim retaining flanges in an elongated section of sheet steel;
coiling said elongated section of sheet steel into a single closed loop;
deforming said single closed loop at predetermined circumferentially spaced points to produce a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial vanes extending from an inner diameter to said rim retaining flanges at an outer diameter; and
attaching said deformed single closed loop to a hub fitted into said inner diameter.
2. A method as in claim 1 including forming a rim retaining lip along one edge of each of said spaced rim retaining flanges.
3. A method as in claim 2 including forming reinforcing ribs in said vanes.
4. A method as in claim 3 including providing tabs dependent from said rim retaining flanges, said tabs being disposed within and at the ends of said rim retaining flanges.
5. A method as in claim 4 including providing said tabs with fastening means.
6. A method as in claim 5 including providing said hub with bearing positioning shoulders therein.
h 7. A method as in claim 6 including threading said 8. A method as in claim 7 including welding said de- |
US-3874056-A | Stator coil press | United States Patent 1191 Peters Apr. 1, 1975 STATOR COIL PRESS [76] Inventor: Robert W. Peters, 9036 N. 75th St.,
Milwaukee, Wis. 53233 22 Filed: Sept. 27, 1973' 21 Appl. No.: 401,240
[52] US. Cl 29/205 D [51] Int. Cl. 1102k 15/06, H02k 15/085 [58] Field of Search 29/205 D, 205 R, 203 R, 29/203 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,559,268 2/1971 Droll 29/205 D 3,587,161 6/1971 Eminger 29/205 D Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ronald E. Barry [57] ABSTRACT A stator coil press having a pair of dies mounted in a coaxial relation, one of said dies being movable toward the other die to support the stator and to form the coils on each side of the stator core, each coil forming die including a base, a support plate mounted for axial movement on said base, a plurality of external fingers pivotally mounted on said plate for movement to a position to engage the external surfaces of the coils and a plurality of internal fingers pivotally mounted on said plate for movement to a position to engage the internal surfaces of said coils, each alternate internal finger having a flat surface at the outer end which is positioned to overlap the adjacent fingers when the fingers are collapsed to the inoperative position and to form a substantially complete circle around the internal surface of the coils when pivoted to an operative position, a pair of cams mounted on said base in a position to pivot the external fingers into engagement with the outer surface of the coils and the internal fingers into engagement with the internal surface of said coils, a coil compression ring secured to said base in a position to press the coils in the space between the internal fingers and external fingers, and an adjustment ring to adjust the amount of travel between the support plate and base.
11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 SHEET 1 BF 5 PATENTEU APR 1 5 SHEET 2 BF 5 FIG. 2
PATENTEDAPR H975 3 74 05 SHEET UF 5 STATOR COIL PRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The coils on the stator, after winding, extend loosely outwardly from each side of the stator. No provision is made during the winding operation to position or confine the coils to a specific location or shape on the stator. The coils must, therefore, be shaped or formed after winding so that they do not obstruct the bore of the stator or extend outward beyond a limited dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The stator coil press of the present invention provides for the automatic forming of the coils on the sator by applying pressure to the coils while the coils are confined within a space defined by a number of fingers or segments. A unique internal finger arrangement has been devised for applying a complete circle of pressure to the inside surface of the coil while providing sufficient clearance for mounting and removing the stator on the dies. In this regard, each alternate internal finger has a flat plate at the outer end which when aligned with the adjacent internal fingers form a substantially complete circle adjacent to the stator on the inside of the coil. When collapsed to the inoperative position, each alternate finger is nested in an overlapping relationship with the plates on the adjacent fingers to provide sufficient clearance for loading and unloading the stators into the press. The stroke of the compression plate can also be adjusted so that the coils on each side of the stator are compressed into a preset space.
DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stator core coil press of the present invention shown with the dies in the open or inoperative position;
FIG. 2 is a cross section in elevation of one of the dies showing the coil forming fingers in the open or inoperative position;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the die shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view in section showing the coil forming fingers in the closed or operative position and the stator coils squeezed between the fingers;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the die shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a section view showing the mounting of the segments on the pivot ring; and
FIG. 7 is a comparative view of the cam surfaces of the inner segments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the coil press or former 10 generally includes a frame or base 12 having a lower or first die 14 shown mounted on the base and an upper or second die 16 supported for reciprocal movement on a cross head secured to a pair of piston rods 17. The piston rods 17 are secured to piston and cylinder assemblies located in the base 12. The dies 14 and 16 are identical and are axially aligned on the frame 12. A stator 18 which has been previously wound with coils 20 is shown positioned on the lower die 14. The stator 18 is locked in the press 10 by moving the upper die 16 toward the lower die 14. The coils 20 are pressed or formed to the required shape by moving a number of inner segments or fingers 22 and outer segments or fingers 24 provided on the dies 14 and 16 into engagement with the inner and outer surfaces of the coils 20. A compression ring 26 provided on each of the dies 14 and 16 is used to press the coils 20 into a compact bundle between the inner fingers 22 and the outer fingers 24.
The Dies 14 and 16 Each of the dies 14 and 16 is identical and although referred to as upper and lower dies in the application, identical numbers will be used for the identical parts.
Referring to FIG. 2, the lower die 14 is shown which includes a base 28 having a number of blind bores 30, a number of open bores 32 having reduced diameter ports 34 at one end and an open central bore 36 which terminates in a reduced diameter bore 38. The base 28 is secured directly to the frame 12. The base 28 for the upper die 16 is secured to the cross head 15.
Means are provided on the base 28 for actuating the outer fingers or segments 24. Such means is in the form of an annular cam ring 40 which is secured to the base 28 by bolts 29 and includes a radially inwardly extending camming flange 42 at the upper inner edge of the ring 40..A threaded section 44 is provided at the lower inner surface of the cam 40 and a number of slots 46 are provided in the cam 40.
Means are also provided on the center of the base 28 for actuating the inner coil forming segments or fingers 22. Such means is in the form of an annular cylindrical member 48 having a radially outwardly extending camming flange 50 at its upper outer surface. A threaded bore 54 is provided in the bottom of the member 48. The member 48 is secured to the base 28 by means of a bolt 56 which is positioned in the central bore 36 in the base 28 and extends through the reduced diameter bore 38 for threaded engagement with the threaded bore 54.
The coils 20 are compressed or compacted between the inner and outer segments 22 and 24 by means of the compression ring 26 which is supported on the base 28 by means of a number of push rods 58. The push rods 58 are secured to the compression ring 26 by screws 25 and to the base 28 by means of bolts 60. The bolts 60 are positioned in open bores 32 in the base 12 and extend. through the reduced diameter port 34 for threaded engagement in threaded bore 62 provided in the ends of the push rods 58.
The stator 18 is supported on the base 28 by means of stator rests or supports 64 which are secured to a mounting plate 66. The mounting plate 66 includes a central aperture 68 and a number of apertures 70 for push rods 58. A number of recesses 72 corresponding to the number of blind bores 30 provided in the base 28 are provided in the bottom surface of the plate 66. The support plate 66 is biased to an inoperative position by means of springs 120 provided in bores 30 and seated in the recesses 72 in plate 66.
The plate 66 is assembled on base 28 by placing the plate on the springs 120 and inserting push rods 58 through the openings 70. The inner cam member 48, as seen in FIG. 2, is then inserted through the opening 68 in the plate 66 and secured to the base by turning bolt 56 into threaded opening 54.
The inner and outer segments or fingers 22 and 24 are supported on the mounting plate 66 by means of a pivot ring 74 provided on plate 66. In this regard, the pivot ring 74 includes an inner arcuate pivot bead or flange 76 and an outer arcuate pivot bead or flange 78. A number of openings 80 are provided in the ring 74 corresponding to the number of push rods 58 provided on the base 28. A plurality of slots 82 are provided in the ring 74 corresponding to the number of pairs of fingers 22 and 24 which are to be provided in the die.
The inner and outer segments or fingers 22 and 24 are mounted for pivotal movement about the inner ar cuate bead 76 and the outer arcuate bead 78, respectively. In this regard, each of the outer coil forming segments 24 includes a body portion 84 having an arcuate notch 86 at the lower end which corresponds to the curvature of the arcuate head 78 and a notch 88 having a flat cam surface 92 on the opposite side of the portion 84. A slot 90 is provided at the lower end of the segment 24. The segment 24 is cammed to the open or inoperative position by means of the flange 42 which engages the flat surface 92 of the recess 88 on outward movement of the plate 66. The outer segment is pivoted to the operative position by the engagement of flange 42 with the outer edge 94 of the portion 84 on inward movement of the plate 66.
The outer segment 24 is retained in a fixed position on the ring 74 by means of a plate 96 which is positioned within the slot 90 in the outer segment and retained therein by means of a pin 98. The plate 96 extends into the slot 82 in the pivot ring 74 to maintain the outer segment in a fixed position with respect to the ring 74. The number of outer segments 24 should equal the number of slots in the stator.
Means are provided at the ends of the outer segments to support the stator cells 75 during the forming operation. Such means is in the form of a guide or point 77 provided at the end of the segment 24. The guide or point 77 will be positioned between the cells 75 to form a backing for the cell when the coil is formed.
The inner segments 22a and 22b are pivotally mounted on the inner arcuate bead 76. In this regard, each of the inner segments 22 includes a body portion 99 having an arcuate notch 100 at the lower end and a notch 102 having a flat cam surface 104 on the opposite edge of the segment 22. The inner segments 22 are pivoted inwardly to the inoperative position by means of the flange 50 which engages the flat cam surface 104 in the notch 102. The inner segments are pivoted outwardly to the operative position by means of the engagement of the flange 50 with the inner edge 103 of the portion 99. The inner segments are retained in a fixed position with respect to the ring 74 also by means of a plate 96 which is secured within a slot 108 in the inner segment by means of a pin 110.
Means are provided on the inner segments 22a for engaging and pressing the coils outwardly at the point where the coils emerge from the stator slots. It should be noted that the coils extend axially when they emerge from the slots and that a full contact circle is necessary in order to assure that all of the coil wires are pushed outwardly. Such means is in the form of a flat plate or paddle 113 provided at the upper inner end of segments 22a. When the segments 22a and 22b are moved to the operative position as shown in FIG. 5, the plates 113 and the upper ends of segments 22b will form a continuous round surface around the inside surface of the coil and immediately adjacent to the stator core.
In order to collapse the segments 22a and 22b sufficiently to provide clearance for placing the stator core on the die and removing the stator core from the die, the segments must be collapsed in a staggered or nested relation.
Referring to FIG. 3, the arrangement of the inner segments is shown when in the inoperative position. It will be noted that each alternate segment 22a is staggered from the adjacent segment 22b in order to provide clearance for the stator coil 20. Means are provided for staggering the segments 22a and 22b one from the other on movement to the inoperative position. Such means is in the form of a variation in the distance of the flat surface 104a from the pivot axis of the inner segment 22a and the distance of the flat surface l04b from the pivot axis of the inner segment 22b. In this regard and referring to FIG. 6, a side-by-side comparison is shown between the inner segments 22a and 22b. A line a is drawn through the pivot axis of both segments. The distance x of surface l04b from line a is greater than the distance y of surface 104a from line a.
On movement of the plate 66 to the inoperative position, FIG. 2, the surface 104b on segment 22b will engage the cam 50 before the surface 104a on segment 22a. The segments 22b will pivot a distance slightly more than segments 22a to obtain the staggered or nested relation shown in FIG. 2.
The stroke of the compression ring 26 can be adjusted by means of an adjusting ring 110. The adjusting ring 110 includes a threaded surface 112 on its outer surface which is threaded into the threaded section 44 of the cam ring 40. The plate 66 will bottom on the adjusting ring 44 so that the compression space for the coil is the same on both sides of the stator 18.
Operation In operation, a stator 18 is placed on the supports 64 on the die 14. The hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly in the frame 12 is actuated to pull the cross head 15 toward the die 14. If properly aligned, the supports 64 on die 16 will engage and lock the stator between the two dies 14 and 16.
As the dies 14 and 16 move towards each other, the stator 18 will force the stator rest 64 and mounting plate 66 towards the base 28 in both dies. The movement of the mounting plate 66 towards the base 28 will cause the cams 42 and 50 to engage the edges 94 and 103 of the segments 24 and 22, respectively, moving the segments into engagement with the outer and inner surfaces of the coils 20 on the stator 18 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The inner segments 22a and 22b will form a substantially complete ring around the inner surface of the coils adjacent to the edge of the stator 18. Continued movement of the dies toward each other will move the plate 66 and segments 22 and 24 far enough into the space between the inner and outer cams 40 and 48 for the compression plate 26 to compact the coil tightly in the space between the inner and outer segments. The dies 16 will continue to move until the plates 66 in both dies bottom on the adjusting ring 112.
The motion of the die 16 is reversed to release the stators from the press. The plate 66 will follow the die due to the bias of the springs until the flanges 42 and 50 engage the flat surfaces 92 and 104 on the outer and inner segments pivoting the segments to their inoperative position.
I claim:
1. A stator coil former comprising: a frame, a pair of dies mounted on said frame in an opposing relation, means for moving said dies toward each other to an operative position and away from each other to an inoperative position, each die including a base, means mounted on each of said bases for supporting a stator between said dies, said supporting means being movable relative to said base on movement of said dies between operative and inoperative positions, means for biasing said supporting means to inoperative positions, a number of outer coil forming segments mounted on said supporting means for movement between operative and inoperative positions, a number of inner coil forming segments mounted on said supporting means for movement between operative and inoperative positions, said inner coil forming segments including means for staggering said inner segments when moved to the inoperative position, cam means mounted on said base for moving said segments to an operative position on movement of said supporting means relative to said base and to an inoperative position on movement of said supporting means to the inoperative position, and means secured to said base for compressing the stator coils confined in the space between said inner and outer segments on movement of said dies toward the operative position.
2. The former according to claim 1 wherein each alternate inner segment includes a plate shaped to form a substantially round compressing surface by the outer ends of the inner segments when moved to the operative position.
3. The former according to claim 1 wherein each of said inner segments includes a flat cam surface for pivoting the inner segments to the inoperative position, the cam surface on each alternate inner segment being located a distance from its pivot axis greater than the adjacent segment.
4. The former according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a cam ring mounted on said base in a position to engage said outer segments and a cylindrical cam member positioned to engage said inner segments.
5. The former according to claim 1 including means operatively connected to said cam means for adjusting the amount of relative movement of said supporting means with respect to said base to control the stroke of the compressing means.
6. The former according to claim 5 wherein said cam means includes a cam ring having a threaded section on its inner surface and said adjusting means comprises an adjusting ring having a threaded section on its outer surface, the adjusting ring being threadedly received in the threaded section of said cam ring.
7. A stator coil former for compacting the coils in the cells of a wound stator comprising, a frame, a pair of dies mounted on said frame in an opposing relation, means for moving one of said dies toward the other die to form the coils on the stator, each die including a base, an inner cam member mounted on said base and having a radially outwardly extending cam surface, an outer cam member mounted on said base and having an inwardly radially extending cam surface, a number of push rods mounted on said base between said cam members, a coil compression plate supported on the ends of said rods between said cam members, a mounting plate mounted for reciprocal movement on said push rods, a number of stator supports mounted on said mounting plates for supporting the stator between said dies, a pivot ring mounted on said mounting plate, a number of inner coil forming segments having camming surfaces positioned to engage the cam surface of said inner cam member and being pivotally mounted on said pivot ring, the camming surfaces on alternate inner coil segments are located to provide pivotal movement toward an inoperative position subsequent to the movement of the adjacent inner coil forming segments toward the inoperative position, a number of outer coil forming segments having camming surfaces positioned to engage the cam surface on said outer cam ring mounted on said pivot ring and means for biasing said mounting plate inwardly toward said compression plate whereby said outer segments are cammed outwardly to an open position and said inner segments are cammed inwardly to a nested position.
8. The former according to claim 7 including means for adjusting the amount of travel of said mounting plate relative to said inner and outer cam members.
9. The former according to claim 8 wherein said outer cam member includes an internal threaded section and said adjusting means includes an adjusting ring having an outer threaded surface for threadedly engaging said inner threaded section.
10. The former according to claim 7 wherein each pair of corresponding inner and outer segments includes means for retaining said segments in a common plane.
11. The former according to claim 1 wherein each outer segment includes means for supporting the stator cells during forming. |
US-3874057-A | Slider holder with a self-actuated release mechanism | United States Patent [1 1 Kawakami et al.
[ Apr. 1, 1975 SLIDER HOLDER WITH A SELF-ACTUATED RELEASE MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Koichi Kawakami, Kurobe; Tatsuo Osaki, Uozu, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,
Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 461,630
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 19, 1973 Japan 48-44495 52 us. Cl 29/2075 SL 511 Int. Cl. B23p 19/04 [58] Field of Search 29/207.5 SL, 207.5 R,
29/2075 ST, 200 J, 200 P, 408, 409
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,789,487 2/1974 Kawakami 29/2075 SL Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bucknam and Archer l ABSTRACT In a slider holder of the type including an upright support structure having a slider rest on its top and movable up and down through a hollow guide structure, there is provided a device for automatically releasing a slider from the slider rest as a fastener chain has been assembled therethrough. The device comprises a pair of release arms pivotally supported on the guide struc ture in opposed relationship to each other and yieldably urged into abutment against the opposite surfaces, respectively, of the support structure when the same is held in its most elevated position, Upon descent of the support structure into the guide structure, the free ends of the release arms slide along the respective opposite surfaces of the support structure to engage the slider mounted in upside-down disposition on the slider rest and hence to release the slider from the slider rest as the support structure continues descending to its most depressed position within the guide structure.
4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 9 5 SH'LU 1 0f 2 FIG.3
m m w W SLIDER HOLDER WITH A SELF-ACTUATED RELEASE MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for holding a slider during assemblage therethrough of a fastener chain or a pair of fastener stringers. More specifically, the invention concerns some improvements in such slider holder whereby the slider is automatically released therefrom each time the fastener chain has been threaded through the guide channels of the slider.
Various types of slider holders have been proposed with a view of efficiency in the assemblage of slide fasteners. However, such prior art slider holders have usually been such that the operator is required to manually operate some actuating mechanism to release the slider after the fastener chain has been manipulated therethrough. It will be apparent that true efficiency in fastener assemblage cannot be realized unless the stoppages required regularly for the release of the assembled sliders are eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is. therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved slider holder wherein the slider can be automatically released following assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough, so that slide fasteners can be assembled continuously in a truly efficient manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and absolutely self-actuated release mechanism whereby the slider can be released unfailingly from the slider holder without any possibility of causing trouble in its functioning.
All these and various other ancillary objects are accomplished, according to this invention, in a slider holder of the type including an upright support structure having a slider rest on its top and slidably mounted in a hollow guide structure for up-and-down motion therethrough. A slider is placed upside down on the slider rest in a depressed position of the support structure within the guide structure, and a fastener chain is assembled through the slider in the most elevated position of the support structure. In order to release the slider as the same has been assembled with the fastener chain, a pair of opposed release arms are pivotally supported on the guide structure and are spring-energized toward each other. Upon descent of the support structure from its most elevated position, the free ends of the release arms slide along the respective opposite surfaces of the support structure to engage the assembled slider and hence to release the same from the slider rest as the support structure continues descending to its depressed position for receiving the next slider. The vertical reciprocation of the support structure within the guide structure is thus utilized for automatic release of the successive assembled sliders from the slider rest, so that no actuating mechanism is required for the operation of the release arms.
The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and mode of operation, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will become more fully apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts of the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slider holder constructed in accordance with the novel concepts of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a partly broken away side elevational view of the slider holder of FIG. I, in which the support structure is shown in its fully elevated position;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the slider holder in which the support structure is shown in its depressed position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to FIG. 1, the slider holder illustrated therein by way of a'preferred embodiment of this invention is broadly comprised of an upright support structure 10, a hollow guide structure 11. and a feed mechanism 12. The support structure 10 is slidably mounted within the guide structure 11 for up-anddown motion therethrough and includes an upper portion 13 of substantially pyramidal shape which projects upwardly of the guide structure when the support structure is in its most elevated position. Formed on the top of this support structure I0 is a slider rest adapted to fixedly support a slider 14 of the usual construction placed upside down thereon, as hereinafter set forth in more detail.
As will be seen also from FIGS. 2 to 4, the slider rest includes a first channel 15 adapted to receive a lug 16 arranged longitudinally on the channeled body of the slider 14 and a second channel 17 adapted to receive a pull tab 18 pivotally and slidably attached to the lug 16. The first and second channels 15 and 17 are thus disposed at right angles with each other on the top of the support structure 10. The slider rest differs in form with the type of slider 14 used. Where the tab 18 projects directly from the slider body in the absence of lug 16, the first channel 15 may be dispensed with.
The hollow guide structure 11 may be mostly buried within a working table 19, and a pair of opposed slots 20 are formed vertically in the upper end portion of the guide structure projecting upwardly of the working table. As will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular, the slots 20 are vertically aligned with the open lateral ends, respectively, of the aforesaid second channel 17 formed in the support structure 10.
Accommodated in the respective slots 20 with appropriate clearance is a cooperative pair of release arms 21 each pivotally supported at its bottom end by a shaft 22 extending across each slot. These release arms 21 are biased toward each other as by means of torsion springs 23 fitted over the respective shafts 22. The top ends of the release arms 21 are cut at such an-angle that they will offer horizontal surfaces in coplanar relationship when the release arms are turned to their operative positions shown in FIG. 4, in order to properly support the channeled body of the slider 14 thereon. The opposed inside surfaces of the release arms 21 should be grooved or otherwise recessed longitudinally as indicated at 24 in FIGS. 1 and 3 in order that the lateral edges of the slider pull tab 18 may be received in such grooves.
Preferably, guide grooves 25 should be formed on the opposite surfaces of the upper portion 13 of the support structure to direct the respective release arms 21 therealong and further to permit their grooved upper end portions to positively engage the slider 14 upon descent of the support structure into the guide structure 11. The feed mechanism 12 may be of any known or suitable configuration as long as the same is capable of delivering successive sliders in upside-down disposition onto the slider rest.
In the operation of this slider holder, each slider 14 which has been conveyed by the feed mechanism 12 is deposited upside down on the slider rest on the top of the support structure 10 when the same is in its depressed position within the guide structure 11. The slider thus placed on the slider rest, of course, has its lug l6 neatly received in the first channel 15 and its pull tab 18 in the second channel 17. The support structure 10 is then caused to rise, by any suitable means known to the specialists, through the guide structure 11 to its fully elevated position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, thereby causing the grooved upper ends of the release arms 21 to turn away from each other to their inoperative or standby positions against the forces of the respective torsion springs 23.
The operator is now ready to manipulate a fastener chain or a pair of fastener stringers 26 through the guide channels in the slider 14 in the usual manner. Upon completion of this operation, the support structure 10 with the assembled slider 14 still mounted on its top is caused to descend in sliding contact with the release arms 21. During the downward stroke of the support structure 10, the free ends of the release arms 21 are caused by their respective springs 23 to turn toward each other as they slide along the guide grooves 25, until at last the top ends of the release arms come into contact with the bottom surface ofthe slider body. The lateral edges of its pull tab 18 are then received in the respective grooves 24 on the opposed inside surfaces of the release arms 21. With the continued descent of the support structure 10 into the guide structure 11, the slider 14 is released therefrom and is securely supported on the release arms 21 together with the fastener stringers which have been threaded through its guide channels, as will be seen from FIG. 4.
The released slider 14 together with the assembled stringers may be manually removed from over the guide structure 11. However, as is an additional advantage of this invention, the slider can be left supported on the release arms 21 because it can be automatically cast off by the support structure 10 as the same succeedingly rises to carry the next slider 14a, P16. 4, to its fully elevated position. The same procedure may thereafter be repeated to allow for a faster operation in assembling the fastener stringers through the successive sliders.
Althoughnot shown in the drawings, it is preferable that this slider holder be provided with means for securely locking the slider in position on the slider rest at least while the support structure 10 is held in its most elevated position. Any displacement or detachment of the slider from the slider rest can thus be prevented during assemblage of the fastener stringers therethrough. However, the slider must of course be unlocked as the support structure starts descending, in order to be properly released from the slider rest by the release arms 21 as hereinbefore described.
While the slider holder according to the invention has been shown and described hereinbefore in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be easy for those skilled in the art to devise many modifications of such specifically recited embodiment without omitting features which fairly belong to the invention in its generic or specific aspects. Such modifications, therefore, should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.
What is claimed is:
1. ln a device for holding a slider during assemblage of a fastener chain therethrough, wherein the slider includes a channeled body and a pull tab pivotally attached thereto, the combination of:
a hollow guide structure;
an upright support structure slidably mounted in said guide structure for up-and-down motion therethrough, in such a manner that said support structure partly projects upwardly of said guide structure when in its most elevated position;
a slider rest formed on the top of said support structure to hold the slider in upside-down disposition thereon, said slider rest including at least one channel extending downwardly therefrom to receive the pull tab of the slider, so that the fastener chain can be manipulated through the channeled body of the slider in said most elevated position of said support structure;
a pair of release arms pivotally supported on said guide structure in opposed relationship to each other;
resilient means for biasing the free ends of said release arms toward each other so that said free ends of said release arms will yieldably abut against the opposite surfaces of said support structure when the same is in said most elevated position; and
whereby upon descent of said support structure into said guide structure, said free ends of said release arms slide along said support structure to engage the slider on said slider rest, the engaged slider being succeedingly released from said slider rest with the continued descent of said support structure to its most depressed position within said guide structure.
2. The combination as recited in claim 1, including guide grooves formed on said support structure to assure positive engagement of the slider on said slider rest by said free ends of said release arms.
3. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the opposed inside surfaces of the respective release arms are recessed longitudinally to receive the lateral edges of the pull tab of the slider.
4. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said release arms are accommodated in a pair of opposed slots, respectively, which are formed vertically in the upper end portion of said guide structure. |
US-3874058-A | Closure forming apparatus | Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Jesevich et al.
29/453 X 29/453 UX 2,325,929 8/1943 Amesbury et al.....
1 1 CLOSURE FORMING APPARATUS 2,662.646 McCain 2,799,971 7/1957 Brudney..... 3 10/1962 Inventors: John Jesevich, Cicero; Vyto Simkus,
Eckman Chicago, both of 111.
g .m r u t c a M n MN k m e m y mm N m km rI e m0 AC e n g m s A H 7 9/1971 Jeffree ct al.
XXX 32 $55 3 ll/ [9% W 2 a e flbm nme Tab 0h0 HCR 499 666 999 NH 626 26 429 69 327 333 [22] Filed: Oct. 25, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 409,388
Primary Examiner-Charlie T. Moon Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 131,258, April 5. 1971. Pat. No.
[57] ABSTRACT Closure forming apparatus for simultaneously securing a closure flange and a tag ring element to a container wall in a single punch press operation. A lower die assembly is designed to support an internally threaded closure flange and an upper die assembly releasably retains a tag ring element. Closing of the die upon a container wall section permanently secures both the 4 Q D S 41 319001 1 102 2., 3 B a l 5 4 00 3 8 s 2 m3E W 2 W2 1 5/ D an m "M n NW0d 9 "2 2 m m P n u 0 M m0 32 u i S2 IL C '05 dW S flZ U .mF 3 o m 5 55 closure flange and tag ring element about a container wall opening.
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.777.772 10/1931) 29/24352 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Pmmmm usrs 3.814.058
SHEET 1 of 2 f 5 w LY [j 176% CLOSURE FORMING APPARATUS This Application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 131,258 filed Apr. 5, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,401 entitled Method of Making Container Closure Construction".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the industrial container field, particularly in the fabrication of steel drums, it has long been the practice to mechanically secure a closure flange, for reception of a threaded plug, within an opening formed in a container wall. One method of inserting flanges in container walls has been carried out by a metal working die which forms an opening in the container wall and mechanically inserts the flange in a single operation. In many instances, however, it is desirable to also include an annular tag ring in the insertion which surrounds the upstanding container wall opening neck and is permanently held in place by the outwardly curled bead at the upper-most end of the flange neck. One function of such tag ring is to provide an effective means for securing a tag for identifying the container contents. In many instances tag rings also serve as means for affixing a wire and lead seal which is threaded through the closure plug for tamperproofing purposes. In addition, with the increasing trend toward the use of lighter guage metal in the fabrication of industrial shipping containers, it is advantageous to employ such tag rings for reinforcing the container wall opening neck to meet necessary strength requirements.
Heretofore, it was thought only possible to include such tag ring by hand feeding in flange insertions carried out in a two-step operation wherein the container wall is perforated and the surrounding container wall opening neck drawn upwardly therearound in a first punch press operation. In the second operation, the flange neck is inserted within the container wall opening from beneath whereby the tag ring could be placed over the container wall opening cxteriorally surrounding the opening neck. The upper end of the flange neck is then curled outwardly so as to permanently secure the flange and the tag ring to the underlying container wall opening neck. The above described two operation flange insertion arrangement, however, is relatively costly and unsuited for high speed container fabricating processes.
The invention is particularly adaptable to the application of tag ring elements in a single operation flange insertion arrangement. This is accomplished by feeding flanges and tag ring elements into a die for insertion within a container wall in a single stroke of the press. More specifically, a flange is fed into the lower half of the die together with the feeding of a tag ring element into the upper half of the die. A container wall is then positioned in the die between the flange and tag ring element. The press is cycled, causing a perforating punch in the upper die to move downwardly through the tag ring element and perforate the container wall. Continued downward movement of the upper die causes a neck to be drawn upwardly about the container wall opening with the tag ring element positioned in overlying concentric relationship about the opening neck. Final closing of the die forms the container wall down mer the flange and curls the upper end of the flange neck outwardly about the container wall opening neck and tag ring element, permanently securing the flange and the tag ring element to the container wall.
It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a new apparatus for securing closure flanges and tag ring elements to container walls in a single operation.
Other and more detailed objects of the invention will in part be obvious and be in part pointed out as the description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.
In that drawing:
FIG. 1 is a vertical section of the insertion die in open position, with the tag ring element and container wall being properly positioned ready for the securing operation;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the upper die assemy;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2 and including a section of a tag ring element and the support therefore, showing one of the spring pins approaching the eyelet in the tag ring element;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the spring pin already received in the tag ring element eyelet;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section of substantially all of the die mechanism showing the closure flange in secured position in the container wall opening and curled over at its upper end to retain the fully formed tag ring element in place;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a modified form of embossing ring for holding a tag ring element in place therein;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the embossing ring of FIG. 6.
Considering first the closure flange and invention tag ring element, such being the articles which the apparatus of the invention is concerned, FIG. 1 shows a conventional closure flange 1 comprising a cylindrical neck 2 having an upper unthreaded portion 3 and an internally threaded lower portion 4 surrounded by an octagonal base 5. An annular gasket 6 surrounds the cylindrical neck at the juncture of the threaded lower portion 4 and the flange base 5. The tag ring element 7 is formed as a flat blank having a circular inner free edge 8 bordering a central opening and terminating in outermost octagonal free edge 9. A series of eyelets 10, as shown in FIG. 7, are formed in the tag ring element 7 adjacent the free edge 9 at the corners of the octagon.
The insertion die into which the closure flange and tag ring element are fed comprises lower and upper die sub-assemblies. The lower die sub-assembly 50, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, has a lower die shoe 51 for mounting on a punch press bolster plate (not shown) and is provided with a central aperture 52. A tubular flanging punch 53 is centrally supported on the die shoe 51 with its lower end extending into the aper ture 52. A series of coil compression springs 54 interacting between the die shoe 51 and a circumferentially enlarged lower portion 55 of the flanging punch 53 resiliently urge the flanging punch upwardly. An annular support 56 surrounds the flanging punch 53 and has a radially inwardly projecting ledge 57 which limits the upward movement of the flanging punch 53. An annular lower anvil 58 surrounds an intermediate portion of the flanging punch 53 above the enlarged lower portion 55 thereof and is secured to the supporting ring ledge 57. An annular compression ring 59 having an octagonal interior surface 64 surrounds the anvil 58 extending vertically thereabove thus forming a circumferential recess 60 about the flanging punch 53 spaced below its upper end. A series of vertical pins 61 seated on coil compression springs 62 resiliently urge the compression ring 59 upwardly with respect to the die shoe 51. An inwardly projecting lip 63 at the upper end of the support 56 limits upward movement of the compression ring 59.:
The upper die sub-assembly 70 has an upper die shoe 71 mounted on the ram of a punch press (not shown). A perforafi'iig punch 72 is centrally mounted on the upper die shoe 71 in vertical concentric alignment with the flanging punch 53. An annular curling anvil 73 surrounding the perforating punch 72 is provided with an annular concave curling anvil surface 74 vertically spaced above the lower end of the perforating punch 72. An embossing ring 75 surrounds the curling anvil 73 and is resiliently urged downwardly by a series of coil compression springs 76 surrounding mounting bolts 76a and acting between the embossing ring and the die shoe 71. The embossing ring 73 terminates in a lowermost downwardly facing embossing surface 77 normally disposed in a horizontal plane intermediate the curling anvil surface 74 and the lower end of the perforating punch 72. The surface 77 terminates radially inwardly ina short vertical wall 78 having an octagonal configuration. From the wall 78 the embossing surface extends by way of a radiused juncture portion 80 into an upper embossing surface 79 extending radially inwardly.
The operation of the insertion die described above in the inserting of the flange and tap ring element is as follows: Through the use of article handling mechanisms (not shown) a closure flange 1 is seated about the flanging punch 53 within the octagonal wall 64 and onto the lower anvil 58. Similarly the tag ring element 7 is seated up within the embossing ring surface 79 in oriented nested relationship within the octagonal wall 78. Various friction fit and spring pin arrangements may be employed for holding the tag ring element within the embossing ring, the details of which will be further described hereinafter.
As shown in FIG. 1, a container wall 90, such as the head of a SS-gallon steel drum, is then positioned in the die by suitable guides (not shown) readying the press for cycling to effect the insertion stroke. As that stroke proceeds the upper die sub-assembly 70 closes on the lower die sub-assembly 50 and the perforating punch 72 as seen in FIG. 5, punches out a slug leaving an opening defined by a circular edge 91 in the container wall. The container wall, about the opening 91, seats on the end of the flanging punch 53 which remains extended at this point as the perforating force is not great enough to overcome the resistance of compression springs 54.
As the perforating punch moves downward, the slug is pushed out of the die through the center of the flanging punch. The embossing ring surface 77 pushes the container wall against the lower anvil 59 which also moves downwardly as the resistance offered by springs 62 is overcome. The drum wall metal immediately surrounding the opening 91, together with the overlying tag ring element portion adjacent the inner edge 8 thereof, are drawn upwardly around the flange body while the embossing ring surface 79 forces the peripheral portion of the tag ring element downwardly.
In FIG. 5, the embossing ring is shown at the lower limit of its travel with the upper surface of the compression ring 59in horizontal alignment with the upper surface of the anvil 58. In this position of the die the embossing surfaces 77 and 79 on embossing ring 75 form the container wall 90 with an embossment 92 closely overlying the flange base 5 and terminating in an upwardly formed neck 93 closely surrounding the flange neck 2. The tag ring element 7 is at the same time completed by being made to conform to and closely overlie the underlying container wall neck 93 and the upper surface of the embossment 92. The radiused juncture portion 80 of the embossing ring forms the tag ring element outer edge 9 somewhat downwardly over the periphery of the container wall embossment. It is also seen in FIG. 5 how the curling anvil surface 74 on the curling anvil 73 contacts the uppermost unthreaded neck portion 3 of the flange 1 and turns the neck 3 radially outwardly and downwardly over the upwardly facing container wall opening edge 91 and the tag ring element inner edge 8, into a tightly closed bead which permanently secures the flange and the tag ring element about the container wall opening with the gasket 6 blocking off any possible leakage path between the flange and the container wall.
FIGS. 2 through 4 show the details of the embossing ring 75 for retaining the tag ring element 7, in the upper die sub-assembly 70. A pair of spring loaded retaining pins 81 are mounted for reciprocating movement in the embossing ring 75 and project downwardly and slightly radially inwardly from the embossing surface 79 at a slight angle to the vertical. Each of the spring loaded pins 81 is resiliently urged toward extended position by a light coil compression spring 82 held in place in a bore behind the pin end by a set screw 83. The pins 81 are located in the embossing surface 79 at diametrically spaced positions at the corners of the octagon so as to line up with the tag ring eyelets 10.
In operation when the tag ring element 7 is pushed up within the octagonal embossing ring wall 78, the free ends of the pins 81 first strike the inner edge of the eyelets and partially retract. Continued upward movement of the tag ring element retracts the pins to a position where their free ends slip through the eyelets and hold the tag ring element in place against the embossing ring juncture portion 80 as seen in FIG. 4. Disengagement of the pins 81 from the eyelets 10 takes place by the action of the die closing and forcing the pins 81 back up to a fully retracted position within the embossing ring.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modified embossing ring 175 which provides for retention of an octagonal tag ring element 7 by friction fit engagement in place of the spring pins above described. To accomplish this, the embossing ring 175, like the embossing ring 75 of the principal embodiment, has a lower embossing surface 177 surrounding an octagonally shaped vertical inner wall 178 which is in turn joined to an upper embossing surface 179 by a radiused juncture portion 180. Two diametrically opposed flats of the octagonal wall 178 have downwardly and radially inwardly tapered portions 181 so dimensioned that the distance between the lower ends of the tapered portions 181 is slightly less than the dimension across the flats of the tag ring element. Accordingly, as the tag ring element 7 is pushed up into the embossing ring 175, that element is slightly flexed across the two flats engaging the tapered embossing ring portions 181. This allows the tag ring element to snap within the embossing ring wall 178. The holding effect here is adequate to retain the tag ring element 7 within the embossing ring during the insertion stroke. Once the tag ring element is formed into a neck and base and is permanently held in place by the flange curl 8, as in the FIG. 5 showing, its outer free edge 9 readily snaps past the restricted tapered sections 181 as the die opens.
Having described our invention what we claim as new and seek to protect by Letter Patent is:
1. Apparatus for simultaneously securing a closure flange and a tag ring element to a container wall in a single punch press operation comprising a lower die sub-assembly, means in said lower die sub-assembly for supporting a closure flange having an upstanding cylindrical neck with an unthreaded upper portion and an internally threaded lower portion surrounded by a polygonal base. an upper die sub-assembly operatively positioned above said lower die sub-assembly, means in said upper die sub-assembly for releasably retaining an annular tag ring element, and means for positioning a container wall between said upper and lower die subassemblies whereby downward closing of said upper die sub-assembly permanently secures said closure flange and said tag ring element about an opening formed in said container wall.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, and said releasably retaining means including diametrically opposed tag ring element gripping surfaces.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1 and said releasably retaining means including spring loaded pins engaging portions of said tag ring elements. |
US-3874059-A | Rotary engine apex seal and spring injector | United States Patent Kosmanski Apr. 1, 1975 [54] ROTARY ENGINE APEX SEAL AND SPRING 3,367,016 2/1968 Sainz 29/270 INJECTOR FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1 1 nto Thomas J. manski. Troy. Mich. 702.062 3/1931 France 29/269 [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation, I
Den-0i. Mich. Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Assistant E.raminer-Haro1d P. Smith, Jr. 1221 Flled: 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles R. Engle 1211 Appl. No.: 461,754
[57] ABSTRACT 52 u.s. c1. 29/235, 29/270 A rotary engine rotor apex Seal injector apparatus 1511 Int. Cl B25b 27/14 eluding two y members filling together to define a 5 Fidd Search ll l U 29 35 2 27 27 seal receiving chamber permitting handling of a multi- 29 233; 2 3 2 7 component apex seal assembly. The body members include guide means which conform to a corner seal 5 References Cited recess aligning the seal with a rotor groove whereby a UNTED STATES PATENTS push rod can be inserted into the body members injecting the seal assembly into the rotor groove. 550.560 11/1895 Myers 29/235 2.252.816 8/1941 Santrcy 29/270 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ROTARY ENGINE APEX SEAL AND SPRING INJECTOR This invention relates to a rotary engine rotor apex seal injector apparatus and more specifically to such an apparatus permitting assembly of a multi-component apex seal into a rotor groove in a single assembly opera tion.
Assembly of multi-component rotary engine rotor apex seals has presented a problem in the past because of the difficulty encountered in attempting to handle and retain the several components assembled for inser tion into a rotor apex seal groove. Various forms of rotary engine rotor seals include not only the main seal in conjunction with a biasing spring. but frequently include angled end portions making it difficult to retain the components in a desired position while they are placed in a rotor apex groove. The present invention avoids these difficulties by providing an injector apparatus permitting the several components of the apex seal to be initially placed in one body member which is closed by a second body member and the injector apparatus is then retained assembled by an external telescopically positioned sleeve member. Guide means are provided on the body members so that the injector unit is specifically positioned relative to the rotor groove and then it is only necessary to insert a push rod in the opposite end of the injector apparatus for sliding the assembled seal into the rotor groove while the rotor remains assembled in the engine housing. This assembly operation can be performed either during build-up of the rotary engine or it can be accomplished through an access hole in either the front or rear engine end housings without complete disassembly of the engine.
Accordingly. a prime object of my invention is the provision of an injector apparatus permitting assembly of a multfcomponent apex seal within a rotary engine rotor apex seal groove with a minimum of difficulty.
Another object of my invention is the provision of an apex seal injector apparatus permitting assembly of the seal into a rotor apex groove by merely sliding the as sembled seal out of the injector into the rotor groove.
A further object of my invention is the provision of a rotary engine rotor apex seal injector apparatus including a first body member containing a slot receiving the lower portions of components of the apex seal assembly. a second body member containing a slot receiving the upper portions of said seal and being piloted onto the first body member by the assembled seal. a sleeve member being telescopically positioned over the engaged body members retaining the injector assembled so that the slots cooperate defining a chamber with the seal therein. guide means provided on one end of the injector assembly for precisely positioning the injector apparatus in alignment with the rotor seal groove and the injector assembly permitting injecting of the seal assembly into the rotor groove by inserting a push rod into the chamber and sliding the seal into the rotor groove.
The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself. both as to its or ganization and method of operation, may be best undcrstood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. I is a partially exploded perspective view, partly in section. illustrating a multi-component apex seal assembly positioned in one body member of the injector apparatus of my invention.
FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a seal assembly positioned within the injector apparatus of my invention in alignment with a push rod which is utilized to extend the seal assembly into a rotor groove.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the injector apparatus of my invention being positioned with its guide means in a corner seal recess with the seal assembly being moved into a rotor apex groove.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
With reference now to FIG. I, a seal injector apparatus I constructed in accordance with my invention includes a first body member I2 containing an axially extending slot 14 having a dimension for snugly receiving an apex seal assembly 16 including a main seal member 17 and a biasing spring 18. The injector apparatus I0 further includes a second body member 20 likewise containing an axially extending slot 22 which receives the upper portions of seal member 17.
In an assembled relationship. as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first body member 12 receives and supports the lower portions 24 of seal assembly I6 and the second upper body member 20 is positioned thereupon and piloted into precise alignment with the first lower body member 12 by the upper portions of seal member I7. A pair of sleeve members 26 are slipped over the ends 28 and 30 of the assembled body members 12 and 20 thereby retaining them in assembled relationship. Of course. the sleeve members 26 are of a dimension for snugly fitting upon the body members 12 and 20 retaining them in precise alignment with the seal assembly 16 slidably positioned in an axially extending chamber 32 formed by the cooperating slots 14 and 22. A push rod 34 is configured to conform to the shape of chamber 32 for slidably moving the assembled apex seal 16 out of injector assembly 10 as will be later described in detail.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an integral guide member 36 in the form of a cylindrical extension is provided on one end of the first body member I2 and likewise contains a slot 38 having the same dimension as slot 14 in the body member. The guide member 36 has an external configuration conforming to a corner seal recess 40 provided in a rotor side face 42 adjacent a rotor seal groove 44. The engine housing includes spaced end walls 46 and 48 which in combination with a central housing member 50 define a rotor cavity 52, the cavity having a trochoidal inner peripheral surface 54 which is formed on central housing member 50. The corner seal recess 40 normally contains a button type seal 56 which is biased outwardly into engagement with end wall 48 via a wire spring 58 as is illustrated at one end of the seal assembly 16.
In operation. the apex seal assembly 16, which can include a unitary or multi-component main seal member 17 in combination with one or more biasing springs 18, is manually assembled in body member 14. The second upper body member 20 is then placed upon the seal assembly 16 and is piloted into precise engagment with the first body member 12 by the upper portions of the seal assembly. The upper body member 20 is manually pressed against body member 12 compressing spring 18. The body members 12 and 20 are held together while the sleeves 26 are telescopically positioned upon the outer surface of the body members retaining them in an assembled position with the apex seal assembly 16 slidably retained within chamber 32. The cylindrical guide member 36 is then placed in a corner seal recess 40, either during engine build-up prior to installation of end wall 46, for assembly into rotor groove 44. The seal assembly can be inserted through an access aperture 60 in the end wall 46 provided for this purpose. The aperture 60. of course. would be enclosed by a closure member. not shown. While the injector assembly it) is positioned with its guide member 36 in engagement with corner seal recess 40, the push rod 34 is inserted at end 28 of the assembly and is moved therein to extend and inject the apex seal assembly 16 into rotor groove 44 guickly assembling the multi-component apex seal in place without disturbing the assembled arrangement of the specific components of the apex seal. Since the spring 18 is in a prestressed condition it continually urges seal 17 into engagement with the trochoidal surface 54 of housing member 50.
lt is apparent from the above description that my invention provides a simple and economical means of retaining 21 multi-component apex seal assembly in place so that it may be easily and positively assembled within a seal groove at each apex of a triangularly shaped rotor of a rotary engine. Further by providing access apertures 60 in one end wall 46 of the rotary engine housing. the seals can be readily changed without substantial disassembly of the rotary engine.
While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention it will, of course. be understood that various modifications and alternative constructions thereof may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of my invention and that I intend by the appended claims to cover all such modificalions and alternative constructions as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.
I claim:
1. A rotary engine rotor apex seal injector apparatus for assembling multi-component apex seals in axial grooves formed at each apex of a triangularly shaped rotor planetating within a trochoidal engine cavity, the cavity being defined by spaced parallel housing end walls and a central inner peripheral wall defining the trochoid. the rotor including opposite side walls parallel to said end walls and containing arcuate gas seals each extending along a respective peripheral surface of said triangularly shaped rotor and engaging said end walls. said rotor side walls also including corner seal re cesses at each juncture of said gas seals adjacent each end of said apex seal grooves; said apex seal injector comprising in combination: a first body member containing an axially extending slot; a second body member also containing an axially extending slot aligning with the slot in said first body member when placed thereon in an assembled mating relationship; said slots defining an axially extending chamber extending through the assembled first and second body members and having dimensions sufficient for closely receiving and slidably containing the components of said apex seal assembly; means for rigidly retaining said body members in assembled engagement, said means comprising a sleeve member telescopically fitting over said body members in a close fit relationship; and guide means extending from one end of said body members conforming to one of said corner seal recesses aligning the chamber in said body members and consequently said apex seal assembly with the seal groove in said rotor apex whereby said seal assembly is injected into said rotor groove by applying a force to one end of said seal assembly in said injector and extending the seal assembly outwardly into said rotor apex groove.
2. A rotary engine rotor apex seal injector apparatus for assembling multi-component apex seals in axial grooves formed at each apex of a triangularly shaped rotor planetating within a trochoidal engine cavity, the cavity being defined by spaced parallel housing end walls and a central inner peripheral wall defining the trochoid, the rotor including opposite side walls parallel to said end walls and containing arcuate gas seals each extending along a respective peripheral surface of said triangularly shaped rotor and engaging said end walls, said rotor side walls also including corner seal recesses at each juncture of said gas seals adjacent each end of said apex seal grooves; said apex seal injector comprising in combination: a first body member containing an upwardly facing axially extending slot; said multi-component apex seal assembly being mounted in the upwardly facing slot of said first body member; a second body member containing a downwardly facing axially extending slot being piloted onto said first body member by said seal assembly engaging the downwardly facing slot thereby aligning said second body member relative to said first body member when placed thereon; said slots defining an axially extending chamber extending through the assembled first and second body members and having dimensions for closely receiving and containing the components of said apex seal assembly while permitting sliding movement therein; means for rigidly retaining said body members in assembled engagement. said means comprising a sleeve member telescopically fitting over said body members in a close fit relationship; and guide means integral with said first body member and extending axially thereof conforming to one of said corner seal recesses aligning the chamber in said body members with said rotor apex seal groove whereby application of a force on one end of the seal assembly injects the same into said rotor groove.
3. A rotary engine rotor apex seal injector apparatus for assembling multi-component apex seal assemblies including at least one biasing spring in axial grooves formed at each apex of a triangularly shaped rotor planetating within a trochoidal engine cavity, the cavity being defined by spaced parallel housing end walls and a central inner peripheral wall defining the trochoid, the rotor including opposite side walls parallel to said end walls and containing arcuate gas seals each extending along a respective peripheral surface of said triangularly shaped rotor and engaging said end walls, said rotor side walls also including corner seal recesses at each juncture of said gas seals adjacent each end of said apex seal grooves; said apex seal injector apparatus comprising in combination: a first body member containing an upwardly facing axially extending slot; said multi-component seal assembly being mounted in said slot; 21 second body member containing a downwardly facing axially extending slot receiving the upper portions of said seal assembly and being piloted upon said first body member in alignment therewith as said seal engages the downwardly facing slot; closure movement of said body members into engagement compressing said seal spring; said slots cooperatively defining an axially extending chamber extending through the assem- Lit forming to one of said corner seal recesses aligning the chamber in said body members containing said seal assembly with said rotor apex seal groove whereby insertion of a push rod into said chamber at an end opposite to said guide means is operative to force said seal assembly out of said injector apparatus into said rotor apex groove whereby said spring continuously urges said seal into engagement with the inner peripheral wall of said housing. |
US-3874060-A | Method of fabricating a demountable rod | United States Patent 1191 Barnes 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 METHOD OF FABRICATING A DEMOUNTABLE ROD [75] Inventor: Richard D. Barnes, Costa Mesa,
21 Appl. No.: 480,381
[52] US. Cl 29/416, 29/458, 29/525,
43/18 R, 43/18 GF, 264/159, 264/267, 264/295 [51] Int. Cl. B23p 17/00 [58] Field of Search 29/416, 525, 458, 445,
29/527.1, 530; 403/361, 221, 228, 345; 264/267, 295, 159; 43/18 R, 18 GF; 285/54,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048.432 8/1962 Harter 43/18 R X 3,152,820 10/1964 Giampa ct a1. 43/18 GF X 3.368.271 2/1968 Scheffler 29/416 X 3,519,294 7/1970 Barnes 43/18 GF X 3,554,590 1/1971 Tarantino 43/18 GF 3,609,906 10/1971 Johnson 61; a1 43/18 CF 3,718,967 3/1973 Stevens 29/525 X 3,830,008 8/1974 Johnson 43/18 R Primary E.\'aminerC. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Victor A. De Palma Attorney, Agent, or Firm-.1. Bradley Cohn [57] ABSTRACT A demountable fishing rod is formed as a single tapering tube with a thickened central portion, the tube is cut in two at the large end of the thickened central portion to form a butt portion and a tip portion, the tapering butt portion is sized and coated with a mold release agent, the thickened portion is reamed out larger than the end of the butt portion, molding material is placed in the reamed out enlarged portion, and the butt portion is inserted in the reamed out enlarged portion while the molding material hardens to provide a demountable joint.
4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD OF FABRICATING A DEMOUNTABLE ROD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of fiberglass tubes for use as fishing rods, it is difficult and costly to fabricate rod sections having tapered sleeves and plugs to enter the sleeves to provide a connection for a demountable rod. The process of this invention forms a superior demountable rod at less cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A demountable fishing rod is formed by fabricating a tapered fiberglass tube with a central externally thickened portion. The large end of the tube is turned or otherwise sized to taper to the thickened portion which is preferably cut to form a rear shoulder. The tube is then cut in two adjacent to the shoulder of the thickened portion to form a butt portion with a tapered end and a tip portion terminating at the shoulder of the thickened portion. The thickened portion is reamed out to form an opening larger than the tapered end of the butt portion. The butt portion is coated with a release agent and a molding material is placed in the reamed opening. The taper of the butt portion is inserted in the reamed opening while the molding material cures or hardens to form a demountable joint. L'pon removal of the tapered end of the butt portion from the opening. a small part of the end of the butt portion may be cut off so that its taper may always be jammed tightly into the taper formed by the molding material in the opening.
The method of this invention provides an unusually strong and inexpensive demountable joint in a fiberglass rod which is aesthetically pleasing in its appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through the broken away butt and tip portions of a demountable rod formed according to the method of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a broken away center of a tapered fiberglass tube having a central thickened portion;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the tube of FIG. 2 being turned and cut in two to form a butt and a tip portion of a rod;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through a broken away end of the tip portion having an enlarged opening being reamed therein; and
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the butt portion being coated with a mold release agent.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 2. a tapered tube is formed with an externally thickened central portion 11 having a smooth taper 12 at its end disposed toward the smaller diameter of the tube 10. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the
rod 10 is turned so that a tool 14 may form a smooth taper 15 on the tube 10 and it may form a rearward facing shoulder 16 on the thickened central portion 11. The rod 10 is then cut in two by the saw 17 or the like to form a tapered butt portion 18 and a tip portion 19.
As shown in FIG. 4, a suitable tool 20 reams an opening 21 larger than the front of butt portion 18 in the thickened central portion 11. The opening 21 has a molding material 22 placed therein as shown in FIG. 1. The tapered tip 15 of the butt portion 18 is coated with a mold release agent as shown in FIG. 5 by a brush 23 or the like. The butt portion 18 is then inserted into opening 21 while the molding material 22 hardens or cures to form a rod 10 having a demountable joint 24. If desired, molding material may form a plug 25 in the tip portion 19 at the bottom of opening 21. A similar plug (not shown) may be formed at the end of butt portion 18. Further, a small part of the tip of butt portion 18 may be cut off after it is removed from the hardened molding material 22 so the tapered end 15 may be tightly jammed into the enlarged portion 11.
The method of construction of this invention provides a stronger and less costly fiberglass rod with a demountable joint. While being described as a demountable fishing rod, this invention may be used to fabricate other demountable rods. Although turning. sawing, and other specific techniques are described. their equivalents may be used.
I claim:
1. The method of fabricating a demountable rod comprising the steps of:
a. forming a tapered fiberglass tube having a thickened central portion with an outwardly thickened wall;
b. smoothing the taper of the larger end of the tube adjacent to the thickened central portion;
c. cutting the tube in two adjacent to the thickened central portion forming a tapered butt portion and a tip portion having the thickened portion at the large end thereof;
(1. reaming an opening in the end of the thickened portion larger than the small end of the butt portion;
e. placing a molding material in the opening;
f. coating the smaller end of the butt portion with a mold release agent; and
g. inserting the smaller end of the butt portion in the opening while the molding material hardens to form a demountable joint.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) additionally involves forming a rearwardly facing shoulder on the thickened central portion.
3. The method of claim 1 with the additional step of:
h. removing the butt portion from the opening and cutting a small end portion from the butt portion.
4. The method of claim 1 in which step (a) additionally involves forming the thickened central portion with a taper extending toward the smaller end of the tube. |
US-3874061-A | Wire inserting device | United States Patent Gauthier 1 Apr. 1, 1975 WIRE INSERTING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Maurice Gauthier, Angouleme,
France 221 Filed: May 30,1973
211 App]. No.: 365,326
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Canada 29/241 1,111,259 7/1961 Germany 254/1343 FT Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT Device for inserting a thread-like element in a duct, sleeve or the like, having a certain length, more particularly in a sleeve formed by coils forming the connection of the ends of straps, cloths, belts or the like, comprising a gripping element enabling the device to be placed on the part in which the said thread-like element is to be inserted and the device to be held in the axis of the said duct, sleeve or the like, a device for guiding the thread-like element and an element for blocking and pushing the thread-like element enabling a thrust effort to be exerted on the said thread-like element.
3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAFK 1 i975 SHEET 1 2 WIRE INSERTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns a device for inserting a threadlike element having a certain length in a duct, sleeve or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART A wire may withstand a thrust effort greater than its tensile strength, but the thrust effort it is able to withstand becomes slight as soon as bending occurs. That is why in general, use is made of wires by traction and not by thrust. But in certain cases, it is necessary to fit a wire or reed in a tube, in a sleeve formed with hoops or clips, for example in the case of the joining together of ends of cloths, fabrics, straps or belts, more particularly in preparing paper ware, especially for producing an endless fabric which may be used as a conveyor belt. These belts often have great dimensions and it is difficult to fit a connection reed by hand in the sleeve constituted by the assembling of the two series of clips, hoops or spirals fixed at each end of the belt. The resistance of the reed to insertion in the sleeve is due, on the one hand, to the friction of that reed on the clips and hoops to be locked, and, on the other hand, to the tension to which each end of the loop is subjected under the effect of its own weight. The effort required for the reed to be inserted in the sleeve therefore increases as this reed is inserted. When the cloth is wide, that is, when the connection is long, quickly, it becomes impossible to push the reed by hand in its sleeve.
The aim of the present invention is to produce a device enabling easy and certain movement of a reed throughout the whole connection, whatever the length of the latter may be. I
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device which is the object of the invention is characterised in that it comprises: a gripping element enabling the device to be placed on the part in which the said thread-like element is required to be inserted and the device to be kept in the axis of the said duct, sleeve or the like a device for guiding the thread-like element, and an element for blocking and pushing the threadlike; element, enabling a thrust effort to be exerted on the said thread-like element.
The device according to the invention may, moreover, comprise preferably at least one of the following characteristics:
The guiding device comprises a tube having a diameter approximately the same as that of the thread-like element to be guided.
The guiding device comprises a set of washers each separated by a spring.
The element for blocking the thread-like element is constituted by link arms nipping the thread-like element.
The element for blocking the thread-like element is constituted by pressure rollers or wheels, clamping the thread-like element.
The device for guiding the thread-like element comprises a first, fixed, tube and a second tube sliding on the first tube.
The thrust element is driven by a power supply such as a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic or electric control means.
An end fitting with a rounded head is fitted to the end of the thread-like element to be inserted.
The following description gives two embodiments, by way of examples having no limiting character, of a device according to the invention in connection with the figures of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a wirethreading device having an alternating movement;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partially broken away, of a variant of the device, in which the wire is pushed in a continuous movement and like parts to that of FIG. 1 are given like numerical designations.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device for threading the wire 1 comprises essentially three parts.
A first, fixed, part is constituted by a cylindrical body 2 at whose end there is a gripping element 3 in which is placed the edge of the cloth 4 to be connected. That cloth is clamped by screws 5. The wire 1 is inserted in a tube 6 which acts as a guide for it. This guide tube 6 is fixed on the inside of the body 2.
A second part which is mobile in relation to the fixed part 2, is constituted by a piston 7 consisting of a hollow tube sliding on the tube guide 6.
A third part which is mobile in relation to the second, mobile, part, constituted by a handle 8 sliding on the tube 7 and two link arms 9, articulated on the one hand, 1 by means of their slot 10, on an axis 11 borne by the handle 8 and on the other hand on an axis 12 borne by the tube 7. The latter comprises two slots 13 through which may pass, the link arms 9 which bear, at their ends, a knurled wire clamp plate.
OPERATION Insertion of the reed in the device:
The handle-tube 8 is pulled backwards, this making the two link arms 9 pivot and clears a passage for the reed to pass in the tube 7.
The reed l is inserted through the tube 7 and the fixed tube 6 of the cylindrical body until it extends about 10 cm from the inserting device.
Inserting the reed in the connection:
The part of the reed extending from the inserting device is inserted at one end of the connection and the device is pointed along the axis of the connection. The device thus being centred properly, it is fixed in this position by clamping the gripping element 3 on the felt.
By pushing the handle 8 as far forward as possible, the two link arms 9, which block the reed which, whereas the forward movement of the parts 7 and 8 continues, moves and hence enters the connection, are pivoted.
By pulling the handle 8 backwards, the link arms are blocked, then the piston and handle assembly is removed without moving the reed backwards.
The cycle is started all over again until the reed passes through the connection.
The originality and advantages of the device according to the invention reside in the following points:
The reed is not subjected to bending, when it is moved, for it is guided by the tubes 6 and 7.
There is no danger of sliding the link arms on the reed when the reed is inserted, due to the geometrical configuration of the link arms, the position of the axes 11 and 12 and the mobility of the handle 8 in relation to the tube 7.
There is no danger of withdrawal of the reed, during the backward movement of the mobile assembly, for in a first phase, the handle 8, moving backward, unblocks the link arms which, without moving, free the reed, since the tube 7 is not affected. v
On continuing the backward movement of the handle 8, the link arms are brought by rotation to the end of their travel in the tube 7, this then causing the backward movement of the mobile parts as a whole.
The centring and blocking of the device at the end of the connection is easily effected, enabling easy and certain implementing; the reaction of the thrust is absorbed by the gripping element 3.
FIG. 2 shows a variant in which the reed 1 is subjected to a continuous thrust rather than an alternating thrust. The device comprises essentially the same elements as in H6. 1 designated by the same references. The guide tube 6 is also fixed, but the link arms 9 and the piston tube 7 are replaced here by compression wheels 14 mounted on a frame 15 by means of springs 16 so as to adjist the position of the wheel as a function of the diameter of the wire and to provide pressure on the wire. The frame 15 is fixed on a handle 17 which is fixed, in this embodiment. The compression wheels press directly on the wire 1 and make it move forward by their rotation. For that purpose, the wheels 14 may be knurled. The drive of the wheels 14 may be effected manually by means of a handle 18 or preferably by any motor drive unit (hydraulic, pneumatic, electric...).
The operation and implementing of the device according to figure 2 is similar to that in figure l, but it enables continuous movement of the reed in its sleeve to be obtained.
The embodiments of the invention described above are given only by way of indication, it being possible to replace each element by one or several equivalent elements nevertheless enabling the same function to be fulfilled.
For example:
In the gripping element, the screws may comprise alternatively cams, clips, springs, etc. The guide tube 6 may be replaced by a set of washers each separated by a spring. The alternating blocking system for the reed may be replaced by cams, or a click type compression wheel.
Male and female truncated cones may be substituted, in that case, the female truncated cone being situated at the end of the handle 8, the male truncated cone is constituted by the ends of two grip dogs which, by appropriate guiding, have a movement perpendicular to that of the axis of the ring.
Gripping elements controlled by an outside power supply (hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, magnetic, etc...) may also be employed.
The moving of the link arms or compression wheels for the wire may be effected by means ofa pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, electric or other control arrangement, so as to provide automatic movement, at will, of the ring in the connection.
It is evident that with this device, it is possible to ensure, by thrust, the moving of any wire, of whatever type the latter may be and whatever the aim of the movement may be.
The device according to the invention enables the insertion of any thread-like element, for example a wire, a rod, a tube, drawn rigid or hollowymade ofa metallic, plastic or metallo-plastic substance.
The thread-like element may consist of a piano string which itself constitutes the connection ring or of a piano string fixed to one end of the connection ring to enable the insertion thereof by exerting thrust on the piano string.
A rounded end fitting made, for example, of a plastic substance, may be fitted onto the end of the piano string so as to make the sliding of the string in the sleeve easier.
The inserting device according to the invention is, more particularly, an advantage for inserting a locking ring between the coils of a sliding type closing means.
I claim:
1. A device for inserting a thread-like element into a duct or the like, said device comprising:
a clamping element for fixedly supporting the end of the duct within which said thread-like element is required to be inserted, said clamping element including a fixed thread guide tube positioned in axial alignment with said duct for receiving said thread-like element and feeding said thread-like element into said aligned duct, and
multiple, symmetrical thread gripping and pushing means carried by said thread guide tube and engaging said thread-like element on opposite sides thereof, for exerting a thrust force on said threadlike element to move it axially first through said guide tube and secondly into said aligned duct.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clamping element further includes a fixed cylindrical body concentrically surrounding said guide tube, being spaced therefrom and extending to the same side of said clamping element as said guide tube, and wherein said device further comprises a hollow piston tube telescopingly slidable between said body and said guide tube and said thread clamping and pushing means comprising a tubular handle slidably mounted on said piston tube and a pair of link rods each being pivotably mounted at one end to said handle and adjacent the other end to said piston tube and having their radially inner ends passing through said piston tube for frictionally gripping opposite sides respectively of said thread like element during sliding movement of said handle relative to said piston tube in a direction toward said clamping element to force said thread-like element through said guide tube and into said duct and for releasing said thread-like element during sliding movement of said handle in a direction opposite thereto.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thread gripping and pushing means comprises a pair of compression wheels mounted for rotation on opposite sides of said guide tube with their peripheries contacting respective sides of said thread-like element, and means for biasing one of said compression wheels towards the other to frictionally grip said thread-like element therebetween, whereby rotation of said wheel drives said thread-like element axially within said guide tube to thrust force said thread-like element into said aligned duct. |
US-3874062-A | Process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars | United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,874,062
Muto et al. Apr. 1, 1975 1 PROCESS FOR FABRICATING A 1,011,104 12/1911 Bates 29/155 c COLUMNAR ASSEMBLY OF SPACE) 3,296,690 l/1967 Barron.... 52/741 3,376,001 4 1968 Wieme 140 111 REINFORCING BARS 3,407,560 10/1968 Baumann 52/741 [75] Inventors: Kiyoshi Muto, Tokyo; Yasuhisa Yamamoto, Kyoto; Yoshinori Toyoda; Shozo Azemi, both of Chiba; Shigeru Okano, lchihara; Kenya Masuyama, Chiba; Seitaro Aihara, Tokyo; Takao Ito, Tokyo; Isamu Ogawa, Tokyo; Mitsumasa Harada, Tokyo, all of Japan [73] Assignee: Kajima Kensetsu Kabushiki Kaisha,
Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1973 [211 Appl. No.: 392,373
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 16, 1973 Japan 48-30607 [52] US. Cl 29/428, 29/155 C, 52/745 [51] Int. Cl. B23p ll/00 [58] Field of Search 29/469, 155 C, 428, 464, 29/467; 140/111; 52/741, 745
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 798,730 9/1905 Johnson 29/155 C Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-James R. Duzan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT A process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars comprising the steps of suspending a first plurality of reinforcing bars in parallel, spaced relationship; positioning a first constraining hoop in a plane generally perpendicular to said first plurality of reinforcing bars and in contact therewith; attaching said first plurality of reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop; positioning a second plurality of reinforcing bars in spaced relationship to each other, parallel to said first plurality of reinforcing bars, and in contact with said first constraining hoop; and attaching said second plurality of reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop. A variety of additional reinforcing bars and constraining hoops may be added in various ways to the basic unit.
21 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED 11975 3, 874.062
sum 1 or 3 DATENIEDAPR wars 3, 874.062
sum 2 0F 3 PROCESS FOR FABRICATING A COLUMNAR ASSEMBLY OF SPACED REINFORCING BARS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention is of a process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars, such as are used to reinforce concrete columns in the construction industry. This invention is particularly adapted for use in on-site construction, but is, of course, not limited to such use.
2. Description of the Prior Art It has been conventional in the construction industry to install main reinforcing bars in their intended position, then attach spaced hoops to the periphery thereof, then, if necessary, install intermediate reinforcing bars, all being in their final position as installed. However, this procedure is difficult and time-consuming particularly where intermediate reinforcing bars are required.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In view of the drawbacks of the conventional procedure, the procedure disclosed and claimed herein has been devised, having, among others, the following objects:
l. to provide a process capable of efficiently and effectively fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars;
2. to provide a process permitting fabrication of columnar assemblies of spaced reinforcing bars in a horizontal state on a job site, of effectuating the fabrication in a ready and simplified manner by following an established sequence of fabrication, and of enabling columnar assemblies of spaced reinforcing bars to be prefabricated; and
3. to provide a process permitting the fabrication with comparative ease of a complicated assembly of multiple reinforcing bars and multiple constraining hoops, in which some hoops and some main reinforcing bars are used to suspend or support other hoops and reinforcing bars in a proper sequential manner, thus enabling fabrication of the complete assembly in a favorable sequence and without requiring any special supports.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Speaking broadly, the present invention is of a process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars comprising the steps of suspending a first plurality of reinforcing bars in parallel, spaced relationship; positioning a first constraining hoop in a plane generally perpendicular to said first plurality of said reinforcing bars and in contact therewith; attaching said first plurality of reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop; positioning a second plurality of reinforcing bars in spaced relationship to each other, parallel to said first plurality of reinforcing bars, and in contact with said first constraining hoop; and attaching said second plurality of reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop. A variety of additional reinforcing bars and constraining hoops may be added in various ways to the basic unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view showing one simple way of carrying out the initial step in the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3-9 are side views showing the sequence of fabrication of a complex assembly, with suspending means A omitted from all but FIG. 3 for the sake of simplicity.
FIGS. 10-16 are side views showing the sequence of fabrication of the same complex assembly by a modified process, again with suspending means A omitted from all but the first figure for the sake of simplicity.
FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a finished columnar assembly of spacedreinforcing bars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may be illustrated by a detailed description of two embodiments thereof. The First Preferred Embodiment Both embodiments begin with a suspension of two upper intermediate reinforcing bars 1 on supporting rods B, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The support rods B are themselves set in place on horses A or similar suspending means, and the two upper intermediate reinforcing bars 1 are suspended thereon in horizontal, parallel, spaced relationship.
Then, in the first embodiment (illustrated by FIGS. 3-9) a constraining hoop 2 is positioned in a plane generally perpendicular to the previously positioned reinforcing bars and in contact with them. In the process illustrated, the constraining hoop 2 is of open, lapped construction and is fabricated of a material sufficiently resilient so that the hoop 2 can be opened and inserted over the bars 1, following which the hoop 2 and the bars 1 are attached to each other with heavy wire or by any other appropriate means. However, the hoop 2 could be positioned internally of the bars 1 and suspended therefrom by the attachment therebetween. Similarly, the hoop 2 could be positioned so as to extend above the bars 1, and the hoop 2 could be some shape other than quadrilateralfor instance, elliptical. However, the preferred embodiment, as shown, is the quadrilateral shape positioned exteriorly of the bars 1 so that the bars 1 support its weight and so that the hoop 2 hangs down from the bars 1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, two upper main reinforcing bars 3 are suspended on the supporting rods B, one on each side of the two upper intermediate reinforcing bars 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a second constraining hoop 4 is set in place on the upper main reinforcing bar 3. As illustrated, the hoop 4 is external of both the bars 1 and 3, but the comments previously made with respect to variance in the structure and positioning of hoop 2 apply here as well. Also, the order of emplacement of the assembly comprising the bars 1 and the hoop 2 and the assembly comprising the bars 3 and the hoop 4 may be reversed. However, once the two assemblies are in place, they are normally attached to each other with heavy wire or by any other appropriate means, although this step can be postponed.
Next, as illustrated by FIG. 6, two lower main reinforcing bars 5 and two lower intermediate reinforcing bars 6 are set in position and attached to the hoops 4 and 2 respectively.
Next, as illustrated by FIG. 7, a third constraining hoop 7 is temporarily balanced on the rods 5 and 6, and the upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars 8 are inserted therethrough. (Of course, the comments previously made with respect to variance in the structure and positioning of the hoops 2 and 4 apply here as well.) The bars 8 may be attached to the hoop 7 with heavy wire or by any other suitable means at this point, or that step may be postponed at least until after the next step.
The next step, illustrated by FIG. 8, normally consists of raising the assembly comprising the bars 8 and the hoop 7 to a suitable position intermediate the horizontal sides of the hoop 4 and attaching it, at least to the hoop 4, and preferably to the hoop 2 as well. However, the temporary balancing step can be omitted and the hoop 7 and/or the bars 8 positioned directly.
Finally, as illustrated by FIG. 9, the lower lateral intermediate reinforcing bars 9 are positioned and attached, at least to the hoop 7,'and preferably to the hoop 4 as well.
The Second Preferred Embodiment The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for use when the reinforcing bars to be assembled are relatively long or where the structure of the finished assembly desired is unusually complicated. However, it will be illustrated with reference to the same assembly used to illustrate the first preferred embodiment.
As previously state, the second preferred embodiment also may being with the steps illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2.
However, as illustrated by FIGS. 10 and 11, the next steps (which may be taken in any order) in this embodiment include the positioning of the hoop 2, the positioning of the upper main reinforcing bars 3, and the temporary suspension of two lower main reinforcing bars 5 and two lower intermediate reinforcing bars 6 from the upper main reinforcing bars 3 and the upper intermediate reinforcing bars 1, respectively.
Next, as illustrated by FIG. 12, the external hoop 4 can be positioned, and finally, as illustrated by FIG. 13, the bars 5 and 6 can be lowered from their temporary positions to their permanent positions along the lower portions of hoops 2 and 4. Of course, the order of the above steps can be varied somewhat from the order shown, and all bars and hoops should be attached to each other in the manner previously described. The balance of the fabrication process can be carried out as before, and accordingly, FIGS. 14-16 duplicate FIGS. 7 through 9. Description of these steps will be omitted as duplicative of the description corresponding to the execution of the same steps in the first preferred embodiment.
Caveat While the present invention has been illustrated by detailed descriptions of two preferred embodiments thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications in the ordering of the steps and in the steps themselves may be made without departing from the true scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention must be measured by the attached claims and not solely by the foregoing detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments thereof.
What is claimed is:
l. A process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars comprising the steps of:
1. suspending two upper main reinforcing bars in horizontal, parallel, spaced relationship;
2. attaching a first constraining hoop to said upper main reinforcing bars such that said upper main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop along the upper portion of said first constraining hoop and said first constraining hoop hangs down from said upper main reinforcing bars;
3. attaching two lower main reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof, said lower main reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
4. suspending two upper intermediate reinforcing bars between said upper main reinforcing bars in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other and parallel to said main reinforcing bars;
5. attaching a second constraining hoop to said upper intermediate reinforcing bars such that said upper intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said second constraining hoop along the upper portion of said second constraining hoop and said second constraining hoop hangs down from said upper intermediate reinforcing bars;
6. attaching two lower intermediate reinforcing bars to said second constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof, in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other, and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars; and
7. attaching the assembly comprising said main reinforcing bars and said first constraining hoop to the assembly comprising said upper and lower intermediate reinforcing bars and said second constraining hoop.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape.
4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said second constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
5. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape and the vertical sides thereof are equal in length to the vertical sides of said first constraining hoop.
6. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said process comprises the further steps of:
l. suspending a first upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar between a first one of said upper main reinforcing bars and the adjacent one of said lower main reinforcing bars, said first upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar being in spaced relationship to said first one of said upper main reinforcing bars and to said adjacent one of said lower main reinforcing bars and being parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
2. suspending a second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar between the second one of said upper main reinforcing bars and the other one of said lower main reinforcing bars, said second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar being in spaced relationship to said second one of said upper main reinforcing bars and to said other one of said lower main reinforcing bars and being parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
3. attaching a third constraining hoop to said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars such that said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said third constraining hoop along the upper portion of said third constraining hoop and said third constraining hoop hangs down from said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars;
4. attaching two lower lateral intermediate reinforcing bars to said third constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof, said lower lateral intermediate reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship and parallel to each other and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars; and
5. attaching the assembly comprising said main reinforcing bars and said first constraining hoop to the assembly comprising said lateral intermediate reinforcing bars and said third constraining hoop.
7. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein said lateral reinforcing bars are attached to said third constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
8. A process as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising the step of attaching the assembly comprising said lateral intermediate reinforcing bars and said third constraining hoop to the assembly comprising said upper and lower intermediate reinforcing bars and said second constraining hoop.
9. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein said third constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape and the horizontal sides thereof are equal in length to the horizontal sides of said first constraining hoop.
10. A process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars comprising the steps of:
l suspending two upper main reinforcing bars in horizontal, parallel, spaced relationship;
2. attaching a first constraining hoop to said upper main reinforcing bars such that said upper main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop along the upper portion of said first constraining hoop and said first constraining hoop hangs down from said upper main reinforcing bars;
3. attaching two lower main reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof, said lower main reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
4. suspending a first upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar between a first one of said upper main reinforcing bars in the adjacent one of said lower main reinforcing bars, said first upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar being in spaced relationship to said first one of said upper main reinforcing bars and to said adjacent one of said lower main reinforcing bars and being parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
5. suspending a second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar between the second one of said upper main reinforcing bars and the other one of said lower main reinforcing bars, said second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bar being in spaced relationship to said second one of said upper main reinforcing bars and to said other one of said lower main reinforcing bars and being parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
6. attaching a third constraining hoop to said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars such that said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said third constraining hoop along the upper portion of said third constraining hoop and said third constraining hoop hangs down from said first and second upper lateral intermediate reinforcing bars;
7. attaching two lower lateral intermediate reinforcing bars to said third constraining hoop along the 5 lower portion thereof, said lower lateral intermediate reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars; and
8. attaching the assembly comprising said main reinlO forcing bars and in said first constraining hoop to the assembly comp sing said lateral intermediate reinforcing bars and in said third constraining hoop.
11. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein said l5 third constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape and the horizontal sides thereof are equal in length to the horizontal sides of said first constraining hoop.
12. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lateral reinforcing bars are attached to said third constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
rarily suspending one of said two lower main reinforcing bars from each of said upper main reinforcing bars a distance below it which is less than the distance it is ultimately desired that it be positioned and which is less than the vertical height of the first constraining hoop; and
2. subsequently lowering said lower main reinforcing bars from their temporary positions suspended from said upper main reinforcing bars to their permanent positions along the lower portion of said first constraining hoop.
14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
15. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape.
16. A process as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising the steps of:
l. temporarily suspending a lower intermediate reinforcing bar from each of said upper intermediate reinforcing bars a distance below it which is less than the distance it is ultimately desired that it be positioned and which is less than the vertical height of the second constraining hoop;
2. subsequently lowering said lower intermediate reinforcing bars from their temporary positions suspended from said upper intermediate reinforcing bars to permanent positions along the lower portion of said second constraining hoop;
3. attaching said two lower intermediate reinforcing bars to said second constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars; and
4. attaching the assembly comprising said main reinforcing bars and said first constraining hoop to the assembly comprising said upper and lower intermediate reinforcing bars and said second constraining hoop.
17. A process as claimed in claim 16 wherein said intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said second constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
18. A process as claimed in claim 16 wherein said second constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape and the vertical sides thereof are equal in length to the vertical sides of said first constraining hoop.
19. A process for fabricating a columnar assembly of spaced reinforcing bars comprising the steps of:
1. suspending two upper main reinforcing bars in horizontal, parallel, spaced relationship;
2. attaching a first constraining hoop to said upper main reinforcing bars such that said upper main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop along the upper portion of said first constraining hoop and said first constraining hoop hangs down from said upper main reinforcing bars;
3. attaching two lower main reinforcing bars to said first constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof, said lower main reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars;
4. prior to the time said lower main reinforcing bars are attached to said first constraining hoop, temporarily suspending one of said two lower main reinforcing bars from each of said upper main reinforcing bars a distance below it which is less than the distance it is ultimately desired that it be positioned and which is less than the vertical height of the first constraining hoop;
5. subsequently lowering said lower main reinforcing bars from their temporary positions suspended from said upper main reinforcing bars to their permanent positions along the lower portion of said first constraining hoop;
6. suspending two upper intermediate reinforcing bars between said upper main reinforcing bars, said upper intermediate reinforcing bars being in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other and parallel to said main reinforcing bars;
7. attaching a second constraining hoop to said upper intermediate reinforcing bars such that said upper intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said second constraining hoop along the upper portion of said second constraining hoop and said second constraining hoop hangs down from said upper intermediate reinforcing bars;
8. temporarily suspending a lower intermediate reinforcing bar from each of said upper intermediate reinforcing bars a distance below it which is less than the distance it is ultimately desired that it be positioned and which is less than the vertical height of the second constraining loop;
9. subsequently lowering said lower intermediate reinforcing bars from their temporary positions suspended from said upper intermediate reinforcing bars to permanent postions along the lower portion of said constraining hoop;
10. attaching said two lower intermediate reinforcing bars to said second constraining hoop along the lower portion thereof in horizontal, spaced relationship to each other and parallel to said upper main reinforcing bars; and
11. attaching the assembly comprising said main reinforcing bars and said first constraining hoop to the assembly comprising said upper and lower intermediate reinforcing bars and said second constraining loop.
20. A process as claimed in claim 19 wherein said intermediate reinforcing bars are attached to said second constraining hoop along the interior periphery thereof.
21. A process as claimed in claim 19 wherein said second constraining hoop is quadrilateral in shape and the vertical sides thereof are equal in length to the vertical sides of said first constraining hoop. |
US-3874063-A | Method of pipe joint sealing | United States Patent 1191 Skinner et a1.
1 1 Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD OF PIPE JOINT SEALING [75] Inventors: Harry W. Skinner, 4609 St. Joe
Center Rd., Fort Wayne, 1nd. 46815; Max D. Orn, Scotia, NY.
52 us. c1 29/450, 29/525, 264/274, 277/181, 277/190, 285/189 51 1m. (:1 B23p 11/02 [58] Field of Search 29/450, 423, 525; 277/181, 277/190; 285/189; 264/274; 249/11, 145, 83,
3,139,469 6/1964 Miller 264/274 X 3,275,040 9/1966 Hausmann et a1 285/189 X 3,363,876 1/1968 Moore 3,415,482 12/1968 Schmidgall 3,796,406 3/1974 Ditcher 249/11 Primary Examiner-Charlie T. Moon [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a pipe joint sealing device and method of fabricating the same. The device includes an annular resilient body of rubber which is generally V-shaped in cross-section which defines inner and outer annular flanges or body portions. This annular body or rubber ring is fitted into the opening of a rigid concrete structure, such as a manhole, in fluid-type engagement therewith. This engagement is interlocking which prevents the accidental dislodgement of the rubber ring from the opening, and is achieved by casting the concrete into locking engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the ring, this ring being provided with an annular anchor portion which in cross-section is of keystone shape.
5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENIEB APR 3 I975 sum 1 or 4 FIGZ FIGb
INVENTO 3 HARRY w. s\ ER,
MAX D. ORN
BY M,
ATTORNEYS PAEENTEB APR 1 i875 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIGA INVENTORS. HARRY W- SKINNER,
MAX D. ORN, wmpmx mh ATTORNEYS.
HENTEU APR 1 19-75 SHZU 3 0F 4 INVENTORE HARRY W. SKiNNER 1 MAx D. ORN, BY wwmm 04M ATTORNEYS PATENTED APR 1 I975 EU BF 4 R N w oWR N W WW JAM H w B METHOD OF PIPE JOINT SEALING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates-to pipe joint sealing devices and the method of fabricating the same, and more particularly to the sealing of concrete pipe joints.
2. Description of the Prior Art Typical pipe joint structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,924,472; 2,935,349; and 3,348,850. In general, these structures include a sealing ring formed of rubber or rubber-like material which is inserted into the annular cavity formed in the usual pipe joint, whether this joint be formed between pipe sections or between the entry end of a section of pipe and the hole in a concrete manhole. Such prior art structures have not proven to be entirely satisfactory from the standpoints of ease of installation, durability, and economy. In one such structure, a sealing ring inserted into the joint cavity is provided with two flanges which may be forced apart by means of an auxiliary sealing wedge. The friction of engagement between the sealing ring and the opposing walls of the annular cavity provide the holding power against dislodgement, but it has been found that pressure fluid internally of the pipes can blow out the seal or produce leakage. In another prior art structure, annular metal clamps are used to secure the sealing ring into the cavity; however, this has proven to be costly and time consuming in the manufacture and installation thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the broader aspects of this invention, there is provided a pipe joint sealing device which includes an annular resilient body of rubber-like material. This body is generally a V-shaped cross-section which defines radially inner and outer annular body portions or flanges. A rigid concrete structure, such as a manhole, a pipe section, a septic tank, or the like, is provided with the usual opening into which a section of pipe is to be fitted. Into this opening is secured the aforesaid annular body or sealing ring, the outer flange thereof having an interlocking engagement with the perimetral portion of the opening. In one form of the invention, this interlocking engagement is provided by casting or molding concrete around the outer periphery or flange of the sealing ring such that when the concrete hardens, the ring is locked into position. For insuring an interlocking engagement, an annular anchor may be provided on the outer periphery of the ring, which in cross-section is of keystone shape, such that upon hardening of the concrete, the ring is locked into place. In general, the finished product is thus an assembly which includes a rigid concrete structure provided with an opening in effect lined with a rubber sealing ring. A section of pipe to be joined to the manhole is simply entered into the sealing ring, requiring only negligible further installation procedure. This seal between the concrete manhole and the pipe is completed by inserting a wedge of rubber material into the space between the inner and outer flanges of the ring for spreading the same into intimate engagement with the pipe periphery.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a pipe joint sealing device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and substantially trouble-free in operation.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pipe joint sealing device which requires only a minimum of time for effecting the installation of a section of pipe into the opening of a concrete structure to which the pipe is to be joined.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pipe joint sealing device which permits some relative movement between a section of pipe and another structure to which it is joined without causing failure of the seal or damage to the pipe.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method of producing the afore-mentioned sealing device in a facile, economical, and efficient manner.
The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, partially sectioned for clarity of illustration, of one embodiment of this invention wherein a section of entry pipe is joined to a manhole;
FIG. 2 is a side view, partly sectioned for clarity of illustration, of a ring-mounting plug in fabricating the sealing joint of this invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views of the two different sections making up the plug of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of one embodiment of the rubber-sealing ring of this invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a rubber wedge used in conjunction with the sealing ring of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side view in exploded form and partially sectioned of the plug of FIG. 2 but with the rubbersealing ring of FIG. 5 mounted thereon, the plug being shown disassembled;
FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7 but with the sections of the plug secured together;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain of the steps involved in fabricating the joint of this invention;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGv 9 showing the rubber sealing ring locked in place in the opening of a concrete manhole; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration showing the final step of completing the seal between a section of pipe entered into the fabricated, lined opening in the manhole.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a conventional manhole 10 of cylindrical shape and formed of concrete is provided with a circular opening 12 of the cross-sectional shape shown into which a section 14 of pipe is installed. A sealing ring of rubber or rubber-like material 16 is fitted into the annular space between the perimeter of the opening 12 and the pipe section 14, this ring 16 providing a fluidtight seal that typically prevents leakage of water from the manhole 10 past the exterior pipe section 14.
The ring 16, preferably made of rubber, may be formed of other materials such as vinyl plastic or the like which exhibit pliable, resilient characteristics much like rubber. In a working embodiment of this invention, the ring 16 is provided with a shape shown more clearly in FIG. 5. The ring is essentially V-shaped in cross-section thereby defining radially inner and outer annular portions or flanges 20 and 22 (the drawings being substantially to scale) which are serrated on the inner surfaces and provided with an annular cavity 24in the portion 20. On the flange 22 is provided a radially outwardly projecting anchoring annulus 26 of keystone cross-section, the outer surface of flange 22 being substantially cylindrical and extending equal distances from the opposite sides of the anchor 26.
The inner surface of the flange 20 is provided with four radially inwardly projecting ribs 21 which, in cross-section, are generally of triangular shape as is shown more clearly in FIG. 5. The four ribs are contained in two pairs or groups, the ribs of each pair being inclined oppositely from those of the other pair as shown. One end of the flange 20 is provided with an annular surface 23 at an angle of about 45 to the axis of the ring 16. This surface 23 merges into yet another surface 25 at right angles to the axis.
The space 60 between the two flanges 20 and 22 is further defined by the two beveled edges 61 and 63 which serves in providing a wider entrance way into the space 60 for the strip of wedge 50 of FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the anchor 26 intimately fits into an annular socket 28 of complementary size and shape which serves to lock the anchor to the perimeter of the opening 12. The concrete forming the opening 12 also intimately engages the cylindrical surface of the flange 22 such that the ring 16 is positively interlocked with the concrete and thereby prevented from dislodgement either radially or axially from the opening 12.
The actual installation of a section of pipe 14 into the fabricated opening just defined will be explained later on. In the following will be described the apparatus and method for fabricating the rubber-lined opening in the manhole.
The manhole 10 is cast or molded of concrete according to conventional methods. However, a unique structure is utilized for the purpose of not only forming the opening 12 but also the proper positioning of the sealing ring 16 during casting of the manhole.
This unique structure which is characterized in the following as ring-mounting plug 30, is shown in detail in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8. This plug 30 is formed preferably of glass fiber reinforced plastic of the type usually employed in the fabrication of boats and the like, and in the preferred embodiment is in two sections 32 and 34, respectively. The plug 30 is generally circular in shape resembling the wheel and rim of an automobile, each section 32 and 34 being provided with annular discs 36 and 38, respectively, extending radially inwardly and in planar abutting engagement with each other. A plurality of removable fastening devices, such as nut and screw assemblies 40, are used for securing the two sections 32 and 34 together. Mating projections 41 and indentations 43 in the discs serve in locating the sections rotationally relative to each other. The outer peripheral portion of the assembled plug 30 is channel shaped as more clearly shown in FIG. 2 with the opposite sides 42 and 44 thereof flaring outwardly and generally being of frusto-conical shape. The perimeters of these sides 42 and 44, as viewed in FIG. 2, have a curvature as shown which conforms to the cylindrical shape of the finished manhole of FIG. 1. The purpose of this curvature will be explained in more detail later.
Considering for the moment only the plug section 34, it will be noted that it is provided with a frustoconically shaped portion 46 which is integrally connected to the outer perimeter of the disc 34.
As regards the section 32, it is also provided with a frusto-conically shaped portion 48, larger in diameter yet of lesser axial depth than the conical portion 46.
Utilization of the ring-mounting plug 30 will now be explained. With the two sections 32 and 34 disassembled as shown in FIG. 7, the sealing ring 16 is telescoped over the frusto conical portion 46. As stated previously, the relative shapes and dimensions are shown to scale. The keystone annulus 26 is outermost.
The section 32 is next assembled to the section 34 and the two are fastened together by means of the nut and screw assemblies 40 or any similar quick-lock fastening devices conventionally available. The frustoconical portion 48 on the section 32 is abutted against the similarly shaped portion 50 on the sealing ring 16 thereby mounting securely the sealing ring 16 on the plug 30. This assembly is now ready to be used in connection with the casting of the manhole which will be explained in connection with FIG. 9.
Cylindrical coaxial mold forms 52 and 54 of fiberglass, metal or the like, are spaced to provide for the shape and size of a manhole to be formed by filling the space 56 therebetween with concrete. However, prior to pouring concrete into the mold, the plug assembly of FIG. 8 is placed in the proper position in the cavity 56 (FIG. 9). As explained earlier, the perimeters of the flanges or sides 42 and 44 (FIG. 2) are formed generally to conform to the shape of the finished manhole, and as will now be apparent in FIG. 9, this shape conforms precisely to the opposite cylindrical surfaces of the cavity 56. Thus, the flanges 42 and 44 seal against the inner sides of the forms 52 and 54 to prevent the escape of concrete which may be poured into the cavity 56. The shapes of the perimeters of the flanges 42 and 44 in engagement with the forms 52 and 54 provide a circular opening in the manhole wall in the region to which the sealing ring 16 is anchored.
Liquid concrete is poured into the cavity 56 to form the manhole. This concrete fills the space around the plug 30 and the sealing ring 16. Upon hardening, the forms 52 and 54 are removed thereby leaving the structure shown in FIG. 10, the sealing ring 16 being firmly anchored into the concrete mass.
The plug 30 is disassembled by removing the fastening devices 40 permitting the two sections 32 and 34 to be withdrawn from the hardened concrete. These forms 32 and 34 may then be reused to form other rubber-lined hole structures.
A section of pipe 14 is installed in the manhole as follows. The entry end of the pipe section 14 is merely inserted into the opening defined by the ring 16. Properly sized, the ring 16 will lightly engage the surface of the pipe 14.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 11, a length of wedge material 58, shown in cross-section in FIG. 6, is inserted into the V-shaped space in the ring 16 and there driven into place by means of a hammer or mallet. The wedge 58 serves to spread the lips or flanges 20 and 22 of the sealing ring 16 thereby forcing the flange 20 into intimate, sealing contact with the periphery of the pipe section 14.
In one working embodiment of this invention, if the sealing ring 16 and the wedge 58 are formed of rubber, it is preferred that the ring 16 be 40 durometer and the wedge 58 be 60 durometer. The wedge 58 is provided with longitudinally extending teeth 62 as shown, these engaging the annular serrations in the inner surface of the two flanges 20 and 22 (FIG. 5) to prevent withdrawal of the wedge 58. Once the wedge 58 has been driven into place, around the entire circumference of the sealing ring 16, the operation of forming the pipe joint is completed. In actual practice, the installation of such a joint requires no more than from three to four minutes by a single individual.
While a manhole has been described, any molded or cast object may be employed instead, such as rectangular septic tanks, electrical inspection boxes, pipe, and the like. Materials other than concrete may be employed, such as asbestos cement, vitrified clay, polyvinylchloride plastic, and the like.
An alternative technique utilizes the packing of concrete instead of the pouring as previously described. According to this, the inner mold form 54 (FIG. 9) is omitted, and the sections 32, 34 of plug are made solid instead with the center holes shown. The plug 30 is installed as before against the form 52 (FIG. 9) following which concrete is packed from the interior of the mold assembly against the form 52 to the wall thickness desired, as shown in the drawings. Upon removal of the sections 32 and 34, the sealing ring 16 is left cast in place with the interior thereof free of concrete. Conventional concrete-packing equipment is used for this purpose.
The concrete employed for any of the molding or casting techniques disclosed may be of any desired dryness or wetness, i.e. different viscosities if pourable or dryness if pack-able. The concrete is settled in place according to the usual vibration equipment and techniques.
While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
l. The method of first forming an opening with a sealing ring therein through the wall of a rigid concrete structure and thereafter sealing a pipe in said opening comprising the steps of mounting a sealing ring of rubber-like material on the outer periphery of a two-part axially-separable mounting plug, securing said plug into sealing engagement with a structure-defining form, forming said structure with said opening in said wall and said sealing ring therein by applying a plastic mass of concrete to said form and into both encircling engagement with the outer periphery of said sealing ring and axial abutting engagement with radially outer portions of both ends of said sealing ring whereby said concrete will form said opening and will secure said sealing ring therein, disassembling and removing said parts from the opposite sides of said wall for removing said mounting plug from said sealing ring and said wall after said concrete solidifies, inserting said pipe into said opening and into light engagement with said sealing ring, and elastically expanding the inner periphery of said sealing ring inwardly into sealing engagement with said pipe.
2. The method of claim 1 including forming the periphery of the mounting plug as a concrete mold with hole-forming wall portions, disposing said sealing ring concentrically within said hole-forming wall portions whereby concrete poured into encircling engagement therewith will have a hole portion formed with said sealing ring peripherally anchored therein.
3. The method of claim 1 in which said method includes forming a circumferential expansion groove axially into one end of said sealing ring prior to said mounting operation, and said elastic expanding step comprises forcing an expansion wedge into said groove.
4. The method of claim 1 in which said applying step comprises packing.
5. The method of claim 1 in which said applying step comprises pouring. |
US-3874064-A | Process for securing a rigid coupling to one end of an armored flexible pipe | United States Patent Chevalier Apr. 1, 1975 [5 1 PROCESS FOR SECURING A RIGID 1,086,641 2/1914 Blume 285/149 COUPLING TO ONE END OF AN ARMORED 5 1 a1ser FLEXIBLE PIPE 3.333,325 8/1967 Goward 29/508 [75] Inventor: Andr Chevalier, Pantin, France 3,446,361 /1969 Douty 29/460 X 3,531,143 9/1970 Horvath et al. 285/149 1 1 Asslgneel lnstltut Francals Pen/01911165 3,799,012 3/1974 Andrews 83/54 x Carburants et Lubrifiants, Rueil-Malmaison, France 7 Primary E.\'aminer--Charlie T. Moon 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli [21] Appl. No.1 414,103
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Nov. 21, 1972 France 72.41397 The invention provides a process for securing a rigid coupling member to one end of a flexible pipe which [52] U.S. Cl 29/460, 83/54, 285/149, comprises an armouring formed by a metal strip 264/262 wound with a short pitch around a tubular core. 2 42% 233 2 According to this process this armouring is cut out I I d 0 1'49. 2 along a cross-section of the metal strip which is then I inserted into a corresponding recess of the coupling member, in which a soiidifiable material is [56] References C'ted subsequently injected.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 746.497 12/1903 Greenfield 285/149 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATEME APR 1 9 5 SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG.5A
PROCESS FOR SECURING A RIGID COUPLING TO ONE END OF AN ARMORED FLEXIBLE PIPE The present invention relates to a process for securing a coupling to one end of an armored flexible pipe, and also concerns the armored flexible pipe obtained thereby.
More precisely the coupling is fixed in the extension of an armored flexible pipe which comprises, from the interior to the exterior, a tight tubular core, at least one armouring around this core, this armouring being formed of a wire, strand or strip or a metal shaped member helically wound with a short pitch directly on the tight tubular core.
The pipe may comprise at least one armouring capable of withstanding tractive and/or torsional stresses applied to the pipe, and optionally an outer covering providing for the sealing of the pipe with respect to the surrounding medium.
Up to now, a coupling could be secured to one end of a flexible pipe of the above-defined type only after having cut each constituting element of the pipe (tubular core, armourings etc at a suitable length so that these elements could be properly positioned in the coupling.
Some of these operations are time-consuming and difficult to carry out. This is more specially true when it is necessary to cut out in a plane perpendicular to the pipe axis the metal armouring which covers the tubular core.
This operation is particularly difficult to carry out due to the small pitch of this armouring since it must not damage the tubular core when the end thereof projects beyond the end of the armouring, so as to avoid, when the pipe is in operation any leakage at the location of the coupling.
The object of the present invention is accordingly to reduce the difficulties presented by the prior coupling procedures, by providing a process which is easier to carry out, for securing a coupling to the end of a flexible pipe.
The invention will be well understood and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated by the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of the pipe to one end of which the coupling must be secured.
FIGS. 2 to 6 diagrammatically illustrate the different steps of the process for securing the coupling to the end of the armoured flexible pipe.
FIG. 1 illustrates a type of armoured flexible pipe to the end of which a coupling must be secured. This flexible pipe 1 comprises a flexible tubular core 2 made of a plastic or elastomeric material.
The core 2 provides for the inner tightness of the pipe. An elongated metal element is coiled around the core 2 with a short pitch and constitutes an armouring 3 withstanding the pressure difference between the intcrior and the exterior of the pipe. This elongated element may, for example, consist of a metal strip forming interlocking convolutions, this strip having as shown in the drawings 8- or Z-shaped cross-section, or also by metal strip of rectangular cross-section, or also by a wire or metal strand, as it is well known to those skilled in the art. In the case where the flexible pipe I is subjected to high axial stresses, the armouring 3 is surrounded by an armouring 4 withstanding the traction stresses.
This armouring 4 consists, for example, of two layers 5 or 6 of wires or metal strands, helically wound in opposite directions with little inclination angles relative to the pipe axis, i.e. with a large pitch.
Optionally, if necessary, an armouring for withstanding the torsional stresses or torques may be provided, this armouring being of the same type as the armouring 4.
An outer covering 7, made of plastic material or of elastomer, may complete the above-described assembly, for sealing a part or the whole of the pipe assembly (according to its position relative to the other components of the pipe) with respect to the external medium.
The different successive operation which must be achieved before the coupling is secured are illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 6.
After pipe I has been cut at the required length (FIG. 2), each of the elements which constitute the pipe layers is uncovered by successively cutting out over a determined portion, the external covering 7 (FIG. 3) and the armouring 4 (FIG. 4). These operations are performed using conventional means and need not be described in detail.
The following step consists in cutting out at the proper length the armouring 3 formed by the helical winding with a short pitch.
Up to now, it was conventional to cut the armouring 3 along a plane at right angles to the pipe axis, as illustrated by FIG. 1. Such an operation was difficult since the armouring 3 had to be cut out without causing any damage to the tubular core 2.
To obviate this drawback a new process is used, as illustrated by FIG. 5.
The tubular core 2 is locally deformed so as to provide, at the place where the armouring 3 is to be cut, a sufficient spacing between the core 2 and the armouring 3.
The metal strip 8 is then cut out substantially along a cross-section thereof, using for example a saw formed by a rotary disc.
FIG. 5 A illustrates on a larger scale said cutting. As it is apparent, the last convolution 9 has been fully cut out, the adjacent convolution 10 having been partially cut out while cutting the portion of the convolution 9 interlocking with the convolution 10. In this way the cross sectional area which is cut out is reduced to a minimum, thus considerably reducing the time spent for this operation, as compared to that required by the method wherein the armouring 3 is out along a plane perpendicular to the pipe axis.
The coupling, designated as a whole by reference numeral 11 (FIG. 6), is then positioned at the end of the flexible pipe 1 and is provided with means for clamping the tubular core 2 and the outer covering 7, with means for anchoring the traction resisting armouring, and optionally with means for anchoring the torque resisting armouring. Embodiments of such means will be described hereunder by way of example.
The coupling is provided with a bore 12 wherein with some clearance the pressure resisting armouring 3 is inserted. The coupling being positioned as shown by FIG. 6, an expansible ring 13 is placed inside the pipe so as to support the tubular core 2 between the end of the armouring 3 and the bottom 14 of the bore 12. A channel 15 which is provided in the coupling 11 and opens into the bore 12 permits the introduction of a solidifiable material into the bore 12.
The anchoring of armouring 3, thus achieved provides, at the level of the coupling, on the one hand, the anchoring of the pressure resisting armouring 3 and, on the other hand, a continuous smooth surface on which the tubular core 2 will bear, preventing the latter, in particular, from contact with the uneven surface of the armouring 3 more particularly, at the end of the convolution 9 (FIG. A).
The ring 13, which during the injection of the solidifiable material into the bore 12 prevented any deformation of the tubular core 2, is removed after solidification of the injected material.
The material which provides for the anchoring of the armouring 3, may be for example, a metal alloy having a melting temperature lower than the maximum temperature which the tubular core 2 can withstand without deterioration, or a thermosetting epoxy resin, or any other material which can easily be injected through opening 26 and flow through channel 15 and which, after setting or polymerizing, possess sufficient qualities of hardness and adherence to steel without being liable any substantial volume reduction.
The coupling shown in FIG. 6 comprises an external ring 16, an auxiliary clamping ring 17, an intermediary ring 18 in which is provided the bore 12, an internal clamping ring 19 and a ring 20 for securing the coupling 11 to a not illustrated connecting device.
At the level of this coupling, a continuous sealing is obtained by clamping the covering 7 and the core 2 respectively between a conical bore 21 of the external ring 16 and a complementary conical bore 22 of the auxiliary clamping ring 17, and between a conical bore 23 of the intermediary ring 18 and a complementary conical surface 24 of the internal clamping ring 19.
The connection between the armouring 4, formed by the layers 5 and 6, and the coupling 11, is achieved by clamping this armoring between the wall of a conical bore 25 of the clamping ring 17 and the conical wall 26 of the intermediary ring 18, while the ends of the layers 5 and 6, housed in an annular space 27 provided between the external ring 16 and the intermediary ring 18, are anchored in this annular space, by injecting through an opening 28 of the external ring 16 a solidifiable material such as a metal alloy or a polymerizable epoxy-resin.
It will obviously be possible to substitute for the channel 15 an orifice establishing a communication between the bore 12 and the annular space 27. It is possible in this way, by injecting through the openings 28 one and the same polymerizable material, to provide for the anchoring of armouring 3 in the bore 12 and of armouring 4 in the annular space 27. In this case, the material which is used will be selected among those which provide a good anchoring of the armouring 3, while properly filling the bore 12.
There will be used, for example, to this end, a polymerizable epoxy resin, such as the one sold under the trade mark ARALDITE.
What I claim is:
1. A process for securing a rigid coupling to the end of a flexible pipe which comprises at least one flexible tight tubular core, surrounded by an armouring formed by a helical winding with a short pitch of an elongated element around said core, this process comprising cutting the tubular core and the armouring at predetermined respective lengths so that their ends may be housed in corresponding respective housings in the coupling with positioning means for a continuous sealing of the tubular core at the level of the coupling, resiliently deforming said tubular core inwardly so as to locally provide a substantial spacing between said core and said armouring, cutting out said armouring, at the level where said tubular core is deformed, substantially along a cross-section of the elongated element, eliminating the local deformation of the tubular core and thereafter positioning said armouring and core in said corresponding housing of the coupling, said housing having the shape of a bore with an internal diameter which is substantially greater than the external diameter of said armouring, so as to provide a substantial annular space between the armouring, the core and the walls of said bore, and injecting into said bore a solidifiable material which substantially fills said annular space.
2. A process according to claim 1, wherein during the injection of the solidifying material into said bore, ring means are positioned inside said tubular core, said ring means having an external diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubular core and a length at least equal to that of the space left free between the end of said armouring and the end wall of said bore, said ring means preventing any radial deformation of the tubular core during the injection of the solifiable material. |
US-3874065-A | Method of making a stud assembly | United States Patent 1191 Schenk Apr. 1, 1975 [73] Assignee: Drus Fastener Co., Inc., West lslip,
[22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 412,707
[52] US. Cl 29/467, 29/520, 29/526, 24/221 R, 74/543, 85/9 R [51] Int. Cl B23q3/00,B21d39/00,B23p 11/00 [58] Field of Search 29/467, 464, 520, 526',
24/221 R; 74/543; 85/9 R, 5 P, 5 M
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 873,424 12/1907 Greene 29/520 UX 1,152,722 9/1915 Furber 29/520 UX 2,603,680 7/1952 Snyder 29/520 UX 2.660,083 11/1953 Tyson 85/9 R 2,676,049 4/1954 Wurzel 29/520 X 3,296,694 l/l967 DeMastry et al. 29/520 Primary ExaminerCharlie T. Moon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz 57 ABSTRACT A stud assembly produced by holding in a fixed position a head portion having a gripping surface extending from a base. A deformable washer is then extended over the base. A stud member is provided with a receptacle end portion and positioned with respect to the base of the head so that interengaging and cooperating surfaces on the receptacle and base are aligned and provide locking apertures for receiving the washer. Finally, the washer is deformed so that it extends into the locking apertures thereby locking the stud member to the head and forming a unitary stud assembly.
8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR H975 3,874,065.
I saw 1 or 3 FIG.
PRODUCT METHOD PATENTED APR I I975 sumaum FIG. 7
FIG. 6
METHOD OF MAKING A STUD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many fastener arrangements it is desirable to use an elongated stud member having a wing type head portion. This design arrangement presents obvious manufacturing difficulties. With the unusual shape of the head rather complex and difficult machining processes would be necessary in order to make a one-piece fastener element. In contrast, there is no known successful means for manufacturing a low-cost multicomponent stud design to accommodate the wing head design.
It should also be kept in mind that working with extremely elongated stud members presents increased manufacturing difficulties when a wing head design is to be employed therewith. Once again machining of such a member is extremely costly and, additionally, well known methods for constructing a multi-piece unit would be prohibitive from a cost and efficiency standpoint.
Consequently, it is readily apparent that a stud assembly having an elongated stud member and a wing head portion which can be efficiently manufactured at low cost would be extremely advantageous to the fastener art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above background in mind, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a multipiece stud assembly which is quick and easy to manufacture and assemble, is of low cost and incorporates members which are positively interengaged to prevent disassembly. The stud assembly is adaptable for use with many types of stud configurations and is particularly designed to be adaptable for use with elongated studs which require a winged head.
In summary, the stud assembly is produced by holding in fixed position a head portion having a gripping surface extending from a base portion. A deformable washer is extended over the base and a stud member is provided with a receptacle end portion which is positioned with respect to the base so that interengaging and cooperating surfaces on the receptacle and base are aligned and provide locking apertures for receiving the washer. Finally, the washer is deformed so that it extends into the locking apertures thereby locking the stud member to the head and forming a unitary stud assembly.
With the above objectives, among others, in mind reference is had to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the stud assembly of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view ofa holding jig arrangement designed to facilitate the assembly of the stud assembly of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view thereof with the plane of the section being 90 out of phase with the plane of the sectional view of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view thereof taken along the same plane as FIG. 2 and showing the wing head portion in position in the holding jig;
FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view thereof in the same plane as the plane of the section view of FIG. 3
and showing the washer in position in the holding jig along with the wing head;
FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view thereof in the same plane as the sections of FIGS. 2 and 4 and showing the stud member, washer and wing head in position in the holding jig for final interengagement;
FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view thereof along the same plane as the planes of FIGS. 3 and 5 and showing a plunger interengaging with the washer so as to deform the washer and complete formation of the unitary stud assembly of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stud assembly of the invention.
, DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Stud assembly 20 as shown in assembled form in FIG. 8. The components of stud assembly 20 are shown prior to assembly in FIG. 1. They include a head 21, a washer 22 and -a stud member 23. Materials for the components' are of readily available conventional material which is used for fasteners such as steel. It is preferable that washer 22 be deformable in nature so as to achieve the proper fastening interengagement between components.
The head 2l includes a generally rectangular shaped base 24 and a pair of wings extending from one end of the base and laterally therefrom so as to form a gripping surface 25 for the stud assembly. Base 24 has a beveled end portion 26 distal from the winggripping portion 25 so as to facilitate assembly of head 21 with the remaining components of the-assembly. Intermediate the ends of head 24 is a pair of opposing notches 27 which form locking recesses for interengagement of the components. Preferably, a notch 27 is provided on each of the two shorter sides of the base portion 24, however, it is readily apparent that the configuration of base 24 can be readily altered as well as the number, configuration and placement of the notches 27..
Washer 22 in unassembled position is flat in the portion adjacent to the opening 28 in its center and is curved or arcuate in its outer portion 29. I
Stud member 23 includes a receptacle end portion 30 for interengagement with washer 22 and head 21 and a shank portion 31. As shown, shank portion 31 is generally cylindrical in configuration with a larger diameter portion distal from receptacle portion 30 than the portion of stud 31 therebetween. Additionally, 1 as shown in FIG. 8, the larger portion of shank 31 includes a cam slot 32 therein for interengagement with a receptacle for the entire stud assembly.
The receptacle portion 30 of stud member 23 includes a pair of spaced annular shoulders 33 and 34 projecting laterally from stud member 23. The space therebetween forms a circular groove 35. A lateral slot 36 cut diametrically with respect to stud member 23 extends through receptacle portion 30 so as to be open at the engaging end of receptacle portion 30 and on opposing sides of the receptacle portion. Slot 36 is designed so as to receive base 24 therein.
In actual assembly, washer 22 is extended over head 21 with base 24 passing through opening 28 in the washer. Stud 23 is then passed through opening 28 in the washer and base 24 is received in slot 36 of receptacle portion 30. The stud, washer and base are then aligned so that washer 28 is in alignment with annular groove 35 and locking recesses 27. The washer is then flattened and being deformable will extend into groove 35 and locking recesses 27 and remain therein thereby locking stud 23 and head 21 together. In this manner, a stud assembly with a wing head is formed of compo nent parts which are rigidly and positively interlocked.
To facilitate manufacture of the stud assembly 20, appropriate jigs and assembly mechanisms can be employed as depicted. As shown in FIG. 1, the assembling structure includes a holding jig 37, a locking ring 38, and a plunger 39. Holding jig 37 includes appropriate recesses to receive the components and to cooperate with plunger 39 to interlock the components in the sequence depicted in FIGS. 4-7 to arrive at a completed stud assembly 20 as depicted in FIG. 8. FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the details of the holding jig 37 with the appropriate recesses to receive the component parts. Jig 37 is generally cylindrical in configuration and includes an annular shoulder 40 intermediate its ends extending from its outer surface. A central bore 41 terminates at its upper end in stepped portions of larger diameter to accommodate the various components. In sequence, smaller bore 41 opens into enlarged intermediate bore portion 42 which in turn opens into a larger upper bore portion 43. The enlargement of the central bore forms a pair of annular shoulders 44 and 45 which serve as stop means for parts during the assembly process. The upper end of larger central bore portion 43 terminates in a beveled rim 46 which facilitates insertion of parts into the various diameter portions of 41, 42 and 43 of the central bore. A rectangular diametrically located slot 47 extends across the width of holding jig 37 and is cut deep enough so as to extend through portions 41, 42 and 43 of the central bore. Slot 47 is open at the top and is wide enough to receive the winged portion of head 21 which forms gripping surface 25.
The initial assembly step as depicted in FIG. 4 includes positioning head 21 so that it is located in slot 47 and is entirely within holding jig 37. The locking ring 38 which is of slightly larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of holding jig 37 is then slid onto the upper portion thereof so that its lower surface is in interengagement with the upper surface of annular shoulder 40. The locking ring 38 then closes the openings at the edges of slot 47 and fixes the position of the wing head therein from a lateral standpoint. The bottom of the wing head rests against the bottom of slot 47. Base portion 24 is located approximately centrally with respect to the central bore in position to receive the further components. Deformable washer 22 is then inserted into the central bore until it rests on shoulder 45 where it is in lateral alignment with notches 27 in head 21. The flat portion of washer 22 rests on the shoulder while the arcuate outer portion 29 is spaced from the shoulder as shown in FIG. 5.
Thereafter, stud member 23 is inserted into the central bore until the undersurface of receptacle portion 30 comes into engagement with shoulder 44. This position is depicted in FIG. 6 and brings groove 35 into alignment with the inner edge of washer 22 and locking notches or recesses 27. Alignment of slot 36 with respect to base 24 permits reception of the base within the slot. The slot 36 having a slightly greater diameter than the outer diameter of base 24.
With the components of stud assembly 20 in that position, as shown in FIG. 7, plunger 39 having a central bore 49 therethrough is then utilized to complete the assembly operation. Bore 49 is of slightly larger diameter than the largest outer diameter of shank 31 of stud member 23. This permits plunger 39 to be extended over the shank 31 of the stud member which serves as a guide for facilitating the accurate lowering of the plunger into proper position within holding jig 37.
Plunger 39 is lowered as guided by shank 31 until it enters the central bore of the holding jig and comes into engagement with the upper surface of washer 22. Continued downward pressure of plunger 39 causes the washer to deform and be displaced in the only possible direction which is into groove 35 and locking notches or recesses 27. Sufficient pressure is utilized by means of plunger 39 so as to flatten washer 22 as shown in FIG. 7. The deformed washer will remain in the flattened position when the plunger is removed thereby retaining the head 21 and stud 23 in locked position with respect to one another and forming the unitary stud assembly 20.
Removal of complete assembly from holding jig 20 37 is facilitated by the presence of an opening 48 in the underside of the holding jig which permits access to the bottom end of bore 41. An appropriate tool can be inserted through opening 41 and up through bore 41 into engagement with assembly 20 and forcing assembly 20 out from the upper end of holding jig 37. The resultant productis depicted in FIG. 8 after removal from the jig.
Thus, the above objectives of the present invention, among others, are effectively attained.
I claim:
1. A method of producing a stud assembly comprisholding in fixed position a head portion having a gripping surface extending from a base;
extending a deformable washer over the base;
providing a stud member with a receptacle end portion and positioning the stud member with respect to the base of the head so that interengaging and cooperating surfaces on the receptacle and base are aligned and provide locking apertures for receiving the washer; and
deforming the washer so that it extends into the locking apertures thereby locking the stud member to the head and forming a unitary stud assembly.
2. A method of producing a stud assembly comprismg:
holding in a fixed position a head portion having opposing lateral wings extending from a base with at least one locking recess therein;
extending a deformable washer over the base part in alignment with the recess in the base;
providing a stud member with a receptacle end portion having a slot therein and a circumferential groove adjacent the edge thereof and positioning the stud member so that the base of the head portion is received in the slot and the circumferential groove is aligned with the washer and the recess; and
deforming the washer so that it extends into the groove and slot of the stud and the locking recess of the head thereby locking the stud member to the head and forming a unitary stud assembly.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein there are two opposing locking recesses with each recess positioned in opposing side of the head.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the head is rectangular in shape and the locking recesses are notched in a pair of opposed sides thereof.
with the space therebetween forming the circumferential groove and the slot extending through the rings.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stud, washer, and head portion are adapted for insertion into a holding jig with cooperating recesses in position for acceptance of a plunger designed for engagementwith the washer and cooperating with the jig to achieve deformation of the washer to form the stud assembly. |
US-3874066-A | Preparation of compound wire | O United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,874,066 Lanner 5] Apr. 1, 1975 PREPARATION OF COMPOUND WIRE 3,663,723 5/1972 Persson 156/179 3,777,362 12/1973 Nilsson et al. 29/479 X [75] lnvemor- Lam", Garphytmn 3,820,229 6/1974 Larker et al. 29/4701 73 A AB G h G h FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS s We yuan 2,007,400 9/1970 France 29/471.1 we 1,261,379 2/1968 Germany 29/4975 22 Filed: Apr. 4, 1973 7/1924 Swede" 209,189 4/1966 Sweden 21 Appl. No.: 347,626
Primary Examiner- Francis S. Husar 30 Ford n A cation Prior Data Assistant Examiner-Ronald J. Shore 1 p 11 lggT) g y 4655/7, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pierce, Scheffler & Parker 52 us. c1 29/4701, 29/19l.6, 29/480 [57] ABSTFACT 51 1 1m. 01 823k 21/00 For formmg a compound a Core of a We b11191 1S 5 Field of 29/421 E, 4701, 486, 497.5, enclosed within a tubular metallic mantle; the mantle 29/479, 480, 1916 is joined to the core by an explosive joining method; and the resulting composite is worked to a wire of the 5 References Cited desired cross-sectional dimensions. Thus, the exterior UNITED STATES PATENTS of the product may consist of a corrosion-resistant metal (or alloy), whilst the core may be a low alloy 3,167,857 2/1965 Sarto et al. 29/480 X carbon Steel 3,320,666 5/1967 Dion 29/480 X 3,331,121 7/1967 DeMaris et al. 29/475 5 Claims, N0 Drawings PREPARATION OF COMPOUND WIRE The present invention relates to the preparation of a compound wire, i.e. a metal wire consisting of an interior core and an outer cover. having properties not known before.
lt frequently, is the case that there are required for a metal wire special surface properties which often cannot be combined with the other material properties of a wire of one single material. Thus, corrosion resistance is often required, and, as a rule, for meeting this requirement it has been necessary to use solid stainless steel throughout, where carbon steel would have been preferred because of its superior mechanical properties and lower price. This is of particular importance as regards wire cables and springs.
Moreover, a high scaling resistance is often required of a wire which is used at a high temperature, for instance, on conveyors through furnaces, as resistor elements, etc. To obtain a sufficient scaling resistance, one must in such cases often use ferritic stainless steels or Cr-Ni-alloys which are brittle and expensive and, hence, not ideal.
Finally, for many application fields resistance to abrasion is often required from the wire, as in the case of sieve gratings of round wire, or of piston rings or of band saws of flat wire. Steel with high carbide contents must then be used, and these steels have a relatively low ductility and, besides, are expensive.
Thus there is a need for a wire material which consists of an inner core of one metal with an outer cover or plating thereon of a different metal. By a suitable choice of metals in the core and the cover it is thus possible to obtain an optimum combination of properties of the finished wire. The cover should then preferably be attached to a core of a wire blank or billet, after which this composite blank is worked to the finished wire by means of known methods, such as hot and cold rolling, drawing, extrusion and the like. It is of course ofthe greatest importance that a complete adhesion be obtained between the core and the cover and that this adhesion be maintained throughout the whole working of the wire blank to the finished wire. This earlier had cause difficulties which are eliminated by means of the method of the present invention.
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of compound wire of metal and is characterized in that a core of a metallic wire blank or billet is surrounded by a tubular mantle of a different metal and is joined to the latter by means of explosive joining or cladding, after which the wire blank further is worked to the finished wire by means of known methods.
Methods of explosive joining of different metals have been found to provide a good adhesion between the most various types of metallic materials. It has been found to be suitable that the core material in the finished wire consists of a rolled or forged metallic core or of a wire rolling blank, prepared in some other way, and that the metallic material of the cover or mantle consists of a seamless or welded tube or a plate bent to a tubular shape. After the explosive joining the composite billet is worked to wire or bar having a diameter of 3-20 mm, preferably 5-15 mm, by means of a hot rolling operation or in some other known manner. Further working can be carried out by means of cold rolling, drawing, extrusion or other known methods.
LII
It previously had been known to prepare compound wires, bars and other elongated metal products by drawing, followed by a heat treatment. Thus, it is known from Swedish Pat. No. 61,563 to prepare such products with an iron or steel core and a copper mantle, wherein a layer of zinc is provided as a binder between the mantle and the core. This method, however, is time-consuming and requires extensive equipment for the drawing and heat treatment. Furthermore, the choice of materials in the core and the mantle is severely limited by their adhesion properties in relation to the binder metal. For example, it would be quite impossible to bond a stainless steel mantle to a core of zinc coated steel. Furthermore, explosive forming or bonding of metals is known from a number of patents, such as Swedish Pats. Nos. 209,189 and 333,860. None of this prior art, however, refers to the explosive joining of a metallic core to a mantle, after which the product obtained is further mechanically worked to a finished wire.
By the method of the invention there is obtained as final product a compound wire consisting of a core of one metal with a well adhering mantle of a selected different metallic starting material. The mantle layer is continuous and free from holes or cracks. The mantle is securely joined to the core, throughout the surface area of the core, by explosive joining by the procedure described in US. Pat. No. 3,397,444. The finished compound wire can be shaped to round wire or to narrow bands (flat wire) with a straight edge or with a varying edge radius, using known methods. In the preparation of a corrosion-resistant compound wire according to the invention the mantle of the material can consist of an austenitic stainless steel, a nickel alloy, titanium or titanium alloy or of another corrosionresistant material, while the material of the core consists of an unalloyed or low-alloy carbon steel. If the wire is to be used for the preparation of springs, the core material should consist of a spring steel. Compound wires thus prepared are also suitable for the production of corrosion-resistant wire cables.
in the production of a compound wire according to the invention with a high resistance to scaling at elevated temperature, the material of the core preferably consists of a ductile steel or of another ductile alloy, while the material of the mantle consists of a ferritic stainless steel, a nickel-chromium alloy or of another alloy characterized by a high resistance to scaling. In the preparation of a compound wire with a high abrasion resistance the material of the mantle correspondingly consists of a steel or another material with a high abrasion resistance.
The invention is illustrated more in detail by the following examples.
EXAMPLE:
A roller wire blank of carbon steel containing 0.85 percent C and with a diameter of 101 mm was explosion plated with a tube of stainless steel of the 18-8 type. The tube had an interior diameter of 107 mm and the thickness of the material was 3 mm. After joining, the composite billet was rolled to 5.5 mm wire and then drawn, by means of conventional wire drawing technique, to a diameter of 1.9 mm. in all phases from billet to the finished wire the material was controlled and the adhesion between the core and the mantle was found to be excellent.
Compound wire of the diameter 3.8 mm was oilhardened by continuous austenitizing, quenching in oil and annealing in a lead bath, and compression springs were prepared from the hardened wire. The compound wire was shaped to springs with fully acceptable values as to straightness, length and pitch.
Here the invention had substantially been described with reference to core and mantle materials, which mainly consists of steel and steel alloys. It is. however, obvious to the expert that the invention is not restricted to the use of merely these materials but that also other metallic materials can be fully used in the present process.
I claim:
1. A process for preparation of a compound metal wire which comprises surrounding a core of a wire billet with a tubular mantle, joining mantle and billet by means of explosive joining or cladding and working the resulting composite wire billet to finished wire.
2. The process of claim 1 for the preparation ofa corrosion-resistant compound wire, in which the material of the core consists of an unalloyed or low-alloy carbon steel, and the material of the mantle consists ofa corrosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of an austenitic stainless steel, a nickel alloy, titanium and a titanium alloy. v
3. The process of claim 1 for the preparation of compound wire having pronounced resistance to scaling at elevated temperatures, in which the material of the core consists of a ductile alloy and the material of the mantle consists of an alloy having a high resistance to scaling and selected from the group consisting of ferritic stainless steel and a nickel-chromium alloy.
4. The process of claim 1 for the preparation of a compound wire having a high abrasion resistance, in which the material of the core consists of ductile steel, and the material of the mantle consists of some other material having a high abrasion resistance.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the composite wire billet after the explosive joining is hot-rolled in a known manner or is worked in a known manner to a wire or bar with a diameter of 3-20 mm, preferably 5-15 mm. |
US-3874067-A | Method and apparatus of butt welding pipes or the like | United States Patent Toyooka et al.
METHOD AND APPARATUS OF BUTT WELDING PIPES OR THE LIKE Inventors: Terumasa Toyooka; Kiyoshi Terai,
both of Hyogo, Japan Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hyogo, Japan Filed: June 7, 1973 Appl. No.: 367,928
US. Cl 29/470.3, 156/73, 156/304, 156/544, 156/580, 228/2, 264/68 Int. Cl B23k 19/00 Field of Search 156/73, 544, 580, 304; 29/4703; 228/1, 2; 264/68 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,829,360 4/1973 McElroy 156/304 X Primary ExaminerEdward G. Whitby Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT The ends of two pipes or rods to be butt welded are beveled to form a V-shaped groove when abutting opening toward the outer periphery, a ring of metal of corresponding size and V-shaped configuration to the groove is positioned within the groove and the ring is forcibly rotated about the axis of the pipe or rod, while compressing the pipes or rods together. The heat of friction fully plasticizes the ends of the pipes or rods and the ring, rotation of the ring ceases and final compression between the pipes effects welding. Alternatively, the ends of the pipes are at right angles to the pipe axis and the ring comprises a short section of pipe corresponding to the two pipes to be butt welded.
3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures \1 FIG. 4 PRIOR ART K FIG. 2 PRIOR ART I IRIENTEU APR 1 5 FIG.
sum 2 [If 3 FIG. 3 PRIOR ART METHOD AND APPARATUS OF BUTT WELDING PIPES OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the butt welding of pipes or rods and more particularly, to the welding of the abutting ends of the pipes or rods by the application of friction heat.
2. Description of the Prior Art The friction welding of pipes or rods has been carried out in the past as illustrated in FIG. 1 by rotating one pipe or rod about its longitudinal axis at relatively high speed and under high compression against the end of the other stationary pipe or rod so as to elevate the temperature of the contact zone between sections to the welding temperature, abruptly stopping the rotation of the rotating pipe or rod and applying a final compressive force between the pipe or rod section to thereby weld the sections together.
Another prior art friction welding process often employed is shown in FIG. 2, wherein three pipes or rods are arranged in abutting end to end fashion, along a common axis, to form two contact zones and the central pipe or rod is rotated while applying compressive force to the contact zone, for instance, from one end of a given outside pipe or rod as identified by the arrow 2, whereby, the two contact zones are simultaneously friction welded.
In either case, the friction welding process requires the rotation of one of the rods or pipes at high speed and to abruptly stop that section after the contact zone is elevated to welding temperature. Accordingly, the friction welding process of the prior art has not been applied to large size articles, and the maximum diameter of pipe or rod generally welded by the described friction welding processes is at most I mm., and the application of this type of welding is generally restricted to short pipes or rods if the pipes or rods are of relatively large diameter.
On the other hand, large scale friction welders are necessary to build long distance pipeline in recent years. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates in perspective, a large scale friction welder described in Metal Construction and British Welding Journal" issue of May I970, page I98, wherein the welder is mounted on a pair of catapillar trucks driven by diesel engine and employed in the .welding of long and large diameter pipes. In FIG. 3, the operator chamber 7 is shown as positioned adjacent a pair of diesel engines 7 which act to drive oil pumps 8, the operator standing further close to welding part 9. 10 indicates a roller at a fixed side, 11 a rotating work head, 12 an oil pressure driven motor, 13 a pipe to be friction welded, and 14 the next pipe to be welded in succession to that of pipe 13. In operation of the illustrated friction welder of FIG. 3, the heavy, long and large diameter pipe may be rotated while keeping it exactly in proper axial position but the abrupt stopping of the rotating heavy pipe once heated at the welding temperature in the area of abutment with the adjacent stationary pipe is technically difficult to achieve. Besides, surface projections in the form of fins, are formed inside the pipe, which are peculiar to the friction welding of pipes and the removal of such fins is quite troublesome.
The present invention is intended to solve the problems caused by the application of friction welding methods to heavy and large size pipes or rods and to overcome the difficulty inaburptly stopping the high 5 speed rotation of such heavy pipes as well as the difficulty in removing the fins formed inside of the pipe at the welded zones. The present invention is also intended to provide a friction welding process which is capable of simultaneously welding a plurality of small diameter pipes or rods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The friction welding process of the present invention is characterized in one form by beveling the ends of the abutting pipes or rods to be butt welded to form a V- shaped groove therebetween, which diverges in the direction of the outer periphery of the pipe or rod when the ends of the two pipes or two rods ar brought into contact with each other, inserting a ring of the same metal as that of the pipes or rods or like suitable metallic material having a cross section of corresponding V- shape or in the form ofa symmetrical or unsymmetrical trapezoid within the V-shaped groove prior to welding, forcibly rotating the embedded ring about the axis of the pipe or rod while applying initial compression to the pipes, elevating the temperature of the ends of the pipes or rods and the inserted ring by the heat of friction created by rotating the ring in contact with the stationary pipes until fairly plastieized, and then applying final compression between the pipes to weld the pipes or rods at the V-shaped groove.
Alternatively, the ends of the abutting pipes or rods are not beveled but are at right angles to the axis of the pipes or rods and the insert ring comprises a short piece of pipe or rod corresponding to those to be butt welded, the short piece of pipe or rod carrying teeth on its outer periphery or being supported in turn by a ring gear concentrically surrounding the short piece of pipe and driven in like manner preferably by a rotating driving gear enmeshed therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pair of pipes being friction welded together by common prior art 45 process.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of three pipe sections whose abutting edges are friction welded by another prior art welding process.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a large scale friction welder of the prior art employing a conventional friction welding process illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the welded pipes of the prior art processes illustrating the attending fin formation.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of two pipes to be welded by the friction welding process of the present invention through the use of an insert ring between abutting ends of the pipe sections.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one mechanism for forcibly rotating the insert ring of the arrangement of FIG. 5 to effect friction welding by the process of the present invention as applied to a pair of end abutting pipes.
FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of an arrangement of a plural group of end abutting pipes, interposed ring and a gear drive system for simultaneously friction welding a plurality of pipe at circumferentially spaced positions about a central drive gear under the friction welding process of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view partially broken away of a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a short insert pipe is butt welded to a pair of elongated pipes in end abutment therewith.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention in one form is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, in FIG. the abutting ends of pipes l and l are illustrated as being beveled at their edges in oppositely inclined fashion to provide an outwardly diverging V-shaped groove or gap within which is positioned a ring formed of the same metal making up the pipes la and lb or of a different but compatible metal but of complementary V-shaped cross section configuration. The arrow 2, as in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, illustrates the direction of applied compressive force acting through pipe lb on pipe la, and the ring 3 which is inserted within the V-shaped groove defined by the beveled edges of the pipes. Under the broad method of the present invention, the inserting ring 3 is placed in abutting position relative to the beveled end of one of the pipes, for instance, pipe la. Then, as evidenced further in FIG. 6, with the insert ring 3 being preferably provided with gear teeth 20 about its outer periphery, a driving gear 4 is mounted thereon by interengagement of teeth 21 on the inner periphery of ring gear 4, having similar pitch, and configuration to those of the gear teeth 20 on the insert ring 3. The ring gear 4 may be initially positioned on the insert ring 3 prior to the insert ring being abutted against pipe la, for instance, or alternatively, prior to moving the second pipe 1b axially into abutting position with the opposite end face of ring gear 3 or ring gear 4 may be axially slid onto the assembly of the coaxial pipes consisting of the two pipes la and lb and the insert ring 3 filling the V-shaped groove defined by the beveled ends of pipes 1a and lb. In FIG. 6, drive shaft 22 has fixed thereto a drive gear 5 whose teeth 23 mesh with teeth 24 provided on the outer periphery of the ring gear 4 and when the drive shaft 22 is rotated in either direction, positive rotation of the insert ring 3 results, creating friction at the interface between the ring gear 3 and the beveled end of pipes la and 1b. As both the beveled ends of the stationary pipes la and 1b and that of the insert ring 3 are well machines, there is effected an intimate contact between these elements over the complete beveled surface contact area and centering is not necessary. Centering is effected automatically as a result of the thrust force indicated by arrow 2 acting through pipe lb on the insert ring 3 and on the other rotatably fixed pipe Ia. An initial compressive force is exerted as evidenced by arrow 2 in FIGS. 5 and 6 longitudinally of the abutting pipes while rotation of drive shaft 22 forcibly drives the insert ring 3 at high speed, via ring gear 4. As a result, both the side faces of the insert ring 3 and the beveled ends of the pipes la and lb are heated by friction, especially the insert ring 3 which has a smaller heat content as compared to that of the large pipes, and thus the insert ring 3 is rapidly heated. When the welding zone defined by these contacting surfaces is heated to welding temperature, the rotation of the insert ring 3 is abruptly stopped by terminating rotation of drive shaft 22 and a final increased compressive force is applied to the pipe lb in the direction of arrow 2, whereby the plasticized insert ring 3 is welded to both pipe ends while being thrust radially outward by the wcdging action of the beveled ends of pipes la and lb. As the mass of the insert ring 3 is small, the abrupt stopping of ring 3 may be easily achieved with little energy in contrast to the prior art method illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, contrary to the illustrated longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 4, fins which are formed as result of welding do not emerge on the inner periphery of the welded pipe, but because of the wedge action created by the beveled ends of pipes la and lb on the insert ring 3, the fins are thrusted radially outward. The same effect is achieved if the groove and the insert ring is trapezoid in cross section. Further, the fins and their tendency to form on the inner periphery of the welded pipe may be regulated by changing the shape of the cross section of the insert ring 3, the groove which receives the same, the degree of compression and the magnitude of the final compression force acting on the weld area.
Besides, the friction welding process of the present invention requires a relatively small size and compact driving means and the driving force may be effected by remote controlled electric motor or hydraulic motor which permits changing of the rotary velocity of the insert ring 3 through the driving gear 5 and the ring gear 4, since the rotation force is applied exclusively to the small insert ring 3 and the pipe la and lb while being subjected to a compressive force are angularly fixed. Furthermore, since the insert ring does not melt, the welding can be carried out at any angular inclination, that is, the longitudinal axis of the pipe assembly may be vertical or horizontal or in between. Further, the process is applicable to the welding of members of mutually different material and is easily achieved, and the members may be formed of special metals which are non-weldable by the usual arc welding processes.
Turning to FIG. 7, there is illustrated schematically the process as applied to a system for welding simultaneously a plurality of pipes or rods by arranging a series of ring gears 4 in a circumferentially spaced fashion about the periphery of a drive gear 5 driven by a shaft 22 such that the single drive gear 5 simultaneously rotates in this case four insert rings associated with four different groups of abutting pipes. To effect stability in a multiple welding machine employing the process of the present invention, the ring gear 4 at each weld location may be stabilized by employing multiple gears whose axes are fixed in mesh with the gear teeth on the outer periphery of the ring gear 4.
While the shape of the groove defined by the beveled ends of the pipe has been illustrated as being V-shaped and diverging outwardly, the groove and the insert ring whose surfaces are complementary thereto may take the form of a symmetrical or unsymmetrical trapezoid, however the ends of the pipes should be beveled to the extent that the compressive force acting on the weld area tends to force the plasticized metal within the groove radially outward during friction welding to insure the elimination of fins on the pipe interior, these fins being readily removable if limited to the exterior of the welded pipe at the friction welded joints.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 8, a drive shaft 22' has fixed thereto a drive gear 5 whose teeth 23' mesh with teeth 24 provided on the outer periphery of ring gear 4, and when the drive shaft 22 is rotated in either direction, positive rotation of insert 3' results, creating friction at the interface between the insert 3 and the ends of pipes la and 1b, much in the same manner as the embodiment of H0. 6. However, in this case, instead of having beveled ends for the stationary pipes la and lb as in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the pipes la and lb have ends which define end surface planes which are at right angles to the axis of the pipes. In turn, the insert 3 in this case is not a ring having conforming beveled surfaces, but is in fact a short length of pipe identical in thickness, material and size to the pipes la and 1b and preferably is provided with integral gear teeth as at 25 on its periphery, the gear teeth 25 extending axially only the distance of the thickness or width of ring gear 4. Other than employing a ring gear 4, sprockets or like holding means may be provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate pipe or insert 3' directly or via a gear joint.
ln operation, in similar fashion to the prior embodiment of FIG. 6, the pipes la and lb as well as the intermediate range or short pipe 3' are arranged in line so as to lie coaxially. Then by rotation of shaft 22 while pipes la and lb are fixed (by means not shown) and while compressive force is exerted in opposite directions on pipes la and lb as indicated by arrows 2', the relative rotation between the short pipe 3 and pipes la and lb under the compressive force causes a large amount of friction heat to be generated on both contact zones 6a and 6b. When the temperature of the contact zones is elevated to the welding temperature, the rotation of the short pipe 3 abruptly ceases and a final compression force is applied axially between all three pipes 3', la and lb either from both ends or from one end only, to weld the two pipes la and 1b together through the use of the intermediate or insert pipe 3.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
What is claimed is: l. A method of butt welding pipes comprising the steps of:
beveling the ends of the pipe to be butt welded to form opposed outwardly diverging surfaces, inserting a metal ring of corresponding size and thickness and having correspondingly oppositely diverging end surfaces between said pipes and in end abutting position with respect to said pipes to be joined,
forcibly rotating the inserted ring about a common axis including the pipes and the ring while applying compressive force between the pipes and the ring to elevate the temperatures of the ends of the pipes and the ring by the heat of friction,
terminating rotation of the ring, and
applying final compression between the pipes to butt weld said pipes by means of said ring, with said ring being provided with a cross section corresponding to that of the diverging groove formed between the pipes when abutting;
whereby, fins resulting from welding do not form on the inner periphery of the welded pipe, and any fins formed by the wedge action of the beveled ends of the pipe acting on the insert ring are formed radi' ally outward permitting subsequent removal from the exterior surface of the butt welded pipes.
2. An apparatus for butt welding at least one pair of end abutting pipes or the like, said apparatus comprising:
means for supporting at least two pipes in end to end coaxial position,
means for supporting a metal ring having complementary end surfaces in contact with the ends of said respective pipes,
means for applying compression between said pipes and said insert ring,
means for selectively rotating said ring about a common axis between said pipe and said insert ring,
said insert ring including gear teeth about its outer periphery,
a gear ring internal and external gear teeth in mesh with said insert ring to effect rotation of said insert ring about the full periphery of the same by said intermeshed internal and external teeth of said gear ring and said insert ring respectively;
whereby, said insert ring is rotated to elevate the temperature of the pipe ends by said gear ring acting on the full periphery of said insert ring by the heat of friction developed by rotation of said insert ring to plasticize the same, rotation of the ring is terminated and final compression between said pipes welds the ends of the pipes together via said insert ring.
3. An apparatus for butt welding a plurality of pairs of axially positioned end to end pipes simultaneously, said apparatus comprising:
means for supporting said pairs of pipes in end to end coaxial position,
means for supporting a metal insert ring having complementary end surfaces in contact with the ends of respective pipes of each pair,
means for applying compression between said pipes of each pair and said insert ring,
means for rotating said insert ring about a common axis between said pipes and said insert ring for each of said pairs of pipes, said means for rotating said insert ring comprising a plurality of ring gears each of which surrounds and is in mesh with an insert ring whose edges frictionally engage the ends of the pipes of said given pairs to be frictionally welded, said ring gears being in mesh with a driving gear at circumferentially spaced positions about said driving gear such that said means for rotating said driving gear simultaneously rotates the ring gears for each pair of pipes. |
US-3874068-A | Wave soldering electrical connections | 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 WAVE SOLDERING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS [75] Inventor:
[73] Assignee: Dynamics Corporation of America, New York, NY.
[22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 337,386
Related US. Application Data Lawrence E. Cook, Meriden, Conn.
[60] Division of Ser. No. 219,036, Jan. 19, 1972, Pat. No.
3,765,591, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 138,651, April 29, 1971.
[52] US. Cl 29/47l.l, 29/481, 29/503, 228/37 [5 l] Int. Cl B23k 31/02 [58] Field of Search 29/471.1, 484, 503, 481; 117/113, 114 R; 228/36, 37
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,478,696 12/1923 Boehme 228/31 2,776,640 l/l957 Miklofsky ct al. 228/36 UX 3,482,755 12/1969 Raciti 228/37 X 3,502,787 3/1970 Reach et a1 29/471.1 X 3,536,243 10/1970 Higgins 228/36 X 3,589,590 6/1971 Fitzsimmons 29/503 3,673,681 7/1972 Steranko 228/5 X Primary E,\'aminer-Francis S. Husar Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Craig Attorney, Agent, or Firm1-larbaugh and Thomas [57] ABSTRACT Wire connectors are wave soldered to a terminal by moving mechanically connected insulated wire and depending terminal connectors in a fixed plane progressively through a flux bath and then through a bidirectionally flowing molten solder bath for a time-heat cycle effective to burn off the insulation and solder bond the elements. The work pieces may be moved in a circular path or moved along a guiding divider which shields the remaining parts of the work piece from flux splatter in a clean cooling dispersing atmosphere or a blast of cooling air may be used to scavenge and return to the bath surplus molten solder from the soldered elements as they leave the bath.
11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures WAVE SOLDERING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of application Ser. No. 2l9.036 filed Jan. I9, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,765,59l which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 138,651, filed by the same inventor, Apr. 29, 1971.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore electrical connections have been soldered under conveyor conditions in which relative movement has been required between a work piece and molten solder to dispose the solder and the work piece in a proper dip relation. A preheating of the work piece has generally been employed ahead of a solder dip to bring bare uninsulated metal parts up to predetermined temperatures. Where relatively moving molten solder has been employed as a dip the flow is restricted to a small exposed area and must have a mild upward component of movement of solder generally towards the connection whereby solder cannot contact the work piece other than the metal parts to be soldered. Even then care must be taken to prevent over-spread and the undesirable contacting of other parts. Conveyors are usually momentarily stoppped, or make a quick vertical excursion for an adequate operation to provide a soldered joint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized by a molten solder pot that is elongated in the direction of planar movement of a continuous conveyor which preferably is either a turning wheel having work carriers at the ends of spokes where work pieces are carried by a fixture. or. an endless conveyor along a rectilineal track as closely grouped as desirable where the work pieces have carriage parts below the level of which the solder joints depend.
Thermostatically controlled heated solder is moved at a substantially high rate from the heater upwardly at the horizontal center of the pot to establish the hottest point of the solder preferably at the horizontal center of the pot. From there the flow preferably divides itself into two currents continuously flowing substantial distances in opposite directions essentially in alignment with the path of movement of the work piece on the conveyor. The two currents spill over weirs at the opposite ends of the pot at a depth and with agitation great enough: (1) to heat the mechanically secured parts; (2) burn the insulation from any insulated wire ends; (3) solder bond the two parts; (4) solidly interconnect wire ends with solder in small apertures of thin wall terminals; and (5) wash away dross and debris to keep the surface of the solder substantially clean since there are no corners in which dross can collect.
The current of solder flowing in one direction flows towards the approaching work pieces and rapidly heats each successive work piece regardless of their frequency with increasingly hotter molten solder until the center of the pot is reached where the hottest portion of solder burns away the flux coated insulation to bare 'clean metal for direct contact by the flux without contamination by dross or air. The flux required to bond the solder to the clean metal stripped of insulation in the bath is very little and enough flux for that purpose LII preferably is supplied by a preliminary light bubblebath of low viscosity.
With the solder flowing in the opposite direction from the center of the pot; the work piece moves with it and retains sufficient solder to hold the wires solidly and rigidly in place. In one embodiment where the ter- -minal is made of substantial thickness of metal having high electrical conductivity an air blast, which in operation happens to have a cooling effect upon the work piece and the solder bath, is employed to scavenge the excess molten solder from the work pieces as they leave the exit spillway. The air blows the scavenged excess back into the body of the spillage. The remaining bonding solder is quickly hardened before undesirable temperatures can be built up in the remaining structure of the work piece. Thus the blast of air operates in part to keep down the temperature of the remaining structure of the work piece while the electrical joint is being soldered and then scavenges and chills it. Where depending work piece parts may be contacted by flux fumes or splatter they are shielded and subjected to a moving clean atmosphere which disperses fumes and splatter.
Mechanical surface skimmers can be carried by the conveyor to keep the surface of the solder brighi and clean throughout its exposed area, but it has been found that the high volume flow that is adequate to raise the solder level well above the weirs as much as one-half inch, along with the movement of the work piece itself, provides an action that is generally enough to keep the surface of the solder adequately clean.
The invention is characterized by eliminating the need for a conventional preheat flame ahead of or be tween a fluxing station and the soldering station, and, along therewith also eliminates an extra expense of prestripping the connector wire of insulation for use at the connector joint.
A further object of the invention is to eliminate all mechanisms and operations requiring relative vertical movement between the solder pot and the work piece whereby speed and cooperation are accomplished with continuous conveyor movement preferably in a single horizontal plane, and preferably with a simplified apparatus whose only movable parts are essentially a turntable with fixtures for loading and unloading work pieces at a single station or a track along which loose work pieces are moved, a hot solder pump, means for providing enough air for a shield or scavenging blast or both, and low pressure air for the flux bubbler, all of which once adjusted and running requires little if any further attention.
A further object of the invention is to provide currents in a solder pot that are fast flowing in opposite directions from the center in which the unidirectional conveyance of the work piece has hot solder flowing towards it to increase the effective heat supply and exchange contact therebetween while heating up the work piece and assuring the burning of the insulation as it passes throuogh the upward flowing stream of hottest solder. Thereafter the work piece is moved downstream with the opposite current towards the cooling air blast which scavenges excess solder back into the spillage as the work piece leaves the solder and before the soldered joint hardens, and may be passed rapidly through more than one solder bath to assure adequate soldering without unduly heating the remainder of the work piece parts.
Various other andifuirther objects and advantages will appear from the description and claims which follow as related to the drawings in which:
FIG. I is a perspective of the complete soldering machine embodying tlfte invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagra jrnmatical illustration of the fluxing device and movemejlnt of the work piece with respect thereto; and
FIG. 3 is a diagraiinmatical illustration of the solder pot illustrating the operation and flow of the solder and air blast in the invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention involving a rectilineal feed with work pieces moved along guide tracks that support and shield the uninvolved piece parts;
FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectioii taken on line 66 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a longittidinal section taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 4 at one side of the work piece guide;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 7 but taken between the tracks of the guide;
FIG. 9 is a section taken on line 9 of FIG. 6 showing a bare wire connection; and
FIG. 10 is a view-similar to FIG. 9 showing an insulated wire make upjwith an eyelet connector.
DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FlG. l, the invention contemplates fluxing and soldering electrically conductive work pieces rotatively at successive stations indicated by the devices at 10 and 12, respectively. The devices are mounted on a work table 14 and are arranged preferably in a circular path that is transcribed by coplanar fixtures 16 carrying the work. The fixtures are located on the end of the spokes 18 of a turntable wheel 20 supported on a verticalshaft 22 that is rotated in the direction ofthe arrow 28' by the motor 24 through the transmission 26 as later described herein. In event that more than one work piece 30 are at soldering stations at one time, a rectilineally moving conveyor may be employed to provide a heat-time constant for all work pieces.
The work pieces 30 that are carried by the fixtures are illustrated by an assembled component of universal motors in which insulated magnet wire 32 is wound in place beteen dielectric end members 34 that carry connector terminals 36 along their lower peripheral edges abut which the field-tap wire-loops 38 are quickly tied mechanically during the winding operation without need for stripping their plastic insulation.
The work pieces are secured to the fixtures with the lugs depending and disposed in a common plane to move successively from the feed station at 40 horizontally through the flux device 10 and then through the soldering station 12 to the piece discharge station 42 to solder the loops 38 to the lugs 36 in electrical conductive relation.
The work clearance levels of the two devices 10 and 12 as indicated at 44 are substantially the same so that the planar movement of the coplanar work pieces is devoid of any vertical excursions. Thus embodiments of the invention are greatly simplified.
The liquid flux and molten solder components being amenable to the passage of solid objects through them, their working levels areraised above the level 44 quite substantially for the tied wire loops 38 and the terminals 36 to freely pass therethrough and be coated thereby.
Fluxing Station For this purpose the fluxing device 10 illustrated in the embodiment shown comprises a central container 50 extending to the level 44 and having replenishing holes 52 in the bottom covered by a sintered metal porous disk 54. An overflow catch basin 56 surrounds the container 50 and the holes 52 permit the liquid levels to seek to equalize in the container and basin.
A flux reservoir 62 surrounds the bottom of the basin 56 where soldering flux having a vaporizing temperature higher than that of the wire insulation is heated by an electric heater 68 to a constant liquid viscosity as controlled by an adjustable thermostat 64. The bottom of the basin is in communication with the reservoir through openings 66, and with the container 50 through openings 52.
A source of air under pressure is introduced to the container 50 by the conduit 58 as controlled by a flow adjustment valve 60 and a porous disk 54, preferably made of sintered powder stainless steel or bronze, is located in the bottom of the central container 50 over the openings 52 and conduit 58. The disk is preferably provided with 25 micron openings and with the replenishing flux moving therethrough along with the air. the comminuted air operates to convert the liquid flux in contact therewith into foam indicated at 70 in the central chamber 50 above the disk as both are broken up into minute units. The air present levitates the foam bodily.
An advantage of the embodiment illustrated arises by being able to provide an optimum coating and to minimize the dross which will occur at the solder station. Given equal liquid levels, preferably low. in the relationship described, the minute air bubbles leaving the disk at the start will foam the flux above it to a predetermined height but the weight of the foam column is still substantially the same as though liquid levels were present even though the foam extends well above the liquid level. This may be high enough to bathe the wire terminals. However, if the liquid present between air particles is more viscous and cooler the level of the foam would be heavier yet and may not be high enough to extend above the level 44 of the container. Continued air flow and lack of flux could cause dry bubbling that could create an air cavity raising the foam above it higher and continuing to prevent replenishing liquid flux flow, resulting in irregular fluxing conditions. On the other hand, an air bubbler covered at all times with liquid flux tends to produce coarse bubbles with thick walls between bubbles that provide on the work pieces an excess of flux that is unnecessary and ultimately becomes objectionable dross.
However, with the present invention the flux is brought to and kept at a predetermined temperature so that its viscosity with respect to the disk is constant and any replenishing flux needed is preferably received through the disk along with the minute air bubbles. Such maintains foam continuity of the column and the central portion is easily forced above the level 44 a substantial distance as at 72 before the marginal portions spill over the edge at the level 44. Accordingly, additional air can be supplied and additional liquid flux would be supplied at the same time to prevent minute units of air from recollecting without enough liquid flux to hold a foam. Thereby the effect of substantial variations in the tube height above liquid flux replenishing level are overcome including pressure changes of the air and any special care required to maintain the upward bulge of the foam at 72 to flux contacts 36 passing therethrough. Only the temperature of the flux and the setting of the air valve is involved in the present invem tion to assure a continuing desired height of the foam bulge 72 above the level 44 to attain maximum results with minimum waste of flux.
Soldering Station At the soldering station 12, or stations, a long and narrow solder applicator trough 80 of a height greater than the level 44 is provided that is elongated'in the direction of the arrow 82. The end walls 84 are cut down to the level 44 for the top edges thereof to form weirs 85 and 87. The upper portion of the side walls then form retaining walls 86 confining solder overflow to the weirs. The trough is received in an overflow tank 88 and a drain 90 therefrom leads to the inlet of a large capacity pump P driven by a speed controlled shaft 91 (FIG. 4). The outlet 92 of the pump extends through a thermostatically controlled electric heater 94 in heat exchange relationship therewith and terminates in an upwardly directing opening located approximately in the center of the trough 80 and well below the level 44. The pump is driven at a speed to supply hot solder in sufficient quantity to provide a spillage of solder over the weirs of a height as much as five-eighths inch. Thus the heated solder Welling up at the center 96 of the trough divides to flow in opposite directions over the weirs.
As the connector terminals 36 with the insulated wires thereon enter the solder over the weir 85 and move upstream of the current 98 fresh hot solder is brought into heat exchange with the terminals and rapidly heats them. By the time the center 96 is reached the wire insulation is vaporized off of the wire with nonvaporizing flux replacing the insulation in contact with the bare wire ends. As the connector terminals move from the center in the direction of the other of the two currents. as indicated at 100, the solder spreads in bonding contact with the fluxed bare metal of the wire and connectorsas timed to occur just before they pass over the other weir 87. At this time a blast of air 102A from a nozzle 104A is directed against the metal parts and the solder that is spilling over the weir 87. This blast cools the supporting parts of the connections and when the connections leave the solder, any surplus molten solder clinging thereto is driven back into the spillage for reheating and recycling. The solder remaining that economically coats the connection is frozen for solidification and immediate use or packaging of the work piece.
As shown in FIG. 4 the invention further contemplates rectilineal movement of the work pieces 130 along the edges 102 ofa U-shaped channel 101 serving as tracks to conduct them through station 110 for fluxing. and one or more stations 112 for soldering, as propelled therealong in the direction of the arrow 128 by push rods 116 secured to endless chains 105. The endless chains can return below or above the equipment illustrated. If below, one chain can be used and diverges from the channel where the rods 116 relinquished the work pieces.
The work pieces 130 shown that are carried by the tracks 102 are illustrated as stator and armature elements 104 and 105. respectively, of an electric motor assembled in a housing 106 which journals the armature at its upper driving end 107 and carries a dielectric mounting plate 135 at the lower commutator end, upon which brush holders 133 and connectors 136 are mounted as held in place by assembly screws 129.
As viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10 each connector 136 comprises a pair of connected sleeve rivets with one rivet portion 136A riveted to the insulation plate at its edge as at 137 and the other rivet portion 1368 having its tubular portion 136T extending downwardly below the plate 135. The extensions 136T receive coil leads 138 and wire connectors 139 that are terminally inserted and soldered therein. The flared upper end of the tubular portion 136T serves as a funnel 136F guiding the ends of the wires as they are inserted in place and the wires are either terminally bent or wrapped around the eyelet. The ends of the magnet coil wires 132, as shown in FIG. 9, have an insulation coating and the heavier lead wires shown in FIG. 10 are terminally stripped bare of insulation and crooked as at 139C to hold their inserted position until they are soldered in place. The rivets receive either one or both wires for a soldered electrical junction and along with the rivets, the brush holders 133 have downwardly bent eyeletted tabs 137 which extend below the level of the mounting board 135, it being noted that they connect with the brush holders at the level of the mounting board 135 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Referring to FIG. 6, two parallel broken lines 139 are shown to indicate paths on the mounting plate 135 which will accommodate the tracks 102 when the work piece 130 is placed thereon as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the armature. assembly screws 129, and brush holders 133 which extend below the mounting plate are received protectively between the side walls 103 of the channel member 101 while the depending connector elements 137 and 136T are disposed outside of the channel side walls 103 where they will pass through the flux foam and the currents 98 and of the that is flowing solder flowing above the level of the weirs 87.
In this embodiment, structure and operation are simplified by the channel 101 extending through the solder pots 12 with the walls 103 thereof providing the spaced retaining walls 186 extending through the center of the pots and the retaining side walls 86 serving as outside walls disposed at a height equal to that of the tracks 102.
Although the use of two soldering pots increases the number of piece parts processed by moving them faster, it has been found that with the sleeve rivets, the first soldering operation removes wire insulation, fluxes the bared metal and wets the sleeves and the bared wires with a coat of solder. With the second soldering operation, additional solder is deposited with the wetting solder to close the eyelet openings with an economical cross wall of solder which holds the wires solidly in place and provides a substantial electrical conductivity through solder between the wires substantially without reliance on the metal of the eyelet. Thereby juncture conductively is consistently high throughout the circuits with easily handled rivets having thin walls or tinned alloys whose circular shape contributes to strength in the assembly of the motor unit.
Referring to FIG. 8, it is to be noted that the depth of the channel 101 accommodates in a protective way a wide miscellany of lengths of depending non-soldered elements on work pieces. However, since the level of the solder is quite close to that of the tracks 102, it is desirable to avoid any flux or solder fumes and splatter contaminating important elements such as the commutator 105 and brush holder 133 where contact conductivity with brushes is important. A blower B is therefore utilized having a nozzle 140 which provides for an inflow of air at 120 in the channel under sufficient pressure to rise and flow outwardly to disperse any fumes or splatter harmlessly away from the non-soldered parts where the work pieces are passing through a critical zone such as that associated with the first solder pot following the fluxing of the work pieces.
Consideration By way of example involving work pieces shown, and not by way of limitation, the distance between weirs is approximately 3 inches; the depth of the spillage is approximately one-half inch which will accommodate terminal connectors of a wide range of heights; the total time of immersion of the connectors is approximately 0.07 minutes thereby providing some tolerance that safeguards conductor wires from being damaged; the air blast is heavy enough to blow excess solder off before it is cooled and enough air strikes the connectors exposed above the level of the molten solder to freeze the solder; the vapor dispersing air also cools depending parts (FIG. 5) which receive heat radiated from the walls of the conveyor channel 101; the temperature of the molten solder engaging the connectors is approximately 750 F; The insulation of the copper wire has the characteristics associated with an inner coating of polyurethane with an outer jacket of nylon both of which are essentially vaporized at 750F leaving only a byproduct that tends to clean or brighten the molten solder as distinguished from contaminating it.
As mentioned, the air comminuting disk 54 is preferably of stainless steel or bronze because these metals wash clean as the flux and air passes therethrough. Since the flux application is in an above room temperature environment that varies a great deal depending on air circulation designed to protect workers, it is preferred to heat the flux to a freely flowable condition at constant temperature rather than thin the flux with a liquid that vaporizes with heat. Vaporization not only would thicken but also chills the remainder with the latent heat of vaporization depletion.
The porosity of the disk 54 is approximately mi crons and although the air passing through it is comminuted to minute bubbles, the presence of flux in the body of the disk, and preferably moving with the air, has the advantage of initiating a fine foam at the exit surface of the disk. The thickness of the disk is between /a and 4 inch; the air inlet area therefor is inch and the applied air pressure is filtered and regulated to less than 1 psi. with a valve controlling the flow. The remaining upstream area of the disk is exposed to flux under a mild hydraulic pressure so that with such pressure and capillary action the flux flows to wet the downstream area of the disk. As the bubbles leave that area. they replace foam that has been depleted by the work pieces or by overflow. The adjustments of flux temperature and air pressure, once set, provide a constancy of performance that is free of normal variations in the hydraulic level of flux during flux depletion and replenishment.
Thus a temperature-time relation can be employed to burn away flux coated wire insulation and solder the bared wire without any contamination of an excellent, electrically conductive wire-terminal joint.
Although the viscosity of the flux can be controlled by dilution. reliance on this alone is not as satisfactory as controlling heat. However, heat and dilution can supplement one another to stabilize temperature in an environment where environmental heat-up, cool-off and drafts can cause appreciable changes with a hot soldering pot in close proximity.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention it will be seen how various arrangements and modifications including devices that have a minimum of adjustable controls can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
l. The method of mechanically soldering an electrical terminal connection carried by a workpiece com prising flowing a bed of heated molten solder over colevel spaced weirs and providing therebetween at a constant level in opposite directions from the center of an elongated laterally confined substantial area at a uniform level over colevel spaced weirs of restricted width at a predetermined depth,
progressively passing solder accepting terminals on a workpiece in a horizontal plane within said depth across one weir in an upstream direction into and through said center and downstream out of said molten solder across the other weir in said horizontal plane, and
directing a blast of air towards said other weir and the terminal connections as they progressively leave the molten solder across said other weir to scavenge back to the molten solder the excess molten solder thereon, and hardening the solder bond on the terminals while cooling the workpiece and the atmosphere above the molten solder around the workpiece.
2. The method of soldering a mechanical connection between connector terminals on a workpiece and insulated wire mechanically connected thereto including,
successively moving the connection through a flux bath and progressively and horizontally through a horizontally elongated bi-directionally flowing solder bath spaced from the workpiece, burning off the insulation in the solder bath and solder bonding the connection in said solder bath, and
scavenging excess solder from the solder bonded connection back to the molten solder and cooling the workpiece by a blast of air directed towards the bath and space between said bath and workpiece as the bonded connections progressively leave the solder bath.
3. The method recited in claim 2 including discharging the flowing solder over two weirs in opposite directions at approximately the same level, and
reheating said discharged solder and returning said reheated solder upwardly to the bath between the weirs in a column whose width is approximately less than a third of the distance between the weirs.
4. The method recited in claim 2 comprising moving the work pieces from the flux bath in a horizontal plane directly to the solder bath.
5. The method recited in claim 2 in which said flux for said bath is heated to predetermined temperature in a liquid state, and
9 comminuting said liquid and air in intimate relation in minute amounts to provide a foam extending into the path of said connection.
6. The method of claim 2 in which the molten solder flows in opposite directions over spillways in directions substantially aligned with the direction of movement of the connections between the spillways.
7. The method of claim 2 in which the molten solder intermediate the spillways is initially elevated approximately one-half inch above the weirs towards a workpiece passing above said solder intermediate the spillways.
8. The method of solder bonding mechanically associated parts including the step of passing laterally through two oppositely flowing spillways of molten solder and through flowing molten solder intermediate the spillways the lower end of a thin wall sleeve rivet connector terminal depending from a board spaced above said molten flowing solder providing an air gap with wires extending therethrough at least one of which is insulated and removing the insulation below the rivet to bare the wires,
directing an upwardly flowing current of heated molten solder into contact with said depending terminal. and,
solder bonding and setting the connections to close the lower opening of the terminal with solder to provide substantial electrical conductivity between the wires through the solder.
9. The method of solder bonding insulated connector wire ends disposed in a depending thin wall sleeve rivet connector terminal having a sharp edge depending from a support including the steps of passing the terminal and wire ends laterally through a body of molten solder flowing in one direction with the support spaced from the solder, vaporizing the insulation and tinning the wire ends and connector without overspread of the solder,
passing the tinned wire ends and terminal through a 10 body of molten solder spaced from the support and flowing in another direction to fill the lower end of the sleeve terminal with solder as an electrical conductor between the wires, and
blasting the soldered parts laterally thereto with air as they leave the body of molten solder to scavenge excess solder from the soldered parts and drive it back into the body without splatter for reheating and recirculation.
10. The method of solder bonding mechanically associated connections having insulated wire and extending from a dielectric body including the steps of heating and raising molten solder from a-reservoir centrally between and to a level above two spaced weirs,
confining the molten solder to flow horizontally elongated distances in opposite directions to the weirs over which the molten solder spills back to the reservoir,
successively moving the connections colevel with that of the molten solder andin depending relation through a flux bath and unindirectionally over one weir through the flowing solder with an air gap between the body and molten solder,
burning off the insulation, vaporizing the flux and removing dross and debris back to the reservoir with solder flowing in one direction, solder bonding and setting the connections with the molten solder flowing in the other direction,
cooling said body and scavenging excess solder from the bonded connections as the connections exit from the solder over the other weir coincident with a timed blast of air directed at the space between the body and molten solder.
11. The method of claim 10 in which the total width of both spillways is less than a third of the circumference of the exposed area of said horizontal flow of the molten solder. |
US-3874069-A | Method of bonding silicon carbide body to a metal part | United States Patent [191 Ingleby Apr. 1,1975
[ METHOD OF BONDING SILICON CARBIDE BODY TO A METAL PART [75] Inventor: Bryan Edward Ingleby, Preston,
England [73] Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, London, England [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1974 [21] Appl. N0.: 450,293
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 22, 1973 United Kingdom 13973/73 [52] US. Cl. 29/473.l 204/32 R [51] Int. Cl. B23k 31/02 [58] Field of Search 29/4731, 502; 204/32 R,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,329 5/1959 Slatin 204/32 R 3,620,799 11/l97l Hoelscher... 29/473.1 X
Miyata et al. Heap et al.
204/32 R 29/473.l X
Primary Examiner-Carl E. Hall Attorney, Agent, or FirmLarson, Taylor and Hinds 6 Claims, No Drawings METHOD OF BONDING SILICON CARBIDE BODY TO A METAL PART BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to silicon carbide bodies.
There is a requirement for the bonding of metal parts to self-bonded silicon carbide bodies, that is bodies which are formed from a pressed mixture of green silicon carbide and carbon by treatment with molten silicon or silicon vapour.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a self-bonded silicon carbide body is treated to remove free silicon from the surface of the body and electro-plated with a metal. The metal plating may be subsequently bonded to a metal part, by brazing for example.
Nickel is a metal which can be satisfactorily plated. Copper is an alternative.
The preplating treatment of the silicon carbide body to remove free silicon may be effected by immersion in caustic alkali, for example sodium hydroxide, or in a hydrofluoric acid/nitric acid mixture.
In an example of a preferred way of carrying the invention into effect a self-bonded silicon carbide body was leachedin boiling 30% caustic soda solution for several hours in order to remove free silicon from the surface layer. The body was then plated with nickel using a standard plating solution of the following composition:
Nickel chloride 100 parts Nickel sulphate 600 parts Boric acid 70 parts Sodium formate 30 parts Tcepol 40 parts Water 2000 parts The nickel plating was carried out at 60C with a nickel anode and the silicon carbide body as cathode.
LII
The voltage was adjusted and plating commenced with a current of A amp until the initial bond and a com plete plated layer had formed. The current was then increased up to 1 amp and plating continued until the required thickness has been obtained, for example between 0.020 and 0.050 inch.
A silicon carbide body plated in the manner described in the example so as to receive a plating layer 0.020-0.050 in thick has been bonded to stainless steels using as braze material common silver solder of composition 50% silver, 15 copper, 16 zinc and 19% cadmium. The flux used was Easyflo stainless steel grade which was supplied by Johnson Matthey Ltd, 81 l-Iatton Garden, London, England.
I claim:
1. A process for joining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body, the process comprising the steps of treating the silicon carbide body to remove free silicon from the surface of the body, electroplating the treated body with a metal and bonding the metal plating to a metal part.
2. A process for joining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electroplated metal is nickel.
3. A process of joining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electroplated metal is copper.
4. A process ofjoining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the free silicon is removed by immersion of the body in caustic alkali.
5. A process of joining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the free silicon is removed by immersion of the body in a hydrofluoric acid/nitric acid mixture.
6. A process of joining a metal part to a self-bonded silicon carbide body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal part is of stainless steel. |
US-3874070-A | High fatigue squeeze riveting process and apparatus therefor | United States Patent 1 1 Falcioni 1 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 HIGH FATIGUE SQUEEZE RIVETING PROCESS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Joseph George Falcioni, Tacoma,
Wash.
[73] Assignee: The Boeing Company, Seattle,
Wash.
221 Filed: Aug. 3, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 385,450
156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.590.585 3/1952 Temple 227/62 2.957.237 10/1960 Regle et a1 29/470.5 3.391.449 7/1968 Briles 29/522 3.432.925 3/1969 Woolley... 29/630 3.526.032 9/1970 Pipher 29/509 3.557.442 1/1971 Speller 29/526 3.561.102 2/1971 Diemcr 29/509 3.574.918 4/1971 Focht 29/243.54 3.634.928 1/1972 Falcioni 29/509 3.687.349 8/1972 During 227/61 3.747.194 7/1973 Christensen 29/243.54 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 541.685 5/1957 Canada 85/37 1,078,918 11/1954 France 85/37 Primary ExaminerC. W. Lanham Assistant E.\'aminerJames R. Duzan Attorney, Agent, or FirmChristensen, OConnor,
Garrison & Havelka [57] ABSTRACT A high fatigue squeeze riveting process and an apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed. A pair of panels, or other items to be riveted together, are clamped by upper and lower clamps and a countersunk hole is drilled through the items. Thereafter, a shouldered rivet comprising a stud of two different diameters joined by a conical frustrum shoulder, is inserted into the hole. After insertion, upper and lower rams approach the rivet along vertical axially aligned paths. As the upper ram moves downward it presses the rivet into the hole until the shoulder thereof mates with the countersink region of the hole. As force is applied to the upper ram. the force on the upper clamp is transferred through the base of the rivet to the face of the countersink, and the work panels are gently pushed away from the surface of the upper clamp. Following release of the upper clamp, the upper ram stops moving and the lower ram impinges on the lower end of the rivet and applies a squeeze force thereto. As the force applied to the lower ram increases, the force applied to the lower clamp decreases until, just prior to upset, the lower clamp is released thereby subjecting the rivet to equal top and bottom forces.
18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 I975 SHEET 1 0F 3 a .0 w. RP RP R T.PLM EM EM mM U L R R C LC U L W fim mm Tm Wm 3 m W W 1 S C L C C L C H H H H W5 TT 8N8 A v MC LOWER RAM PATENTEDAPR H915 3,874,070
SHEET 3 8F 3 CLAMP 1/ FORCE O T HIGH FATIGUE SQUEEZE RIVETING PROCESS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to riveting processes and apparatus and more particularly to riveting processes and apparatus wherein a rivet stud is squeezed between a pair of rams.
A wide variety of squeeze type riveting processes and apparatus for carrying out the processes have been proposed and are in use. These processes and apparatus vary between those which are relatively uncomplicated to those which are relatively complicated. While some of the prior processes and apparatus have proven to be satisfactory, others have not proven to be as satisfactory or, if satisfactory, have been more expensive than desirable.
One industry wherein prior art riveting processes and apparatus have not been as satisfactory as desirable is the airframe industry. As will be understood by those skilled in the art and others. modern airframes are formed of a skeleton of structural members covered by panels formed of titanium or the like. The panels are riveted together to form an entire surface covering for a region such as a wing. for example. One commonly used prior art process for riveting the panels together (or to the structural members) is conventionally referred to as the squeeze-vibrate process. While this process has proven to be somewhat satisfactory, it is not as satisfactory as desirable. For example, the squeeze vibrate process is noisy and. thus. contributes to noise pollution in the factories utilizing this process. Moreover. because vibration is involved. the life of the machines Carrying out this process is less than it would be if vibration were eliminated. Moreover. and more importantly. the fatigue life of the thusly formed rivet joints is less than desirable. As it will be appreciated by those skilled in the airframe industry. the fatigue life of rivet joints becomes of increasing importance when high gross load aircraft are being constructed.
while the fatigue life of rivet joints formed by the squeeze-vibrate process have been improved, the improvements have been at the cost of building expensive new machinery or at the cost of extensively modifying existing machinery. Thus. the squeeze-vibrate process and the apparatus for carrying out this process have certain disadvantages.
Another common problem in prior art riveting machines. both of a squeeze-vibrate nature and of other natures. is their inability to precisely control the amount of rivet material forming the heads on either side of the rivet. More specifically. in the past it has been conventional to utilize rivet studs of constant diameter. such as those illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3.557.442 issued to T. H. Speller for Slug Riveting Method and Apparatus." Because the rivet stud used in the process and apparatus described in that patent as well as in other processes and apparatus is of constant diameter. the amount of material forming the heads of the resultant rivet. on either side of the panels to be joined. is difficult to control. Because of this difficulty.
the uniformity and reliability of such joints is not as great as desired. Moreover. installation time is increased because the rivet stud must be accurately positioned prior to upset.
While some prior art proposals to overcome the previously discussed problems have been made, they have not been entirely satisfactory. One proposal has been to essentially entirely preform one head of the resultant rivet (see US. Pat. No. 3,526,032 issued to F. C. Pipher for Riveting Method Employing Metal Flow in Both the Manufactured Head and the Upset Head). One problem with this proposal relates to the very limited amount of material that flows in the partially preformed head. Because a limited material flow occurs the rivet studs must be precisely formed. Moreover, the upset force must be precisely applied or else the material flow is inadequate to create a tight" rivet joint. Further, because the rivet studs must be precisely formed, they are relatively expensive even when mass produced. Hence, this proposal also has several disadvantages.
Another problem with many prior art processes and apparatus is depicted in the Speller patent. Specifically, many prior art processes clamp the panels in position during the period of time that the rivet is being inserted and squeezed to the desired shape, i.e., the riveting steps take place. Because a clamping force is applied to the panels during the riveting steps, there is no assurance that equal forces are applied to both the top and bottom surfaces of the rivet. Rather, unequal forces may be applied and compensated for by the clamp forces. The Speller patent. to some extent, proposes a solution to this problem by providing a lower ram that overcomes the force of the upper clamp and moves the panels and the rivet stud upwardly prior to the termination of upset. However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory because some clamp force remains whereby unequal forces can still be applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the rivet.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved riveting process.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for riveting.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a high fatigue squeeze riveting process wherein rivet joints formed in accordance with the process have improved fatigue life.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a new and improved riveting process and apparatus for carrying out the process wherein the amount of rivet material forming the heads on either end of the rivet is easy to control and wherein the amount of force prior to the termination of upset is assured to be equally applied to both ends of the rivet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with principles of this invention a high fatigue squeeze riveting process and apparatus for carrying out the process is provided. In accordance with prior art techniques, a pair of panels or the like to be joined are clamped between a pair of clamps and a hole is drilled through the panels. Following creation of the hole, a rivet stud is inserted into the hole. Thereafter, the sequence of steps which form the heart of this invention are carried out. Specifically, rams approach the rivet-stud from either end. One ram meets the rivet first and moves the rivet until the rivet achieves a predetermined position in the hole. As force is applied to this ram, the force on the clamp on the same side of the panels is released as the panels are gently pushed away from this clamp. Following release of this clamp. movement of the pushing" ram ends and the other ram impinges on the other end of the rivet, and applies a squeeze force thereto. As the force applied to the other ram increases, the force applied to the other clamp decreases until, just prior to the termination of upset, the other clamp is also released thereby subjecting the rivet to equal end forces.
In accordance with further principles of this invention, the pre-drilled hole is countersunk on one end. In addition, the rivet stud has two different diameters joined by a conical frustrum shoulder, the larger diameter region forming a partially formed head. Thus, the position of the rivet in the hole is the position at which the shoulder of the rivet mates with the countersink region of the hole.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing brief summary that a new and improved high fatigue maching riveting process and an apparatus for carrying out the process is provided by the invention. It will also be appreciated from the foregoing brief summary that the invention overcomes many of the prior art problems discussed above. For example, upset forces applied to either end of the rivet are assured to be equal. Further, the amount of rivet material forming the heads on either side of the resultant rivet is always the same. In addition, because the head on one side is already partially formed due to the difference in diameters of the rivet studs, the amount of upset force is reduced. Moreover, it has been found that rivet installation time is improved over prior art times. Finally, it has been found in the airframe industry that the fatigue life of rivet joints formed in accordance with the inventive process has been increased by approximately seventy per cent over rivet joints formed in accordance with prior art processes.
It should be noted that while the invention was developed for, and has found its primary use in, the airframe industry its use is not limited to that industry. Rather, the invention is suitable for widespread use in a variety of industries that use riveting to join panels and the like, and desire to improve the fatigue life of rivet joints, and obtain the other benefits of the invention described herein.
BRIEF DESCRlPTlON OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating, in block form, an apparatus for carrying out the inventive process;
FIG. 2 is an idealized sequence graph illustrating the force sequence applied to the clamps and rams in accordance with the process of the invention;
FIGS. 3A-D are cross-sectional diagrams illustrating clamps and rams and the sequence of movement thereof in accordance with the process of the invention; and,
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the application of the combined forces to the clamps and the rams.
DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FlG. l is a diagram illustrating, in block form, an apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention which apparatus forms a part of the invention. More specifically, a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical etc., structural arrangements could be utilized to form an apparatus in accordance with the invention to carry out the process of the invention. Because the individual structural components necessary to form such an apparatus are wellknown in the art, the disclosure of a specific structural arrangement is not illustrated in the drawings and described herein. Rather, the basic machine concept is illustrated in block form and described in general terms.
The apparatus illustrated in block form in FIG. 1 comprises: a master control system 11', a power supply 13; an upper clamp 15; a lower clamp control 17; an upper ram control 19; a lower ram control 21; an upper clamp 23; a lower clamp 25; an upper ram 27; and a lower ram 29.
The master control 11 includes the basic controls for a mechanical riveting machine. The master control system could be hydraulic or pneumatic, and control the flow of power from the power supply 13 (hydraulic or pneumatic) to the upper and lower clamp controls 15 and 17 and the upper and lower ram controls 19 and 21. Alternatively, the master control 11 could comprise an electrical control system for controlling the application of electrical power from the power supply 13 (electrical in this case) to electro-mechanical components forming the upper and lower clamp controls 15 and 17, and the upper and lower ram controls 19 and 21.
The upper clamp control 15 controls the movement of the upper clamp 23 and the lower clamp control 17 controls the movement of the lower clamp 25 in accordance with the sequence of operation hereinafter described. Similarly, the upper ram control 19 controls the movement of the upper ram 27 and the lower ram control 21 controls the movement of the lower ram 29 in accordance with the sequence of operations hereinafter described.
It will be appreciated from the description thus far that the actual mechanical system for carrying out the process of the invention can take on a variety of forms. Hence, this invention should not be considered as limited to any particular mechanical arrangement.
FIG. 2 illustrates, in idealized form, the application of forces to the upper and lower clamps 23 and 25 and to the upper and lower rams 27 and 29. For purposes of illustration only forces directed in a downward direction (those applied by the upper clamp and by the upper ram) are illustrated as positive and forces directed in an upward direction (those applied by the lower clamp and by the lower ram) are illustrated as negative lnitially, two panels or other items, herein referred to as the upper 31 and lower 33 panels (FIG. 3A), are brought together and clamped by the upper and lower clamps 23 and 25 in a conventional manner. Preferably, the upper and lower clamps are cylindrical and have aligned cylindrical bores.
After the panels are clamped, by means not illustrated, a hole 35 is drilled through the two panels. The hole is in general alignment with the bores in the clamps and is countersunk at its upper end in the region 37. Thereafter, by means also not shown, a rivet stud 39 is partially inserted into the hole 35. All of the foregoing steps occur during the time period I" I, illustrated in FIG. 2.
Following the insertion of the rivet stud 39 into the hole 35 the upper and lower rams 27 and 29 are brought into vertical alignment with the bores in the upper and lower clamps 23 and 25 and, thus, into alignment with the central vertical axis of the rivet stud 39.
FIG. 3A illustrates a point in time when the upper ram 27 is applying a force adequate to press the rivet stud 39 through the hole 35. At about this point in time, the force applied to the upper clamp 23 terminates as the panels 31 and 33 are gently pushed away therefrom by the force applied to the rivet stud via the upper ram 27. While FIG. 2 illustrates an instantaneous cut-off in the force applied to the upper clamp and an instantaneous application of force applied to the upper ram, it should be recalled that this graph is idealized. Thus, as will be better understood from the following description of FIG. 4, these force changes are not instantaneous; rather, these force changes occur over a predetermined increment of time.
In any event, as the upper ram 27 moves downwardly it moves the rivet stud 39 through the hole 35 until the rivet stud reaches a predetermined depth of penetration which depth of penetration will be better understood from the following description of the nature of the rivet stud 39. When the rivet stud 39 has been moved to its predetermined depth of penetration point, downward movement of the upper ram 27 ends and that ram thereafter remains stationary. At this point, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the panels, as previously described, have been gently pushed away from the upper clamp 23. The lower panel 33, however, is still in contact with the lower clamp 25. Moreover, at this point in the sequence of operation the lower ram 29 has not yet started to impinge on the lower surface of the rivet stud 39, even though the lower ram may be moving upwardly. Thus, the sequence of operation is still at about 1, (FIG. 2), even though some small increment of time has elapsed.
As the lower ram 29 moves upwardly, it eventually impinges on the lower surface of the rivet stud 39 and a squeeze force is applied thereto. As the lower ram continues to move upwardly the amount of squeeze force increases, as illustrated on the lower line of FIG. 2 between t, and l. Between 1, and r force, in essence, is transferred from the lower clamp 25 to the lower ram 29 until the force applied to the lower clamp becomes essentially zero and the force applied to the lower ram becomes the entire force applied to the overall structure.
Just prior to the end of upset, between times the lower clamp is, preferably, removed from impingement on the lower surface of the lower panel 33 as illustrated in FIG. 3D. Thus, at this point in the sequence, equal forces are applied to both the top and the bottom of the rivet stud 39.
It will be appreciated that the squeeze (compression) force applied to rivet stud causes the stud to be deformed and rivet heads to be formed in the top and bottom of the rivet in accordance with the nature of the facing surfaces of the upper and lower rams 27 and 29. As illustrated in FIGS. 3AD by way of example, the lower ram has a surface that creates a semi-sperical head and the upper ram has a surface that creates a head having a conical depression. However, these head shapes are merely byway of example and other head shapes. as desirable, can be formed.
Subsequent to upset, between times t;, and I the ram and clamp forces may both be entirely removed, the clamp forces having previously been relaxed as described above, and the panels moved to the next position. Thereafter, the sequence of inventive steps described above reoccurs. Alternatively, the ram force may be removed and the clamp force reapplied. The latter sequence will be followed if surfacing work, such as removal of part or all of the upper head material by a suitable tool, is to be performed. Such work would, for example, occur if the surface of the resultant structure is to be smooth as would be the case if the resultant structure were an aircraft wing, for example.
Turning now to a description of the nature of the rivet stud used by the process and apparatus of the invention; in order for a controlled amount of material to form the heads on either end of the rivet, the rivet stud must be driven to a predetermined depth in the hole 35 prior to the application of squeeze force by the upper and lower rams 27 and 29. This desired result is accomplished by the use of a novel rivet stud. The rivet stud, as illustrated in FIGS. 3AD, is formed such that it has an upper diameter that is slightly larger than its lower diameter. These two regions are joined by a conical frustum region. The angle of the conical frustum region is, preferably, the same as the angle of the countersink region 37 of the hole 35. Thus, the rivet as it is being moved downwardly by the upper ram 27 stops when its conical frustum region (shoulder) mates with or impinges on the surface of the countersink region 37. At this point, the rivet stud 39 has been driven to the desired depth of penetration. Thereafter, the upper and lower rams compress or upset the rivet stud in the manner previously described.
FIG. 4 is a more exact diagram of the clamp and upset forces applied to the panels 31 and 33 and the rivet stud 39, respectively, as the steps of the process of the invention proceed to conclusion. The primary difference between FIG. 4 and FIG. 2, in addition to the fact that FIG. 4 is a more exact replica of the actual forces applied, is that the forces are combined in FIG. 4. That is, the total clamp forces are illustrated as a single positive force applied to the panels 31 and 33. In addition, the upset or ram forces applied to the rivet stud 39 are illustrated as a single positive force. Thus, the clamp forces start at a predetermined maximum and drop toward zero while the upset or ram forces start at zero and increase to a predetermined maximum. In addition, FIG. 4 does not depict a zero force during the 1;, r, time period. Rather, the 1;, r, time period is illustrated as one wherein the clamp force is reapplied in order for further work to be performed prior to panel movement.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that a new and improved high fatigue squeeze riveting process and apparatus for carrying out the process is provided. Actual tests have shown that the fatigue life of a rivet joint formed in accordance with the invention is percent betterthan prior art rivet joints formed by the squeezevibrate process currently being used in the airframe industry. Yet, this improvement results without the use of complicated new machinery or the extensive modification of presently existing machinery. Further, the invention, because of the elimination of vibration, is essentially noiseless when compared to prior art processes using the squeeze-vibrate technique. In addition,
the unique process of the invention results in ease of control of the amount of rivet material forming the heads on either side of the resultant rivet. Moreover, rivet joints can be formed more rapidly than they could with prior art apparatus practicing prior art processes. Further, the overall upset force for creating a particular rivet configuration from a particular material is reduced because the entire upset force is applied only to the rivet and not to the surrounding panels. Finally, because, preferably, force is only being applied to the rivet at the termination of upset, the clamp force having been removed prior to termination, the equal application of forces to both sides of the rivet is assured.
While a preferred embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and others that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in some environments, it may be desirable to maintain a small amount of clamp force during the entire process. Such an environment would exist, for example, if the items to be joined were small in size and, thus, likely to rotate or bend during upset. One method of maintaining an anti-rotation or antibending" force is for the lower clamp to maintain contact with the items during the entire upset period. Another method of maintaining an anti-rotation force is for a plurality of legs surrounding the upper clamp to come in contact with the items as the items move away from the upper clamp. In addition, other methods can be used as long as they do not interfere with the operation of the invention.
It will also be appreciated that some of the processing steps surrounding the main steps of the invention can vary. For example, the clamping step can occur before or after the items (panels) are moved into position; the drilling of the hole can occur at the same position as the position where the rivet stud is inserted or at a different position; or, a plurality of rivet joints can be formed simultaneously or they can be formed serially'(one-afteranother). In addition, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to joining panels. Rather, it can be used to join any types of items suitable for joining by rivets. Moreover, the clamp and ram forces can be applied in directions other than vertical, as convenient. Finally, one ram can move to position the rivet before the other ram moves at all or both rams can move at the same time as long as the described sequence is followed. Hence, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
l. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process for riveting items together, said items being clamped together by applying suitable opposing clamping forces, one on either side of said items, and including a hole passing through the items, said hole being located adjacent to said clamping forces, said high fatigue squeeze riveting process comprising the steps of:
pressing a rivet stud into said hole from one side thereof until said rivet stud reaches a predetermined depth of penetration in said hole;
removing one clamping force from said items as said rivet stud is pressed into said hole;
applying a force to said rivet stud directly opposite to said pressing direction so as to deform said rivet stud into a rivet; and,
decreasing the other clamping force applied to said items as said rivet stud deforms.
2. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one clamping force is applied to the side of said items from which said rivet stud enters and is pressed into said hole.
3. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said items to be riveted together are gently moved away from said one clamping force as said rivet stud reaches its predetermined depth of penetration.
4. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said items to be riveted together are moved away from said other clamping force before said rivet stud becomes totally deformed into a rivet.
5. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hole is countersunk to a predetermined depth on the side of said items from which the rivet stud enters and is pressed into said hole.
6. A high fatigue machine riveting process as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rivet stud has two different diameters joined by a conical frustum shoulder.
7. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 6 wherein said shoulder of said rivet stud mates with said countersunk region of said hole when said rivet stud reaches its predetermined depth of penetration.
8. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said opposing clamping forces surround said hole in said items to be riveted together.
9. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said items to be riveted together are moved away from said other clamping force before said rivet stud becomes totally deformed into a rivet.
10. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 8 wherein said hole is countersunk to a predetermined depth on the side of said items from which the rivet stud enters and is pressed into said hole.
11. A high fatigue machine riveting process as claimed in claim 9 wherein said rivet stud has two different diameters joined by a conical frustum shoulder.
12. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process comprising the steps of:
clamping together between a pair of clamps items to be riveted together;
drilling a hole through said items to be riveted together adjacent to said pair of clamps; inserting at least partially a rivet stud into said hole from one side of said items to be riveted together;
pressing said rivet stud through said hole until it reaches a predetermined depth of penetration in said hole;
removing the clamping force applied by said pair of clamps to said one side of said items to be riveted together;
applying a force to said rivet stud opposite to said pressing direction so as to deform said rivet stud into a rivet; and,
removing the clamping force applied by said pair of clamps to the other side of said items as said rivet stud is deformed into a rivet.
13. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 12 wherein said items to be riveted together are gently moved away from said clamping force applied by said pair of clamps to said one side of said items to be riveted together prior to the application of said force causing said rivet stud to deform into a rivet.
14. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said hole is countersunk on the side through which said rivet stud is inserted and wherein said rivet stud is formed of two different diameters jointed by a conical frustum shoulder.
15. A high fatigue squeeze riveting process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said shoulder of said rivet stud mates with said countersunk region of said hole when said rivet stud reaches its predetermined depth penetration.
16. Apparatus for riveting items together through a hole in said items comprising:
first clamp means including a first clamp located on one side of said items;
second clamp means including a second clamp located on the other side of said items, in alignment with said first clamp;
first ram means including a first ram located on said one side of said items, said first ram being adapted to press a rivet stud into said hole;
second ram means including a second ram located on said other side of said items, in alignment with said first ram;
power supply means for supplying power to said first and second clamp means and to said first and second ram means; and,
control means connected so as to control the application of power to said first and second clamp means and to said first and second ram means in a manner such that:
said first and second clamps initially clamp said items together;
power is rapidly withdrawn from said first clamp as power is rapidly applied to said first ram to press said rivet stud into said hole; and,
power is withdrawn from said second clamp as power is applied to said second ram, said action occurring subsequent to the rapid withdrawal of power from said first clamp and the rapid application of power to said first ram.
17. A high fatigue machine riveting apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said clamps are cylindrical in nature and include aligned central bores, said hole in said items to be riveted being aligned with said aligned central bores in said clamps.
18. A high fatigue squeeze riveting apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said rams are aligned with and pass through the central bores in said clamps. |
US-3874071-A | Machine tool with automatic tool changing device | I [451 Apr. 1, 1975 MACHINE TOOL WITH AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Sadamu Kato, Takahama, Japan [73] Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha,
Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan 22 Filed: Feb. 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 335,094
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 25, 1972 Japan 47-19941 [52] US. Cl. 29/568 [51] Int. Cl B23q 3/157 [58] Field of Search 29/568,26 A
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,691,655 9/1972 Kurimoto et al 29/568 3,791,022 2/1974 Kurimoto et al 29/568 Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Assistant E.taminerZ. R. Bilinsky Att0rney,Agent, 0r Firm-Oblon, Fisher, Spivak, McCleiland & Maier 57 1 ABSTRACT A machine tool having an automatic tool changing deviceincludes a tool magazine upon which a plurality of cutting tools, having recesses for engaging drive keys upon a drive spindle, are mounted, a spindle head mounting the drive spindle which can be rotationally stopped by a braking device, first detecting means which detects the angular position of the stopped drive spindle, second detecting means which detects the angular position of a tool to be used for a subsequent machining operation and which is supported upon an arm device, and control means which serves to rotate the tool upon the arm device in accordance with the differential between output signals of the first and second detecting means so as to attain the desired tool exchanging operation through engagement of the drive keys upon the drive spindle and the recesses upon the tool being exchanged and inserted within the drive spindle.
5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 84 5 crz -5 Armpit)" cra 0.0- 1 Source MACHINE TOOL WITH AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to machine tools and more particularly to a machine tool having an improved automatic tool changing device.
In conventional machine tools having an automatic tool changing device, a plurality of tools, which are respectively held within tool holders, are carried by a tool magazine, whereupon one of the tools may be transferred to and set within a drive spindle of the machine tool by the automatic tool change device in accordance with a required machining operation to be performed upon a workpiece.
In order to transmit the driving torque of the drive spindle to the tool, a drive key is usually provided upon the front end of the drive spindle, and each of the tool holders respectively has a pair of recesses upon each of the flanged portions thereof. Thus, the recesses upon the tool holder must be securely engaged with the drive key upon the drive spindle when the tool supported by the tool holder is set within the drive spindle, or in other words, when a tool changing operation is performed. 7
In such conventional machine tools having automatic tool changing apparatus, it was therefore required that the tools or tool holders be mounted upon a tool magazine at a predetermined angular position in accordance with the angular position of the recesses upon the tool holders, and that the drive spindle be stopped at a predetermined angular position when the tool changing operation is to be performed. Thus, the machine operation was complicated, and furthermore, the automatic tool changing time was prolonged because the rotational speed of the drive spindle had to be slowed down so as to be stopped at the predetermined angular position or otherwise the braking operation of the drive spindle could not be performed rapidly enough so as to attain the exchanging operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine tool with an improved automatic tool changing device by which the tool changing operation accompanied by the key-engagement operation is satisfactorily performed even when the drive spindle of the spindle head is stopped at any rotational or angular position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool having an improved tool changing device for performing the tool changing operation within a short period of time.
The foregoing and other objects are obtained in accordance with the present invention through the provision of a machine tool having an automatic tool changing device, in which there is included a bed, workpiece supporting means mounted upon the bed and movable by motor means, a column slidably supporting spindle head means which rotatably supports a drive spindle having first engagement means for driving cutting tool means mounted thereon, tool magazine means for supporting a plurality of tool holders securely holding the cutting tool means, the same being capable of indexing each of the tool holders and cutting tool means thereon to a predetermined position where a tool changing operation is to be performed, each of the tool holders re- LII spectively having second engagement means being engagable with the first engagement means on the drive spindle, tool changing means for exchanging one of the cutting tool means mounted upon the tool magazine means and indexed at the predetermined position with cutting tool means mounted upon the spindle, first detecting means connected with the drive spindle for detecting 'a first angular position of the first engagement means upon the drive spindle when stopped by means ofa brake means, second detecting means for detecting a second angular position of the second engagement means upon the tool holder indexed to the predetermined position, first control means responsive to output signals of the first and second detecting means and serving to generate an output signal corresponding to the differential between the first and second angular positions, and second control means, for rotating one of the tool holders upon the tool magazine means positioned at the predetermined position and the drive spindle, responsive to the output signal of the first control'means so as to coincide the first and second angular positions, whereby the tool exchanging operation can be performed through engagement of the first and second engagement means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully sppreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. I is a front view, partly in section, of a machine tool having an automatic tool changing device constructed according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the spindle head, taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the arm assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the arm assembly along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 schematically shows a control circuit for performing the tool changing operation of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a machine tool having a bed 10, the upper surface of which has slide ways or rails upon which a saddle 11 is slidably mounted for movement in a longitudinal direction. The saddle 11 is driven by means of a well-known electro-hydraulic stepping motor 12 secured upon the bed 10 through means of a gear transmission mechanism and a feed screw, not shown, which is engaged with the saddle 11. Upon slide ways or rails of the saddle 11 there is mounted a cross slide 13 which is slidably movable in a transverse direction and which is similarly controlled by means of an electro-hydraulic stepping motor 14 through means of a gear transmission mechanism and a feed screw, also not shown. A turntable 15 is rotatably mounted upon the cross slide 13 and is rotated or indexed by means of another stepping motor, not shown, mounted upon the cross slide 13, a workpiece W being mounted upon the turntable 15. Upon the rear side of bed 10, there is integrally provided a column 16, a vertically slidable spindle head 17 being mounted upon one side of the column 16 and being movable therealong by means of an electro-hydraulic stepping motor 18 which is also mounted upon column 16.
As shown in FIG. 2, a ram 19, slidably mounted within a bore which is provided within the base body 170 of the spindle head 17 is axially movable by means of cylinder and piston devices 20 and 21 which are also mounted upon an end of the base body 17a, the devices 20 and 21 serving to position the ram 19 at two predetermined axial positions in accordance with the required machining operation to be performed upon the workpiece W. Within the ram 19, there is provided a spindle 23 which is rotatably supported by means of ball and roller bearings which serve to prevent axial movement of the spindle 23 relative to the ram 19. A drive gear 24 is coaxially secured to the spindle 23 and is driven by means of a spindle drive motor having a braking apparatus, not shown, connected thereto.
Upon the front end of the spindle 23, there is secured a spindle adaptor 25, which has a tapered socket 25a, and a pair of drive keys 27 which are disposed upon diametrically opposed portions of the end surface of adaptor 25. A tool holder 26, which is adaptable so as to be able to hold any kind of tool has a pair of recesses 28 upon a flanged portion thereon for engagement with keys 27, and a tapered shank 26a formed at one side thereof which is seated within socket 25a, a draw bolt 32 extending therefrom. Thus, a tool T and the holder 26 can be driven by means of the drive spindle 23 through means of the drive keys 27 and a drive key engagement mechanism which will be more precisely described hereinafter.
Coaxially secured within the spindle 23 is a metal guide 30 in which is mounted an axiallyslidable sleeve 31, a plurality of balls, only one ball 33 of which is shown, being supported therein. The balls are radially movable so as to be engageable with a draw bolt 32 when the sleeve 31 is moved toward the right as viewed in FIG. 2, and consequently, the balls 33 are moved radially inwardly relative to the sleeve 31 by means of a cam surface 30a which is formed upon the inner surface of guide 30. Within the right end portion of the sleeve 31 there is a threaded draw rod 34 which is tensioned toward the right as seen in FIG. 2 by means of a coaxial coil spring 35 provided within the spindle 23, the tension force serving to resiliently support the tool holder 26 within the spindle adaptor 25 through means of rod 34, sleeve 31, and balls 33 which engage a head portion of draw bolt 32.
Upon the rear end of the spindle 23, there is secured a cylinder 37 in which a piston 38 is slidably fitted, the end of a piston rod 38a which extends therefrom contacting the other or right end of the draw rod 34. A rod 39 extends from the right end of the cylinder 37 and is coaxially mounted relative thereto as wellas the spindle 23. The rod 39 is rotatably and sealingly fitted within a pressurized fluid distributor 40 which is secured upon the body 17a of the spindle head 17, the pressurized fluid being introduced within the cylindrical chamber 37a through an axial passage 39a for moving the draw rod 34 toward the left against the force exerted by means of the engagement of the balls 33 and the bolt 32 when it is desired to release the tool T and exchange the tool holder 26.
Upon the right end of the distributor 40, a wellknown synchrogenerator 41 is mounted for connection with the rod 39, the particular synchrogenerator 41 being any one of the well-known synchro-generators, such as for example, SELSYN, produced by General Electric, USA. or the like, the construction including a rotor and a stator and means which generates an output proportional to the angular difference between the rotor and the stator. The angular position of the spindle 23 can therefore be detected by the synchrogenerator 41, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, an arm 49 is mounted upon the spindle head 17 by means of a bracket 43, an arm supporting shaft 44 being rotatably supported within bracket 43. Upon the rear side of shaft 44, a pinion 45 is coaxially formed so as to engage with a rack, not shown, which is slidably supported upon the bracket 43 and is moved by means of a cylindrical device 43a in a direction transverse to the axis of the shaft 44. Upon the front end of the shaft 44 there is mounted a piston 46 which is fitted within a cylinder 47, a guide bar 48, provided within the cylinder 47, serving to move the same in an axial direction only. The arm 49 is securedly mounted upon the cylinder 47 and a socket 50 is rotatably mounted upon the end of the arm 49.
Within socket 50 there is provided a plunger 51 which is axially slidable and which is resiliently mounted by means of a compressive spring 52 which is provided within the blind hole supporting the plunger 51. Thus, the plunger 51 can engage with the recess 28 upon the tool holder 26 when the tool holder 26 is inserted within the socket 50 and thereafter, the socket 50 can be rotated with the tool holder 26. By the engagement of the plunger 51 and the recess 28, the tool holder 26 and recess 28 can be positioned in a predetermined angular relationship relative to the socket 50. A pair of radially movable holding pins 53 are provided within the arm 49, a pair of compressive springs 54 also mounted within the arm 49 serving to bias the holding pins in a direction toward the axis of the socket 50. The holding pins 53 engage with the draw bolt 32 of the tool holder 26 and serve to retain the tool holder 26 within the socket 50.
Upon the front end of the socket 50 there is provided a gear 57 coaxially secured thereto. AD.C. servo-motor 58 is mounted upon the arm 49 and a pinion 59, which is fixed upon one side of the rotor shaft of the motor 58, is engaged with the gear 57. The other end of the rotor shaft is connected to a synchro-receiver 61, which has a similar construction as that of the synchrogenerator 41, through means of a gear transmission mechanism 60. The rotor of the synchro-generator 41 can thus r0- tate' at the same rotational speed as that of the socket 50 by means of the gear transmission mechanism 60. Hence, the synchro-receiver 61 can generate an output proportional to the rotational position of the socket 50, or in other words, an output proportional to the angular position of the recess 28 upon the tool holder 26 which is supported within the socket 50, the plunger 51 being engaged with the recess 28.
The arm 49 can be stationed at two angular positions by means of actuation of the cylindrical device 43a. One position is a tool exchange position P1 as shown in FIG. 1. In the instance that the arm 49 is indexed to this position P1, a primary tool changing arm, discussed in detail hereinafter, can change the tools upon the spindle adapter 25 and the socket 50. Another position is the position P2 wherein the tool upon arm 49 can be returned to a tool magazine 71 while another tool upon the magazine 71 can be loaded upon the socket 50 as a result of the actuation of the piston and cylinder mechanism 46 and 47 connected to the arm 49.
As shown in FIG. 1, the primary tool exchanging arm 64 is securedly mounted upon one end of a shaft 63 which is rotatably and slidably supported by the body 17a of the spindle head 17, the shaft 63 being moved in a rotational and axial direction respectively by means of rotational and axial actuators, not shown, provided upon the spindle head 17. Both ends of the arm 64 have a pair of fingers 65 and 66 for gripping and releasing the tool holders 26, each pair of fingers being actuated by means of a pair of pressurized fluid actuators, not shown, mounted within the arm 64. The operation of exchanging the tools mounted upon the arm 49 and the spindle 23 can be performed by the axial movement and rotation of the primary arm 64.
The tool magazine 71 is reciprocably guided by means of a pair of pilot bars 70 which are vertically mounted upon the front side of the column 16. Upon the base body 71a of the magazine 71 there is rotatably mounted a turntable 72 and upon the periphery thereof a plurality of equidistantly spaced tool gripping means 73 are provided. The magazine motor 74, which is also mounted upon the base body 71a, serves to index the turntable 72 so as to position a desired tool at the tool loading station P2 for the performance of a particular machining operation. In addition, it should be noted that the tool gripping means 73 indexed to the position P2 is capable of being released by means of a suitable releasing mechanism, and thereafter the tool exchange operation between the magazine 71 and the arm 49 is able to be performed.
Upon the upper ends of the spindle head 17 and the tool magazine 71, there is provided chain and sprocket assemblies 76 and 78, and 77 and 79, respectively, the lower ends of the chains 76 and 77 being connected to a connecting block 80 which is pivotally connected to a counterbalancing cylinder 81 for counterbalancing the weight ofthe spindle head 17 and the tool magazine 71. Thus, the tool magazine 71 follows the spindle head 17 when the spindle head is moved by means of the motor 18, and therefore the mutual relationship between the tool magazine 71 and the arm 49 always remains the same. The detailed structure of the abovenoted magazine following mechanism is disclosed in the Japanese Pat. Publication No. 46-39985, Japanese Pat. No. 648,210.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the control circuit for positioning the key 27 for engaging the recess 28 upon the tool holder 26 is shown as including an A.C. power source 83 which provides A.C. current to the rotor of the synchrogenerator 41 through a transformer, and a pair of normally opened contacts Crl. As noted above, the rotor of the generator 41 is rotated so as to correspond with the rotation of the spindle 23, while the stator of the generator 41 is connected in parallel, to the stator of the synchro-receiver 61. The rotor of the receiver 61 is rotated by means of the DC. servo-motor 58 which simultaneously drives the socket 50 within the arm 49, and the output terminals of the rotor of the receiver 61 are connected to the input terminals of a rectifier 84. It should be noted that the angles 4) and 0 of the rotors, relative to the stators, of the generator 41 and the receiver 61 are adjusted so that they are equal when the angular position of the key 27 upon the spindle adapter 25 is coincident with the angular position of the plunger 51 upon the socket 50 at the tool changing position P1.
The output signal of the rectifier 84 is amplified by means of an amplifier 85 and the output signal thereof is given to a driving coil 58a of the DC. servomotor 58 through means of a pair of normally open contacts Cr2. AD.C. power source 86 is also provided and the output terminals thereof are also connected to the coil 58a through another pair of normally open contacts Cr3. The contacts Crl, Cr2, Cr3 are controlled so as to close by means of relays, not shown, which may be energized by means of a numerical controller or the like. When the contacts Crl are closed, the output voltage Vab of the rotor of the synchroreceiver 61 is as follows:
Vab K'V- sin (w' t+ a)- sin 0) wherein:
a, K: constants V: maximum voltage of the A.C. source cu: angular frequency (rad/sec.)
t: time (sec) Therefore, when the contacts Cr2 are closed, the DC servo-motor 58 is actuated until the angle 0 is equalized with the angle d).
In the following explanation dealing with the operation of the present invention, it is assumed that a first tool for a particular machining operation has been transferred from the tool magazine 71 to the tool changing position P1 by means of the arm 49 and that the tool has been securely mounted upon the spindle adaptor 25 by means of the key engagement mechanism, and further, that the socket 50 upon the arm 49 is empty.
While the tool upon the spindle head 17 machines the workpiece W by means of appropriate control of the movements of the saddle 11, the cross-slide l3 and the spindle head 17, the tool magazine is indexed by the motor 74 so that a tool to be utilized for the next machining operation is positioned at the tool loading position P2. At the same time, the arm 49 is axially moved in a rearward direction as shown in FIG. 3 by the application of pressurized fluid to the cylindrical chamber 47b through the passage 44b and is thereafter rotated from the position P1 to the position P2 by the actuation of the cylindrical device 43a, that is, the socket 50 upon the arm 49 is positioned to the rear of the tool or tool holder 26 to be used in the next operation.
The arm 49 and the socket 50 thereon are subsequently axially moved by supplying fluid under pressure to the cylindrical chamber 47a through passage 44a, and therefore, the socket 50 receives the tapered shank 26a of the tool holder 26 which is indexed at the position P2. Normally, the plunger 51 supported within the socket 50 does not engage the recess 28 upon the tool holder 26 under this situation, and thus, the plunger 51 is pressed into the socket 50 against the compressive force of the spring 52 by means of the flanged portion of the tool holder 26.
After the foregoing operation, the contacts Cr3 are controlled so as to close, and thus, the DC. servomotor 58 is connected with the D.C. source 86 and is consequently driven at a constant relatively slow speed. Since the tool holder 26-is securely grasped by means of the gripping means 73, the motor 58 is rotated in conjunction with the socket 50 and the plunger 51, while the tool holder 26 remains stationary. Therefore, the plunger 51 can be engaged with one of the recessed 28 upon the tool holder 26 by means of the force of the spring 52 when the socket 50 is rotated through an angle of at least 180'. It is noted that the closing time of the contacts Cr3 is controlled, for example, by means of timer, not shown, so that the motor 58 is rotated approximately one revolution.
When the servo-motor 58 is stopped due to the opening of the contacts Cr3, which occurs at the end of the particular time cycle set upon the timer, the gripping means 73 positioned at P2 is released and the tool holder 26 is permitted to be removed therefrom. Following such operation, the arm 49 is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the tool and tool holder 26 are moved to and retained at the position Pl till the next tool exchanging operation is to be performed.
Thereafter, when a particular machining operation upon the workpiece W is completed, the spindle 23 is rapidly stopped by a suitable braking device, not shown. The angular position of the spindle 23 is therefore not the same when stopped at the conclusion of each machining operation. The contacts Crl and -2 are then closed, and thus, the rotor of the synchroreceiver 61 generates an output signal corresponding to the difference between the angle (1) and the angle 0. Accordingly, the socket 50 is rotated by this output signal until the angle 0 thereof is equalized with the angle d of the spindle 23, and is then stopped.
Subsequently, the fingers 65 and 66 upon the primary arm 64 are closed by means of an actuator, not shown, so as to grip the flanged portions of the tool holders 26 upon the spindle 23 and the socket 50. Thereafter, pressurized fluid is supplied to the cylindrical chamber 37a of the cylinder 37 upon the rear end of the spindle 23 for moving the piston 38 toward the left as seen in FIG. 2. The movement of the piston 38 causes the draw rod 34 to move against the compressive force of the spring 35, and the engagement between the balls 33 and the drawbolt 32 is released so that the tool holder 26 can be removed from the spindle adapter 25. The primary arm 64 may then be axially advanced and thereafter rotated through 180 and be axially retracted.
In consequence of such operation, the tool to be utilized for the next operation may be inserted within spindle adaptor 25 through the appropriate engagement of the recesses 28 of the tool holder 26 and the keys 27 upon the spindle adaptor 25, while the previously utilized tool is placed within the socket 50. Since the application of pressurized fluid within the cylindrical chamber 37a is terminated, the draw rod 34, sleeve 31, and balls 33 are moved toward the right as seen in FIG. 2 under the influence of the spring 35, and consequently, the new tool holder 26 is clamped upon the spindle adaptor 25, at the conclusion of which, the fingers 65 and 66 may be opened.
While this tool exchanging operation is being performed, the magazine 71 is rotated by means of the motor 74 for indexing one of the tool gripping means 73, within which the tool utilized in the previous machining operation is to be held, to the position P2. After the opening of the fingers 65 and 66, the arm 49 is axially advanced, by means of the distribution of the pressurized fluid to the cylindrical chamber 47a of the cylinder 47, and then rotated to the position P2, by means of the actuation of the cylinder 43a, for mounting the tool holder 26 supported by the socket 50 upon the gripping means 73. The gripping means 73 is controlled to securely grip the tool holder 26 and thereafter, the arm 49 is retracted by the application of the pressurized fluid into the cylindrical chamber 47a, the tool holder 26 being removed from the socket 50.
The motor 74 may then be energized so as to index the tool magazine 71 and a particular tool to be used in a further machining operation at the position P2. The arm 49 may then be positioned at P2 and the rear end thereof may be controlled so as to advance the same whereby the tool holder 26 at P2 is placed within the socket 50. Thereafter, the tool exchanging operation may be performed as described above.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, in a machine tool in which only the primary arm serves to exchange the tools upon the tool magazine and the spindle head, the tool holder indexing means having a DC. servo-motor 58, socket 50, and synchro-generator 61, may be mounted upon the column 16 or spindle head 17 for indexing the tool to be exchanged in accordance with the angular position of the stopped spindle. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificaly described herein.
I claim:
1. A machine tool having an automatic tool changing device comprising:
a bed;
workpiece supporting means movably mounted upon said bed and moved by motor means;
a column mounted upon said bed for slidably supporting spindle head means, said spindle head means rotatably supporting a drive spindle having first engagement means including one of a key means and a recess means for driving a tool holder carrying cutting tool means mounted upon said drive spindle; 1
tool magazine means mounted upon said column for supporting a plurality of said tool holders securely holding said cutting tool means and means for indexing said magazine to position a preselected one of said tool holders and said cutting tool means thereon to a predetermined position when a tool changing operation is to be performed, said tool holders respectively having second engagement means including the other of said key means and recess means being engageable with said first engagement means upon said drive spindle;
arm means for removing and replacing said holder carrying said cutting tool means from said tool magazine;
primary arm means for exchanging said holder carrying said cutting tool means upon said arm means for said holder carrying said cutting tool means within said drive spindle;
first detecting means connected with said drive spindle for detecting a first angular position of said first engagement means upon said drive spindle;
second detecting means for detecting a second angular position of said second engagement means upon said tool holder while held upon said arm means;
first control means, responsive to the outputs of said first and second detecting means, serving to generate an output signal corresponding to the differential between said first angular position and said second angular position; and
second control means for rotating one of said drive spindle and said tool holder held by said arm means that is to be exchanged for a tool holder mounted on said drive spindle, responsive to said output signal of said first control means so as to prealign said first and second angular positions, whereby when said primary arm means interchanges said tool holder from said arm means to said spindle said first and second engagement means are coincident.
2. A machine tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm means comprises an arm, actuating means connected with said arm for rotating and moving said arm in a direction parallel to the axis of said cutting tool means mounted upon said tool magazine, a socket rotatably mounted upon said arm and removably holding said tool holder, and a plunger provided upon said socket which is movable in an axial direction of said socket for engaging with said second engagement means upon said tool holder placed within said socket.
3. A machine tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second control means is a servo-motor mounted upon said arm for rotating said socket, and said second detecting means detects the angular position of said socket wherein said angular position of said socket defines said second angular position.
4. A machine tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second control means includes a power source and switching means for selectively supplying an electrical power output of said power source to said servo-motor so as to rotate said control means at a constant speed.
5. Amachine tool as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second detecting means are synchrogenerators. |
US-3874072-A | Semiconductor structure with bumps and method for making the same | United States Patent Rose et al.
[ Apr. 1,1975
[ SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH BUMPS AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME [75] Inventors: Ralph E. Rose, San Jose, Calif;
[73] Assignee: Signetics Corporation,
Sunnyvale, Calif.
[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [21] App]. N0.: 392,112
Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 238.1l6 March 27, 1972, Pat.
[52] U.S. Cl 29/578, 29/591, 29/580 [51] Int. Cl B0lj 17/00 [58] Field Of Search 29/578, 579, 580, 591, 29/589 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,429,029 2/1969 Langdon r 29/589 3,480,412 11/1969 Duffek 29/580 3.585.461 6/197] Eynon 29/59l 3,689,332 9/1972 Dietrich 29/579 Primary E.\'aminerR0y Lake Assistanl E,\'um1'ner-W. C. Tupman Attorney. Agent, or FirmFlehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton & Herbert [57] ABSTRACT Semiconductor structure having a semiconductor body with a planar surface and with metallic contact pads formed over the surface. A layer of insulating material is formed over the contact pads. Bumps or pillars are formed which extend through the layer of insulating material and are bonded to the contact pads. The bumps or pillars are formed of a relatively ductile aluminum layer. A base portion is secured to the ductile layer and has a mushroom-shaped configuration. Gold-tin layers are carried by the base and form a gold-tin system so that the bumps or pillars can be readily bonded to the lead frames.
In the method, a semiconductor body is provided having a planar surface and having metallic contact pads formed over the surface. An insulating layer is formed over the contact pads. Openings are formed in the insulating layer. Bumps or pillars are formed which extend through the openings in the insulating material and make contact with and are secured to the pads. The bumps or pillars are formed by first forming a relatively thick aluminum layer making contact with the pads and then forming bases which are secured to the relatively thick aluminum layers. Gold-tin layers are formed on the bases to provide a gold-tin system. During the formation of the base and the gold-tin layers, a layer of photoresist is provided so that the bumps or pillars assume a mushroom-shaped configuration.
12 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURE WITH BUMPS AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME This is a division, of application Ser. No. 238,116 filed Mar. 27, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,821,785.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Attempts have heretofore been made to provide bumps or pillars on semiconductor devices to overcome the disadvantages of conventional bonding by the use of thin gold wires. However, it has been found with such bumps or pillars that when they are placed under thermal stress they have a tendency to shear off. In cases where the pillar did not shear off, there were cases where the pillars or bumps would break. There is, therefore, a need for a new and improved pillar or bump construction which can be utilized in connection with semiconductor structures.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The semiconductor structure consists of a semiconductor body which has a planar surface having metallic contact pads formed over the surface. A layer of insulating material overlies the contact pads. The layer is provided with windows overlying the pads and exposing the pads. A relatively thick ductile layer of aluminum is formed on said layer of insulating material and extends into said opening and makes contact with said contact pads. A base is secured to said relatively thick aluminum layer and has a surface spaced a substantial distance above the aluminum layer. Gold-tin layers are carried by the base. The base with the gold-tin layers form bumps or pillars which can be utilized for bonding the semiconductor body to a lead frame. The bumps or pillars are shaped so that the gold does not come into contact with the aluminum.
In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor structure which is provided with bumps or pillars which can withstand thermal cycling without breaking or shearing.
Another object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor structure of the above character in which nickel is utilized in the bump or pillar construction and in which means is provided for preventing diffusion of the nickel through the aluminum.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character in which chromium is utilized to prevent nickel from diffusing into the aluminum.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character in which the chromium is protected by a nickel layer.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character in which the gold-tin eutectic can be shifted to accommodate various types of packaging for the semiconductor structure.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character in which the tin is protected by the gold so that it cannot oxidize.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character in which the aluminum layer remains ductile.
Another object of the invention is to provide a structure and method of the above character which uses a controlled collapse reflow soldering system in bonding the bumps to leads extending to the outside world.
Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 16 are cross-sectional views showing the steps utilized for fabricating semiconductor structures having bumps or pillars incorporating the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a plan view of a portion of an integrated circuit having bumps or pillars formed thereon incorporating the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a plan view of a portion of an integrated circuit in which the bumps have been secured to the leads leading to the outside world.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The process and method for fabricating a semiconductor structure with bumps incorporating the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 18. In connection with the process, a semiconductor body 21 of a suitable type such as one formed of silicon is utilized. It is assumed in connection with the present invention process that all of the processing steps required to complete the semiconductor device or integrated circuit in the semiconductor body 21 have been completed in a manner well known to those skilled the art such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,619,739. Typically, the silicon is provided with an impurity of one conductivity type therein. Regions of opposite impurity are formed in the semiconductor body either by diffusion or ion implantation to provide dish-shaped regions (not shown) defined by PN junctions which are also dish-shaped and which extend to the planar surface 22 of the semiconductor body. Typically, the semiconductor body itself would serve as the collector and the first region of opposite conductivity type would serve as the base of a transistor. A region of first conductivity type would then be formed within the region of opposite conductivity type also defined by a dish-shaped PN junction extending to the surface 22 to provide the emitter of the transistor. Other devices can be formed in the semiconductor body simultaneously or at different times as, for example, diodes or resistors and the like to provide the desired integrated circuit.
After the devices have been formed an insulating layer 23 of a suitable material such as thermally grown silicon dioxide is formed on the surface 22. Thereafter, openings are formed in the layer 23 to expose portions of the surface 22 overlying portions of said regions forming the semiconductor devices. A layer of metal of a suitable type such as aluminum is then evaporated onto the surface of the layer 23 and into the openings which have been formed in the layer 23 to make contact with said regions. By the use of a mask and suitable photolithographic techniques, the undesired metal is removed so that there remain leads 24 which are adherent to the surface of the insulating layer 23. The leads extend into and are formed integral with pads 26 which are generally rectangular in shape. As shown in FIG. 17, the pads 26 are spaced around the outer periphery of the semiconductor body 21 and the leads 24 extend inwardly from the pads to make contact with the various regions of the devices forming the integrated circuit. The pads are generally rectangular in shape and also are formed of the same material as the leads as, for example, aluminum. The aluminum is formed to a suitable thickness as, for example, 1 micron. The semiconductor structure in this stage is shown in FIG. 1 and as thus far described is conventional.
Thus, the present process commences with the steps shown in FIG. 2 in which a layer 28 of glass is deposited over the surface of the silicon dioxide layer 23 and also over the lead structure 24 and the pads to a suitable thickness, as, for example, 1 micron. Contact windows or openings 29 are then formed in the glass layer 28 which overlie and expose portions of the pads 26 so that contact can be made to the pads. The formation of the windows or openings 29 is accomplished in a conventional manner such as by utilizing a mask and a suitable negative photoresist such as KTFR. The photoresist is exposed through the mask and the undesired portion of the photoresist removed so that a photoresist mask is provided to permit etching of the glass with a suitable solution such as an HF ethylene glycol water solution with a minimum of attack on the alluminum. After the etching is completed, the photoresist is removed by an organic stripper.
It should be pointed out that at the stage of the semiconductor structure shown in FIG. 1, the alloying step normally practiced after metallization has not been carried out. Rather, the alloying step is carried out after the glass has been deposited in FIG. 2. This alloying step serves two functions: one, it provides a strong bond between the deposited glass and the aluminum interconnect structure; and two, it helps to provide a clean surface on the deposited glass. This latter function is accomplished because the alloying step removes any traces of photoresist residue which have not been removed chemically. It is important that the exposed surface of the deposited glass be as clean as possible to obtain a maximum adhesion between the aluminum layer thereafter deposited, and the layer 28. The alloying step iscarried out at a suitable temperature such as from between 450 to 500C. for a suitable period of time as, for example, one-half hour.
After the windows 29 have been formed, and the alloying has been completed, another layer 31 of suitable metal such as high purity aluminum is deposited over the entire surface of the glass layer 28 and into the openings 29 as shown in FIG. 3. The purities of the aluminum should be at least 99.9% or above, and preferably 99.99% or above. This aluminum layer can have a suitable thickness ranging from 3 to microns and preferably has a thickness of approximately 3.5 microns.
As shown in FIG. 4, a layer 32 of a suitable material such as chromium is deposited on the aluminum layer 31 to a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.4 of a micron and preferably approximately 0.3 of a micron. The chromium is deposited in a suitable manner such as by evaporating the same in a vacuum chamber having the semiconductor wafers therein. Other materials other than chromium can possibly be used. However, it is necessary that the material which is utilized for this layer provide a diffusion barrier between nickel and aluminum. In addition, it must not react with aluminum or nickel to any considerable extent. In addition, the material should be such that it can be etched in the presence of the other metals. The material also should have good chemical resistance. Chromium meets all these criteria and, in addition, has the ability to form a good oxide. In addition, chromium is not easily damaged by the environment.
After the chromium layer 32 has been deposited, another layer 33 formed of a suitable material such as nickel is deposited on the chromium layer 32 ranging from approximately 300 Angstroms to 0.3 of a micron and preferably a thickness of approximately 1,000 Angstroms or 0.1 of a micron. The nickel layer 33 is preferably placed over the chromium layer 32 as soon as possible to protect the chromium from oxidation when the semiconductor structure is brought out into the normal atmosphere. Thus, it is preferable that the nickel layer be deposited immediately after the chromium layer during the same pump-down in the vacuum chamber.
As shown in FIG. 6, thereafter a layer 34 of a suitable photoresist is formed on the nickel layer 33. By the use of a mask and suitable photolithographic techniques, openings or windows 36 are formed in the photoresist which immediately overlie the contact pads 26 and the openings 29. These openings or windows are used for the bumps or pillars which are to be formed as hereinafter described. It has been found that with the 3V2 micron thickness for the base aluminum layer 31, that it is desirable to utilize an opening or window 36 which is approximately microns square. It has been found that this provides the optimum ductility for the bump base.
Bump stand-offs 37 are formed of a suitable material such as nickel to a suitable height such as 12 microns in a suitable manner such as by electroplating. It is desirable that the bump stand-offs 37 be of a height so that they serve as physical spacers between the surface of the device and the leads to which they are bonded. The stand-offs also should be sufficiently thick so that they serve as barriers for the gold utilized in the bump or pillar structures hereinafter described.
It should be appreciated in determining the height which it is desired to grow the bump stand-offs 37 that the bump stand-offs will grow laterally at the same time that they are growing vertically so that the bump height may be determined by the spacing which is provided between the contact pads 26 of the semiconductor structure.
As shown in FIG. 9, a layer 38 of a suitable material such as gold is electroplated onto the nickel stand-offs to a suitable thickness ranging from 5 to 6 /2 microns and preferably 6 microns. The thickness of this gold layer is determined by the final solder metallurgy which is desired. The gold layer 38 is covered by a layer 39 of tin also electroplated to a suitable thickness as, for example, ranging from 4.5 to 5.1 microns and preferably 5 microns. A final gold layer 41 is then electroplated onto the tin layer 39 to a suitable thickness ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 microns and preferably to a thickness of approximately 1.5 microns. The primary purpose of the gold layer 41 is to protect the tin layer 39 from oxidation. It also protects the tin layer from certain chemical steps which are utilized in the present process.
After the bumps or pillars have been completed as shown in FIG. 10, the protective photoresist layer 34 is removed in a suitable manner such as by rinsing the semiconductor structure in acetone. It will be noted, that the photoresist is removed from beneath the lower extremities of the outer margin of each of the bumps or |
US-3874073-A | Method of manufacturing dynamoelectric machines | United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,874,073 Dochterman et a1. Apr. 1, 1975 [54] METHOD OF MANUFACTURING 3,436,569 4/1969 Flahcrty, Jr. ct a1, 310/43 DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINES 3,493,531 2/1970 Hofmann ct al 264/272 X 3,685,926 8/1972 Blum Inventors: Richard Dochterman, Fort 1124.909 12/1960 Dochterman 310/43 x Wayne, 1nd.; Michael E. Wendt, Tyler, Tex.
Prinuu'i' Examiner-Carl E. Hall [73] Asslgnee' gig 5: i g Company Fort Attorney, Agent, or Firn1.1ohn M. Stoudt; Ralph E.
Krisher, Jr. [22] Filed: July 11,1973 [21] App]. No.: 378,191 [57] ABSTRACT Related Application Data Congposite structurje iniclpdes windjinghsupport with 60 Division of Ser. No. 215,751,111 6, 1972, Pat. No. Wm mgs ate t Ousmg means 1 3,758,799, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. that (1065 not Include a,metal.c.ase 9 and that 6666111129 1970 abandoned does 1nclude a substantially r1g1d primary structural member formed of an interstitial mass of inert particu- [52] US- Cl 29/598, 174/526, 264/272 late material. Resinous material occupies interstices of 310/43 interstitial mass and bonds inert particles together and 1511 1m. c1. l-l02k 15/02 remainder of the Structure Improved COmPOSte [58] Field of Search 29/596, 598', slructur? exhibits enhanced Structural iniegrityt com) 310/4243, 87, 89; 264/272; 174/526 sion res1stance and, even when employmg refractory material such as sand as the particulate material, ex- [56] References Cited 'hibits measurably improved heat dissipation character- UNITED STATES PATENTS istics. Methods of making composite structures mcluding a particulate interstitial mass and dynamoelectric 2.8l4.744 11/1957 Demtriou et a1 .310/43 machines including such structures. 2,948,931) 8/1961) Hcrbst 174/526 3,176,172 3/1965 Thompson ct 111... 310/43 x 8 Clam, 20 Drawmg Flgures 3.433.893 3/1969 Holmann ct a1. 174/153 PATENTEDAPR' 1 I915 SHEET 1 BF 5 PATENTEB 1 5 sum 2 of 5 w. Pl
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of our copending application Ser. No. 215,751 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,799, which was filed Jan. 6, 1972 as a continuation-in-part of our then copending application Ser. No. 6,666 filed Jan. 29, 1970, now abandoned. Also related is copending Richard W. Dochterman application Ser. No. 332,508, filed Feb. 14, 1973 as a continuation of then copending application Ser. No. 217,604, filed Jan. 13, 1972, now abandoned, which in turn was a continuation-in-part of then copending application Ser. No. 6,660, filed in the name of Richard W. Dochterman on Jan. 29, 1970 now abandoned. Another related application in copending application Richard W. Dochterman application Ser. No. 211,590, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,391, which was filed Dec. 23, 1971 as a division of then copending application Ser. No. 6,664, filed on Jan. 29, 1970, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,405. All of these just mentioned applications and patent are assigned to the assignee of this application and their entire disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to dynamoelectric machines and composite structures for use therein and,
more particularly, to methods of making dynamoelectric machines including such composite structures and having improved structural integrity and operating characteristics.
It has long been recognized that many diverse and often conflicting criteria must be satisfied by dynamoelectric machines that are reliable and efficient in operation and yet economical to manufacture. For example, motor housing means usually are formed of or at least include an exterior peripheral cover or structure normally referred to as a motor frame, case, or shell. The housing means selected must have sufficient structural integrity to protect the windings supported on a stator core from being damaged during manufacture, handling, or use of the completed machine.
In order to avoid confusion, the term stationary composite structure will be used herein as inclusive of a winding support (e.g., a stator core), one or more windings supported on the winding support, and means (e.g., a frame, case, or shell) used to physically surround and protect the windings and/or winding support. Accordingly, a stationary composite structure or housing means not having an exterior peripheral cover or structure would not include a frame, case, or shell.
Desirably, a stationary composite structure surrounding a rotor (which is also a composite structure) will provide a sound insulating effect, i.e., suppress noise generated during oepration of the machine. In addition, the stationary composite structure must reliably support a bearing system so that an unobstructed and predetermined air gap will be maintained between a selected surface of the stationary composite structure and a selected surface of the composite structure or rotor that is movable relative thereto during operation.
Dynamoelectric machines are often subjected to repetitive stresses such as those caused, e.g., by thermal cycling or by torque pulsation forces which are inherent in the operation of alternating current induction motors. and it is desirable that the stationary composite structure be able to successfully withstand such strains. It is also desirable that means be provided to positively and reliably protect the windings and winding termination connections from damage caused by mechanical shocks, high humidity or other environmental conditions, or corrosive agents that may be encountered during operation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing desiderata, it is particularly desirable that the rapid and efficient dissipation of heat from the windings, bearing system, and rotor be promoted by at least the housing means portion of the stationary composite structure. Furthermore, the material and procedures utilized to manufacture and assemble dynamoelectric machines must be economical and consistently repeatable in order to provide a product of a consistently uniform and high quality. Desirably, such procedures involve a minimum number of steps in practice.
Many years of development and experience have resulted in a determination that there are relatively few different approaches that will yield reasonably satisfactory solutions to the above and other problems. Variations of one general type of approach are illustrated, for example, in Lindt U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,448 and Kaiser U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,968, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. These patents show that formed or cast metal parts may be used to form a case, frame, or cover around one or more windings supported on a stator core.
Other approaches that have been suggested are described, for example, in the commonly assigned Avila, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,261 and Thompson, et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,816. Included in these patents are descriptions of magnetic stator cores and stator windings surrounded by synthetic molding materials. These approaches, however, have not been generally adopted in practice because of the expense of such molding materials as compared to formed or cast metals; because of relatively large amounts of shrinkage that occur during manufacture processes involving many available molding materials; and because such materials are, by comparison with metals, effective thermal insulators and relatively less effective for dissipating the heat generated by a dynamoelectric machine. For these and other reasons the general approach, in practice, has been to use formed or cast metal parts to form external peripheral frames, cases, or shells, which are manufactured to specified dimensional tolerances in order to be satisfactorily assembled with specific stator cores and which are surprisingly susceptible to damage from physical mishandling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Consequently, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide methods of making improved dynamoelectric machines which solve the problems and overcome the difficulties mentioned above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making an improved dynamoelectric machine that permits the utilization of low cost commonly available materials.
A further object of the present invention is to provide methods of making improved dynamoelectric machine structures wherein critical dimensional tolerances of various members of such structures (e.g., external peripheral covers) are substantially eliminated by the elimination of such members.
In carrying out the objects of this invention in one form, we provide methods of making dynamoelectric machines having a stationary composite structure that includes a stator assembly comprising a winding sup port formed by stacked Iaminations having a bore and a plurality of winding accommodating slots therein, and a plurality of windings accommodated in the slots of the winding support. The stationary composite struc ture further includes housing means in the form of a substantially solid mass of particulate material and the housing means does not include an exterior peripheral cover. The solid mass of particulate material is illustrated herein, for purposes of explanation, as a mass of common sand particles secured by athermo-responsive resinous material to each other and to the stator assembly. The sand particles are packed against the windings, winding support, and each other and form a substantially rigid interstitial mass withthe resinous or adhesive material occupying the interstices of the interstitial mass. The mass is tightly knit, i.e., loose sand particles are not readily dislodged from the mass. Stationary compositestructures that are made when carrying out our invention eliminate the need for several critical di mensional tolerances required to be maintained heretofore between housings and stator assemblies, and exhibit structural integrity that surpasses conventional arrangements using formed steel and cast iron housing parts as well as good corrosion resistance. These and other characteristics are improved while maintaining, and in some cases improving, noise suppression characteristics as compared to the noise suppression characteristics of conventional steel and cast iron structures.
In spite of the fact that steel and cast iron are far superior conductors of thermal energy as compared to refractory materials in general, the sand in particular, the heat dissipation from actual structures made by the practice of our invention is measurably better when compared with more conventional structures incorporating steel and cast iron parts.
While practicing our invention, the ends of windings and winding termination means connected thereto may be surrounded and rigidly supported by the interstitial particulate mass. With this approach, the termination connection to the windings is practically indestructable. In another form of the invention, we secure at least one bearing support to a composite structure of the dynamoelectric machine with a substantially nonshrinking heat-hardenable adhesive material. This permits a desirable substantially stress-free securement of the bearing support to the composite structure.
In more specific forms of the present invention, we provide an improved method of manufacturing a dynamoelectric machine. In one exemplification, a winding support having windings thereon is positioned in a mold, and an interstitial mass of particulate material with an adhesive bonding material substantially filling the interstices thereof is formed around the winding support and windings. Thereafter, the adhesive bonding material is solidified and the composite structure is removed from the mold.
In still another exemplification, a rotor is positioned in a predetermined position in the bore of a stationary composite structure that includes a solidified intersti-' tial mass of particulate material and bonding material. A bearing system is loosely assembled in an unstressed condition with the rotor and stationary composite structure with a substantially non-shrinking heathardenable structural adhesive material in a plastic state disposed between contiguous portions of the interstitial mass and a bearing support portion of the bearing system. Thereafter, the adhesive material is solidified to secure the bearing support and composite stationary structure with respect to each other.
The subject matter which we regard as our invention is set forth in the appended claimsThe invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be better understood by referring to the following more detailed description taken in conjunc tion with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear elevation of. a dynamoelectric machine that maybe made by practicing the invention in one form;
FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, with parts in sectionjand parts broken away;
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged representation of a photomicrograph of thesurface of the stationary composite structure of the dynamoelectric machine of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 schematically represent the steps of a method exemplifying one form of our invention and which may be utilized to manufacture the dynamoelectric machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view ofa stationary composite structure manufactured according to the method graphically represented in FIGS. 4 through 7;
FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of another method exemplifying the invention;
FIG. 10 is a rear view of another structure made by practicing the invention;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a front view, with parts broken away, of'the embodiment of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 13-13 ofFlG. l2;
FIG. 14 is a rear view of still another structure made by practicing the invention;
FIG. 15 is a view, partly in section and partly in full, taken along the line l5l5 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a view, with parts broken away, similar to FIG. 8, but showing a modified composite structure;
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a fragment of FIG. 1 and showing an arrangement utilizing the structure of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a fragment of that portion of FIG. 2 that would show, in side elevation, the structure revealed by FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a roll pin of the type that is also shown in FIGS. 17 and 18; and
FIG. 20 is a view of another type of roll pin that may be utilized in place of the roll pin shown in FIG. 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in more detail, a dynamoelectric machine is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, as a unit-bearing type motor 20 that includes a stationary composite structure 22 and a bearing system 23 that comprises a bearing support 24 secured to the stationary composite structure, a sleeve bearing 26 pressed into or otherwise secured to the bearing support, lubricating means including a feed wick 27, and an oil cover 28. The motor also includes a rotatable assembly comprising a rotor 29 and shaft 30. The rotor is built of laminated magnetic material and provided with a squirrel cage type secondary winding of conventional design. The rotor 29 is of conventional type and may be substantially similar to the rotor described in the aforementioned Lindt patent. Secured to the bearing support, by means such as spot welds, are mounting means illustrated as threaded studs 31, 32, and 33 which may be used for securing the motor to an appropriate support during operation.
The lubricating means includes conventional material (such as wool felt) disposed in a reservoir defined by the cover 28. This means supplies a lubricant (e.g., motor oil) to the shaft and bearing structure of the motor through a felt feed wick 27.
The cover 28 is secured to the bearing support plate by a novel interlocking arrangement between apertures 34 on the bearing support 24 and expanded fasteners 36 formed in the cover. This arrangement and particular sleeve bearing arrangements and lubrication systems therefor are more fully disclosed and claimed in the previously identified US. Pat. No. 3,670,405.
The stationary composite structure includes a stator assembly that is illustrated as including windings and a winding support in the form of a stator core 37 made of a plurality of stacked laminations. The stator core is of the shaded pole type, having an annular yoke section and angularly spaced apart integral teeth or salient polar projections 38 arranged inwardly of the yoke section, defining respectively enlarged winding accommodating slots between adjacent poles. The tip portions of the poles terminate in arcuate surfaces and form a rotor receiving bore 39. The winding slots extend entirely through the stacks of laminations and accommodate the sides of windings in the form of coils 41 wound around the neck portions of the salient projections. The coils may be wound from a continuous length of suitably insulated wire, with the coils forming a four pole excitation winding having a predetermined number of turns arranged around each polar projection and the free ends thereof connected to the termination means 42. Elongated winding pins of molded plastic or other material extend through the core and axially be yond each polar projection adjacent the bore, and serve to retain the end turns of the individual coils away from the bore.
The termination means 42 are firmly and securely embedded in the stationary composite structure 22. More specifically, conductive terminal elements 43, 44 are secured .at a generally planar insulating terminal support member 46 fabricated from a sheet of electrical insulating material such as fiberboard or other suiti able material; e.g., thermosetting plastic material or mica. The terminal elements each have a portion thereof attached to the support member by suitable means such as an extruded rivet or the like and portions which extend outwardly beyond the stationary composite structure. Thus, the terminal elements form quickconnect terminals exposed for connection to a source of power.
Since the termination means are firmly secured in the stationary composite structure, it is difficult, if not impossible, to dislodge the terminals 43, 44 from the structure 22. Even more importantly, it is virtually im possible to break the electrical connection between the windings and terminals. It will be understood. therefore, that the illustrated arrangement offers a significant advantage over conventional designs. In fact, a review of field rejects of one conventional type of motor has shown that about fifty percent of such field rejects result from terminal failures. That is, the terminals have become loose or electrical continuitybetween the terminals and windings has been broken.
As will be understood, noise is generated during operation of a motor due to the mechanical movement of the rotor in the bore. In addition, the windings and stacked laminations in motors of conventional design have a tendency to vibrate and buzz as a result of the excitation current in the windings. Furthermore, during operation, heat is generated within the stationary composite structure and bearing system of a motor. Use of our invention contributes to the solution of both of these problems and motors made by following the invention may be operated with improved heat dissipation characteristics without degradation of noise suppression characteristics.
The stationary composite structure 22 includes housing means in the form of an interstitial'mass of inert particulate material packed around the winding support, windings, and termination means. A resinous material is disposed in the interstices of the mass and bonds the inert particles into a substantially rigid mass so that the interstitial mass is a self-supporting primary structural member or element of the stationary composite structure 22. The resinous material also bonds the substantially solid mass to the winding support, windings, and termination means. This means is tightly knit, i.e., sand parts are not readily dislodged from the mass.
A wide range of inert particulate materials may be used in the practice of the invention. Desirably, the material selected should withstand the temperatures encountered during manufacturing operations and not deleteriously affect the winding support, windings, terminations, or insulation used on the windings or winding support. In addition, the inert material should not be electrically conductive or magnetic. In general, these same criteria also govern the selection of the particular adhesive material used as a binder for the particulate material. One type of low cost particulate material commonly available in bulk form that is particularly suitable for use is granular refractory material Examples of this type of material are mineral ores, various kinds of rocky material, and sand.
FIG. 3 illustrates the physical structure of the preferred arrangement wherein particles of common sand are packed against each other in random fashion. FIG. 3 is drawn from a photomicrograph of the surface of the housing means portion of the stationary composite structure 22 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the thermoresponsive resinous material disposed in the interstices of the sand mass was essentially transparent. Again, it will be appreciated that the structure is tightly knit.
However, it will be understood that as shown in FIG. 3, the interstices between adjacent particles of sand, e.g., particles 47, 48, 49, 50, are occupied by resinous bonding material that adheres to the sand particles as well as to the stator core 37 and winding coils 41 shown in FIG. 2. The presence of small particles 51 in the structure was also observed, and these were believed to probably be extremely fine particles of sand or impurities in the sand mass.
Since the photomicrograph, of which FIG. 3 is a full scale representation. showed a 70 power enlargement of the interstitial mass, it will be appreciated that the physical interrelationships of particles such as particles 47, 48, 49, 50 are not readily apparent to the naked eye. However. the particles are packed together as illustrated with the resinous binder filling the interstices of the structure.
In general, the sand or other particulate material employed may have a wide range of particle sizes and par ticle size distribution. However, it is desirable to use particulate material wherein about 50 percent by weight of the particles have a size of from 40 to 100 mesh, and it is preferred that such material have an American Foundrymens Society (A.F.S.) fineness of from 45 to 55, since the surface textures of structures wherein the particulate material has a grain fineness in this range is difficult to distinguish from the surface texture of permanent mold cast iron structures.
The meaning of A.F.S. grain fineness number is known in the art and is also set forth in published literature. For example, a description of A.F.S. numbers is contained in the seventh edition (1963) ofa book titled Foundry Sand Handbook and published by the American Foundrymens Society of Des Plaines, Ill.
The calculation of A.F.S. grain fineness numbers is also set forth in this book. A sample calculation therein shows that a sieve analysis is first made of a sample for which the grain fineness number is to be calculated, using US. sieve sizes 6 through 270 and a pan for collecting fines. The weight of the portion of the sample retained on each sieve is then tabulated on an actual weight basis and also as a percentage by weight of the total sample weight. The percents so tabulated are then multiplied by a standard multiplier for each sieve size, and the product ofsuch multiplication is tabulated. The sum of the recorded percentages by weight retained on the sieves and pan is then divided into the sum of the tabulated multiplication products and the result of such division is the A.F.S. grain fineness number. The multipliers for U.S. sieve numbers 6-270 and pan is tabulated in Table I below.
TABLE I U. S. Series Sieve Number Multiplier 2O 10 30 2O 40 30 5O 40 70 50 I00 70 I40 I00 200 140 270 200 Pan 300 sand used. Accordingly. the sand was dried at 400F in a conventional Ferris wheel forced air dryer. After this treatment, the moisture content of the sand was about 0.03% by weight and the dust level was about 0.3% by weight. Thereater, the sand particles retained on a 30 mesh screen were discarded and the remainder used in the exemplification. A sieve analysis of a sample of the sand particles used in the exemplification is set out in Table II below which is presented for purposes of illustration. Standard procedures were followed in making the sieve analysis and, since 30 mesh size particles and larger were discarded prior to the analysis, 100% of the samples tested passed through a 30 mesh screen. The data for two samples is presented in Table II and the last two columns in Table 11 represent an average value of the recorded data for the two samples.
TABLE II of Cumulative Sample 7: passing Retained through Average Sam Sam- Sam- Sam- Sample Cumulative Screen ple ple ple ple retained passing Mesh Size A B A B 7( 3O 0 0 I00 I00 0 40 l6 I8 84 82 I7 83 50 26 24 58 i 58 25 58 70 32 34 26 24 33 25 100 20 20 6 4 2O 5 pan 6 4 5 Although sand was used in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that other inert particulate materials may also be used although with probably not the same economy. No reasons are known by us as to why material such as slate; chalk; zirconia; alumina; calcium carbonate; mica; beryllium oxide; magnesium oxide; or combinations of such materials; or naturally occurring combinations of minerals, e.g., ores, could not be used. For example, we have used chromite ore in lieu of sand to produce structures black in color and having surface textures very similar to castings of permanent mold cast iron. The structural characteristics of these structures were comparable to the corresponding characteristics of the structure of 1 FIG. 1.
For purposes of economy, sand having the previously noted size distribution was used in the FIG. 1 structure, but we have found that satisfactory results are also obtained when the particulate material particles are of substantially uniform size. The primary criteria for our selection, in addition to economic factors, is the structure integrity and final appearance of the composite structures. We believe that if only particles larger than 30 mesh are used, the surface texture of the structure normally will be objectionably course and rough unless excessive amounts of adhesive materials are used to both bind the particles into a substantially solid mass and to smooth out the valleys between adjacent particles adjacent the surface of the mass. This in turn is economical and results in what we term as an objectionable resin-rich surface which will be described more thoroughly hereinafter in the discussion of adhesive materials.
Based on test samples, we also believe that when all of the particulate material is substantially finer than 100 mesh, there will be an objectionable loss of structural integrity of the final structure. A readily apparent manifestation of this loss is the occurrence of fissures and surface crazes in the structures after the resinous material has hardened. It should be added, however, that structures having apparently satisfactory structural integrity (including surface texture) were obtained and substantially all of the particles of particulate material were 100 mesh size. Therefore, we believe that when a substantial percentage or all of the particulate material is finer than 100 mesh, additional means should be used to prevent the development of fissures and crazes in the final structure. By way of illustration, one material which is suitable for use as this additional means in a sand and resin structure is glass fiber such as that discussed in Rudoff, et al. US. Pat. No. 2,820,914.
Many materials are suitable for use as a material for securing or adhesively bonding the particles of the interstitial mass together and to the winding support and windings. We have found it to be quite desirable that the material, regardless of its exact composition, have the following attributes; that it economically secure together the inert particles into a substantially solid mass; that it secure the particles to the remainder of the composite structure; that it be compatible with and not ad vcrsely affect other component parts of the composite structure such as the electrical insulation, winding components, core, and the like (that is, it should be inert with respect to such other parts in the structure); and that it satisfactorily withstand temperatures to which it is to be subjected during fabrication, testing, and use of the completed structure. In addition, the viscosity of the adhesive material should preferably be such that it will be readily retained in the interstitial mass so as to form an essentially non-porous rigid structure after the adhesive material has hardened. We have found that two part thermoresponsive adhesive materials of the thermosetting synthetic resinous type provide these attributes.
When a two part thermosetting resinous material is employed, suitable base resins for this material may include phthalic or non-phthalic type polyesters, epoxys (e.g., bisphcnol A, novolac, cycloaliphatic), certain phenolies, polybutadienes, epoxy-acrylics, and epoxypolyester resins.
A typical two part thermosetting resinous material we have found useful in practice includes, in addition to a base resin as mentioned above, a component to increase the flexural strength of the resinous material when cured, a catalyst to shorten the time required to cure or harden the adhesive material, and an agent to facilitate removal of the composite structure from a mold.
One specific resinous material used in an exemplification included 55 parts by weight polyester resin as the base resin mixed together with 45 parts by weight of styrene (used to increase the flexural strength). To 99 parts by weight of this mixture was added l part by weight of a catalytic agent in the form of tertiary-butylperbenzoate and then 99.45 parts by weight of the foregoing 3 part mixture were mixed with 0.55 parts by weight of a mold release agent. A commercially available mold release agent is marketed under the name "Zelec" by the E. l. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Organic Chemicals Department, 7 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill. However, it should be specifically noted that satisfactory structures have been obtained without using any mold release agents both in TEFLON coated molds and in uncoated molds.
One commercially available polyester resin that we have used is a non-phthalic polyester comprising monobasic and poly-basic acids and polyhydric alcohols. and sold as polyester casting compound No. 5 l9-C-l l l by Con Chemco, i401 Severn Street, Baltimore, Md. Another suitable commercially available base resin is marketed under the name Derakane by the Dow Chemical Co. of Midland, Mich. This particular material is described in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,367,992, which discusses 2-hydroxyalkyl acrylate and methacrylate dicarboxylic acid partial esters and oxyalkylated derivatives thereof. This patent issued Feb. 6, i968 and is assigned to the Dow Chemical Co.
The primary structural member of the stationary composite structure 22 was formed using about 71.2% by weight of sand and 28.8% by weight of the resinous material. After the pores in the sand mass were permeated by the resinous material, the resinous material was retained in the pores or interstices of the sand mass and hardened by heating the stationary composite structure at C for 25 minutes. It will, of course, be understood that different temperatures and varying amounts of catalyst may be used to shorten or lengthen the cure time as desired.
The actual percents by weight of particulate material and resinous material may be varied and were determined in the exemplification by comparing the physical characteristics of stationary composite structures that were made in trials during which the proportion of resinous to particulate material was varied. Since the resinous material, particulate material, winding support, and windings are compatible with each other, the more desirable relative proportions of the materials can be determined by physical inspection and structural testing. in general, we believe that the most economical use of materials, better heat dissipation characteristics, and better structural integrity (i.e., crack-free surfaces, uniform relatively smooth surface textures, resistance to crumbling, crushing, shattering, or breaking) result when we employ a maximum amount of particulate material and a minimum amount of resinous material. When this is done, there is no more resinous material then approximately that required to occupy the voids or pores (i.e., the interstices) between adjacent particles of the particulate mass. lf insufficient amounts of resinous material are used, the structure will be porous, and particles may be scraped from the surfaces (thus, the structure will not be tightly knit throughout); and, in extreme cases, the structure will crumble or fragment when dropped.
The importance of preventing the release of even a single piece of particulate material from a surface of such structures in a motor will be appreciated when it is understood that the air gap or clearance in the bore of a motor often is nominally only about 0.0ll of an inch. Thus, the presence of particulate material, and particularly abrasive refractory material such as sand in the air gap during operation of the motor would result in severe damage, if not destruction, of the motor. For example, noise, binding and freeze up of the shaft in the bearing, and locked rotor conditions may result. if too great an amount of resinous material is used, the external surfaces of the composite structure will be resin rich" and be smooth and glassy in appearance. This effect is particularly objectionable when other structural elements (e.g., bearing means) are to be adhesively secured to the composite structure.
The volume of the interstitial mass is determined essentially by the apparent volume occupied by the particulate material. Thus, the density of specific gravity of the interstitial mass permeated with resinous material is greater than the bulk density of the particulate material. For example, the bulk density of the dry sand used in the exemplification was approximately 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter. However, the density of a section of the bonded sand mass in the stationary composite structure 22 after hardening of the resinous material was approximately 1.9 grams per cubic centimeter.
ln bulk form, the sand mass used in the exemplification has an interstitial volume, i.e., porosity or pore volume of about 34%. Since the securing, e.g., resinous material desirably occupies the interstitial volume of the sand mass, a section of the rigid mass after curing of the resinous material would comprise, on a volumetric basis, about 34% of resinous material and about 66% of sand particles.
Some of the advantages of our invention willbe better appreciated by a comparison of the characteristics of motors constructed according to the teachings presented herein with corresponding characteristics of conventional design motors wherein cast iron and drawn steel parts formed housings for the motors. One of these characteristics is the structural integrity of a motor, e.g., the ability of the motor to withstand physjeal abuse without sustaining damage to the structural or electrical components thereof. One example of such abuse is the mishandling of motors during manufacture or shipment which may subject them to severe impact loading conditions.
ln order to evaluate and compare theeffects of impact loading conditions, twenty-five stationary composite structures constructed according to the invention, and twenty-five conventional stators having a cast iron frame pressed onto a winding support, were dropped from a height of 4 feet onto an iron block.
After the eleventh drop, about one half of the conventional stators literally fell apart and the cast iron shells separated from the stator cores. in addition, the windings in all of the conventional structures had become open circuited. The windings in the impact resistant structures constructed in accordance with the invention, on the other hand, did not open after as many as seventy drops. In addition, no structural damagewas observed in these structures other than spot surface bruises, or external surface spalling. Thus, our new and improved structure was impact resistant as well as selfsupporting.
Motors constructed according to the invention also had noise suppression characteristics at least as good as motors of conventional design. In one text, motors were individually suspended by soft elastic straps and tested in an anechoic sound chamber. During thetest of each motor, a microphone was placed 6 inches away from the noisiest part of the each motor while it operated under no-load conditions. Then the sound pressure, in decibels, of the nose emanating from each motor was recorded. In these tests, twenty motors constructed in accordance with the invention were tested and fifteen cast iron frame type conventional motors were tested. Based on data recorded during these tests,
statistical calculations were made which indicated that,
on the average, the recorded noise levels of the conventional motors were both higher and less uniform than in the case of the motors constructed in accordance with the invention.
These same types of motors were then compared to determine their relative heat dissipation characteristics and, in spite of the fact that the particulate material (sand) in the composite stationary structure is a relatively good heat insulator, the temperature rise of the windings in these motors was less than that of the conventional motors for a given power input. More specifically, it was determined that motors corresponding to the motor of FIG. 1 dissipated 0.879 watts per C rise in winding temperature, whereas the conventional type motors dissipated 0.763 wattsper C rise in winding temperature forabout a 30 rise in winding temperature above ambient. This data was obtained by determining the steady state power supplied to the motors in order to maintain a steady statewinding temperature rise of 30C for ambient temperatures of 25C and 40C. In addition to monitoring the winding temperature, thesteady state temperatures of the exterior surfaces of the stationary composite structures were found to be 150C for the FlG.'2 type motors and C for the conventional motors during locked motor tests. Thus, the FIG. 1 type structures were over 15% more efficient in transferring stator core heat than the conventional motors, since, for a given winding temperature rise, over 15% more power could be supplied to them.
It is believed that the improved heat transfer characteristics of our new and improved motors is at least partly due to the intimate and extensive physical contact that exists between the stator assembly and interstitial mass.
It is believed that it will be evident that dimensional tolerances between'machined parts and susceptibility to rust and other forms of corrosion have been reduced or eliminated by our approach. Again, it is noted that utilization of the present invention permits the elimination of traditional shells, frames, and cases.
Now having referenceto. FIGS. 4-8, the steps of one method exemplifying a form of the invention will be more particularly described. The'method involves the" steps of positioning astator assembly comprising a stator core 61 and windings 62 in ,the cavity 63 of a mold 64 which in turn is resiliently-supported by a spring 66 retained in a support 67 and surrounding a locating boss 68 carried by a friam'e'69fsecured to the mold. In order to space the windings from the bottom of the mold cavity, the stator core: is rested against a stop formed by a le'dgefll in ;the rriold Then -a bore plug 72 having a surface configurationcorresponding to the clesired bore of the. composite structure of FIG. 8 is posi-i tioned in the bore of th'e.statoncore' filf. Attached to the" bore plug is a triangularpiate 73 whieh'provides a con-. toured surface on the composite. structure as will be more fully described hereinafterrln those cases where winding pins may project into thefbore, a taper, as indi-" cated for example at 72b on the bore plug may be used to move and hold-the-pins out of the bore. v 7
After the core a'nd'windings 'are positioned in the mold, a-predetcrmined amount, of particulate refractory material, illustrated for purposes of exemplifi-' cation as sand, is metered anddistributed into the. mold around the core and windings.,The metering means in-- chute 77. Asa predetermined amount of sand 78 sufficient to fill the mold cavity is distributed from three filler tubes 7911,7912, 79cand packs around the core 61, the resiliently supported mold 64 is vibrated by vibrators 80a. 80b to reduce the amount of time required to distribute and pack the sand in the spaces between adjacent turns of the windings, and between the windings and core. As will be understood, any suitable commercially available vibrators may be used. The mold is vibrated horizontally as well as vertically as shown, and the vertical vibrators 80b vibrate the mold through channel shaped plates 81a, 81!) secured to the mold. The vibrations also cause a thin layer of sand to move between the ledge 71 and stator core. This results in the stator core being substantially completely surrounded by an interstitial sand mass.
After being filled with sand, the mold is transferred to a filling station as illustrated in FIG. 6. Then, a cover plate 82 provided with an air admission port 83 and resinous material admission port 84 is secured to the mold by suitable clamping means which may be a plurality of screw fasteners 86 as shown in the drawing. Thereafter, a preselected amount of resinous material is metered through a filler tube 87 from a reservoir 88 into the mold. The material 89 flows across the surface of the sand and effectively forms a pool and air seal across the top of the mold cavity.
Although the material 89 may be permitted to flow by gravity to permeate the mass in the mold, it is more desirable to accelerate the flow of the material 89 through the mass of sand 78 by increasing the pressure differential across the sand mass. Accordingly, after a pool of material 89 is formed in the mold, air with a pressure of 4-6 psig is admitted to the mold through a pressure regulator 91. This pressure forces the material 89 into the interstices of the sand mass, and the sand and material 89 are packed into the mold by the air pressure. The air initially in the interstices of the sand is vented through outlet means in the form of a gap 92 between the end 72a of the bore plug 72 and the mold. The peripheral gap 92 provided for this purpose preferably is sufficiently small to prevent sand or excessive amounts of material 89 from flowing out of the mold while a pressure differential of from 46 psig is maintained across the mold inlet and outlet. When sand and material 89 as described above in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 are used in this process, the peripheral gap is about 0.0025 of an inch.
Although it is preferable to form a pressure differential across the mold by the application of a positive pressure to the inlet side of the mold, it will be appreciated that such differential could also be formed by applying a negative pressure or vacuum to the outlet of the mold.
After the material 89 has permeated the mass within the mold cavity, excess resinous material on the top of the mold is removed, e.g., with a squeegee. The resinous material then is cured, i.e., solidified or hardened, so that a tightly knit (i.e., closely and firmly fastened together structure) self-supporting, substantially rigid, impact resistant composite structure capable of effective heat dissipation such as the structure 93 is formed. In this structure, the sand particles are held closely adjacent to one another in a resinous matrix.
When preparing to cure the material 89, the cover 82 is removed and the mold 64 is moved into an oven 94 as shown schematically in FIG. 7 where the mold and composite structure is heated at lC for 25 minutes. At the end of this time, the composite structure is removed from the mold as a rigid, substantially solid mass having the configuration shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the parameters of time and temperature in the oven may be varied and that the temperature of 190C and time of 25 minutes are given for exemplary purposes only.
The recessed area 95 on the structure 93 is formed by the triangular plate 73. It will be understood that this plate may have any desired configuration that would correspond with the configuration of a bearing support to be positioned thereagainst.
After a composite structure has been formed, assembly of a complete motor may be accomplished. This method will be best understood by again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. In these figures, after the stationary composite structure 22 has been formed with the interstitial mass forming a housing means without an additional metal or metallic peripheral covering or casing, the rotor 29 is secured in assembled relation with the bearing system by lock washers 96, 97. An epoxy material 98 or other adhesive material as described, for example, in the previously mentioned Thompson, et al., patent is applied to either the bearing support plate 24 or relieved stator assembly housing surface 99 underlying the support plate 24. The bearing plate is then positioned against the surface 99 while the rotor 29 is centrally positioned in the bore 39 by removable shims. After the epoxy 98 is cured, the shims are removed through the openings 34 in the bearing support plate 24. These openings are spaced around and axially aligned with the air gap around the rotor for this purpose. Then the lubrication system is assembled and covered by the cover 28 that in turn is secured to the plate 24 by means of the expanding fasteners 36 previously referred to.
After being assembled, the exterior surfaces of the motor may be prepared for painting by cleaning and etching or priming them. Thereafter, paint may be applied to the motor and dried. These steps may, however, be completely omitted if desired, since it is not necessary to apply a protective coating to the interstitial mass forming the housing for the motor 20, since this structure is resistant to corrosive agents and essentially unaffected by water. In addition, the refractory material and/or resinous material may be used to give a desired final color to the motor 20. For example, chromite ore (as previously described) will provide a structure black in color. On the other hand, white sand will provide a nearly white color, and brown river bed sands provide a buff or beige color. Desired colors may also be obtained by adding a dye or color pigment to the resinous material which then becomes the color determining component in the structure.
Another method is schematically represented by FIG. 9 wherein there is illustrated a mold 121 that comprises two mold parts 122, 123 held together by a mold clamp 124 and supported on a shaft 126 of a motor 127. The mold 121 is removable secured to the shaft by a screw 128 so that it can be rotated by the motor 127. lnitially, the stator core 129 with windings 131 and termination means 132 secured thereto is positioned in the lower mold part 123. Then the upper mold part 122 is positioned against the lower mold part 123 with the termination means 132 projecting through an opening 133 formed in the upper mold part. Thereafter, the
mold clamp 124 is fastened in place to secure the mold parts together.
The motor 127 is cncrgiyed and, as the mold 121 is rotated at a desired speed, a retractable particulate material filler nozzle 134 is moved downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 9 so that a predetermined amount of particulate material may be discharged into the mold. In addition, a resinous material dispensing tube 136 (also retractable) is positioned as shown in FIG. 9 to discharge the adhesive material into the cavity of mold 121. The speed of rotation of the mold may be varied, depending on the specific particulate material and particular matrix former, e.g., resinous material, being used.
When using the materials previously described for the cxemplification of FIG. 1, good results are obtained when the mold is rotated at a speed of 1,600 rpm. As the sand I38 and resinous material 137 are concurrently or substantially simultaneously discharged into the rotating mold, heat is applied to the mold and transferred to the structure therewithin by means of a blower 139 which directs hot air across the mold. The centrifugal forces exerted on the sand and resinous material because of the mold rotation pack the sand and resinous material against the walls of the mold, the stator core, windings, and termination means. After predetermined amounts of sand and resinous material have been admitted to the mold, the filler tubes 134 and 136 are withdrawn from the mold, the resinous material is retained in the interstices of the sand mass, and rotation of the mold is continued until the resinous material has cured an amount sufficient to permit removal of a rigid structure from the mold. The final configuration of the composite structure removed from the mold is substantially the same as that of the structure 93 illustrated in FIG. 8.
Although FIG. 9 illustrates the sand 138 and material 137 being concurrently discharged into the mold, it is also possible to discharge the sand into the mold and subsequently add the resinous material. In either case, during the cure cycle of the adhesive material, the rotational speed of the mold may be reduced to about 600 rpm after the sand and resinous material are in place without adversely affecting the structure within the mold.
FIGS. 1l13 depict still another embodiment of the invention wherein a motor 140 comprises a stationary composite structure 141 that includes a stator core 142, windings 143, terminations 144, 146, and housing means formed of an interstitial mass of particulate material. A rotor 147 of conventional construction is secured to a shaft 148 which in turn is supported for rotation by a pair of bearings 149, 151. In order to absorb end thrust during operation of the motor thrust rings, 152, 153 are also carried by the shaft 148 and co-act with the bearings. A bearing lubricant such as oil is stored in reservoirs illustrated as felt wicks 154, 156 which are retained within chambers 157, 158 formed by oil covers 159, 161, bearing supports 162, 163, and internal oil covers 164, 166. The covers 164, 166 include filler tubes 167. 168, respectively. In order to prevent loss of lubricant along the shaft 148, oil slingers 169, 171, 171a, are supported on the shaft 148 and operate in well-known fashion.
As will be appreciated from an inspection of FIGS.
- 10 and 12, the bearing supports 162, 163 are plates which are secured by means such as a thermosetting adhesive material, e.g., epoxy, to the exposed ends 172, 173 of the interstitial mass 174 which forms the primary structural member of the motor. This interstitial mass includes a resinous material and particulate material secured to the core and windings, and is preferably made in the manner and with the materials previously described.
As best revealed in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front of the stationary composite structure is contoured so that the bearing support plate 163 is bonded to lands 176 and spaced from regions 177 of the stationary composite structure. With this arrangement, access to the oil chamber 158 through filler tube 168 is readily available and passages are provided for the flow of coolant such as air through the motor. It will be appreciated that this contouring of surfaces is now attainable as a practical alternative without requiring machining operations on the face of the stationary structure.
To further promote the flow of cooling air through the motor and permit the facile removal of shims used to center the rotor 178 in the air gap during assembly, a plurality of angularly spaced apart openings 179, 181 are formed in the support plates 162, 163, respectively in axial alignment with the air gap around the rotor. These openings are sufficiently large to permit the removal of the shims and provide an unobstructed path to the air gap in the same manner as openings 34 in the exemplification of FIG, 1.
The face 172 of the structure 174 is contoured as shown at 182 in FIGS. 10 and 11 so as to provide access to oil filler tube 167. Although threaded studs 183 are secured to the plate 162 to illustrate means for mounting the motor during operation, it will be appreciated that other mounting means could be employed in this as well as the other embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate still another approach wherein bearing supports 201, 202 are adhesively secured to the end faces 203, 204 respectively of the housing means portion of stationary composite structure 206. The structure 206 comprises an interstitial mass of sand particles bonded together as previously described. Other components in the motor such as the stator core 208, windings 209, oil retainers 211, 212 and oil covers 213, 214 provide known advantages as will be understood.
As best shown in FIG. 15, end face 204 of the structure 206 is relieved at 205 to provide a clearance for the deformed heads 216 of threaded mounting studs 217. These studs may be riveted or welded to the bearing support 202. As in previously described arrangements, openings such as openings 218 shown in FIG. 14 are provided to permit the easy removal of shims that were used to center the rotor 219 in the air gap 221 during assembly of the rotor and stationary composite structure.
Although the bearing means illustrated herein have included a bearing secured to an end frame or bearing support of the exemplified dynamoelectric machines, it will be understood that the end frame itself may be used as a bearing means without a separate bearing element. In addition, it will be appreciated that when the particulate material is granular in form, the granules may be generally uniform in shape or non-uniform and irregular in shape as was the case of the sand particles in the structures specifically described hereinabove.
The significance of the difference between composite structures (e.g., dynamoelectric machines) constructed according to the invention and those known heretofore may be better appreciated by noting that prior to being listed with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as impedance protected motors intended primarily for use as household refrigerator condenser fan motors; motors exemplifying the invention were required to meet not only the criteria set forth in U. L. No. 73 tests for motor operated appliances (published in 1967 but still other test criteria not required heretofore of other motors intended primarily for the same use.
By way of illustration. composite structures configured as shown in FIGv 8 were formed of inert particulate material in the form of sand having a 40 to I mesh particle size and held together by a polyesterstyrene resinous material that was formulated to correspond to the specific resinous material described hereinabove. These composite structures were then assembled with rotors and bearing systems to form motors of the unit bearing type shown in FIG. 1. These motors will be referred to hereinafter as submitted motors.
Rather than being subjected to the relatively normal Hi Pot test wherein one test probe is touched to one or both motor terminals and another probe is touched to any part of a metal housing or case while the probes are connected across a potential of 1,240 volts; the submitted motors were subjected to a 5,000 volt hi pot test. Moreover, since the submitted motors did not have a metal shell or housing, they were wrapped in conductive metal foil and then placed in conductive shot. One probe was then placed in circuit with the shot while the other probe was touched to the terminals.
Moreover, the submitted motors were subjected to an abnormal burn out test. In this test, the submitted motors first passed a day locked rotor test and then were wrapped in insulating material, e.g., cotton batting, cheese cloth, or polyurethane foam. Then, with the rotor locked, voltage was applied in 5 volt increments and held under the temperature of the motor housing was stable for 30 minutes or until the motor failed due to winding failure. Depending on the insulation material covering used (c.g., cotton, cloth, or foam); the submitted motors failed safely (without igniting the covering) when 120 to I30 volts were applied. In all of these tests, the housing temperature was from about 280C to about 320C at the time of failure.
An impact test is illustrative of still one other test to which the submitted motors were subjected. In this test, a 2 inch diameter steel ball, weighing l.l8 pounds was dropped so that either 5 or I0 foot pounds of energy were applied to the motors. In this test l0 foot pounds were applied to the motors at room temperature and 5 foot pounds were applied when the motors were at minus 35C. The submitted motors also passed these tests and were only slightly dented or chipped.
In at least some situations, it would be desirable to reduce at least some of the extra tests that motors constructed in the practice of the invention would be subjected to. The modified structures shown in FIGS. 16-18 illustrate one way in which the stator core 37 of a motor may be grounded and thus eliminate the need to pass a 5,000 volt hi pot test.
With reference to FIGS. 1620, the composite structure 250 is similar in all respects to the composite structure 93 of FIG. 8 except that a hole 251 is formed therein. e.g., by a removable pin while the structure is being made. This hole is formed in the recessed surface 252 of the structure and extends to the surface of the stator core 37. A hole is also formed in the plate 24 and then, after assembly of the plate 24 (as modified) with the structure 250, a roll pin, such as pin 254 or pin 255 is driven into holes 253 and 251 to establish a ground circuit path from the core 37 to the plate 24. The pins 254 and 255 may be steel or other suitable material, as will be understood, and each are at least slightly compressible during assembly so that good electrical contact will be maintained with plate 24.
In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that the advantages and features of our invention are numerous. For example, dynamoelectric machines resulting from practice of the invention are characterized by greatly improved structural integrity; heat dissipation characteristics; and corrosion resistance and noise suppression characteristics that are equally as good as those of motors of conventional design. Moreover, traditional housings or coverings formed of metal or otherwise are no longer needed. Furthermore, winding terminations are better protected than heretofore and critical dimensional tolerances in cast iron and/or drawn steel housing parts have been substantially eliminated. It thus should now be clear that new and improved manufacturing techniques have been illustrated for producing composite structures.
In accordance with the Patent Statutes, we have described what at present are considered to be the preferred and alternate embodiments of our invention, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention.
What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:
l. A method of manufacturing a dynamoelectric machine having at least a rotatable member and a stationary composite structure comprising a winding support, at least one winding accommodated by the winding support, and a self-supporting primary structural member forming a housing for protecting at least part of the one winding, said method comprising: forming the selfsupporting primary structural member as a substantially rigid, self-supporting, exterior housing member around at least part of the winding without an exterior peripheral casing therearound by placing at least the part of the one winding in a mold cavity, by packing within the mold cavity from about 65 to about parts by weight of an interstitial mass of particulate material comprising at least about 50% by weight of from 40 to I00 mesh size particles around said part of the one winding and retaining from about 20 to about 35 parts by weight of an unhardened material in the interstices of the mass, and by hardening the unhardened material to form the primary structural member as a substantially rigid housing member around said part of the one winding; removing the housing member and part of the one winding from the mold cavity; and thereafter supporting the rotatable member for rotation relative to the composite structure.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein packing an interstitial mass of particulate material around part of the one winding and retaining an unhardened material in the interstices of the mass includes packing a mass of relatively dry particulate material around said part of the one winding, and thereafter permeating the mass of particulate material with a fluid resinous material.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein packing an interstitial mass of particulate material around part of the one winding and retaining an unhardened material in the interstices of the mass includes substantially simultaneously forcing particulate material and resinous material against at least part of the winding support and said part of the one winding.
4. A method of manufacturing a dynamoelectric machine comprising a rotor; a stationary composite structure having a stator assembly and housing means for at least part of the stator assembly; and at least one bearing system mounting the stator assembly and the rotor for relative rotation, the method comprising; forming, around at least part of the stator assembly, the housing means so as to be self-supportable without a peripheral covering therearound by positioning at least part of the stator assembly in a mold, by positioning an interstitial mass of from about 65 to about 80 parts by weight of particles of particulate material having an A.F.S. grain fineness number greater than 45 and from about 20 to about parts by weight of a resinous material within the interstices of the mass around at least said part of the stator assembly, and by hardening the resinous material to secure the particles of particulate material together and to at least part of the stator assembly to form at least a portion of the housing means, removing the stationary composite structure so formed from the mold; and positioning the rotor relative to the stator assembly and securing the at least one bearing system to the housing means.
5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein positioning the rotor relative to the stator assembly and securing the at least one bearing system to the housing means includes positioning the rotor relative to the stator assembly to establish a predetermined air gap between the rotor and a selected portion of the stator assembly, securing the rotor in substantially fixed relation to the stator assembly in a substantially stress-free condition by depositing an unhardened adhesive material along at least a portion of the interface of said portion of the housing means and the at least one bearing system, and thereafter hardening the adhesive material.
6. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein positioning the rotor relative to the stator assembly and securing the at least one bearing system to the housing means includes applying an uncured thermo-responsive material to at least one surface at the interface between the bearing system and the housing means, and thereafter hardening the thermo-responsive material.
7. A method of manufacturing a dynamoelectric machine comprising a rotor; a stationary composite structure having a stator assembly and housing means for at least part of the stator assembly; and at least one bearing system mounting the stator assembly and the rotor for relative rotation, the method comprising the steps of: positioning at least part of the stator assembly in a mold; positioning an interstitial mass of from about 65 to about parts by weight of particles of particulate material and from about 20 to about 35 parts by weight of a resinous material within the interstices of the mass around at least said part of the stator assembly; hardening the resinous material to secure the particles of particulate material together and to at least said part of the stator assembly to form an impact resistant substantially rigid mass and thereby establishing a selfsupporting substantially rigid housing member without need for a peripheral metallic covering; removing the resulting stationary composite structure from the mold; and positioning the rotor relative to the stator assembly, securing the at least one bearing system to the housing means, and supporting the rotor relative to the stator assembly with at least the at least one bearing system.
8. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein securing the at least ,one bearing system to the housing means includes applying an uncured thermo-responsive material to at least one surface at the interface between the bearing system and the housing means and thereafter hardening the thermo-responsive material. |
US-3874074-A | Method of fabricating a stabilized composite superconductor | United States Patent 1 1 Meyer 1 Apr. 1,1975
[ 4] METHOD OF FABRICATING A STABILIZED COMPOSITE SUPERCONDUCTOR [75] Inventor: Gundolf Meyer, Birmenstorf, Switzerland [73] Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri & Company Limited, Baden, Switzerland [22] Filed: May 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 365,148
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 31, 1972 Switzerland 8080/72 [52] US. Cl 29/599, 148/127, l74/DIG. 6, 335/216 [51] Int. Cl H0lv 11/14 [58] Field of Search 29/599; 174/126 CP, DIG. 6; 335/216; 148/127 Primary E.\aminerRichard J. Herbst Assistant Examiner-D. C. Reiley, III Attorney, Agent, or FirmPierce, Scheffler & Parker [57] ABSTRACT A method for producing electrical superconductors consisting of a great number parallel spaced thin filaments of a superconductive material in which diffusion is effected in parallel spaced zones between two adjoining metallic layers, one being vanadium and the other a copper-gallium alloy by utilization of a foreign substance between the layers establishing similar parallel spaced zones in which diffusion of gallium into the vanadium is either prevented or the superconductive properties of the inter-metallic compound formed by the diffusion is considerably reduced. The layered material with the foreign substance therebetween is formed into rods the axis of which corresponds to the direction of the parallel spaced zones; these rods are then embedded in a cylinder of a highly electrical conductive matrix material such as copper or aluminum, after which the matrix cylinder is subjected to a drawing operation to effect a reduction in its cross section and hence also the cross sections of the rods embedded therein, and then heat-treated to effect the desired diffusion of gallium from the copper-gallium layers to the adjacent vanadium layers along the parallel spaced zones between zones in which diffusion has been prevented or the superconductive properties of the inter-metallic compound formed at such zones have been reduced by the presence of the foreign substance.
17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ATENTED APR 1 I97 SHEET 2 BF 2 METHOD OF FABRICATING A STABILIZED COMPOSITE SUPERCONDUCTOR This invention relates to an improvement in the method of making electrical superconductors, and more particularly to an improved method for manufacturing superconductors of the type having a number of fine filaments of superconducting material.
As of the present time, quite a few different methods of making superconductors composed of filaments of Va Ga have become known. The principal advantage -of using this material lies in its higher critical temperature of about 15K, in its higher critical field strength of over 200,000 Oe, in its higher critical current density of over A/cm at 150 KG and in its relatively simple method of production and relatively low fabrication cost as compared to Nb Sn having similar characteristics, in spite of the higher material cost of vanadium and gallium.
A superconductor made from Va Ga can be used principally in a field region of from 100-200 KG, and it can also be used below 100 KG in the event the total current density exceeds that of a NbTi conductor, or in the case where the pulsating field loss is less than that of a NbTi conductor. The present invention is directed to these fields of use.
Up to the present time, the methods which have been disclosed for making Va Ga superconductors can be placed in two groups as follows: I a. The vanadium is covered by a gallium layer by immersing the vanadium in liquid gallium at a higher temperature or by means of evaporation. The thus obtained conductor is then wrapped up with copper for stabilization purpose and is then drawn into wire. The final wire is then treated at a temperature of about 700 C, whereby the superconducting bond Va Ga is formed on the surface of vanadium. b. The vanadium, in flat strip, or in rod form is covered by an alloy of copper-gallium, having 20 percent gallium and the thus obtained material is then drawn into fine wires. The wire is then treated at about 700 C, whereby the gallium selectively diffuses into the vanadium and thus a Va Ga bond is obtained.
The second method is more advantageous than the first since in the latter, no fluid phase of the metal appears during the drawing step, and the formation of the bond between the two metals is ten times faster. Also, in this case, the conductor can be surrounded by a copper sheath for the purpose of stabilization.
Known methods of execution teach how a sheet of vanadium, together with a sheet CuGa alloy can be rolled into a strip form conductor, whereupon formation of the Va Ga layer is achieved by means of heattreatment, as described above. The disadvantage of this method lies in the fact that due to formation of an induction loop in the layer plane, the transversal pulsating magnetic field causes higher magnetization loss. For such application, it is of advantage to utilize another method, in which the vanadium rod is covered by a tube of a CuGa alloy, and is then drawn into fine wires. The rod and the tube can also be embedded into a copper-block having a corresponding hole, which is then drawn and annealed, so that a stabilized conductor can be obtained in an identical manner as in case of the NbTi alloy. The disadvantage of such a process is, that the gallium not only diffuses into the vanadium,
but also into the copper and thus impairs the electrical conductivity of pure copper at low temperature.
It has also been suggested to arrange the CuGa alloy in a vanadium tube and the combination then being embedded in a copper block. In this case the gallium cannot reach the copper. But in this case the gallium diffuses only from the inner surface of the vanadium tube upto the middle, so that there exists a certainty against breaking through of gallium through the vanadium tube into the copper.
All of these known methods have a common disadvantage that either the Va Ga layer shouldbe formed relatively thick in order to attain a high overall current density in the conductor, or the conductor should be drawn into extremely fine wires, which is also quite expensive.
Recently, it has been discovered that the critical current density of Va Ga, at a temperature of 4.2 K increases with a decrease in diffusion temperature. Hence, in order to achieve a higher current density, it is desirable to produce as extremely a fine layer of Va Ga as possible within a time period from /2 to 10 hours, at a very low temperature. In doing so, in order to keep the pulsating current and the pulsating field losses to a minimum, an economic system of fabrication enabling production of a large number of very fine superconductive filaments is desired. I
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of fabricating a superconductor, particularly one made from Va -,Ga, which does not have any of the disadvantages of the prior known processes, and which is composed of a large number of fine filaments of the superconductor material.
The improved process in accordance with the invention is basically characterized by the fact that a foreign" material is introduced in the form of spaced strips between the two layers from which the conductor is finally formed, or the foreign material is diffused, in a strip-like manner into one of the layers, forming a rod-During heat treatment of the final conductor, this foreign material prevents diffusion of material forming a super-conducting inter-metallic compound, or eliminates, or reduces the super-conducting property of such inter-metallic compound. The outer surface of the rod thus formed from the two layers consists completely of a second material. The rod is then embedded in abmaterial having a highly electrically conductive characteristic and is then mechanically worked in such manner that between the adjacent layers and between the outer surface of the worked rod and the embedding material, an intimate bondage exists. The thus formed product is then subjected to a heat treatment.
It is of advantage to choose vanadium and a coppergallium alloy for the two layers and copper as the material in which the two-layer material is embedded. The copper-gallium alloy layer should have at least 10 percent of gallium, by weight.
For various applications, it is of advantage to choose the thickness of the layer comprising the second material from 1.5 to 4 times, preferably 2.5 to that of th layer comprising the first material.
In order to achieve a proportional deformation capability of the different layers, for the formation of the rod, three layers should be brought together, the materials of which are so chosen that the superconducting filaments are formed in the intermediate layer only.
It is of advantge to select the foreign material in strip form, which is then introduced onto the layer comprising the second material and then diffused by heat treatment.
For the fabrication of a superconductor, for which for the formation of rods, a first material is diffused from both sides onto a layer comprising of a second material, it is of advantage to introduce the foreign material at positions opposite to each other, on both sides of the layer comprising of the second material. Otherwise, during mechanical working there might appear undesired mutual displacement of the foreign material strip on the both sides of the layer comprising of the second material.
It is of advantage to introduce the foreign material onto the layer comprised of the second material, by evaporation, dusting, spraying, rolling or braking.
To hinder the interdiffusion of materials forming the superconducting bond, it is appropriate to choose mlybdenum or or tantalum as a foreign material. The reaction of such material with the first material is considerably poorer than with the second material.
Besides, for the elimination or limitation of the superconducting properties at operating temperature of the superconductor, as foreign material, tin or aluminum is preferred. This foreign material reacts approximately in the same manner with the material of the second layer as with that of the first layer.
The foreign material can be applied as coating of uniform thickness to the layer of the second material and then diffused into the latter in the form of eg parallel spaced strips extending in the direction of the to-beformed superconductive filaments by means of an electron beam. The remainder of the foreign material is then removed by means of an acidic solution.
The rods composed of the different layered material can be formed by winding the layered-together materials into rolls have a cylindrical or rectangular, preferably square profile.
For different fabrication processes, it is also advantageous to cut the layered-together materials into strip form and then to form these into a rod having a rectangular profile and which is then covered by a tape of the second material.
The invention is particularly distinguished by the fact that the improved process is used for fabricating a stabilized superconductor consisting of a large number of parallel spaced fine superconductive filaments of Va Ga.
The foregoing objects and advantages inherent in the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of different embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a multilayered superconductive structure manufactured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is likewise a transverse sectional view of another type of multi-layered superconductive structure manufactu' d according to the principles of the invention;
FIGS. 3 t- 6 are sectional views of different rod configurations established for the multi-layered materials which are thereafter further processed into a superconductor having a large number of fine superconductor filaments;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a press body according to one embodiment which is provided with bores for receiving a large number of rods formed of superconductive materials, and which is thereafter worked so as to draw the superconductive materials into fine superconductive wires; and
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating another embodiment for the press body in which the rods of superconductor materials are placed for drawing into fine Wll'fiS.
In the following description, the method in accordance with the invention is described in connection with the production of fine superconductor wires consisting of Va Ga but it is to be understood that the same procedure can be utilized for producing superconductors made from other starting materials.
With reference now to FIG. 1, superconductive filaments 1 are formed by diffusing gallium of a first Cu-Ga layer 2 into a second layer 3 of vanadium. As a matter of practice, however, one vanadium layer 3 is located between two of the CuGa layers 2, and arranged between each layer 2 and the adjacent layer 3 in the direction of the superconductive filaments 1 to be formed, is a foreign substance 4, for example in the form of parallel spaced strips of aluminum or tin extending in the direction of the to-be-formed superconductive filaments which, by diffusing into the zone 5 of the vanadium layer under it will greatly reduce the superconductive properties of the Va Ga compound generated during the heat treatment to which the conductor is to be subjected. The strips of the foreign substance 4 are applied to opposite sides of the center vanadium layer 3 and at exactly opposite places so that the impregnation of the center layer 3 by the foreign substance 4 within the desired parallel spaced zones 5 takes place throughout the entire thickness of layer 3. This is accomplished by appropriate choice of the thicknesses of the layers 2 and 3.
It is also possible to apply the foreign substance in the form of a coating of uniform thickness at the center vanadium layer 3, and to cause its diffusion into layer 3, at the parallel spaced places desired, by means of an electron beam, and to remove the remainder of undiffused foreign substance, for example, by means of an acid.
It is likewise feasible to apply the foreign substance as a coating of uniform thickness at the center vanadium layer 3 and to remove the substance at the parallel places desired, for example, means of a spark erosion or electrolysis, thereby leaving the parallel spaced zones 5 coated with the foreign substance 4.
The diffusion of the foreign substance 4 into the zones 5 which exist between the individual superconductor filaments l will-cause the material within the latter to become so highly resistive that the flow of eddy currents from one filament to an adjacent filament will be dampened substantially. However, the zones 5 must not be resistive to a higher degree than the material of the outer CuGa layers 2 because otherwise such eddy current flow could take place simply by way of the outer layers 2.
If, for example, tin or aluminum are used as the foreign substance, a thermal treatment will generate zones 5 which are contaminated by these substances and which are not superconductive at the operating temperature of the conductor at approximately 4.2 K.
The preparation of the super-conductor, shown by FIG. 2, possessing a great number of very thin parallel spaced filaments 1 composed of Va Ga as superconductive material, is similar to the above described example, the difference being that between the outer CuGa layers 2 and the center vanadium layer 3 there is arranged a foreign substance, for example, molybdenum or tantalum in the form of parallel spaced tapes 4' which act as a diffusion barrier to prevent the gallium of the Cu-Ga layers 2 from reaching the zones 5 which are formed between the foreign-substance tapes 4'. As a result thereof, a super-conductive compound cannot arise within the zones 5' of the center vanadium layer 3. Obviously, it is also possible to place the foreign substance at those sides of the Cu-Ga layers 2 which face the vanadium layer 3, but in case of a superconductor consisting of three layers, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it would be very difficult to ensure that the foreign substance, after the mechanical deformation for the intimate connection of the adjacent layers, is still positioned on both sides of the center layer at precisely opposite locations.
It will be expedient in many instances if the width a and the distance apart [2 of the non-super-conductive areas 5 which are generated between super-conductive filaments 1 being formed, is made equal in magnitude to the thickness d of the center layer 3.
After the three-layered composites of either FIG. 1 or 2 have been assembled with the strips of foreign substance 4 placed therebetween, the center vanadium layer 3 having a thickness of about 0.2 mm, for example, and each of the two outer Cu--Ga layers a thickness of about 0.25 mm, for example, they are wound spirally around a slim cylindrical core 6 made from Cu-Ga, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 until a rod 7 having diameter of, for example, lOmm is produced. To prevent the wound-on material from unwinding from the core, a thin copper band can be applied to it. The dimension of the vanadium layer 3, in the winding direction, is made longer than that of the two outer Cu--Ga layers 2 so that when the winding-0n has been nearly completed, the vanadium layer 3 will extend beyond the ends of the CuGa layers 2 and thus establish a finishing turn consisting completely of a vanadium layer. Thus, the outer surface of the completed rod 7 consists entirely of vanadium and so avoids any contamination of the copper body in which the rods 7 are embedded for stabilization purposes.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cylinder 8 of copper provided with a large number of longitudinally extending bores 9, for example, ninety, into each of which a rod 7 is inserted for further processing. After insertion of the rods 7, the cylinder is sealed and then quickly pressed at a temperature of about 500 C. This temperature is not high enough to effect any appreciable amount of diffusion of gallium from the layers 2 into the vanadium layer 3.
The cylinder 8 after being pressed is then subjected to a standard drawing operation until it reaches a final size having a diameter of about 0.6mm for example. The thickness of the vanadium layer is thereby reduced to about 0.7 11., and the diameter of each rod 7 will thereby have been reduced to about 30 p., thus achieving an intermetallic bond on all of the materials. In order to obtain the finally desired superconducting filaments 1, the drawn cylinder 8 is heat treated at a temperature of about 550 C for a period of about 10 hours in order to effect diffusion of gallium from the Ga-Cu layers 2 into the vanadium layer 3 along the parallel spaced zones formed between the corresponding parallel spaced strips 4 of the foreign substance, in accordance with the mode employed, i.e., either that of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Dependent upon the characteristic of the foreign material 4, penetration of the same into the vanadium layer 3, in accordance with the mode of FIG. 1 can be effected simultaneously during diffusion of gallium into the vanadium layer, or during a separate heat treatment prior to the final heat treatment by which diffusion of gallium into the vanadium is effected.
The copper matrix for the rods 7 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7 instead of being a solid, bored cylinder of copper can be fashioned as a cylindrical tube 8, the round rods 7 being loaded longitudinally into this tube in spaced relation and the spaces between the rods filled in with copper in honeycomb fashion. This mode of matrixing is illustrated in the lower part of FIG. 7.
The rods 7 formed from the three-layered materials 2 and 3 according to either the mode of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 can have a configuration differing from the cylindrical form depicted in FIG. 3. Thus, in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rods are seen to have a rectangular, i.e., square configuration and, like FIG. 3, the entire outer surface of the rod is in each case constituted by vanadium so as not to contaminate the copper matrix into which the rods are inserted for drawing.
In FIG. 4, a three-layered material 2, 3 with the strips of foreign substance introduced between the layers is wound into a rod 7 a rectangular configuration.
In FIG. 5, individual layers 2 and 3 with the strips of foreign substance therebetween are stacked in alternation to establish a bundle and then finally covered with a layer 3 of vanadium to form a rod 7".
In FIG. 6, a three-layered material 2, 3 with the strips of foreign substance introduced between the layers is folded back and forth upon itself until the desired rectangular configuration is achieved and then finally covered with a layer 3 of vanadium to form a rod 7".
FIG. 8 depicts one suitable arrangement for enclosing rods of the rectangularly configured type according to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 6 within a copper matrix for drawing into fine wires. The rods, e.g. rods 7" of FIG. 6 are loaded longitudinally into a cylindrical copper tube 8" in spaced relation from each other and then the spaces between the individual rods 7" are filled with filling pieces 10 also of copper so as to fill out the entire volume within the tube 8'. The filled copper matrix tube 8" is then drawn in the same manner as the cylinder 8 and 8 illustrated in FIG. 7.
In order to avoid any sliding displacement between individual layers, or turns of the bundled or wound rods during pressing or other working operations performed on the matrix cylinders in which the rods are loaded, and which could lead to tearing apart of the layers as a result of local welding therebetween at different times, it is most advantageous to pre-work the individual rods 7 in such manner as to eliminate all hollow spaces as may initially exist between the layers before loading into the matrix cylinder. It is also advantageous to work the rod-filled matrix cylinders in two stages. During the first stage, a strong hydraulic pressure is applied in such manner that all hollow spaces are pressed out without too much deformation of the rods. During the second stage, the cross-section of the matrix cylinder is reduced by drawing to achieve welding of the separated surfaces. It is also most important that the individual rods be formed as compactly as possible and that there be a tight fit between the rods and the surrounding matrix material.
It is also feasible to introduce individual rods of the layered materials into a copper matrix cylinder, draw them to a smaller diameter, cut these into individual lengths and insert the latter into a second copper matrix cylinder for final drawing processing and heat treatment in the same manner as described above. One is thus able to produce very fine superconductor filaments in such fashion.
In addition to copper, it is also feasible to use aluminum as the matrix material.
I claim:
1. In the method for producing electrical superconductors consisting of a great number of mutually spaced fine filaments of a superconductive material by diffusion of a material of a first layer into a material of a second adjacent layer, the improvements which comprise the steps of forming between said layers mutually spaced zones of a foreign substance extending in the direction of the to be formed superconductors and which function to prevent diffusion within said second layer at its zones or to at least greatly reduce the super conductive properties of the intermetallic compound formed at its zones by diffusing into said second layer, forming said layers into rods extending in the direction of the foreign substance introduced between said layers, embedding said rods in mutually spaced relation within a cylindrical matrix made from a highly conductive material, drawing said matrix cylinder into a smaller diameter thus effecting a corresponding elongation and reduction in diameter of said rods and an inter-metallic bonding between the layers thereof, and heat treating said matrix embedded rods at a temperature high enough to effect diffusion of the material of said first layer into the material of the second layer along mutually spaced zones beween zones in which diffusion is prevented by the presence of said foreign substance or between zones wherein the presence of said foreign substance serves to reduce the superconductive properties of the inter-metallic compound formed at its zones by diffusion into said second layer thereby to establish mutually spaced fine superconductive filaments.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of each said rod is constituted by the material of said second layer to prevent contamination of the matrix material.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first layer is a copper-gallium alloy, said second layer is vanadium into which gallium from said first layer is diffused and said matrix is copper.
4. The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the outer surface of said rod is completely covered with vanadium to prevent contamination of the copper matrix.
5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rods are formed by winding the layered materials about an axis corresponding to the axis of the mutually spaced zones of the foreign substance introduced between the layers.
6. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein the layered materials are wound about a cylindrical core consisting of the first material to establish a rod having a cylindrical configuration.
7. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein the layered materials are wound about an axis in such manner as to establish a rectangular configuration for the rod.
8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rods are formed by folding the layered materials back and forth to establish a rod having a rectangular configuration.
9. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rods are formed by stacking said layers upon each other to establish a rod having a rectangular configuration.
10. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rods have a cylindrical configuration and said matrix cylinder is provided with mutually spaced longitudinally extending bores into which said cylindrical rods are inserted.
11. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said rods have a rectangular configuration which are placed within said matrix cylinder in mutually spaced relation and the spaces therebetween filled with pieces made from the 'matrix material.
12. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first layer is made from a copper-gallium alloy, said second layer is made from vanadium, and the heat treatment subsequent to drawing of said matrix cylinder takes place at a temperature between 400 and 600 C and preferably about 550 C.
13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the heat treatment extends for about 10 hours.
14. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein to eliminate brittleness in the superconductive material working is effected under hydrostatic pressure at ambient temperature.
15. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said matrix cylinder with the rods embedded therein is subjected to a preliminary pressing operation to establish a firm contact between the layers of the rods as well as between the rods and the surrounding matrix material thereby to eliminate any hollow spaces therebetween prior to the drawing operation.
16. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first layer is a copper-gallium alloy, said second layer is vanadium into which gallium from said first layer is diffused and said foreign substance is selected from the group consisting of tin and aluminum which serves to reduce the superconductive properties of the intermetallic compound formed at its zones by diffusion into said second layer.
17. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first layer is a copper-gallium alloy, said second layer is vanadium into which gallium from said first layer is diffused, and said foreign substance is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tantalum which functions to prevent diffusion of the gallium into said second layer. |
US-3874075-A | Method for the production of an inductive component element | United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,874,075 Lohse Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN 3,123,787 3/1964 Shifrin 29/602 x INDUCTIVE COMPONENT ELEMENT 3,293,587 12/1966 Robinson 219/121 L 3,319,207 5/1967 Davis 336/229 Inventor: Hartwlg L9hse, Regensburg, 3,530,573 9/1970 Helgeland 219/121 LM Germany 3,534,472 10/1970 De Jong eta] 219/121 LM [73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Munich, Germany Primary Examiner-Carl E. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van [22] 1973 Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [21] Appl. No.: 410,237
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Oct. 31, 1972 Germany 2253412 A method for producing an inductive component element in which a magnetic core is covered at least par- [52] US. Cl 29/602, 29/625, 117/212, tially with a non-magnetic, metallic layer which is 117/234, 219/121 LM, 336/200, 336/229 thereafter impacted with a laser beam to partially [51] Int. Cl. H0lf 7/06 sever selected portions of the metallic layer from [58] Field of Search 29/602, 625, 605; 336/200, other portions thereof to the finally generally helically 336/221, 223, 233, 229; 219/121 L, 121 LM; shaped inductive coil, a layer of insulating material 117/45, 212, 234 being interposed between the metallic layer and the magnetic core if the latter is constructed of a magnetic [56] References Cited material having insufficient insulating properties. UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Cl 2 D 1,994,767 3/1935 Heintz 29/602 x rawmg 'gures EATENTED APR 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INDUCTIVE COMPONENT ELEMENT- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a method of producing an inductive component element, particularly a miniature coil, electrical choke, or transformer.
With the continual demands for reduction in size of electronic components, and miniaturization of equipment, at strong need arises for the production of extremely small inductive elements. It will be apparent that with the greater and greater reduction in size of such components physical winding of such components becomes wholly impractical and the present invention is therefore directed to the problem of achieving a method by means of which inductive component elements of even extremely small dimensions can be produced with relatively simple procedures without the necessity of effecting one or more physical windings on a ring core or similar structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention achieves the desired results by the utilization of a magnetic core of suitable size and shape, at least partially covered with a non-magnetic metallic layer, which, for example, may be readily formed by chemical precipitation, vapor deposition or similar method, with such metallic layer being impacted by a laser beam to partially sever selected portions of the layer from other portions thereof and thereby define a generally helically shaped inductive coil.
If the magnetic material employed for the core structure possess adequate insulating characteristics, the metallic layer may be directly applied to such core structure. However, if the insulating characteristics of a magnetic material employed are unsuitable for direct application of the metallic layer thereto, the core structure may be provided with a suitable layer of organic or inorganic insulating material upon which the metallic layer is subsequently applied.
If desired, in the production of transformers, following the formation of a first coil or winding by means of a metallic layer, such coil may have super-imposed thereon an insulating layer upon which a subsequent metallic layer is applied and by means of a laser beam partially divided or severed into one or more additional coils or windings. A suitable magnetic core for this purpose may, for example, be in the form of a magnetic ring core, advantageously of rectangular configuration which is covered with a non-magnetic metallic layer and is severed into a coil or winding by means of laser beam incident at an inclination, i.e., an angle less than 90.
The mctallically covered ring core, comprising longitudinally and transversely extending connecting side portions or sections, can, for example, be impacted by a laser beam, while relative advancing movement is effected therebetween in the direction of the longitudinal portions (y-direction) by an amount equal to a single spiral pitch and can be advanced in a direction of its transverse portions (,\'-direction) by an amount which is somewhat greater than the width of the longitudinal portions, following which the ring core may be rotated through 180, and the advancing operations repeated, whereby the metallic layer is severed or divided into a helical or coil formation.
Advantageously, the laser beam may impact upon the metallic layer at an angle of about 45 with respect to the .ry-plane and at an angle with respect to the .r and y axes in dependence upon-the ring core thickness and the desired spiral pitch.
The method of the invention is also suitable for the simultaneous production of a plurality of ring cores, each of which is provided with a helically shaped metallic layer and by means of the method a miniature inductance of extremely small dimensions can be produced, which can be processed either in the form of chips, or, by means of stacking, formed into an assembly of cores to form a unit with relatively high inductivity. Advanta geously, the beginning and end portions of the helical winding of the ring core may be so positioned that a desired series connection of the individual inductances will automatically occur as a result of such stacking or arranging in layers of the individual inductive components.
The invention is also applicable to the production of inductances employing rod-shaped magnetic cores which can be rotationally symmetrical or nonsymmetrical, and which can be covered with a nonmagnetic layer and severed or divided into helicalshaped coil by the impact of the laser beam which may be incident at an inclination. The magnetic core and the laser beam may be advantageously rotated relatively to one another and longitudinal advancement effected in longitudinal direction of the core, to provide a coil of desired configuration.
In the event the coils or windings of either the rodshaped magnetic cores or the ring cores are to be traversed by greater eurrent intensities, for example, during interference elimination, the metallic layer applied upon the core can be built-up or reinforced galvanically, i.e., by an electro-plating operation which can take place either prior to or subsequent to the severance or division of the metallic layer into a helically shaped coil. Any necessary balancing or adjustment of the inductance or a component so formed may be readily achieved by the use of generally known soldered areas or sections, by means of which one or more turns of a coil may be short-circuited or left free of solder until the desired inductivity is achieved. Likewise, assemblies of several rectangularly shaped flat ring cores may be suitably balanced as to inductivity by means of short-circuiting of desired turns by a suitable contact piece or member disposed, for example, in the rectangular opening or perforation of the ring core.
A balancing or desire shifting of the inductivity of the magnetic flow in the ring core can also be achieved by the formation of a groove or a notch in a section or portion of a core which does not carry a winding. In this case, it is unimportant whether the groove is created by means of a laser beam, electronic beam, sandblasting, grinding or other suitable method. The groove can extend on one side or on several sides and can reach a defined depth which may even lead to a complete separation thereat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:
FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an inductive component element constructed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrating in simplified schematic manner the method of production; and
FIG. 2 is a similar figure illustrating in schematic form the manner in which the method of the invention is applicable to mass production.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a small rectangular plate-like magnetic ring core 1 which is covered with a metallic layer 2 and includes contact areas 3 and 4. The core 1 is suitably advanced by a reciprocating movement in the direction of the arrow B in Y direction by an amount corresponding to the desired spiral pitch, and is suitably advanced by reciprocation in the direction of arrow A, i.e., X direction, by an amount which is somewhat greater than the width of the longitudinal sections or longer leg portions of the ring core. The metallic layer 2 is suitably severed or divided into winding turns 5 under the action of a sharply focused beam 7 of a laser device 8, only schematically represented in these FIGS. The laser beam 7 is preferably inclined to the XY plane at an angle of 45 with the component of the laser beam 7 projected on the XY plane being inclined to the X or Y axes respectively at an angle which is determined by the thickness of the ring core 1 and the desired spiral pitch. After completion of the separating operation of the lateral areas of the metallic layer 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the ring core may be rotated 180 and the advancing and severing operations repeated. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more winding turns of the coil can be short-circuited by a soldered section or area 6, illustrated as disposed on an edge portion of the core, to enable balance or adjustment of the inductivity. Such balancing or adjustment may also be achieved by the utilization of a suitable contact piece or member which bridges portions one or more winding turns of the coil.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the invention is applicable to the mass production of inductances. In this case a plurality of ring cores may be fabricated as an integral structure with adjacent cores being separated from one another by respective grooves or notches 10 at which the cores may be broken or separated from one another. The severing or division of the respective metalized areas into respective winding turns 5 may be performed for one side of all of the cores, in a manner previously described, following which the connected cores may be rotated and the operations performed on the opposite sides thereof in the manner previously described. Likewise, the openings or perforations 11 can also be constructed as so-called breaking slots or the like.
It will be appreciated that by the use of the present method, employing a sharply defined laser beam, extremely fine coils or windings can be produced whereby the resulting inductance may have exceedingly small dimensions, and by the use of a stacking operation coils of greater inductivity may be produced.
Having thus described my invention it is obvious that although minor modifications might be suggested by those skilled in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably come within the scope of my contribution to the art.
I claim as my invention:
1. A method for the production of an inductive component element, comprising the steps of applying a non-magnetic layer to and at least partially covering a magnetic core of rectangular, ring-shaped configuration having generally oppositely disposed faces connected by respective edge portions, and impacting the layer with a laser beam, incident at an angle of less than to partially sever selected portions of the layer from other portions thereof on both the faces and adjoining edge portions, and thereby define a generally helically shaped inductive coil.
2.. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of applying an insulating intermediate layer directly upon the magnetic core prior to the application of said metallic layer.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a selected base and edge portions are initially impacted, the core rotated through about an axis operative to correspondingly dispose the other face of the core and corresponding edge portions for beam impact, and thereafter impacting the last-mentioned face and edge portions with said laser beam.
4. A method for the production of an inductive component element, comprising the steps of applying a non-magnetic metallic layer to and at least partially covering a magnetic core of ring-like configuration, comprising a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side portions connected at their ends by respective transversely extending side portions, impacting the layer with a laser beam to partially sever selected portions of the layer from other portions thereof, while advancing the core in the direction of the longitudinal side portions (Y-direction) by an amount to provide a desired spiral pitch, and reciprocating back and forth in the direction of its transverse side portions (X- direction) by an amount which is greater than the width of the longitudinal side portions, subsequently rotating the ring core 180 about an axis in the X-Y plane, and repeating such advancing and reciprocating steps while impacting the core, whereby the metallic layer is divided into a generally helically shaped inductive coil by the action of said laser beam.
5. A method according to claim 4, comprising impacting the metallic layer with such laser beam at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to the XY- plane and at an angle with respect to the X- or Y-axis, respectively, at an angle determined by the ring core thickness and the desired spiral pitch.
6. A method according to claim 5, comprising the further step of applying an insulating intermediate layer directly upon the magnetic core piror to the application of said metallic layer.
* =l= l =l |
US-3874076-A | Method and apparatus for manufacturing soft metal sheaths for electrical wires | United States Patent Tsukamoto et al. [45] A 1, 1975 [5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 3,356,790 12/1967 POllZZZmO et al. 29/624 ux NU CT SOFT METAL SHEATHS glge 1em FOR ELECTRICAL WIRES 3,693,250 9/1972 Brorein et 61.... 29/2025 x [75] inventors: Akiyoshi Tsukamoto; l-liroyuki 3,7l6,908 2/1973 Rowell 29/477.7
Kumamaru; Koichiro Matsuno; Mahito Ishikawa, all of Yokohama, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Japan 936,434 7/1948 France 72/343 [73] Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., P i E i C w L h Osaka-Shit Japan Assistant E.\'aminer--Joseph A. Walkowski [22] Filed; June 27, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion,
Zinn & Macpeak [Zl] Appl. No.: 374,151
Related U.S. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [63] Continuation of Ser N0. 128,297, March 26, 1971, Manufacturing of a 80ft metal Sheath formed of alumiabandoned. num or copper, for example, is improved by suitably selecting the apparatus composing the shaping means [52] U.S. Cl 29/624, 29/203 C, 29/473.9, mpl y d h rein nd arranging the capstan and the 29/474 l, 72/343, 156/50, 156/54 sinking die in a novel manner. The apparatus selected [51] Int. Cl. H01b 13/22 s ad om a w ar-resistant synthetic resin such as a [58] Field of Seal-chm, 29/203 C, 624, 473,9, 474,1; molybdenum bisulfide-included nylon. The sheath is 156/47, 50, 5 l, 52, 53, 54; 72/258, 262, 284, manufactured from a metal tape of aluminum or cop- 343, 367, 366 per through the working stages of applying a cylindrical tube shaped from the tape onto a cable core, butt [56] R feren Cit d welding the seam, and then reducing the diameter of UMTED STATES PATENTS the metal tube to connect it to the core. 2,796,508 6/1957 Holman ct al. 29/477.7 UX 1 Claim, 10 Drawing Figures i-wsmn Hm 1874.076
SnZEI 1 0F 2 INVENTORS AKIYOSHI TSUKAMOTO HIROYUKI KUMAMARU KOICHIRO MATSUNQ MAHITO ISHIKAWA BY 1 7 4, 1. 07540%, 4"
ATTORNEYS ATENTEB 3 74 07 SHEET 2 [If 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SOFT METAL SHEATHS FOR ELECTRICAL WIRES This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 128,297, filed Mar. 26, I971, and now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the improvement of the method and apparatus for manufacturing soft metal sheaths for electrical cable wherein a soft metal tape such as aluminum tape or copper tape formed to a cylindrical tubular shape is applied on the periphery of an insulated core for the electrical cable; the butted edges are welded, e.g., by inert gas arc welding; the outer diameter of thus obtained metal tube is reduced; and the insulating core and metal tube are adhered to each other.
Methods are known for forming metal tape in the manufacturing of soft metal sheaths for an electrical cable. In one method, the tape is gradually shaped to a cylindrical form by passing it through a plurality of rollers. In a second method. the tape is arranged in the longitudinal direction and the lateral end portions or cars are formed to a cylindrical shape by means of a metallic forming tool like a shape of a cut open circular tubular pipe. It has been generally found, however, that friction and burning are caused between the tape and the tool, the tension force increased and undesirable faults are generated on the surface of the tape when forming such a soft metal tape by use of a forming tool of steel, particularly in the case of aluminum.
Next, as methods for welding the thus formed scam, the methods of high frequency induction heating or inert gas arc welding are well known. And further, as a method for metal sheathing the periphery of the finished insulated core, the processing by forming a metal tape to a cylindrical tubular shape and continuously welding the butted edges in the longitudinal direction is also known.
However, it is required in the known methods, as mentioned above, to make the inner diameter of the metal tube larger than the outer diameter of the insulated core so as to be able to provide an aperture for thermal insulation between the insulated core and the seam welding portion of the metal tube in order to prevent the melting of the insulated core by heating during the welding operation. Therefore, a working stage is necessary to join the periphery of the insulating core and the inner face of the metal tube to each other after welding.
In the prior methods of manufacture, the metal tube 20 has been reduced by drawing it through a sinking die 16 as shown in FIG. 7. This has caused problems, such as retaining of the lubricating oil supplied onto the metal 20 from a supplying device 15 to lubricate the inner surface of the die 16, causing slipping relative to the traction of the capstan 13 being the extracting means, causing variation in the drawing velocity and encountering troubles on the welding in the previous working stage. It has also been considered to provide a cleaning means to remove such oil, but this would require a very expensive installation and greatly increased manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing such soft metal sheaths for electrical wires so as to completely remove the faults caused by the prior methods as mentioned above, by the combination of simple devices and characterized by the two features of selecting the material for the tool 5 for forming the cylindrical tube and arranging of the capstan and the sinking die in a novel manner.
' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The details of the present invention will be clear in accordance with description of embodiments of this invention in reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus for practicing the method of the invention;
FIGS. 2 through 6 are the auxiliary elevational views, partly in section, of parts of the apparatus; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a prior art manufacturing method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, a soft metal tape 1, for example, a soft aluminum tape, is passed through a cleaning device 3 to remove any oil or dirt on the surface of the tape and the cleaned cross section is exposed by slightly cutting off both lateral edges of the soft metal tape by means of a cutting machine 4. Cutting off both lateral edges of the tape permits welding of the edges which are not contaminated by a metallic oxide and at the same time provides a tape width which is of an exact desired dimension to achieve butting of the side edges during welding. The scrap winder 5 serves to coil up the soft metal tape thus cut off. Then, the tape is shaped to an are by use of an are shaping device made of a wearresistant synthetic resin, for example, a molybdenum bisulfide-included nylon, such as the rollers 6 and 7. The front view of the rollers 6 and 6' is shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the tape is shaped to a cylindrical form by means of a shaping tool 8 and simultaneously the insulated core 2 is inserted thereinto.
The shaping tool 8 is provided with a conical introducing opening composed of a suitable wear-resistant synthetic resin, for example, a molybdenum bisulfiideincluded nylon, and the tape passing through the opening is shaped to a cylindrical shape by a drawing operation. FIG. 3 a is a plan view of the shaping tool 8 and FIG. 3b shows partially the feature of the processing of the shaping and the mounting of the tape 1 onto the periphery of the insulated core 2 by the tool 8, wherein the cross sectional views of a, b and 0 respectively correspond to the points of u, b and c in the drawing of FIG. 3a. Numeral 9 shows a forming die composed of a suitable wear-resistant synthetic resin, and the tape 1 forms a cylindrical tube in a complete butted state with a suitable gas between the seam of the tape and the insulating core 2. This condition is shown by c in the drawing of FIG. 3b.
The butted portion of the seam at the both edges of the tape 1 formed to a cylindrical shape is repressed by the repressing rollers 10 as shown in FIG. 4 so as not to cause a step. And the complete butted condition is maintained by the side rollers 12 as shown in FIG. 5. The butted portion of the cylindrical tube maintained under such condition is seam welded with the electrode 11 of the inert gas arc welding machine.
Next, the metal tube 20 comprising the insulated core is pulled by means of a capstan as shown by 13 in FIG. 6. To prevent the soft metal tube from buckling, it is passed through a guide 14 provided with a circular introducing opening mounted on the outlet of the capstant 14. 16 shows the sinking die which reduces the diameter of the metal tube by pushing inwardly such that the outer surface of the insulated core and the inner surface of the metal tube are in close relation to each other.
Prior to entering into the sinking die 16, a lubricating oil is dropped on the metal tube from a nozzle of an oil supplying means as shown by to make the reducing operation smooth.
By the method of the present invention, the cylindrical metal tube can be readily obtained without causing defects on the surface of the soft metal tape by simply combining forming tools of a wear-resistant synthetic resin and the soft metal sheathed cable, in which the mechanical strength is guaranteed, and by combining suitable welding methods such as the inert gas arc welding method. By changing the pulling-out method to the pushing-in method in reducing the diameter of the metal tube, a slip between the capstan and the soft metal tube brought about by the lubricating oil is eliminated and a stable extracting linear velocity can be established, thereby obtaining a stable welding workability.
And further, a cleaning means for removing the lubricating oil retained on the tube becomes unnecessary, and it is greatly advantageous for reducing the manufacturing cost.
And furthermore, by this pushing-in method, a high quality product, extremely high in roundness, can be obtained by a final reduction of the diameter of the soft metal tube after extracting the soft metal tube comprising the insulated core by means of the capstan. in contrast to that, by the prior art method shown in FIG. 7, the soft metal tube tends to deform to an elliptic shape as the tube is clamped with a capstan and pulled after final working for the reducing of the diameter.
As described above, in accordance with the method and apparatus of the present invention, the adjustment of the manufacturing apparatus is very easy and the method has great advantages over the prior method from the standpoint of quality of the product and the installing cost.
While the preferred form of method and apparatus embodying the invention is illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the method and apparatus may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
We claim:
1. in a method of continuously manufacturing a soft metal sheath electric cable by moving a soft metal tape longitudinally in unison with a core and wrapping said tape about said core, the improvement comprising the steps of, in sequence:
surface cleaning said soft metal tape whose width is in excess of that needed to laterally envelope the cable core,
cutting off both side edges of said tape to reduce the width of said tape to a dimension such that the side edges will exactly abut when laterally wrapped about the core and to provide abutting side edges which are oxide free,
bending said tape into an arc in cross section by passing said tape through opposed concave and convex wear resistant plastic rollers,
butting said oxide free tape side edges together by passing said arc-shaped tape through a wear resistant plastic cylindrical shaping tool and a wear resistant plastic forming die having a circular opening therein,
seam welding the butting oxide free side edges,
extracting the tube from said forming die and pushing the tube through a reducing die under lubrication by means of a capstan positioned upstream of the reducing die and downstream of the forming die to uniformly radially inwardly reduce the tube to mechanically couple the soft metal tube to the outer surface of the cable core with true circular cross section provided thereby. |
US-3874077-A | Method and apparatus for centering and shearing the free end portion of a plurality of leads which extend outwardly from one end of a template | United States Patent Folk 1 Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTERING AND SHEARING THE FREE END PORTION OF A PLURALITY OF LEADS WHICH EXTEND OUTWARDLY FROM ONE END OF A TEMPLATE [75] Inventor: Kenneth Foster Folk, Harrisburg,
[73] Assignee: AMP Incorported, Harrisburg, Pa.
[22] Filed: Dec. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 424,131
[52] US. Cl. 29/628, 29/203 DS, 29/203 P,
29/630 A [51] Int. Cl. H01! 43/00 [58] Field of Search 29/203 HT, 203 MW, 628, 29/629, 630 B, 461, 407, 203 D, 203 DT, 203 DB; 140/147; 113/119; 72/324, 404
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,078,548 8/1967 United Kingdom 140/147 OTHER PUBLICATIONS IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 4, pgs. 28-29, 1974.
Primary E.raminerC. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-James R. Duzan Attorney, Agent, or Firm--AMP Incorporated 15 I ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for shearing the ends of the free end sections of a plurality of leads in which the free end sections are positioned in a desired spatial location prior to and during the shearing of the ends of the free end lead sections. The plurality of leads are initially positioned in a plurality of grooves which extend to one end of a template, the leads having free end portions which extend beyond the end of the template and pass through lead trimming or shearing means. Means are provided adjacent the end of the template to engage and properly position the free end portions immediately prior to and during the shearing operation so that the ends of the leads will extend directly away from the end of the template means to insure that the terminal end portions of the leads which project beyond the end of the template after shearing are of the desired final length suitable for a terminal applying operation.
11 CIaims, 12 Drawing Figures wmi SHEET 8 [IF 6 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTERING AND SHEARING THE FREE END PORTION OF A PLURALITY OF LEADS WHICH EXTEND OUTWARDLY FROM ONE END OF A TEMPLATE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application relates to U.S. application Ser. No. 389,924 filed Aug. 20. 1973 and entitled Method And Apparatus For Positioning Leading Portions Of Individual Wires Of A Plurality Of Wires In Spaced Apart Relationships With Respect To Each Other And A Template Utilized In Accomplishing The Same, and also to US application Ser. No. 424,129 filed concurrently with this application and entitled Method And Apparatus For Varying The Relative Length Of A Plurality Of Leads And For Performing Work Operations On The Ends Of Leads Of Differing Relative Length, both of these related applications being assigned to the same assignee as this application, and the second of these related applications being a continuation-in-part of the first application. This application is also related to U.S. applications Ser. Nos. 424,130 and 424,132 which were filed concurrently with this application and which are also commonly assigned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for shearing the free end portion of a plurality of leads, the free end portion of the leads extending beyond one end of a template, other portions of the leads being disposed in spaced apart grooves on the template, the grooves extending to said one end of the template. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for holding the free end portions of a plurality of leads in line with other portions of the leads disposed within grooves on the template and at right angles to the end of the template so that as the end of the leads are sheared the terminal end portion of the leads remaining after shearing will be ofa predetermined length suitable for a terminal applying operation which may be performed on the remaining terminal end portions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 389,924 a method and apparatus is disclosed which positions a plurality of associated leads in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, this positioning being done by an apparatus which includes a template having a plurality of spaced apart grooves which emanate from a primary groove, the spaced apart grooves being capable of receiving only a single lead and the primary groove being capable of receiving the end of a multi-lead cable from which a plurality of free end lead sections emanate. According to the method of the aforesaid application, the end of the multi-lead cable is placed in the primary groove with the portion of the free end sections adjacent the multi-lead cable overlying that portion of the plurality of spaced apart grooves which is disposed adjacent the primary groove, and the free end lead sections are then forced into the plurality of grooves by an oscillating roller or the like which is biased toward the template and moves from the primary groove toward the end of the plurality of grooves which extend away from the primary groove. Once the free end lead sections have been forced into the plurality of grooves,
they are then in a location generally suitable for subsequent machine operations which include the trimming of the ends of the leads, the application of a plurality of terminals or the like to the ends of the free end sections, and/or other operations.
While U.S. patent application Ser. No. 389,924 does not disclose apparatus for shearing the ends of the leads and apparatus for applying terminals to the terminal end portion of the leads which remain after shearing, such an apparatus is disclosed in US. patent application Ser. No. 424,129 which is filed concurrently with this application. When utilizing the terminal and shearing apparatus of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 424,129 difficulties have been encountered in certain situations. Thus, if the leads which have been disposed in the grooves of the template are of relatively soft or flexible material, they may extend away at an angle from the template. While the shearing and terminal applying operations can generally be completed even though the leads extend away at an angle from the template, it is not possible to insure that the length of the terminal end portion of the leads remaining after shearing are of the desired final length. If the leads extend away from the template at a relatively severe angle, the length of the terminal end portion of the leads after shearing may be too long, and thus, the end of the terminal end portion may extend well beyond the barrel portion of the terminal after the barrel. portion of the terminal has been crimped about the terminal end portion of the associated lead. This additional portion of the lead may interfere with the application of the terminal to the device to which the terminal is to be. associated. Thus, if the terminal is to be disposed about an electrical post and to be held in place about the electrical post by a fastener threaded about the post, it may be that the the fastener will contact the lead rather than the terminal if the terminal end portion of the lead is too long. Thus, it is essential that the leads be properly positioned prior to shearing so that the final terminal assembly does not have a lead which projects too far beyond the barrel portion of the terminal.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for engaging and positioning the free end portion of a plurality of leads, the free end portion extending beyond one end of a template, so that the leads can be sheared to a predetermined length.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to position a plurality of leads into a plurality of grooves in a template with free end portions of the leads extending beyond the ends of the grooves adjacent an end of the template, the free end portions of the leads also extending past a shearing or trimmingapparatus disposed adjacent said end of the template, and to engage and position the free end portions of the leads in predetermined positions after they have been positioned in the grooves and prior to the shearing of the ends of the leads so that the terminal end portion of the leads remaining after shearing will be of the proper desired length.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for properly positioning a plurality of leads in a plurality of grooves on a template with free end portions of the plurality of leads extending beyond one end of the template so that when the end of the leads are trimmed or sheared the terminal end portions remaining after shearing will be of the proper desired length.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by providing an apparatus including a template having a plurality of grooves which extend to one end of the template, each of the grooves being capable of receiving only a single lead, and also by providing structure for trimming the ends ofa plurality of leads, the trimming structure being disposed adjacent said one end of the template, by holding a plurality of leads adjacent the other end of the grooves with free end sections of the plurality of leads extending away from the portion of the leads which are being held, by engaging the plurality of leads adjacent that portion which is being held by a roller and moving the roller towards the end of the template while maintaining the roller in contact with the plurality of leads to progressively force the leads into the grooves in the template, by subsequently engaging the free end portions of the leads which extend beyond said end of the template with a centering device to position these portions of the leads in predetermined locations where they preferably extend directly away from the template and in line with the terminal end portion of the grooves, and by subsequently shearing the ends of the leads so that the terminal end portion of the leads will be of proper desired length suitable for a terminal applying operation.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of this invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa portion of an apparatus which is utilized to perform the method of this application.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, this Figure showing one end of a multi-lead cable being disposed adjacent one end of a template having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, the mechanisms which engage the free end lead sections that extend outwardly from the multi-lead cable to properly position the ends and to force the free end lead sections into the grooves being shown in their inoperative positions.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the mechanism which engages the leads in its initial engaging position.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the mechanism which engages the leads after it has moved the ends of the free end sections past the end of the template and also showing the mechanism which positions the leads into the grooves in its initial engaging position with the leads.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 showing the lead positioning mechanism adjacent the end of the template remote from the end of the multi-lead cable.
FIG. 6 is a section through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 showing a portion ofthe lead positioning mecha nism adjacent the end of the template remote from the end of the multi-lead cable, and the lead positioning mechanism past the ends of the leads.
FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are partial sectional views similar to FIG. 6 showing further operations performed upon the ends of the leads, FIG. 7 showing the initial contact of the trimming mechanism with the ends of the leads, FIG. 8 showing the completion of the trimming of the ends of the leads, and FIG. 9 showing the application of terminals to the ends of the leads.
FIG. 8A is a view taken along the lines 8A-8A in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the multi-lead holding mechanism taken along the lines l010 in FIG. 6 with parts being broken away for purposes of clarity, the holding mechanism being shown in its open position wherein it is adapted to receive one end of the multi-lead cable.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and shows the holding mechanism in its closed position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOWN IN THE DRAWINGS In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings an apparatus is illustrated which is utilized to perform work operations upon the free end lead sections of a multilead cable. It should be noted that this invention is suitable for performing work operations upon the free ends of leads other than the free end lead sections which extend from a multi-lead cable, and that slightly different forms of apparatus may be employed for differing work pieces.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a bench mounted apparatus indicated generally at 10, is shown mounted upon the top 12 of a bench. Mounted above the top of the bench are a press 14, terminal conveyor 16, holding means 18 operable to hold an end of a multi-lead cable, template means 20, lead engaging means 22 operable to move the ends of the free end lead sections which extend out wardly from the end of a multi-lead cable, and lead positioning means 24 which are operable to force the free end lead sections into grooves on the template means 20. Mounted on the press 14 are lead trimming means, and terminal applying means which will be described below. It should be noted at this point that various of the mechanisms are operatively connected to timed drives which cause the various mechanisms to be operated in a preferred sequential manner, some of the drives extending through an aperture 26 in the top of the bench. Since various timed drives may be suitably employed in the operation of the apparatus shown, many of these mechanisms have not been shown.
The template means 20 includes a template 30, the template 30 having a plurality of grooves 32 formed in its upper surface. Each of the grooves 32 is of a size selected so that it can only accommodate one of the free end lead sections 34, the grooves having ends 36 which terminate at one end 38 of the template 30. This can be seen best from FIGS. 2 to 4. The ends 36 of the grooves at the end 38 of the template are spaced apart in a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to each other. At the other end of the template the other ends 40 of the grooves are disposed in juxtapositioned relationship with respect to each other. The other ends 40 of the grooves are so positioned so they can readily receive that portion of the free end sections of the leads 34 which extend outwardly from one end 42 of a multilead cable, indicated generally at 43. The multi-lead cable 43 has insulation 44 (FIG. 11) disposed about a plurality of leads 45. Before the multi-lead cable 43 is engaged by the holding means 18 of the apparatus, a portion of the insulation is stripped from the leads to expose the free end lead sections 34, each of the free end lead sections having an end 46. The portion of the insulation left about the leads 45 terminates in a facing edge 47. A sufficient amount of insulation is stripped from the end of the cable so that when the free end lead sections 34 are positioned in the grooves 32 of the template 30, a terminal end portion of the sections 34 will project beyond the end 38 of the template.
The template 30 is supported for relative vertical movement by a template support structure, indicated generally at 48, details of the structure 48 being described below. It should be noted at this point that the template is shown in its lower position in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 and its raised position in FIGS. 3 through 8.
As previously noted the apparatus shown in these drawings is suitable for working upon the free end lead sections 34 of the multi-lead cable 43. The holding means 18 is employed to hold the end 42 of the multilead cable in proper oriented relationship with respect to the template 30, and particularly with respect to the other ends 40 of the grooves 32. The holding means includes a pivoted member 50 disposed between a sidewall 51 of a cut out portion or recess 52 of front member 53 and a sidewall 54 of backing plate 55. The pivoted member 50 has a channel-shaped handle portion 56 secured thereto, the channel-shaped handle portion extending forwardly of the member 50. The member 50 also includes a channel-shaped portion 58 which includes spaced apart sides 60, 62. The front member 53 is provided with an upper opening or notch 64 and the handle 56 extends through the notch 64. The member 50 is moved between a multi-lead cable receiving position shown in FIG. to a multi-lead cable holding position shown in FIG. 11 through manual movement of the handle by the operator of the apparatus. When the pivoted member is in its cable receiving position shown in FIG. 10 and also in FIG. 1 the lower surface 66 of the handle portion 56 is in contact with the lower edge 68 of the notch 64. Similarly, when the pivoted member is in its holding position shown in FIG. 11 the right hand edge 69 of the member 50 is in contact with the right edge 70 of the recess 52. In this position the sides 60 and 62 extend generally upwardly and define with the upper wall 71 of the notch 64 a cavity or opening which receives and holds an end of the cable 42 in its desired position. The member 50 is supported for pivotal movement by a pivot pin 72 disposed for vertical sliding movement in elongated vertically extending aperture 74, 76 in the front member 53 and the rear backing plate 55. The from member 53 has a lower portion 78 which extends under the pivoted member 50, and
the lower portion 78 is provided with a vertical aperture 79 that receives a sliding pin 80. The pin is normally biased upwardly by a spring 82, the upper end of the spring 82 being in contact with the sliding pin 80 and the lower end of the spring 82 being supported by a spring retaining member 84 which is secured to the lower surface of the lower portion 78 by means of capscrews 86. The pivoted member 50 is also provided with a cam surface 88 which contacts the upper surface of the pin 80, and the spring biased pin 80 cooperates with the cam surface 88 in such a manner that the pivoted member is restrained from movement when it is either in its multi-lead cable receiving position shown in FIG. 10 or in its multi-lead cable holding position shown in FIG. 11. By the employment of a pivot pin 72 which is movable in elongated apertures 74 and 76 and through the engagement of the pivoted member 50 with the spring biased pin, it should be noted that the pivoted member 50 can shift vertically when it is in its holding position shown in FIG. 11 so that different sized multi-lead cables can be held by the holding means 18.
A vertically disposed plate 90 (FIG. 6) is held in spaced apart relationship to the backing plate 55, the plate 90 being secured by welding or the like to L- shaped members 92 which are in turn secured by capscrews 94 to the backing plate 55, the capscrews also serving to hold the plate 55 to the member 53. The upper end of the plate 90 is provided with a guide surface 98. In practice the surface 98 adjacent the end 42 of the multi-lead cable is used to gauge the position of the cable 43 in the holding means 18. Thus, when positioning the end of the multi-lead cable in the holding device 18 it is desirable to bring the end 47 of the insulation 44 into contact with the surface 98 of the plate 90 prior to the handle 56 being swung from its lower position shown in FIG. 10 to its raised holding position shown in FIG. 11. This insures that the free end lead sections 34 and the end 42 of the cable will be properly positioned with respect to the grooves 32 in the template.
The holding means 18 is supported on the frame 10 by a pair of outwardly extending rods 100 which are suitably secured at one end to a portion of the apparatus, the rods 100 in turn passing through suitable apertures in the lower portion 78 of the front member 53, the front member 53 being adjustably secured to the rods 100 by screws 102.
In accordance with the principles disclosed in US. application Ser. No. 389,924 the free end lead sections 34 of the multi-lead cable 43 are rolled into the grooves 32 on the template 30 by lead positioning means to orient the terminal end portions of the free end lead sections 34 at the end of the template so that subsequent work operations can be performed upon the ends of the leads by automatic machinery. The lead positioning means employed in this apparatus include roller means indicated generally at 110, the roller means including a roller 112 and a roller support 114. First roller mounting means 116 mount the roller means for rotational movement about an axis concentric with the axis of the tubular member 118 which is transverse to the axis of the roller 112, the tubular member being spaced away from one end of the roller 112. To this end, the first roller mounting means 116 is journaled about the outer end of the tubular member 118 and is caused to rotate about the tubular member 118 by an internal rotatable shaft 120. Thus, by rotating the shaft 120 the roller means may be disposed in either a raised inoperative position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 or in a lower operative position as shown in FIGS. 4 through 9. The tubular member 118 serves as a second roller mounting means and it can be extended toward and away from the holding means 18 to dispose the roller means between either a first position which is spaced adjacent the end of the plurality of grooves that are disposed adjacent the holding means and a second position disposed adjacent the ends of the grooves 36 adjacent the end 38 of the template remote from the holding means 18. The means to extend and retract the tubular member is not shown and is considered conventional, however, it should be noted that the tubular 7 member 118 isjournaled for sliding movement in bear ing 122.
In operation the roller means are progressively moved from the raised inoperative position adjacent the holding means, wherein the roller is disposed above the other ends 40 of the grooves as shown in FIG. 2, to a lowered position as shown in FIG. 4, where the roller applies a compressive force to the free end lead sections to initially position them in the other end 40 of the grooves, and the roller is then moved along the grooves toward the end 36 of the grooves to progressively force the free end lead sections 34 into the grooves. Upon the completion of the work operation upon the leads the roller is then moved to its raised position adjacent the other ends 40 of the grooves and the cycle is then repeated. During the rolling operation it has been found desirable to oscillate the roller 112 in a transverse manner as indicated by the arrow 124 and suitable means may be provided to so oscillate the roller.
It has been found necessary to properly position the ends of the leads in some situations. Thus, before the leads are initially engaged by the roller, the ends of the leads must be moved away from the area of initial contact by the roller. Similarly, the ends of the leads must be moved beyond the end of the template before the roller completes its movement toward the end of the template. Also, before the leads are engaged by the lead trimming means, the ends of the leads must be moved past the lead trimming means. The movement of the ends of the leads can be completed before the leads are initially engaged by the roller, or the movement of the ends of the leads can be initiated prior to the engagement of the leads by the roller, and further movement of the ends of the leads can take place during movement of the roller. The lead engaging means 22 which positions the end of the leads include arm means indicated generally at 130, the arm means including an upper and lower outwardly extending pair of arms 132, 134, respectively, each of the arms having means 133, 135, respectively, at the outer end of the arm which projects toward the other arm, means 133 being a portion of the outer end of arm 132 which is bent downwardly as can best be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, and the means 135 being portions of the outer end of arm 134 which are bent upwardly. The lower arm 134 extends outwardly from a first arm mounting means 136 which mounts the arm for rotational movement about the axis of pivot pin 137 and is operable to move the arm between a lower inoperative position as shown in FIG. 2 and a raised operative position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The first arm mounting means 136 is carried for longitudinal and rotational movement about a second arm mounting means which includes a hollow cylindrical shaft 138 and a mounting block 139 secured to the end of shaft 138. The first arm mounting means 136 is caused to be rotated about the pivot pin 137 by a shaft 140 mounted within the shaft 138. Thus, by rotating the shaft 140 about its axis relative to the shaft 138, the arm 134 can be moved between its raised and lowered positions. The means for rotating the shaft 140 are not shown and any conventional means may be suitably employed. It should be noted however that a cam (not shown) is mounted on the end of shaft 140 within the mounting block 139, the cam engaging a cam follower (not shown) on arm 134 to pivot the arm with respect to the mounting block 139. The shaft 138 is mounted in a manner not shown in the drawings for longitudinal and rotational movement about its axis as indicated by the arrows 142, 143, respectively. The shaft 138 is operable during longitudinal movement to move the arm means between a first position which is spaced adjacent the end 40 of the plurality of grooves between the end of the template and the holding means 18 and a second position spaced beyond the other end of the template as indicated in FIG. 4. By rotating the shaft 138 the upper arm may also be moved between its raised inoperative position and its lower operative position. The arm 132 shown in the drawings is provided with only a single depending portion 133, however it may be desirable to provide the arm with other depending portions. To the same effect it may be desirable to provide the lower arm with additional upwardly extending portions. To this end, a polyurethane member 144 is shown mounted on the lower arm, the member 144 defining a gap 146 with the members 132, I33, 134, when the arms are in their closed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The operation of the arm means will be more fully set forth below but it should be noted that as the arms move from their initial lead engaging position shown in FIG. 3 to the location spaced beyond the end of the template shown in FIG. 4 that the arms will be in constant sliding contact with the leads 34 and will comb the ends 46 of the leads first away from the end of the template adjacent the holding means 18 to a second location where the ends 46 are caused to be moved beyond the end 38 of the template 30 to a final location wherein the ends of the leads are caused to be moved beyond the lead trimming means and the terminal applying means. The movement of the arm means will be timed with respect to the roller 112 and the lead trimming means to insure that the ends of the leads have been moved to their proper position at various portions of the operations of the roller 112 and the lead trimming means.
After the free end sections 34 of the leads have been properly combed and rolled into the grooves, subsequent work operations will be performed upon the ends of the leads. Different work operations may be performed upon the ends of the leads, such as for example trimming the ends of the leads, stripping insulation from the ends of the leads, applying terminals to the ends of the leads, and/or applying color identification to the ends of the leads.
In the apparatus shown in the drawings accompanying this application a lead trimming operation and a terminal applying operation are illustrated. In order to insure that the ends of the leads are properly trimmed it is essential that the ends be combed past the shearing or lead trimming means so that the end portions of the leads lie in the trimming area. The lead trimming means include an upper shear blade 150 and a lower shear blade 152. The upper shear blade 150 is mounted on a structure 154 which also carries a vertically movable centering device 156. The structure 154 and upper shear blade 150 are connected to an upper mounting block 158 which is in turn secured to a vertically movable slide 160 by a key 162. The slide 160 is mounted for vertical sliding movement within a slide housing 164 which is part of the press 14. The press 14 includes a rotable cam assembly 165 (FIG. 1) mounted above the upper end of the slide 160, a portion of the cam assembly 165 contacting the slide to force it downwardly against a spring 166 which is held in place by a spring retainer 168 mounted on the lower end of the slide housing 164. The spring 166 will normally hold the shear 150 and centering device 156 in their upper positions as shown in FIG. 6, with upward movement of the slide being limited by the upper surface 169 (FIG. 7) of the upper mounting block 158 moving into contact with the lower surface 170 of the housing 164.
As the press cam assembly initiates downward movement of the slide 160, the upper shear 150 and centering device 156 will move downwardly from the upper position shown in FIG. 6. The downward movement of the slide, however, will not be initiated until after the arms 132, 134 have passed the ends 46 of the free end lead sections 34. The cam assembly 165 will ultimately move the upper shear blade 150 past the lower shear blade 152 in the manner indicated in FIG. 8. In order to insure that the terminals end portion of the free end lead sections 34 are in their desired position, it is necessary that they be engaged by the centering device 156. The centering device 156 has lower V-shaped notches 171 and upper channel shaped portions 172. The terminal end portions of the leads will be initially engaged by the V-shaped notches 171 and, as the centering device 156 moves downwardly, the leads will move up into the channel portions 172. The channel portions 172 are disposed in line with the grooves 32 on the template 30 and insure that the leads will extend directly away from the template. It is possible that even though the leads have been combed past the shear, that after the comb arms 132, 134 have passed beyond the ends 46 of the leads that the leads may skew. If such skewing takes place then it is not possible to properly maintain the length of the leads between the end of the template and the shears. However, by using the centering device 156 it is possible to position the leads in their desired spatial relationship immediately prior to and during trimming operations of the leads to insure that the free end portions of the leads will be sheared to a predetermined length during the shearing of the free end portions of the leads. It should further be noted that as the centering device and upper shear move downwardly that the upper surface of the leads will not be engaged by the upper end portion 174 of the channels 172 until after the ends of the lead have been sheared as indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
Terminals 200 are applied to the remaining terminal end portions of the leads after the ends of the free end sections 34 have been trimmed. In order to apply the terminals it is first necessary to move the shearing structure to the right hand position shown in FIG. 9, and to then move the template downwardly to permit the terminal end portions of the lead-to drop into the open barrel portion of the terminals. Subsequently the barrel portion of the terminals are crimped about the terminal end portions of the lead. In order to provide for movement of the shear 150, 152 to the right it should be noted that the slide housing 164 is mounted for transverse sliding movement. While the mounting structure which permits the slide housing to slide transversely is not shown in these drawings, it should be noted that the slide housing is caused to slide to the right against spring pressure by action of a cam and cam follower.
The cam and cam follower are best shown in FIG. 6 and include a cam track 180 and a cam follower in the form ofa roller 182. The cam track 180 is rigidly interconnected with a ram 184, the ram 184 being part of the press 14. The ram 184 is driven for vertical reciprocating movement by cam assembly in timed relationship with respect to the slide 160. The cam follower or roller 182 is journaled about a shaft 186 that is in turn carried by a'pair of upwardly extending spaced apart members 188 that are secured to the upper mounting block 158. As the slide 160 is caused to be moved downwardly from its raised position shown in FIG. 6 the cam follower 182 will be maintained in engagement with a first vertically inclined surface 190 of the cam 180. Thus, as the slide moves downwardly the ram 184 will also move downwardly as can be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. After the slide has moved downwardly through the completion of the shearing action as shown in FIG. 8 there will be no further downward movement of the slide 160, however the ram 184 will continue its downward movement. Further downward movement of the ram 184 will bring the vertically inclined surface 192 of the cam into engagement with the cam follower 182, and as the cam 180 moves downwardly with respect to the slide housing 164 the interengagement of the vertically inclined surface 192 with the cam follower 182 will cause the slide housing 164 to shift to the right (as viewed in FIG. 6) against spring pressure. The spring which biases the slide housing 164 to the left is not shown. However, it should be noted that the slide housing 164 is constantly biased to the left to maintain contact between the cam follower 182 and the cam 180. After the lead trimming means of shearing mechanism 150, 152 has been shifted a sufficient amount to the right the cam follower 182 will then engage the second vertical surface 194 and further downward movement of the ram will not cause further shifting of the slide housing 154. After the ram 184 has completed its downward stroke and is then moved upwardly to return it to the position shown in FIG. 6 the slide housing will move to the left as the cam follower or roller 182 again engages the vertically inclined surface 192 due to the action of the spring means which biases the housing to the left.
As the ram 184 continues its downward movement after the lead trimming means have been shifted to the right it will cause terminals, indicated generally at 200, to be crimped about the terminal end portion of the leads by the interaction of a crimper 202 and anvils 204. However, before the terminals are crimped about the terminal end portions of the free end lead sections 34 it is necessary to move the template 30 from its raised position shown in FIG. 8 to its lower position shown in FIG. 9. This is accomplished through the interaction of the wire clamp plate 206 with the template 30, the plate 206 having been shifted to its upper stop position shown in FIG. 9 prior to moving the template 30 downwardly. In this connection it should be noted that the plate 206 is mounted for vertical sliding movement between a pair of spaced apart side rails 208 (FIG. 1), the plate normally being biased to its lower position shown in FIG. 6 due to the action of a spring 210 is disposed about a rod 212, the lower end of the spring being received within a lower seat 214, and the upper end of the spring 210 being received by an upper seat 216. The lower seat 214 is formed in an upper portion 218 of the plate 206, and the lower end of the rod extends through the seat 214 and is secured to the upper portion 218. The upper seat 216 is formed in a member 220 which is rigidly interconnected with the crimper 202 and ram 184. The member 220 is provided with a bore through which the rod 212 may slide. It
should be noted at this point that the force of the spring 210 is relatively small and is insufficient to move the template downwardly. Thus, as the ram 184 moves downwardly, the lower edge 222 of the plate 206 will be brought into contact with the leads at the end 38 of the template, and continued downward movement of the ram 184 will cause the plate to be maintained in contact with the end of the leads by spring pressure of the spring 210 as the spring is being compressed until the uppper surface 224 of the upper portion 218 contacts the lower surface 226 of the member 220. Further continued downward movement of the ram after this contact has been made will cause the plate 206 to force the template downwardly. It should be noted that the lower surface or edge 222 of the plate 206 serves a dual purpose in that, in addition to moving the template 30 downwardly after the surfaces 224 and 226 have come into contact with each other, it also serves to hold the leads in their desired position at the end of the template.
As has been brought out above, the template 30 is mounted for vertical movement, and to this end the template is mounted on a template mounting block 230, the template mounting block being apertured as at 232. The upper end of a slide 234 is secured within the aperture 232. The slide 234 is in turn mounted within a slide housing 236. As illustrated somewhat schematically in FIG. 1, the lower end of the slide 234 is interconnected with a lever arm 238, the other end of the lever arm being pivotally mounted on a portion 240 of the bench. A second lower lever arm 242 is mounted parallel to the first arm 238, one end of the lower lever being vertically mounted on the lower end of portion 240. The other end of the lower lever is interconnected with the lever arm 238 by a link 244, one end of the link 244 being pivotally secured to the outer end of the lever 242, and the other end of the link 244 passing through an elongated aperture 246 in the upper lever 238. A stop 248 is mounted on the upper end of link 244 and is normally held in contact with the upper surface of the lever 238 by the action of a compression spring 250. The levers 238, 242, and link 244 form a four bar linkage, however, it should be noted that the upper lever 238 may move towards the lower lever 242 if the spring 250 is compressed. A cam 252 on rotatable shaft 254 is used to control the position of the four bar linkage, and when the dwell portion of the cam is in contact with the lower lever 242 (as indicated in FIG. 1), the four bar linkage will be in its lower position and the template 30 will be held in its lower position illustrated in FIG. 2. By rotation of the cam 252 and shaft 254 the four bar linkages may be moved to its upper position and the template 30 is then disposed in its upper position unless the spring 250 is compressed. The four bar linkage is maintained in its upper position by the cam 252 during the combing and rolling of the leads and also as the ram 184 moves downwardly. However, the cam maintains the four bar linkage in its lower position when the leads are to be stripped from the grooves after the terminals 200 have been applied to the terminal end portion of the leads, and also during the loading of another multi-lead cable in the holding means 18. As the spring force in spring 210 is less than the spring force in spring 250, the spring 210 will be fully compressed before the spring 250 is initially compressed, the spring 250 being compressed by the ram 184 as the template is moved downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9.
As the ram 184 completes its downward stroke, terminals 200 will be crimped about the terminal end portions of the leads 34. The terminals 200 are supplied to the apparatus in these drawings in strip form and are conveyed to the terminal applying area by a terminal conveyor indicated generally at 16. As the details of the terminal conveyor are well known in the art they will not be described here except to the extent that an arm 262 (FIG. 1) is reciprocated back and forth within an elongated aperture 264, the stroke of the arm 262 being such that terminals equal in number to the grooves in the template may be supplied to the terminal applying zone of the apparatus. Each of the terminals has a barrel portion which includes upwardly extending side walls 266. As the terminals 200 are conveyed into the terminal applying zone of the apparatus the barrel portion of the terminals are supported by the anvils 204, and another portion 268 of the terminals is supported by the terminal strip guide 270. As the ram 184 is completing its downward stroke, and as the template is being moved downwardly, the terminal end portions of the leads 34 will be laid between the spaced apart sidewalls 266 of the barrel portion. Further continued movement of the ram downwardly will, through an interaction of the crimper 202 and anvils 204, cause the' side walls of the barrel portion to be crimped about the ends of the leads. As the structure of the crimper and anvils are well known to the art they will not be described here. After the terminals have been secured to the ends ofthe leads 34, the multi-lead cable 43 and the free end lead sections are removed or stripped from the machine and the cycle is then repeated.
OPERATION The apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings is utilized to position, trim and apply terminals to the ends of a plurality of leads which have free end lead sections extending outwardly from the end 42 of a mu]- ti-lead cable. At the start of the operation the various elements of the apparatus are disposed in an initial position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The end 42 of the cable is then placed in the channel shaped portion 58 of the pivoted member 50 with the edge 47 of the insulation contacting the plate which serves as a guide. The handle 56 is then swung from its open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 to its holding position shown in FIG. 11. At this point the template 30 is in its lower position due to the action of the cam which engages the end of lever 238 to permit the finished assembly to be removed from the machine. However, the template could be in its raised position during the loading of the cable within the holding means 18. It should be noted at this point that as the multi-lead cable is moved into the holding means 18 from the left side of the template (as viewed in FIG. 1) the ends 46 of the leads 34 may extend to the left of the template as shown in FIGv 2. In fact the ends may actually be bent around and extend to a location beyond the end of the template 30 adjacent the plate 90. It should also be noted at this point that if the roller 112 were to initially contact the leads after the template had been raised without further positioning of the leads that it might not be possible to satisfactorily roll the leads into the grooves as the ends of the leads might be restrained from movement towards the end 38 of the template by the roller 112. Thus, after the template has been moved to its raised position shown in FIG. 3 it is necessary to engage the leads and comb them away from the portion of the-leads which are being held by the holding means 18. To this end a plurality of arms are brought into contact with the portions of the leads between the template 30 and the holding means 18, and then the arms 132, 134 are moved away from the holding means over the template while maintaining sliding engagement with the leads to cause the ends of the leads to move away from the area initially contacted by the roller 112. With extremely flexible leads it is essential that this initial movement be greater than one half of the length of the leads between the ends of the leads and that portion of the leads which are initially contacted by the roller 112. However, with less flexible leads it may be that a smaller increment of movement may be possible. The roller 112 may be moved into contact with the leads before the completion of the combing action by the arms 132, 134 as indicated in FIG. 4, or the ends of the leads may be completely combed past the shearing means 150, 152 prior to the disposition of the leads into the grooves 32. If the rolling operation is to take place during the combing action it is essential that the ends of the leads always be combed ahead of the roller to prevent the roller from engaging the ends of the leads. Similarly, it is essential that the ends of the leads must be moved beyond the end of the template prior to the completion of the rolling action.
After the free end lead sections 34 have been combed and rolled to the position indicated in FIG. 6, the roller 112 is maintained in engagement with the leads adjacent the end 38 of the template and the arms I32, 134 are moved further to the right to a position where they can be swung to an inoperative position for subsequent movement back to the initial starting position shown in FIG. 2. At this point the cam assembly 165 is rotated to move the ram 184, the centering device 156, and plate 206 downwardly causing the terminal end portion ofthe leads to be centered and sheared and also causing the plate 206 to come into contact with the ends of the leads above the end of the template. As the ram continues its downward movement the shearing mechanism will be cammed to the right from the positions shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9, and the plate 206 will move upwardly relative to the crimper 202 until it is in its upper stop position. Further downward movement of the ram will then cause the template to be shifted from its raised position shown in dotted line in FIG. 9 to its lower position shown in full lines, the terminals 200 being crimped about the terminal end portion of the free end sections 34 when the crim per attains its lower position shown in FIG. 9. It should be noted that it is essential that the template be moved downwardly as it is not possible to trim the leads and apply the terminals in the same space as it is necessary to move the terminal end portion of the leads between the sidewalls 266 of the barrel portion of the terminal 200, and also since the combing and shearing action can not take place if the terminals 200 were in the crimping zone. Before the cam assembly causes the ram 184 to be moved upwardly the cam 252 will be rotated to its dwell position so that when the ram 184 moves upwardly the template will not move upwardly (as the stop 248 prevents upward movement of the arm 238, side 234, and the template mounting block 230) to permit the leads 34 and terminals 200 to be stripped from the machine. After the leads and terminals have been stripped from the machine the apparatus is returned to the position shown in FIG. 1 by moving the roller means to this position and also by moving the arms 132, 134 to this position. It should also be noted that when the leads and terminals are stripped from the machine it is necessary to return the pivoted member 50 from its holding position shown in FIG. 1 l to its cable receiving position shown in FIG. 10. As the ram 184 is caused to move upwardly during this final stage of the operation the plate 206 and shearing means 150, 152 will also return to their original position which is shown in FIG. 6.
While a preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated is shown and described above, it is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the broader aspects of the invention. What is claimed is: l. A method of performing work operations upon a plurality of leads comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus including template means and shear means, the template means having a plurality of grooves, one end of the grooves being disposed at an end of the template means, and the shear means being disposed beyond said one end of the grooves adjacent said one end of the template means; positioning the plurality of leads into said plurality of grooves with free end portions of said leads extending beyond the end of the template means and past the shear means;
engaging and positioning the free end portions of said leads in predetermined positions after they have been positioned in said grooves; and
shearing the ends of the free end portions after said free end portions have been positioned in their predetermined positions. 2. The method set forth in claim 1 in which the free end portions are positioned to extend directly away from the template means and in line with the ends of the grooves to insure that the free end portions of the leads will be sheared to a predetermined length during the shearng of the free end portions of the leads.
3. The method set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the steps of:
providing a centering member having a plurality of notches, each of the notches having a V-shaped portion which terminates at the apex of the V- shaped portion in a channel shaped portion;
moving the centering member into engagement with the leads to engage and position the free end portions of said leads, each of the leads initially passing through the V-shaped portion of one of the plurality of notches and then being confined within the channel shaped portion as the end of the leads are sheared.
4. The method set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the step of:
applying terminals to the terminal end portion of the leads which extend away from the template means after the ends of the free end portions have been sheared.
5. An apparatus for shearing a plurality of leads including in combination:
template means having a plurality of grooves terminating adjacent one end of the template means;
means operable to position a plurality ofleads in said grooves with free end portions of said leads extending beyond said one end of the template means; and
lead trimming means disposed adjacent said one end of the template means and operable to shear the ends of said free end portions after said leads have been positioned in said grooves;
the combination therewith of centering means disposed adjacent said one end of the template means and operable to engage the free end portions extending beyond said one end of the template means and to position the free end portions in predetermined positions after they have been positioned in the grooves and prior to the time the ends of the leads are sheared.
6. The apparatus set forth in claim in which said centering means includes a centering member having a plurality of notches, each of the notches having an inverted V-shaped portion which terminates at its upper end in an upper channel shaped portion; and means operable to move the centering member relative to the template means to cause the free end portions to initially pass through the V-shaped portions and to be disposed within the upper channel shaped portions as the ends of the leads are sheared.
7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 in which the channel shaped portions of the centering member are in line with the ends of the grooves to insure that the free end portions of the leads will extend directly away from the template means during the shearing of the leads.
8. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 in which the lead trimming means includes upper and lower shear blades mounted for movement towards each other, said centering member being held in fixed relationship relative to the upper shear blade.
9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 in which the ends of the leads are substantially simultaneously sheared.
10. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 in which said centering member is disposed between said one end of the template means and said upper shear blade.
11. An apparatus for shearing the ends of a plurality of leads and for applying terminals to the ends of the plurality of leads after they have been sheared, comprising in combination:
template means having a plurality of grooves terminating adjacent one end of the template means;
means operable to position a plurality of leads in said grooves with free end portions of said leads extending beyond said one end of the template means;
centering means disposed adjacent said one end of the template means and operable to engage the free end portions extending beyond said one end of the template means and to position the free end portions in predetermined positions after they have been positioned in the grooves;
lead trimming means disposed adjacent said center-' ing means and operable to shear the ends of the free end portions after said free end portions have been disposed in said predetermined positions by said centering means; and
terminal applying means operable to apply terminals to the terminal portion of the leads which extend away from the template means after the ends of the free end portions have been sheared.
* =l =l l |
US-3874078-A | Can opener with helically mounted blade | United States Patent 1191 1111 3,874,078 Raque Apr. 1, 1975 1 CAN OPENER WITH HELICALLY 1,789,729 1/1931 Coyle 30/4 A MOUNTED BLADE 2,677,881 5/l954 Anderson..... 75 I R b G R L K 3,215,017 11/1965 Rutz 83/696 x l 1 l f FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [731 Asslgnee FMC Cmpmmn, San Jose Callf- 52,870 9/1910 Switzerland 30/55 [22] Filed: July 2, 1973 Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Sm1th [21] Appl' 375,400 Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Related U.S. Application Data Attorney, h Firm-C PP [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 301,594, Oct. 27,
1972, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT A power operated, single stroke can opener includes a [52] U.S. C1. 30/5.5, 30/4 A r i lly r cipr ble r m hat carries a sawtoothed [51] Int. Cl B67b 7/30 nif ving own ardly direct d points lying in a he- [58] Field of Search 30/4 A, 5.5, 316, 329, lical path to sequentially puncture the top of a can 30/355; 83/689, 696 being opened. A cam ring encircling the knife engages the sharp cut edge of the rim of the top remaining in [56] Referenc Cited the can and bends it down to a safe position adjacent UNITED STATES PATENTS the side wall of the can. A particular feature is an im- 1,255,684 2/1918 Anderson et al. 30/5.5 proved kmfe and kmfe moummg Structure' 1,317,001 9/1919 Clymer 30/4 A 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CAN OPENER WITH I-IELICALLY MOUNTED BLADE This is a continuation in part of my copending application Scr. No. 301,594, filed Oct. 27, 1972 and now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns can openers, and more specifically, full circle can openers of the single stroke plunge-cutting type, in contrast to openers of the rotary type.
Plunge-cutting can openers usually employ a circular cutting knife having depending saw teeth which are forced downward through the lid of a can. An early example of this type of can opener is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 602,455, issued Apr. 14, 1898. In the patented device, the cutting knife is provided with alternately long and short saw teeth to minimize the initial force required to puncture the lid of the can.
In later patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,481,546, issued Jan. 22, 1924; 1,789,729, issued Jan. 20, 1931; and 2,656,598, issued Oct. 27, 1953, it was further recognized that cutting knife teeth of elongate, elevational profile are more effective because the long, inclined cut by the long edge will gradually progress circumferentially according to the depth of the knife teeth through the lid of the can. A gradual cutting effect was also obtained by forming the cutting teeth with a nonsymmetrical profile having a long sharpened edge and a short edge. While the prior art indicates that a cutting knife might be improved by having both non-uniform length teeth, and teeth of non-symmetrical profile, to combine both features in a single cutting knife will result in an expensive construction for an element which does not have infinite life, and must be periodically replaced.
Thus, the general problem to which the present invention is directed is an economically practical cutting knife, for a plunge-cutting can opener, which is easy to force into the can lid and which attains the advantages that result in progressive puncturing of the can lid, followed by a relatively gradual progressive circumferential severing of the lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A circular cutting knife is provided in the form of a split resilient ring of uniform axial width and having a series of uniformly shaped cutting teeth, each asymmetric, with an elongate sharpened edge. An annular back up member or wedge ring is provided for the smooth upper edge of the knife. The back up member is in the form of a thin split ring having non-parallel upper and lower surfaces so that it presents a substantially tapered or wedge-shaped profile. The upper edge of the back up member or wedge ring seats against the planar end surface of a knife mounting chuck. The knife is installed by springing it axially to seat against the lower edge of the wedge ring, and then locked in that position. This results in the knifeassuming a one turn helical configuration with the pointed lower ends of the cutting teeth lying in a helical path so that the teeth successively penetrate the can lid, one by one, when the mounting chuck descends against the lid of a can, and the elongate sharpened edges effect a gradual circular severance of the lid.
A basic aspect of the present invention, therefore, is that a cylindrical knife of uniform axial width and having uniform, asymmetrical teeth can be employed to achieve progressive puncturing of the can lid. as well as gradual circumferential cutting of the lid by the individual cutting teeth.
Thus, one object of this invention is to provide a plunge-cutting type of can opener with a multi-pointed knife arranged so that the force of puncturing and cutting a can lid is minimized, and wherein the knife can be made with a uniform width and identical cutting teeth each requiring only one sharpened edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved power operated can opener.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the knife and knife holding chuck mounted on the operating ram of the can opener.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the cutting knife, a locking ring and tapered knife backup ring used in the assembly shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a section through one edge of the knife and adjacent parts of the chuck, and a portion of a can lid being severed from a can.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of the knife.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the form of the invention illustrated, the can opener is power operated, but it can be manually operated by usisng lever arms and linkages known in the art. The can opener comprises a base 10 on which is mounted an upright pedestal 12 that supports a power cylinder 14, preferably pneumatically operated. Conventional controls, not shown, may include separate, interlocked push buttons requiring two hand operation for operator safety. The power cylinder or ram 14 includes a piston rod 16 carrying a chuck 18 which mounts the improved can opener knife 20 inn position to engage the top of a can C. The can is positioned for opening by placing it on the base 10 between angled guide strips 22 that center the can with the chuck 18.
As shown in FIG. 2, the chuck 18 includes an upwardly directed internally threaded boss 24 that is attached to the lower end of the piston rod 16. The chuck 18 has a downwardly open shallow cylindrical recess, including a flat circular surface 26, bounded by a rim or lip 28, a cut edge camming ring 30, the knife 20, a knife backup or wedge ring 32, and a knife locking ring 34. All of these rings, plus the knife, are split so that they may be radially expanded into solid frictional contact with one another, and against the downwardly directed lip 28 of the chuck 18, as will presently be described.
With reference to FIGS. 2and 3, the knife 20 is formed of a resilient narrow metal strip or body of uniform width in the form of an interrupted cylinder. FIG. 3 illustrates the knife in its relaxed, uninstalled condition. A gap 40 between the ends of the knife allows one end of the knife to be axially offset from the other end, whereby the portions of the knife between the ends will assume a smooth helical configuration. As presently described, the ends of the knife are axially offset, when the knife is installed, in the order of one quarter of an Teeth 42 are formed on the lower edge of the knife 20, with a long edge 44 of each tooth sharpened and terminating in a short undercut edge 46. In the 6 inches can size illustrated, the point 48 of each tooth extends about seven-sixteenths inch past the sharpened edge 44 of the adjacent tooth and there are about 9 full teeth, and the ends of the knife at the gap 40 are parallel, one end representing a continuation of a short edge 46. Thus, the ends of the knife at the gap are inclined to the knife axis so that the cutting edge formed by the individual sharpened edges 44 is continuous, as viewed from the bottom or cutting edge.
The split back up or wedge ring 32 for the knife (FIG. 3) is in the form of a circular, axially tapered wedge having a planar upper surface 50, with the ends 51a and 51b of the ring, adjacent the gap 52, having an axial dimensional difference that provides the previously mentioned axial offset of about one quarter of an inch for the ends of the knife 20. FIG. 3 shows the wedge ring 32 before installation, with the upper surface 50 planar, and the lower surface 54 forming a smooth helix between the ends 51a and 51b adjacent the gap 52. With continued reference to FIG. 3, the split locking ring 34 is provided with beveled ends 55a and 55b, defining a gap 56, which are arranged to be cammed apart and expand the locking ring upon the installation of a wedge bolt 58 having a conical head 60 movable upward into the gap 56.
Referring to FIG. 2, when the knife 20 is installed in the chuck 18, the cut edge camming ring 30 is manually seated against the flat surface 26 of the chuck recess. Then, the wedge ring 32 is similarly seated against the surface 26, inside the camming ring 30, with the gap 52 diametrically opposite a threaded socket 62 for the wedge bolt 58. The knife 20 is rotatively positioned so that its gap 40 is aligned with the gap 52 of the wedge ring 32. To complete this assembly, the locking ring 34 is placed inside the knife 20, and the wedge bolt 58 is loosely installed. The knife 20 is then axially sprung to seat firmly against the wedge ring 32, and with the knife held in that position the wedge bolt 58 is tightened to 30, 32 open the locking ring 34. The assembled rings 30,32 and the knife 20 are thus clamped against the rim 28 of the chuck 18.
It will be clearly seen by referring to the horizontal plane H relative to the teeth points 48 (FIG. 2), that the helical arrangement of the teeth due to the axially sprung condition of the knife 20 will cause the teeth to progressively puncture the lid of a can when the chuck 18 is lowered by the ram 14, and that the cutting of the lid by the sharpened edge 44 of each tooth gradually progresses around a segment of a circular path. These desirable, cooperative results, however, are obtained with an easily formed knife blade having uniform width and uniform cutting teeth with only one edge of each tooth sharpened, thus minimizing the cost of an element which must be periodically replaced.
Any severed can lids L that remain wedged in the knife 20 (FIG. 4) as the piston rod 16 moves upwardly after severing the lid, are ejected near the top of the ram stroke by a pair of knockout bolts 64 (FIG. 2) that are slidable in diametrically located bosses 68 on the upper side of the chuck 18. The knockout bolts 64 are held in a retracted position by helical springs 70 compressed between the upper surfaces of the bosses 68 and blind nuts 72, to bring the heads 73 of the bolts up against the chuck face 26. As the ram 16 approaches the upper limit of its stroke, the nuts 72 strike the under surface of a lower end plate 74 (FIG. 1) of the power cylinder 14 and arrest the bolts 64 while the knife and chuck complete their upward motion. The knockout bolts thus eject those can lids L, which remain in the knife as the knife moves up. Ordinarily, however, the knife is raised so rapidly that a momentary vacuum is drawn between the contents of the can and the severed lid, thereby pulling the lid out of the knife and leaving it atop the can.
To eliminate the sharp edges of the rim portion of the top left on the can body after the lid L is removed, the rim of the lid is automatically bent down to a safe position against the side wall of the can during the can opening operation. This is accomplished by providing a beveled edge 76 (FIG. 4) on the lower edge of camming ring 30. After the knife 20 has penetrated and' severed the lid L from the can, the beveled edge 76 bends the remaining rim portion 80 of the can top' down to a position lying along and in contact with the sidewall of the can.
FIG. 5 illustrates a modified knife construction which achieves the same improved results noted for the knife 20, but which is of even further simplified construction in that no undercuts are required for the cutting teeth 42a. The sharpened edges 44a have intermediate short edges 46a which are axial, or perpendicular to one longitudinal edge of the knife, and the ends of the knife adjacent a gap 40a are also axial, and as before, the blade width is uniform. With reference to the tooth 42a which includes the dotted reference line 43, the short edge 46a and the long edge 44a respectively represent the short leg and the hypotenuse of a substantially right triangle. When the knife 20a is installed, in the same way described for the knife 20, it is sprung into continuous contact with the back up or wedge ring 32 so that its teeth points 48a lie in a helical path. The fact that the blade has a helical form, and that the sharpened edges 44a then incline downward (relative to their inclination before the blade is installed) from the thick end of the back up ring to the thin end, causes the teeth points 48a to mask the adjacent ends of the sharpened edges 44a because the short edges 46a are not truly vertical after the blade is sprung. In this manner, the benefits of an undercut blade are achieved with the simplified blade 20a.
Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.
What is claimed is:
l. A cutting head for a plunger-type can opener comprising a chuck including a circular rim defining a downwardly open recess with a planar bottom face, a split cylindrical camming ring mounted in said recess and having an external beveled lower edge, a tapered split wedge ring mounted inside said camming ring and seated against the bottom face of said recess, a cylindrical split knife blade axially sprung into seating engagemcnt against said wedgc ring, the gaps in said knife blade and said wedge ring being vertically aligned, said knife blade being of uniform basic width and having downwardly facing uniform cutting teeth, a split locking ring mounted within said knife blade and said wedge ring, the adjacent end surfaces of said wedge ring converging upward, and a conical head wedge bolt threaded into the chuck with the head forcing the converging end surfaces of said locking ring apart to radially expand all of said rings and said knife blade against the rim of said chuck, the pointed ends of said cutting teeth being vertically offset by said wedge ring to lie in a helical path for sequentially. puncturing a can lid when the cutting head is forced.
2. In a plunger type can opener of the type comprising a chuck, a thin, split cylindrical knife blade of uniform width and having teeth along one edge thereof, and means for detachably retaining said knife blade in the chuck; the improvement comprising an axially tapered knife blade back up member in said chuck, said knife blade retaining means holding the edge of the knife blade that is opposite said teeth against said back up member so that the said teeth lie in a generally helical configuration.
3. The can opener of claim 2, wherein said chuck has a peripheral lip, said knife blade having a smooth edge opposite its toothed edge, said back up member comprising a split wedge ring having substantially the same thickness as that of said knife blade, said retaining means being radially expanded against said knife blade for retaining both the knife blade and the wedge ring within the peripheral lip of said chuck and with the smooth edge of said knife blade engaging said wedge ring.
4. The can opener of claim 2, wherein the split in said knife blade is substantially aligned with the split in said wedge ring with the teeth on said knife blade forming one turn of a helix.
5. In a cutting blade assembly for a plunger-type can opener of the type including a knife holding chuck defining a downwardly open cylindrical recess with a knife mounting surface parallel to the upper end of a can supported beneath the chuck, a split, resilient, cylindrical toothed knife blade in said chuck, and means for detachably retaining said knife blade in the chuck; the improvement wherein said knife blade is of uniform basic width having one smooth edge and cutting teeth on the other edge, and an axially tapered wedge ring seated against the knife mounting surface of said chuck and against the smooth edge of said knife blade, said knife blade retaining means holding said knife blade in an axially sprung condition against the wedge ring so that its cutting teeth define one turn of a helix. |
US-3874079-A | Auxiliary trimmer assembly for an electric shaver | United States Patent 1191 Waters et a1.
[451 Apr. 1, 1975 [75] Inventors: Robert S. Waters; Donald L.
Shortlidge, both of Lancaster, Pa.
[73] Assignee: Schick Incorporated, Lancaster, Pa.
[22] Filed: June 6, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 477,021
3/1957 Germany 30/34.] 2/1960 United Kingdom 30/34.]
Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Marc R. Davidson [5 7] ABSTRACT An auxiliary trimmer head assembly for an electric shaver of the type having a close shaving head including a rounded perforated stationary comb member comprises a pair of trimmer blades arranged for sideby-side reciprocation. The upper margins of the blades are notched to form a precision cutting surface for long hair, and the lower margins are pivotally attached to the shaver housing to form a unitary blade assembly whereby the precision cutting surface can be positioned tangentially to the stationary comb member for assisting the close shaving head in cutting occasional long hairs, or away from the housing for precision trimming of sideburns, moustaches and other long hair areas.
13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FATENTED APR 3 I975 saw 1 or 4 PATENTEM I 1975 SHEET 2 OF 4 AUXILIARY TRIMMER ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRIC SHAVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed in general to electric shavers, and more particularly to an auxiliary trimmer head assembly which provides improved long hair cutting performance for such shavers.
Electric shavers ordinarily employ a close-shaving cutter head consisting of a thin stationary outer comb member having a plurality of small hair-sized openings and a reciprocatively driven inner cutter blade member which reciprocates in shearing relationship under the stationary outer comb. ln shaving, hair is pushed through the openings in the outer comb and sheared off as the inner cutter blade passes beneath the openings.
While such conventional close-shaving cutter heads are satisfactory for cutting short hairs, they often are not satisfactory for cutting long hairs because the hair receiving apertures of the outer comb are so small that the long hairs tend to bend over and lie flat instead of being pushed through the openings. If the comb is formed with larger openings to accommodate long hairs, it becomes less satisfactory for shaving short hairs because the openings, which are normally dimensioned to permit the inner cutter blade to pass as close as possible to the skin without actually contacting the skin for the closest possible shave, then allow the inner cutter blade to contact the skin of the user, causing an unpleasant burn or skin irritation.
Another problem with close shaving cutter heads is that they are difficult to manipulate for precision trimming, as required for sideburns and moustaches. Accordingly, electric shavers are commonly equipped with an auxiliary trimmer head assembly specifically intended for long hair trimming. Heretofore such trimmer head assemblies have typically comprised a pair of elongated reciprocatively-driven cutter blades attached to the shaver housing at one end so as to be selectively extendable and retractable. A set of comblike cutting teeth were provided in shearing engagement at the projecting end of the cutter blades to provide a narrow well-defined long-hair cutting surface. While the extended cutter blades could be manipulated with precision around sideburns and moustaches for trimming purposes, they were generally ineffective in aiding the close shaving head in cutting occasional long hairs found on closely shaved portions of the face and neck. To cut such occasional long hairs it was necessary to extend the trimmer blades and individually trim each hair, which was a tedious, time-consuming operation.
Accordingly, the need has developed for an auxiliary trimmer head assembly for an electric shaver which efficiently performs the dual functions of aiding the close shaving head in cutting occasional long hairs, and of accurately trimming sideburns and moustaches. It is to such an auxiliary trimmer head assembly that the present invention is directed.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved auxiliary trimmer assembly for an electric shaver or the like.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a new and improved auxiliary trimmer assembly for assisting the close shaving head in cutting occasional long hairs, and for trimming sideburns and moustaches.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved auxiliary trimmer assembly which can be positioned for either assisting the close shaving head of the shaver or for trimming moustaches and sideburns.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved trimmer assembly for an electric shaver which can be positioned in close proximity to the close shaving head of the shaver for assistance thereto in cutting occasional long hairs, or in an outwardly projecting position from the shaver housing for maximum convenience and precision in trimming sideburns and moustaches.
It is another object of the present invention to provide anew and improved auxiliary trimmer assembly for an electric shaver which is pivotally mounted to the shaver housing, and which is continuously powered and adjustable between an outwardly extending sideburn and moustache trimming position and a retracted close shaving position immediately adjacent the comb of the close shaving head of the shaver whereby it may be adjusted for optimum performance under a variety of shaving conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to an electric shaver of the type having a housing, a power driven actuating member contained within the housing, and a cutter head of the close-shaving type comprising a fixed perforated comb member and a cutter blade reciprocatively driven by the actuating member, to an auxiliary long hair trimmer-head assembly which includes a trimmer blade assembly comprising first and second trimmer blades having spaced cutting teeth at one end and arranged for relative reciprocation, amd means for maintaining the trimmer blades in operative engagement. Means are provided for pivotally mounting the trimmer blade assembly to the housing whereby'the trimmer blade assembly can be pivoted between a retracted position, wherein the cutting teethare disposed adjacent the comb member of the close-shaving cutter head, and an extended position, wherein the cutter teeth project away from the housing. Drive means are further provided for reciprocatively driving the second trimmer blade in the retracted and extended positions to enable the trimmer blade assembly to assist the close-shaving head in cutting long hairs in the retracted position, and to serve as a precision long-hair trimmer in the extended position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric shaver incorporating an auxiliary trimmer assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the electric shaver of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the head portion of the electric shaver of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the electric shaver of FIG. 1 partly broken away to show the principal components of the close-shaving head and head-drive assembly.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in cross section, of the head portion of the electric shaver in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially broken away, of the head portion of the electric shaver showing the auxiliary trimmer assembly in its fully extended position.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the auxiliary trimmer assembly and its associated drive components taken along lines 88 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the principal components of the auxiliary trimmer assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENT While the auxiliary trimmer assembly of the present invention can be fabricated with blades of various shapes and sizes for use in conjunction with various types of electric shavers, it finds particular utility in connection with an electric shaver of the type having a close shaving cutter head consisting of a reciprocatively driven inner cutter blade urged into contact with the under surface of a rounded perforated stationary comb, such as the electric shaver 10 shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to the Figures in greater detail, and particularly to FIGS. 13, the electric shaver 10 is seen to comprise a housing 11 having a generally rectangular body portion and a rounded head portion. The head portion includes a comb frame 15 pivotally attached to housing 11 at one end by a hinge pin 16. The other end of the comb frame is latched to housing 11 by a comb release button 17, which allows that end to be unlatched by the user and the comb frame to be pivoted to the open position shown in FIG. 4. A comb 18, which may be fabricated from thin perforated metal foil or other suitable material, is seated in the rounded top portion of the comb frame 15 so that its perforated surface is exposed through the rectangular opening provided in the comb frame and assumes the rounded shape of the frame for optimum contact with the skin surface to be shaved. An ON-OFF power switch 19 may be provided at one side of the body portion for controlling the application of electrical power to the shaver.
Referring to FIG. 4, wherein the comb frame 15 has been pivoted to its open position, the close-shaving head of shaver 10 is seen to include an internal cutter blade assembly 22 consisting of a plurality of individual crescent-shaped cutter blades 23 arranged in a vertical spaced-apart relationship .with their cutting edges facing upwardly. When the comb frame 15 is closed, as shown in FIG. 5, the cutting edges of these blades bear against the underside of comb member 18 to achieve the desired close shaving action. The blade assembly 22 is removably mounted on a stem 24, which extends through a transversely elongated slot 25 in the shaving head and into engagement with a slidably mounted actuator member 26. A pair of opposed inwardly facing channels 27 and 28 are moulded into opposite sides of housing 11 to define a transversely-aligned reciprocative path for actuator member 26.
In operation, actuator member 26 is reciprocatively driven along the path defined by channels 27 and 28 by means of an eccentric cam 30 which is carried on the shaft 31 of a drive motor 32. Cam 30 operatively engages the walls of a drive slot 33 molded into the bottom of actuator member 26 so that when the cam is rotated by motor 32 the actuator member is forced to reciprocatively slide back and forth. Since actuator member 26 is coupled by stem 24 to the cutter blade assembly 22, the individual cutter blades 23 contained thereon are reciprocatively driven against the underside of comb 18 while the motor is in operation.
Power for drive motor 32, which may be a conventional permanent-magnet type DC motor, is obtained by means of an electrical circuit which may include one or more rechargeable batteries 34 (FIG. 4), ON-OFF control switch 19, and a recessed connector 35 for establishing a connection to a power cord (not shown). The body portion of housing 11, which may consist of two half sections joined together, is preferably constructed of an electrically-insulated high-impact plastic and may include suitable internal ribbing for supporting the various electrical and mechanical drive compo nents of the shaver.
The comb frame 15, which, it will be recalled, holds comb 18 in position, is secured to housing 11 at its free end by means of a spring wire clip 36 which engages an appropriately positioned notch 37 provided on the comb frame. Spring clip 36 bears against release button 17, which enables the user to deform the spring to disengage the spring from notch 37 when it is desired to open the comb frame for cleaning, repair or replacement of the trimmer blade assembly 22.
Referring to FIG. 6, the individual cutter blades 23 of blade assembly 22 are held in position by three transversely extending tubular support members 40. These support members are joined at their ends to side plates 41 and at transversely-spaced locations near their midpoints to a pair of support plates 42. The support plates are in turn connected by pins 43 to a journal block 44. The cutter blades 23, support members 40, side plates 41, support plates 42, pins 43, and journal block 44 together comprise the aforementioned cutter blade assembly 22. The trimmer blade assembly 22 is mounted on stem 24 by means of a bore 45 provided on the bottom of journal block 44. This bore preferably includes a pair of opposed L-shaped keyways 46 on its inside surface which engage tab-like key surfaces 47 on stem 24 to achieve a positive locked-rotation engagement between the members. In practice, stem 24 may be hollow and a helical compression spring (not shown) may be provided therein to bias the blade assembly 22 upwardly.
Stem 24 is press-fit into a complementarily dimensioned bore 48 on the top of actuator member 26. An annular raised portion 50 may be provided on member 26 for the purpose of extending the depth of this bore, it being desirable to provide a secure torsion-free engagement between the actuator member and stem 24. Actuator member 26 is slidably mounted within channels 27 and 28 by means of integral raised runner potions 51 and 52 (FIG. 5) which are sized and spaced to fit within the channels. Restoring springs of flat spring steel (not shown) may be provided in a conventional manner on either side of actuator member 26 for smoother operation under varying load conditions.
To provide for trimming sideburns and moustaches, and to assist the close shaving head in cutting occasional long hairs in closely shaved portions of the face, shaver includes an auxiliary trimmer head assembly 60. Referring to FIGS. 6-9, trimmer head assembly 60 comprises a stationary outer blade 61, a reciprocatively driven inner blade 62, an inner blade carriage 63, and a wire indexing spring 64. The outer and inner blades are arranged side-by-side in sliding engagement to form a unitary blade assembly. This blade assembly is pivotally attached to housing 11 by means of a pair of hinge pins 65 which extend between respective ones of a pair of inwardly facing recesses (not shown) on housing 11 and respective ones of a pair of mounting tabs 66 formed on opposite sides of the bottom edge (FIG. 6) of blade 61. The bottom portion of blade 61 curves inwardly to enter housing 11 through an elongated aperture 67. The radius of this curvature preferably is constant and the recesses on housing 11 preferably establish a pivotal axis for the trimmer blade assembly 60 such that aperture 67 is fully occupied by blade 61 regardless of the position of the blade. This constantradius pivot arrangement prevents clippings or other foreign objects from entering the shaver housing through the aperture.
A precision long hair cutting surface 59 is formed at the top of trimmer blade assembly 60 by providing a series of spaced knife-edge notches 68 along the top marginal portions of trimmer blades 61 and 62. As the inner trimmer blade 62 is caused to reciprocate with respect to the outer trimmer blade 61, a shearing action is obtained between the knife edges of the notches which severs long hairs trapped therebetween. To protect the skin being shaved from the shearing action of the notches the cutting edge 59 is rounded by folding the top margin of outer blade 61 over the top margin of inner blade 62. This forms a channel 69 within which the top margin of blade 62 is received. The inner blade 62, which does not extend downwardly to the pivot point of outer blade 61, is held in position against the inside face of inner blade 61 by blade carriage 63, which may be formed of a suitable plastic material and which may be attached to blade 62 by means of bosses 70 on the outside face of the carriage which are forcefit into appropriately dimensioned recesses 71 on the blade. To maintain the two blades in accurate alignment, a pair of transversely-spaced inwardly facing alignment tabs 72 are struck from blade 60. These tabs extend through respective ones of a pair of elongated alignment slits 73 on blade 62 so that as the inner blade 62 reciprocates with respect to the outer blade 61, the tabs slide along the slits to maintain the blades in alignment.
Indexing spring 64 is provided to index the trimmer head assembly 60 in its extended and retracted positions. To this end the wire spring may include a'pair of resilient coil portions 75 adjacent each end and a pair of spaced attachment portions 76 between the coil portions. The ends of wire spring 64 extend outwardly to engage inwardly-facing complementarily dimensioned spring retaining apertures 77 (FIG. 8) molded into housing 11, and the two attachment portions 76 of the spring are pivotally received within respective ones of a pair of inwardly rolled tabs 78 disposed along the bottom edge of the outer blade 61. This forms an over-thecenter spring biasing arrangement with respect to the pivot axis of blade 61 and housing 11, the spring action of the resilient coil portions serving to detent the trimmer blade assembly 60 in either its fully extended or its fully retracted positions. Since the indexing spring 64 is fully enclosed within housing 11, no potentially harmful exposed edges or additional shaver cleaning requirements are presented to the user by this indexing arrangement. A thumb actuator surface 79 may be provided for user convenience in extending and retracting the blade assembly.
Operating power is supplied to inner trimmer blade 62 by means of a pair of inwardly extending fingers 80 on carriage 63 which engage opposite sides of an outwardly extending actuator finger 81 on drive member 26. The lengths of fingers 80 and actuator finger 81 are such that the inner blade 62 is reciprocatively driven by the reciprocating drive carriage 26 in both the fully extended and fully retracted positions, and in all intermediate positions of trimmer blade assembly 60. The bottom margin of the drive carriage is held in position by a pair of fingers 82 which extend downwardly from the bottom edge of the carriage into sliding engagement with a pair of complementarily positioned support tabs 83 on the bottom edges of stationary outer blade 61.
Trimmer head assembly 60 performs the dual function of assisting the close-shaving cutter head in cutting long hairs, and of providing a means for precision trimming of sideburns or moustaches. Optimum assistance to the close shaving head is realized by shaping the outer trimmer blade so as to bring the toothed long hair cutting surface in close proximity to comb 18 just below its point of maximum curvature, so that when shaving in close-shaven areas where long hairs may occasionally be encountered, such as on the neck and under the chin, the comb surface of the close-shaving head will first be brought into contact with the skin, followed immediately by the retracted long hair trimmer. Optimum precision trimming is realized when the auxiliary trimmer head assembly is fully extended so as to space the long hair cutting edge away from the shaver body where it can be seen and accurately positioned with respect to sideburns, moustaches, or other shaving areas requiring precision trimming.
It will be appreciated that the cutter blades of the auxiliary trimmer assembly may have other sizes and shapes, and that alternate drive arrangements may be provided, such as a resilient link member between the shaver drive member and the inner trimmer blade. Furthermore, since the trimmer assembly requires a minimum number of additional components and is simple in design and construction, it can be economically incorporated in existing shaver designs with minimum modifications to the shaver. While the trimmer assembly has been shown only in conjunction with a motordriven type electric shaver, it will be appreciated that it can be incorporated in vibrator type electric shavers as well.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
We claim:
1. In an electric shaver of the type having a housing, a power-driven actuating member contained within said housing, and a cutter head of the close-shaving type comprising a fixed perforated comb member and a cutter blade reciprocatively driven by said actuating member; an auxiliary long hair trimmer head assembly comprising, in combination:
a trimmer blade assembly comprising first and second trimmer blades having spaced cutting teeth at one end and arranged for relative reciprocation, and means for maintaining said trimmer blades in operative engagement;
means for pivotally mounting said trimmer blade assembly to said housing, said trimmer blade assembly having two operative positions, a retracted position, wherein said cutting teeth are disposed adjacent to and tangentially to said comb member of said close-shaving cutter head, and an extended position, wherein said cutter teeth project away from said housing; and
drive means for reciprocatively driving said second trimmer blade in said retracted and extended positions to enable said trimmer blade assembly to assist said close-shaving head in cutting long hairs in said retracted position, and to serve as a precision long hair trimmer in said extended position.
2. An electric shaver as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said perforated comb member of said close-shaving cutter head is approximately cylindrical in form.
3. An electric shaver as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has substantially flat, opposed side walls, said close-shaving head is disposed at one end of said housing between said side walls, and wherein said trimmer blade assembly is pivotally mounted to one of said side walls.
4. An electric shaver as defined in claim 3 wherein spring means are provided for indexing said trimmer assembly in said extended and retracted positions.
5. An electric shaver as defined in claim 4 wherein said trimmer blade assembly is pivotally attached to said housing between the ends of said blades, said spring meanss comprise a wire spring having at least one resilient coil, said spring being pivotally attached at one end to the end of said first trimmer blade opposite said cutting teeth, and pivotally attached at its other end to said housing, said spring being dimensioned to establish an over-the-center spring bias condition with respect to the pivot axis of said trimmer blade assembly whereby said trimmer blade assembly is indexed in either said extended or retracted positions.
6. An electric shaver as defined in claim 1 wherein the toothed end of said first cutter blade is folded over to form a first channel along the inside top margin of said first trimmer blade, and wherein the toothed end of said second trimmer blade is slidably retained within said channel.
7. An electric shaver as defined in claim 6 wherein said long-hair trimmer head assembly further includes a carriage member, and said second trimmer blade is mounted thereon and is slidable therewith, and wherein at least a portion of said first trimmer blade is turned upwardly at its end opposite its toothed end to form a second channel for slidably receiving said carriage member, and wherein said carriage member includes inwardly projecting ears operatively engaged to said power-driven actuating member.
8. An electric shaver comprising, in combination:
a housing;
a power-driven actuating member contained within said housing;
a cutter head of the close-shaving type disposed at one end of said housing, said head including a fixed outer comb member and an inner cutter blade reciprocatively driven by said actuating member;
a trimmer blade assembly for cutting long hair including first and second cutter blades having spaced cutting teeth at one end and arranged for relative reciprocation, and means for maintaining said cutter blades in operative engagement;
means for pivotally mounting said trimmer assembly to said housing, said trimmer blade assembly having two operative position, a retracted position, wherein said cutting teeth are disposed adjacent to and tangentially to said fixed comb member of said close-shaving cutter head, and an extended position, wherein said cutting teeth project away from said housing; and
drive means for reciprocatively driving said second trimmer blade in said retracted and extended positions to enable said trimmer blade assembly to assist said close-shaving head in cutting long hairs in said retracted position, and to serve as a precision long hair trimmer in said extended position.
9. An electric shaver as defined in claim 8 wherein at least a portion of said comb is cylindrical in form.
10. An electric shaver as defined in claim 8 wherein said long-hair trimming head further includes a carriage member, and said second trimmer blade is mounted thereon and is slidable therewith, and wherein at least a portion of said first trimming blade is turned upwardly at its end opposite its toothed end to form a second channel for slidably receiving said carriage member, and wherein said carriage member includes inwardly projecting ears operatively engaged to said power-driven'actuating member.
11. An electric shaver as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting teeth overlie said comb member in substantially paralleling tangential relationship in said retracted position.
12. An electric shaver as defined in claim 11 wherein at least the end portion of said trimmer blade asembly having said spaced cutting teeth is curved to substantially conform to the outer surface of said comb member.
13. An electric shaver as defined in claim 8 wherein said cutting teeth overlie said comb member in substantially paralleling tangential relationship in said retracted position and wherein at least the end portion of said trimmer blade assembly having said spaced cutting teeth is curved to substantially conform to the outer surface of said comb member. |
US-3874080-A | Buccal end tube | United States Patent [191 Wallshein [111 3,874,080 [451 Apr. 1,1975
1 1 BUCCAL END TUBE [76] inventor: Melvin Wallshein, 8645 Bay Pky.,
Brooklyn, NY. 11228 [22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 337,897
[52] US. Cl 32/14 A [51] Int. Cl. A6lc 7/00 [58] Field of Search 32/14 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,915,824 12/1959 Kesling 1. 32/14 A 2,958,945 11/1960 Waldman l 32/14 A 3,218,713 11/1965 Wallshein 32/14 A 3,218,715 11/1965 Wallshein 32/14 A 3,639.986 2/1972 Kesling 32/14 A 3,729,826 5/1973 Kesling 32/14 A 3,775,850 12/1973 Northcutt 32/14 A Primary E.\'aminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Armrncy, Agent, or Firm-F1ynn & Frishauf [57] ABSTRACT ing to the presently preferred embodiment, each of the tabs is provided with a plurality of apertures. At least the wire receiving ends of the apertures are tapered to facilitate location and entry of the arch wire into the respective apertures. By selectively passing the arch wire through preselected apertures, the wire can either be passively positioned in the buccal end tube device wherein it does not exert any forces on the tooth or, alternately, it can engage the device actively wherein rotating as well as tipping forces can be applied to the tooth on which the end tube device is mounted; An end tube device is also described wherein a buccal tube is mounted adjacently to the end tube device and is provided with a slot through which an arch Wire can pass interiorly of the tube. When. so used, thebuccal tube replaces one of the apertured tabs and offers greater versitility for applying forces to the tooth than provided by the two apertured tabs 18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures- BUCCAL END TUBE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to orthodontic appliances. and more particularly to a buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth.
Various buccal tubes or end tubes are already known which are positioned on atooth to receive the end of an arch wire of an orthodontic arch. the buccal tubes are usually placed on one of the molar teeth. As is well known in the art, the section of the arch which extends between the cuspids to the first molars is generally straight. However, depending on the precise position in which the buccal tube is mounted on the buccal surface of the molar, the axis of the aperture through the buccal tube will vary relative to the straight line arch wire section which extends distally towards the molars. Normally. the buccal tube is so mounted on a normally positioned molar so that it has a distolingual inclination relative to the undeflccted arch wire extension. Forcing the arch wire extension through the buccal tube, in such a case, causes the molar on which the buccal tube is mounted to rotate mesiolingually or distobuccally. When the molar is oriented in a desired position, however, such rotation is undesirable and, ideally, the arch wire extension only passes through the buccal tube in a passive state without generating forces on the tube. Such passive relationship between the arch wire extension and the buccal tube can sometimes be achieved by precise positioning of the buccal tube so that its axis is substantially aligned with the axis of the u ndeflected arch wire extension. There have been numerous problems in the mounting of buccal tubes. Firstly, it is not always possible or practical to precisely mount the buccal tubes in such a manner that their axis will align with the axis of the undeflccted arch wire extension. Frequently, a technician welds the tube inadvertently on a slightly offset buccal surface from that surface which would provide such coaxial alignment. Depending where the buccal tube is welded on a tooth band, if any misalignment results, the molar tooth on which the tube is mounted will either be forced to rotate distobuccally or distolingually, mesiolingually, or mesiobuccally.
One approach which has been taken to achieve alignment in some cases has been the bending of the arch wire lingually so to change the orientation of the axis of the arch wire extension to coincide with the previously welded or positioned end tube or buccal tube. Very careful attention must be given to the manner in which molar bends are formed, because the previously mentioned straight line from cuspid to molar ends at the molar. If the buccal surface of the molar follows the same straight line, the tooth would be rotated distobuccally. For example, a simple bend may be proper over the mesiobuccal molar cusp, but a double bend or bayonet bend is required if the bend is positioned more mesially. The utilization of the bends in the arch wire extensions to provide alignment presents a second problem known in the prior art which arises when the arch wires move with the movement of teeth during corrective action. Thus, while a bent arch wire extension may initially provide passive angagement with an end tube. movement of the arch wire relative to the end tube may generate the very rotating forces which in tended to be avoided by the application of the bends.
Furthermore, excessive movement of either the arch wire or of the tooth on which end tube is mounted may result in undesired engagement between the end tube and the bend whereby further movement of one is prevented by the other of the engaging elements.
Although passive engagement is frequently desired at the end tubes, it is sometimes desired to rotate the molar either distobuccally or distolingually when a molar is not in its desired position. In such cases, the axis of an arch wire extension must be engaged with a properly mounted end tube whose aperture axis forms a predetermined or desired angle relative to the axis of the arch wire extension. Most buccal tubes known in the art provide apertures parallel with the welding flange, thereby forming no angle therewith. Some buccal tubes are provided with 21 5 angle relative to the welding flange. Such angled tubes are utilized for distolingual rotation to essentially counteract the distobuccal or mesiolingual rotation associated with normally positioned molars and straight wire extensions described above.
The buccal tubes, either with 0 or 5 offsets, have not, however, offered the flexibility required in the utilization of buccal tubes. If another inclination or offset is desired, this is not possible except by removing the end tube from the band and reconnecting it on another buccal surface thereof. The latter approach is very time consuming and cumbersome both to the technician as well as to a patient. It also frequently happens that the desired orientation of the end tube aperture changes as the teeth move in response to the forces generated by the arch. Clearly, the prior art end tubes do not permit changes in the angular orientation of the end tubes without removing the latter and repositioning it.
Another feature of the known end tubes has been that they have normally been used merely for the purpose of preventing rotation of a molar tooth in one direction or another. The known types of end tubes do not permit convenient orientation of the arch wire therethrough which would result or cause the molar to selectively tip or rotate in one direction or another. To achieve such corrective action, the end tube must be previously welded to a band in the precisely desired fashion. As in the case of rotation, the number of inclinations available for inserting an arch wire extension for tipping purposes is severely limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which is not possessed of the disadvantages associated with prior art buccal or end tubes.
It is another object of the present invention for providing a buccal end tube device which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which provides flexibility in angular orientations which an arch wire extension may be given without repositioning the end tube device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which includes a plurality of apertures through which an arch wire extension may selectively pass.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which provides flexibility insofar as providing possible angular inclinations of an arch wire extension for purposes of tipping a tooth.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which permits passive engagement of an arch wire extension therethrough irrespective of the specific location of the band on which the device is mounted.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which may be engaged actively or passively by an arch wire extension and which does not necessitate bends in the arch wire for purposes of obtaining such engagement.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which cooperates with a slotted buccal or extra-oral tube which can laterally receive an arch wire extension for increasing the number of angular orientations which the arch wire extension may be given for purposes of tipping a tooth.
It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a buccal end tube device which comprises two spaced apertured tabs, the space between the tabs being freely accessible for facilitating the location and entry of the arch wire extension through preselected apertures.
It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide apertures having tapered end portions which are arranged to first receive the arch wires passing through the apertures for facilitating location and entry therethrough.
In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will become apparent hereafter, a buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth comprises two spaced arch wire positioning members. One of said members is provided with first arch wire positioning means for positioning a first portion of an arch wire and the other of said members is provided with second arch wire positioning means for selectively positioning a second portion of the arch wire in one of at least two positions relative to the position of said first arch wire portion. In this manner, the arch wire may be selectively oriented by selectively positioning the second arch wire portion in the desired one of said at least two positions.
In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, each of said first and second positioning members are in the form of apertured tabs which are connected by a substantially flat elongated strip adapted to be mounted on a band or tooth. The apertures are so positioned on said tabs so that a wire passing through selected aperture in each of said tabs causes said wire to be directed in preselected orientations relative to the tooth on which the device is mounted. At least two apertures, one in each tab, are so provided so that an arch wire extension may pass therethrough and be placed in a passive state with respect to the device. Rows of such apertures may be spaced from each other in lingual or buccal directions for permitting an arch wire extension to pass through selected apertures in order to generate rotating and/or tipping forces.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an extra-oral end tube is mounted adjacent to the apertured tabs. A portion of the periphery of the tube is disposed adjacent to the tabs and is provided with a longitudinal slot substantially extending along the length between the apertured tabs. The slot is arranged to receive an arch wire which passes through only one of said apertured tabs. In this manner, said slots in said extra-oral device or tube can be utilized in place of one of said apertured portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buccal edgewise device in accordance with the present invention, showing one apertured tab with two apertures and another spaced apertured tab with one aperture;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view, in cross-section of the device as shown in FIG. 1, and further showing an arch wire passing through the apertures in both a passive as well as in an active condition or state;
FIG. 3 is a fragmented enlarged portion of one of the tabs of the device shown in FIG. 2, showing the details of the apertures;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bicuspids and the first molar of the lower dental arch with a wire passing through a buccal end tube device as shown in FIG. I mounted on the first molar tooth, the arch wire passing through the device passively through selected apertures in the two tabs;
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 wherein the first molar is rotated distobuccally, the arch wire again passing passively through the device through other selected apertures in the tabs of the edgewise device;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the edgewise device in accordance with the present invention, showing four apertures in one of the tabs and one aperture in the other spaced tab;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a buccal end tube device similar to that shown in FIG. 6, but with three apertures in one of the tabs and two apertures in the other of the spaced tabs; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a buccal end tube device similar to that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but further including an extra-oral tube connected to the end tube device, the extra-oral tube being provided with a longitudinal peripheral slot which is suitable for receiving arch wire extensions instead of passing through one of the apertured tabs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the FIGURES, in which like or identical parts have been designated by the same reference numbers, and first referring to FIG. 1, a buccal end tube device, in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The device 10 includes a substantially flat strip in the form of a welding flange 11 which may be of conventional design. Positioned at the opposite ends of the welding flange 11 are arch wire positioning members in the form of tabs 12, 14. Each tab has a predetermined edge contour. In the preferred embodiment, the tabs are integral with the welding flange 11 and are bent relative to the latter so as to project substantially normally to the plane of the welding flange 11. Although the tabs are advantageously integral with the welding flange or mounting member, it should be clear that this is not a critical requirement and the tabs may be originally separate members which are connected to a welding flange in any conventional manner.
The specific orientations and directions of the buccal devices to be described in accordance with the preferred embodiments are merely illustrative. It should become apparent from the following description that the buccal end tube devices may be somewhat modified by those skilled in the art so that they may be used in corresponding manners in connection with the upper or lower teeth.
The tab 12, on the mesial end of the end tube device of the embodiment being described, is provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of a single aperture 16. Similarly, the tab 14, on the distal end of the device, is provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of two spaced apertures 18, 20. The apertures are fully contained within the respective edge contours of the tabs. The apertures 18, are spaced from each other in a lingual direction when mounted on a buccal surface of a molar tooth. The apertures 18, 20 are provided for selectively positioning a portion of an arch wire passing therethrough in at least one of two positions relative to another arch wire portion which is positioned by the aperture 16. In this manner, the arch wire may be selectively oriented by selectively positioning the arch wire portion in the tab 14 in one of the two positions offered by the apertures 18, 20. This selective orientation is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein an arch wire portion 26 is positioned within the aperture 16 while another arch wire portion 28 is positioned in the aperture 20. When the arch wire 24 passes through the apertures l6 and 20, the arch wire assumes a straight or unflexed state. Accordingly, the arch wire 24 is passive insofar as the end tube device 10 is concerned and does not apply any forces thereto. Such would be the selection of apertures when the device 10 is mounted on a tooth which is in its desired position and no rotation or tipping of the tooth is deemed necessary.
The arch wire 24 is shown in clashed outline in FIG. 2, wherein it passes through the apertures 16 and 18. In this condition, the arch wire 24 assumes a flexed stressed state and applies rotating forces to the end tube device 10 so as to rotate the tooth misiolingually The conical or prismatic tapers 30 are especially helpful when an arch wire is desired to pass through the device and be engaged therewith in a passive state. To obtain such a passive relationship, it is only necessary to first pass the arch wire through an aperture in the mesially spaced tab, e.g. tab 12, and advance the arch wire while permitting the end arch wire portion 28 to freely select an aperture in the distally spaced tab, e.g. tab 14. Such natural selection by the arch wire automatically provides the angular orientation which is the least active. Stated in another way, by freely letting the arch wire end portion 28 select one of the apertures in the distally spaced tab, an orientation of the arch wire 24 will be provided which is the most passive possible with the available apertures.
When an active state of the arch wire is desired, the arch is first passed through one aperture in the mesially I spaced tab 12 and the arch wire portion 28 is directed or distobuccally. It should be clear that the provision of a third aperture in the tab 14 spaced faeially from the aperture 20 could reverse the direction if the arch wire 24 is made to pass through the aperture 16 and that further faeially spaced aperture. In such a case, the tooth would be rotated distolingually.
In FIG. 3, the presently preferred aperture configurations are shown. Thus, the tab 14 generally defines, when mounted on a tooth. distal and mesial surfaces. Since an arch wire 28 normally enters the tab 14 through the mesial surface, each of the apertures 18, 20 is provided with a conical or prismatic taper 30 at the mesial end of the aperture. These conical or prismatic tapered portions of the apertures facilitate the location and entry of the arch wire 28 through the apertures. It should be clear that the conical or prismatic tapers 30 should at least be provided on the mesial ends of the apertures of the distal tab 14. However, such tapered portions may also be provided on the mesial ends of the apertures provided in the mesially positioned tab 12. In order to permit the reversal of the mesial and distal tabs 12. I4. tapers may be provided, in each tab, at the end of each aperture.
by a technician, eg with a pliers gripping the arch wire portion 28, into a selected aperture in the distally spaced tab 14. For this reason, the space between the tabs is advantageously left exposed and not covered so as to prevent gripping of an arch wire end portion 28 when it is situated between the two spaced halves. It is possible, however, to partially close the space by providing a guard 22 which prevents accumulation of food particles or other material between the spaced tabs, if this is desirable. The guard 22 should be so dimensioned so as not to interfere with the gripping of an arch wire portion disposed between the two tabs. When a guard 22 is provided, it also prevents breakage of the arch wire due to opposing occlusive forces.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, two bicuspid teeth 40 are shown adjacent a first molar tooth 42. Brackets 44 are mounted on bands 46 on each of the biscupid teeth 40. In FIG. 4, the buccal surface of the molar tooth 42 is shown inclined distolingually with respect to the arch wire 24. Assuming that this is the desired position of the molar tooth 42, it is then desirable that the arch wire 24 pass through the buccal end tube device 10 passively. This is accomplished by passing the arch wire through the apertures 16 and 20 so that the arch wire continues along a straight line when extended from the mesial portion of the arch adjacent the bicuspids 40. If, on the other hand, it were desired to rotate the molar tooth 42 in FIG. 4 distobuccally or mesiolingually, the arch wire 24 could be passed through the apertures 16 and 18, as described above.
In FIG. 5, the buccal surface of the molar tooth 42 is shown to be disposed substantially parallel to the arch wire 24 in the region of the bicuspids. Again, if this is the desired position of the molar tooth 42, then the arch wire is made to pass through the apertures 16 and 18. On the other hand, if it is desired to rotate the tooth distolingually, the arch wire can be passed through the apertures 16 and 20 by simply guiding the arch wire into the aperture 20 after it has been passed through the aperture 16. The flexibility of the end tube device 10 can be substantially enhanced by increasing the number of apertures in each of the tabs in the lingual or facial directions.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of a buccalend tube device is shown. In FIG. 6, the device 50 comprises a welding flange 52. A substantially flat U-shaped strip has a transverse mounting portion connected to the welding flange in two spaced apertured portions or tabs 54, 56 which are essentially normal to the plane defined by the mounting portion 55. As with the buccal end tube device 10, a plurality of apertures may be provided in either of the tabs 54, 56. In the device 50, the tab 54 is provided with a single aperture 58 while the tab 56 is provided with apertures 60, 62, 64 and 66. The aperture 60 is spaced facially from the aperture 66 while the aperture 62, 64 are spaced respectively above and below the aperture 66.
The operation of the device 50 insofar as the apertures 58, 60 and 66 are concerned is essentially the same as described with the buccal end tube device 10. The provision of apertures 62 and 64 permits the tipping of a tooth. Thus, when an arch wire passes through the aperture 58 and the aperture 62, the arch wire has a tendency to tip the tooth distally. On the other hand, passage of the arch wire through the apertures 58 and 64 normally tends to tip the tooth mesially.
In FIG. 7, the buccal end tube device 70 is provided with a welding flange 72 and two spaced aperture tabs 74 and 76. A mounting portion 75 extends between the tabs and is connected by conventional means to the welding flange 72. The tab 74 is provided with two spaced apertures 78, 80 while the tab 76 is provided with three spaced apertures 82, 84 and 86. Since all the tabs in the device 70 are essentially in a common plane with respect to the lingual or facial directions, the device 70 is most suitable for tipping corrective action. Otherwise, the operation of the buccal end tube devices 10, 50 and 70 are essentially the same.
Since buccal end tube devices are normally mounted on teeth which also support buccal tubes which accommodate extra-oral appliances, further flexibility of the end tube device in accordance with the present invention can be provided by forming a combination of an end tube buccal device and extra-oral buccal tube as shown in FIG. 8 and designed by the reference numeral 90. The combination device 90 has a pair of spaced welding flanges 92 to which is connected a welding flange 94 of the buccal end tube device similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. The edgewise device has spaced apertured tabs 96 and 98 the tab 96 having apertures I00, 102, and 104 while the tab 98 has apertures 106, I08 and 110. Although the apertures on each tab are shown positioned along an arc adjacent the periphery of the rounded tabs, it should be clear from the above description that the apertures may be provided in any suitable locations to provide desired results. The more apertures which are provided on each of the tabs, the greater is the flexibility in which the arch wire 24 can be selectively oriented therethrough.
Also mounted on the welding flanges 92 is a buccal tube or extra-oral tube, as it is sometimes called, which has an aperture or opening 114 dimensioned to receive the extensions of an extra-oral appliance, facebow or night appliance.
' In order to increase the number of possible orientations in which arch wires can be positioned, the buccal tube 112 is slotted, the slot 116 being disposed adjacent the buccal edgewise device welding flange 94. More particularly, the slot 116 advantageously extends between the tabs 96, 98 and communicates with the space defined between the tabs.
The aperture combination device shown in FIG. 8 are suitable for both tipping as well as rotation and several possible arch wire orientations are illustrated in both solid as well as dashed outlines. Of course, the total number of possible orientations depends on the number of possible combinations of apertures through which the arch wire may pass. This includes the slot 116 which may be used, for practical purposes, as another aperture so that an arch wire may pass through one tab and, instead of passing through the other tab, may pass through the slot 116 as shown in dashed outline in FIG. 8. The utilization of a slot 116 essentially enhances the flexibility insofar as the device is utilized for tipping purposes. However, by providing further slots in the buccal tube 112 spaced more in the facial direction, those slots can simultaneously be utilized for purposes of rotating a tooth.
Although the apertures have been shown square, it should be clear that round apertures may equally be used. The specific construction or peripheral configurations of the tabs are not critical for purposes of the present invention. Any manufacturing technique which is economical can be used, e.g. punching the devices from sheet metal and bending the ends thereof to form the spaced tabs.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.
What is claimed is:
l. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising two spaced tabs, each of said tabs being provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of at least one aperture, said at least one apertures in said tabs being spaced from each other in the buccallingual direction and adapted to receive spaced portions of the arch wire, whereby the arch wire may be disposed in a predetermined orientation within a buccal-lingual plane by positioning the arch wire in said at least one aperture in each of said two spaced tabs and maintained in the selected orientation against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device.
2. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said tabs is provided with one aperture, and wherein the other tab is provided with two spaced apertures.
3. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tabs are spaced from one another, and further comprising connecting means extending between said tabs for fixing the spaced relationship between the latter.
4. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprises a substantially flat strip adapted to be connected to an associated tooth.
5. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 4, wherein each tab projects from said flat strip in a direction substantially normal to the latter.
6. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 2, wherein two apertures, one in each of said respective tabs, are aligned with each other along a first line directed along a predetermined direction relative to an associated tooth, while another aperture in said other flat tab is aligned with said one aperture in said one flat tab along a second line inclined relative to said predetermined direction, whereby an arch wire may be selectively passed through said apertures to selectively orient the arch wire relative to a tooth.
7. A buccal -end tube device as defined inclaim 1,
further comprising a substantially flat mounting strip extending between said tabs, each of said tabs extending substantially normally from said mounting strip.
8. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein a plurality of apertures are provided in each of said tabs, at least two apertures, one in each tab, being aligned with each other along a line substantially parallel to said flat strip.
9. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein said apertures are rectangular in configuration.
10. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein said flat strip is curved to correspond to the curvature of an associated tooth on which said strip is mounted.
11. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein one tab is arranged to normally first receive the arch wire in an aperture thereof, and another tab is arranged to normally receive the arch wire in an aperture thereof subsequently to the latter having been received in said one tab, said apertures in said other tab facing said one tab being provided with tapered portions, whereby location and entry of the arch wire into one of the apertures of said other tab is facilitated.
12. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said apertures has an end portion normally first approached by an arch wire successively passing through said respective apertures, each of said apertures being provided with tapered portions at said end portions, whereby location and entry of the arch wire into said apertures is facilitated.
13. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein said apertures are provided at each end thereof with tapered portions, whereby location and entry of the arch wire into one of the apertures of each of said tabs is facilitated irrespective of the order of successive entry of the arch wire into said tabs.
14. A buccal end tube device comprising a substantially flat U-shaped strip having a transverse mounting portion defining one plane and two spaced apertured portions defining substantially parallel planes substantially normal to the plane defined by said mounting portion, one of said apertured portions being provided with at least one aperture while the other of said apertured portions being provided with at least two spaced apertures, at least two apertures, one in each respective apertured portion, being aligned with the other along a line substantially parallel with said mounting portion, while another aperture in said other portion being aligned with an aperture in said one portion along a line inclined at a predetermined angle to said mounting portion, whereby an arch wire may be passed selectively through said aperture to orient the arch wire either parallel or at an incline to said mounting portion; and an extra-oral end tube mounted on said welding flange adjacent to said flat U-shaped strip, said tube having an axis substantially parallel to said mounting portion.
15. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 14, further comprising a welding flange connected to said mounting portion, said welding flange being configurated to conform to a tooth on which the buccal end tube device is to be mounted.
16. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 14, wherein a portion of the periphery of said tube is disposed adjacent to said flat U-shaped strip and is provided with a longitudinal slot substantially extending the length between said two spaced apertures portions, said slot being arranged to receive an arch wire which passes through only one of said apertured portions, whereby said slot in said extra-oral device can be utilized in place of one of said apertured portions.
17. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising two spaced tabs, each of said tabs being provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of at least one aperture, said at least one aperture being adapted to receive spaced portions of the arch wire, whereby the arch wire may be selectively oriented by positioning the arch wire in said at least one aperture in each of said two spaced tabs and maintained in the selected orientation against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device; and guard means disposed on one side of said tabs for preventing accumulation of material in the space between the latter.
18. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising two spaced substantially flat tabs, each of said tabs being provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of at least one aperture, at least two apertures being provided in one of said tabs spaced from each in a buccal-lingual direction when mounted on a tooth, said apertures being adapted to receive spaced portions of the arch wire in one of two general orientations in a buccal-lingual plane, whereby the arch wire may be selectively oriented in the buccal-lingual plane by positioning the arch wire portions in selected ones of said apertures and maintained in the desired orientation against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device. |
US-3874081-A | Dental pin and dispenser | Unlted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,
Franklin et al. Apr. 1, 1975 [54] DENTAL PIN AND DISPENSER 2,472,103 6/[949 Giesen 32/6 2, 4 [76] Inventors: Mark E. Franklin, 29 Koster Dr., 233 $222 I n Freehold, 7 James 3,473,223 /1969 Karlstrom 32/12 SchmIdt, 33 Blrmmgham 3,675,328 7/1972 Weissman 32/15 Englishtown, NJ. 07726 22 Filed; May 1 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or FirmKeny0n & Kenyon Reilly [21] App]. No.: 254,603 Carr & Chapin [52] U.S. Cl. 32/15 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..A61k 5/02 58 Field of Search 7. 32/6 7 R A dental P for use the remforcement of restorations used in the reconstruction of mutilated teeth and [56] References Cited e re1nf 0rc1ng rod and nlandrel to be used In COl'ljUIlC- t10n wlth the dental pm. A dental dlspenser for han- UNITED STATES PATENTS dling such pins 400321 4/1889 Land 32/]5 1.216.683 2/1917 Greenfield 32/48 13 Claims, Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 I975 SHEET UlUF 10 QATENTEDAPR 1197s 3 .8 74,0 8T
sum new 10 'PEJENTEDAPR H915 3,874,081
SHEET UBGF 1O QATENTED APR 1 I975 SHEET Oh 0F 10 PATENIEDAPR H975 3,874,081 SHEET U7GF 10 PATENTED APR 1 5 SHEET 08 0F 10 PATENTEU H975 3.874.081
sum user 10 FIG. 42
FIG.4-3 FIG.44
DENTAL PIN AND DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the practice of dentistry and in particular to apparatus for the reinforcement of restorations used in the reconstruction of mutilated teeth.
2. Description of the Prior Art The preparation and reconstruction of a mutilated tooth in dentistry has heretofore required a laborious procedure to restore the tooth to normal functioning condition. Such preparation and reconstruction often requires the use of reinforcement pins placed in the tooth structure and has had very limited success. The lack of success of existing, conventional dental reinforcement pins is attributed to a number of factors. First, a two-step procedure is required, calling for drilling a hole in the tooth structure to receive a threaded, friction or cementable pin and then placing the dental pin in the hole. Second, there are voids between the pin and the tooth structure which form areas for entrance of impurities. Third, fractures occur at the threaded area of the tooth structure and such fractures become greater when friction pins are inserted. Fourth, manipulation in placing and positioning the pins is difficult and often results in breaking the pin. Fifth, metallic or chemical bonding to the restorative material has not been achieved. Sixth, the entire procedure for dental restorations by use of reinforcement pins is of limited dental application.
A great problem also exists in the control and use of the dental pins themselves. Dentists using these pins for restoring teeth have difficulty controlling these items by the conventional pin forceps or dental pliers. The pins are small and, as a result, are often dropped and lost in the process of handling from the pin container to the dental pliers or forceps and then to placement in the tooth. Most dentists do not attempt to recover the dropped pin, but start again with another pin. Even if the dropped pin were picked up, it would require sterilization before it could be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a newly designed dental pin, reinforcing rod and mandrel and to a newly designed dental dispenser for handling such pins.
The newly designed dental pin and mandrel incorporates several outstanding features not found in existing dental pins. The dental pin of this invention is called an end cutting tube pin" and is designed with end cutting blades enabling it to be seated in one operation. Several shapes and forms have been designed to achieve ease of seating and manipulation.
The outstanding features of the end cutting tube pin of this invention are as follows. First, it can be used in a one-step procedure, instead of requiring pre-drilling of a hole in the tooth structure to receive the threaded, friction or cementable pins known in the prior art. Second, it eliminates all lateral voids and stresses because it creates its own crypt in the tooth structure and remains in that position. Thus, it eliminates the void between the male and female threads of the threaded pins known in the prior art which have heretofore provided areas for entrance of impurities. It also eliminates the problems resulting from incomplete seating of the pins known in the prior art. Third, the end cutting tube pin of this invention eliminates the fracture lines which occur at the threaded areas of dental pins used in the prior art. It also avoids the incidence of fracture lines in the lateral and base walls of the tooth structure which resulted from the greater force required to seat the tapered friction pins of the prior art. The reinforcing rods can be placed in the tube of this invention without stress of the tooth structure. Fourth, it provides greater ease of placement and positioning. The end cutting blade of this invention involves less cutting surface and thereby reduces friction and heat. The mandrel of this invention is self-limiting thereby allowing proper placement in depth and position. Fifth, the dental pin of this invention provides greater strength because it achieves a lateral seal, eliminates fracture lines and provides air through the tube of the pin. Sixth, it provides greater durability because the tube pins of this invention bend without breaking due to the equal distribution of stress, whereas the solid pins of the prior art often break while the dentist is trying to position them within a particular area. Seventh, the dental pins of this invention provide a greater adaptability because they may be silver plated to accommodate metallic bonding with silver amalgam. In the alternative, they may be coated with resin to accommodate chemical attachment to the resins and composites. Eighth, the pins of this invention provide a greater spectrum of use in dental care because they allow all malleable and cast restoration. They allow a one appointment procedure. They also allow non-parallel and parallel pin procedures for inlays and splinting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a mutilated tooth before restoration in which dental pins of this invention are inserted for purposes of restoring the tooth.
FIG. 2 illustrates the tooth shown in FIG. 1, after restoration using the dental pins of this invention.
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show various embodiments of the end cutting tube pin of this invention.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show various embodiments of reinforcing rods of this invention designed to be used in conjunction with the pins shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
FIG. 10 shows a typical assembly of the dental pin, bushing, mandrel and reinforcing rod of this invention and a dental hand piece.
FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show additional embodiments of the end cutting tube pins of this invention.
FIG. 15 is an end view of FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 is an end view of FIG. 12.
FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show additional embodiments of reinforcing rods of this invention designed for use with end cutting tube pin illustrated in FIGS. 6, 11 and 13.
FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 show various embodiments of a latch type mandrel designed for use with the dental pins of this invention.
FIG. 23 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 24 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 21.
FIG. 25 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 22.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate bushings adapted for use with the mandrels of this invention.
FIG. 28 is an end view of the bushing shown in FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is an end view of the bushing shown in FIG.
FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 illustrate additional embodiments of mandrels adapted for use with the dental pin of this invention.
FIG. 33 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 30.
FIG. 34 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 31.
FIG. 35 is an end view of the mandrel shown in FIG. 32.
FIG. 36 shows the dental pin dispenser of this invention as a complete assembly.
FIG. 37 shows the dental pin dispenser of FIG. 36 disassembled into its three major components.
FIGS. 38 and 39 show one of the major components, the main housing, of the dental pin dispenser shown in FIG. 37.
FIG. 40 shows an end view of FIG. 38 along the lines A--A.
FIG. 41 shows an end view of FIG. 38 along the lines BB.
FIGS. 42 and 43 show another of the major components, the pin cartridge, of the dental pin dispenser shown in FIG. 37.
FIG. 44 shows an end view of FIG. 43.
FIGS. 45 and 46 show another major component, the pin activator, of the dental pin dispenser shown in FIG. 37.
FIG. 47 is an end view of FIG. 46 along the lines DD.
FIG. 48 is an end view of FIG. 46 along the lines AA.
FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 46 along the lines BB.
FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 48 along the lines CC.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Dental Pin, Reinforcing Rod and Mandrel FIG. 1 illustrates a mutilated tooth 1 and mutilated crown 2 and shows the placement of three end cutting tube pins 4 of this invention inserted in the dentin 6 of the crown 2. Two of the three end cutting tube pins 4 have reinforcing rods 8 and 10. One of the end cutting tube pins 4 has an eyelet reinforcing rod 8 inserted into pin 4. Another end cutting tube pin 4 has an L-shaped reinforcing rod 10 inserted into it.
The dental pins 4 of this invention are called end cutting tube pins because they have a tube-like cylindrical structure, with the typical hollow opening of a cylinder running from one end of the pin 4 to the other end. A reinforcing rod 8 or 10 may be inserted in the upper portion of the dental pin 4. The pins also have cutting blades at the end which are inserted in the tooth structure.
FIG. 1 also shows the root 11, the pulp canal 14, the enamel 16, and the cemento-enamel junction 18 of the crown 2. FIG. 2 shows the restored crown 2 with the end cutting pins 4 and the reinforcing rods 8 and 10 covered by the restoration 20.
FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate different variations of the end cutting tube pin of this invention. FIG. 3 shows a straight end cutting tube pin 3 with a slot 22 in the upper portion of the pin for insertion into the pin mandrel. This pin mandrel will be explained subsequently in reference to FIGS. 11-15. FIG. 4 illustrates a straight end cutting tube pin 4 with a slot 24 for insertion into the pin mandrel and the slot 24 has a notch 26 at the bottom of the slot 24 for retention of a reinforcing rod. The reinforcing rod will be explained subsequently in reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.
FIG. 5 illustrates a straight end cutting tube pin 5 with a slot 24 and notch 26 and, in addition, having a plurality of randomly placed horizontal passageways 28 through the pin for the retention of restorative material. FIG. 6 illustrates a straight end cutting tube pin 7 with a slot 30 for insertion into the pin mandrel and internal threads 32 in the upper portion of the pin to receive a threaded reinforcing rod. The threaded reinforcing rod will be explained subsequently in reference to FIGS. l7, l8 and 19.
Each of the pins 3, 4, 5 and 7 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 has a plurality of cutting blades 9 at the end of the pin which is to be inserted in the tooth structure.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate different shapes of reinforcing rods 8, 10 and 12 of this invention designed for placement in the end cutting tube pins illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. FIG. 7 shows an L-shaped solid reinforcing rod 10. FIG. 8 shows a T-shaped solid reinforcing rod 12. FIG. 9 shows an eyelet solid reinforcing rod 8.
The typical assembly illustrated in FIG. 10 shows the use of either the T-shaped reinforcing rod 12 or, in the alternative, the eyelet reinforcing rod 8 in conjunction with straight end cutting tube pin 4.
FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate additional variations of the end cutting tube pins of this invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an end cutting tube pin 34 which has a flange 35 positioned at approximately the midpoint along the length of the pin. Referring to FIG. 15, the flange 35 in this embodiment has a substantially square shape, but it will be understood that the flanges of other embodiments may be designed with a different shape. Referring to FIG. 11, end cutting tube pin 34 also has an internal thread 32 and a slot 36.
FIG. 12 illustrates an end cutting tube pin 38 with a slot 40 for insertion into the pin mandrel and a notch 42 at the bottom of slot 40. End cutting tube pin 38 also has a flange 35 positioned at approximately the midpoint along the length of the pin. The flange 35 is square in shape as shown in FIG. 16. End cutting tube pins 34 and 38 having a flange 35 are suitable for use where the tooth structure is flat.
FIG. 13 illustrates an end cutting tube pin 44 having a bellied portion 46 for use where the tooth structure warrants such a design. End cutting tube pin 44 also has a slot 36 and internal threads 32.
FIG. 14 illustrates an end cutting tube pin 48 which also has a bellied portion 46 consisting of a round balllike protuberance, at approximately the midpoint along the length of the pin. End cutting tube pin 48 has a slot 40 with a notch 42 at the end of the slot 40.
Each of the dental pins 34, 38, 44 and 48 shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 has a plurality of cutting blades 9 at the end of the pin which is to be inserted in the tooth structure.
FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate additional reinforcing rods 50, 52 and 54, each having a threaded end 56 for insertion in an end cutting tube pin which has internal thread, such as end cutting tube pin 7 shown in FIG. 6, end cutting tube pin 34 shown in FIG. 11, and end cutting tube pin 44 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 17 shows an L- shaped solid reinforcing rod 50. FIG. 18 shows a T- shaped solid reinforcing rod 52. FIG. 19 shows an eyelet solid reinforcing rod 54.
FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 illustrate latch type mandrels adapted for use in positioning the end cutting tube pins of this invention in the tooth structure of a tooth to be restored.
Each mandrel 60, 62 and 64 is comprised of a base portion 55, 57 and 59, a cylindrical mandrel tube 61, 63 and 65 adapted for receiving a portion of the dental pin in the mandrel tube and. a plunger apparatus 67, 69 and 71 for ejecting the dental pin from the mandrel and embedding the pin in the tube structure. The base portions 55 and 57 of mandrels 60 and 62 are hollow to allow the insertion of a straight dental pin such as dental pin 3 of FIG. 3. FIG. illustrates a dental pin mandrel (designated generally by the numeral 60) having an internal bevel 73 adapted for receiving an end cutting tube pin 34 and 38 of the type having a flange 35 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 23 is an end view of mandrel 60 showing the substantially square shape of the bevel 73 for receiving the flange 35 of the end cutting tube pins 34 or 38.
FIG. 21 illustrates a dental pin mandrel (designated generally by the numeral 62) which has an internal tongue 75 in its base portion 57 adapted to engage the slot of a straight end cutting tube pin such as pins 3, 4, 5 and 7, shown respectively in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, which have a slot 22, 24 and in the upper portion of the pin. FIG. 24 shows an end view of the mandrel 62 of FIG. 21.
FIG. 22 illustrates a pin mandrel (designated generally by the numeral 64) which has an internal tongue 75 in its base portion 59, an internal bevel 73 and an enlarged internal hollowed portion 77 adapted for receiving end cutting tube pins of a type having both flanges and a bellied portion (not illustrated). Such an end cutting tube pin is a combination which includes both the flanges of pins 34 and 38 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the bellied portion 46 of pins 44 and 48 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 25 shows an end view of a mandrel 64 of FIG. 22.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate bushings 66 and 68 adapted for use with the mandrels of this invention. FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate end views of the respective bushings 66 and 68. Each bushing 66 and 68 is a short tube-like cylinder, the outer circumference of which is adapted to fit within the mandrel. The inner circumference of the bushings 66 and 68 is adapted to receive the upper portion of a dental pin. Bushing 66 is dimensioned to fit into the base portion of mandrel or the base portion 57 of mandrel 62. Bushing 68 is dimensioned to fit into the enlarged hollow portion 77 of base portion 59 of mandrel 64. The use of a bushing is at the option of the dentist where necessary.
FIG. 30 illustrates a mandrel which is similar to mandrel 60 of FIG. 20 except that mandrel 70 is adapted for use with a friction grip dental hand piece (not illustrated). The mandrel 70 is designed for end cutting tube pins 34 and 38 having flanges 35, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 33 is an end view of mandrel 70.
FIG. 31 also illustrates a mandrel 72 which is similar to mandrel 62 of FIG. 21 except that mandrel 72 is adapted for use with a friction grip hand piece (not illustrated). The mandrel 72 is designed for use with straight end cutting tube pins 3, 4, 5 and 7, shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 34 is an end view of mandrel 72.
FIG. 32 illustrates a mandrel 74 which is similar to mandrel, 64 of FIG. 22 except that mandrel 74 is adapted for use with a friction grip hand piece (not illustrated). The mandrel 74 is designed to be used with end cutting tube pins having both flanges and a bellied portion. FIG. 35 is an end view of mandrel 74.
The typical assembly of the foregoing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 10 shows a dental hand piece 76 into which mandrel 62 is placed. Bushing 66 may be placed inside of mandrel 62 but the use of a bushing is optional. An end cutting tube pin 4 is then inserted into mandrel 62 for use. After the pin 4 has been positioned in the tooth, a reinforcing rod 8 or 12 may be inserted into the tube pin 4, at the discretion of the dentist depending upon whether or not it is necessary.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tooth is prepared in the usual manner including the removal of all carious lesions and undermined enamel, which could possibly entail removal of all cusp and large portions of the crown 2 of the tooth. An end cutting tube pin 4 is then placed to a depth of 2 millimeters into the dentin 6 approximately one-half millimeter pulpal of the cementoenamel junction 18. After placing the pin or pins 4 into the tooth structure reinforcing rods 8 or 10 may be inserted in the tube pin 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tooth is then restored using standard procedures and materials as shown in FIG. 2. If the restoration is amalgam, then a silver plated end cutting tube pin 4 for metallic bonding is used. If the restoration 20 is a resin or composite, then a resin coated tube pin 4 is used for chemical bonding of the materials.
The end cutting tube pins and pin mandrels may be made of any hard non-corrosive metal. The bushings may be made of any soft non-corrosive metal, or teflon or plastic. The reinforcing rod may be made of any durable non-corrosive metal.
Dental Pin Dispenser FIG. 36 shows the dental pin dispenser 80 as a complete assembly, which may be used to dispense any one of the types of dental pins disclosed in this invention. FIG. 37 shows the dental pin dispenser disassembled into its three major components: the main housing 82, the pin cartridge 84 and the pin activator 86.
FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate the main housing 82 for the pin dispenser 80 (shown in FIG. 36). Referring to FIG. 39, the main housing 82 is an elongated hollow tube and has a piston assembly 88 positioned thereon at one end of the housing 82. The piston assembly 88 has a pin piston 90 which is a metal rod that causes a pin to be dispensed. The pin is dispensed downwardly through slot 91 of piston bushing 92 which cooperates with the piston 90 and has a passageway which is dimensioned to allow a pin to pass through the passageway 85. The dental pin remains at all times in a vertical position. While in vertical position, the pin moves horizontally through passageway 85 and vertically down through slot 91.
A lever arm 94 is connected to the pin piston 90. The lever arm 94 is activated by finger pressure downwardly to cause the piston to lift and allow a pin to be placed in bushing 92. A pinion 96 cooperates in the rotation of the lever arm 94 and the pin piston 90. A leaf spring 98 is connected to the lever arm 94 and maintains the pin piston 90 in a locked configuration at times when the lever arm 94 is not activated to prevent a pin from protruding through bushing 92. The housing 82 has a base slot 83 positioned at the opposite end from the piston assembly 88 which slot 83 engages a spring lock 112 of the pin activator 86 shown in FIG. 46.
FIG. 40 shows an end view of the main housing 82 along the lines A-A of FIG. 38. FIG. 41 shows an end view of the main housing 82 along the lines BB of FIG. 38.
FIG. 42 shows the pin cartridge 84 which is an elongated structure that can be adjusted to different sizes to accommodate the desired size pin. FIG. 42 shows a top view of cartridge 84. FIG. 43 shows a side view of cartridge 84. FIG. 44 shows an end view of cartridge 84. The dental pins are placed in a vertical position within cartridge 84 and move horizontally along cartridge channel 87.
FIG. 45 illustrates the pin activator 86. Cap 102 retains the pin activator 86 in the main housing 82. The expansion spring 106 maintains pressure against the cap 102 and against the pin controller 108. The spring rod 104 is used to stabilize and guide the expansion spring 106 and the spring rod 104 is calibrated in order to reflect the number of pins left in the cartridge 84 of the pin dispenser 80. (See FIG. 36) The pin controller 108 fits in the two elongated vertical arms 110 of the pin cartridge 84 shown in FIG. 44.
Referring to FIGS. 46 and 48, there is a spring lock 112 which prevents the pin activator 86 from forcing itself out of the housing 82. The spring lock 112 is an appendage from cap 102 which fits into the base slot 83 of the housing 82 shown in FIG. 39.
Referring to FIGS. 46 and 49, a spring washer 114 is attached to the pin controller 108. Referring to FIG. 49, the slot positioner 116 is used to maintain the proper position of the pins in the pin cartridge 84. The slot positioner 116 is used in conjunction with the pin controller 108 and is either an integral part of the pin controller 108 or is attached to the pin controller 108. Referring to FIG. 50, which shows a crosssectional view of FIG. 48 along the lines CC, there is a bore 117 in cap 102 through which the spring rod 104 (shown in FIGS. 45, 47 and 36) may protrude.
Referring to FIG. 37, dental pins are loaded into cartridge 84. Then the cartridge 84 is inserted into housing 82, after which activator 86 is positioned and locked in housing 82. With reference to the position of the cartridge 84 as shown in FIG. 37, when the pins are within cartridge 84 they move in a direction from left to right within cartridge 84. The pins are ejected from the pin dispenser by the activation of piston assembly 88.
In the foregoing description, the invention has been described in reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the broader scopeand spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.
What is claimed is:
1. An end cutting dental pin which combines cutting and structural elements for use in the reconstruction of a mutilated tooth, the dental pin being adapted sequentially to cut the tooth material of the remaining portion of a mutilated tooth and thereafter to become permanently embedded in and retained as a structural element of the reconstructed tooth, the pin being further adapted for insertion into the remaining portion of a mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel, and comprising a cylindrical structural element which integrally includes:
a. a plurality of passagewqys through the cylindrical structural element for the retention of restorative material;
b. cutting blades disposed at one end of the cylindrical element, the cutting blades being adapted for cutting a hole in tooth material in the shape and size sufficient to allow the penetration of the pin into the mutilated tooth; and
c. engagement means upon the cylindrical element to allow the temporary engagement of the element with a pin mandrel during the cutting of a hole by the blades and the penetration of the pin into the tooth material.
2. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed, the dental pin being adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel and comprising:
a. a straight tube-like cylindrical structural element adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth, the cylindrical element including a slot in the upper portion thereof, the slot being adapted for engagement of the pin mandrel when the pin is inserted in the mandrel, the cylindrical element further including internal threads in the upper portion of the cylindrical element, said threads being adapted to receive a threaded reinforcing rod; and
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material, the blades being included in the cylindrical element and being disposed at the end of the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel.
3. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed, the dental pin being adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel and comprising:
a. a tube-like cylindrical structural element adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth, the tube-like cylindrical structural element further including a bellied portion consisting of a round ball-like protuberance at approximately the midpoint along the length thereof; and
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material, the blades being included in the cylindrical element and being disposed at the end of the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel.
4. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed, the dental pin being adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel and comprising:
a. a tube-like cylindrical structural element adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth, the tube-like cylindrical element including:
i. a slot in the upper portion of the element which is adapted for engagement of a pin mandrel when the pin is subsequently inserted into the mandrel;
ii. a flange positioned at approximately the midpoint along the length of the cylindrical element; and
iii. internal threads in the upper portion of the tube-like cylindrical element, said threads therein being adapted to receive a threaded reinforcing rod; and
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material, the blades being included in the cylindrical element and being disposed at the end of the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel.
5. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements, the dental pin being adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed, the dental pin further being adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel and comprising:
a. a tube-like cylindrical structural element adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth;
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material, the blades being included in the cylindrical element and being disposed at the end of the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel;
c. a slot in the upper portion of the cylidrical element which slot is a apted for engagement of a pin mandrel when the dental pin is inserted into the mandrel; and
d. a bellied portion consisting of a round ball-like protuberance at approximately the midpoint along the length of the cylindrical element.
6. A dental pin according to claim and further including a notch at the bottom of the slot in the upper portion of the dental pin, said notch being adapted for engagement of the pin mandrel when the dental pin is subsequently inserted in the mandrel.
7. A dental pin according to claim 5 and further including internal threads in the upper portion of the pin, said threads being adapted to receive a threaded reinforcing rod.
8. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements, the dental pin being adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed and being further adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel and comprising: l
a. a tube-like cylindrical structural element adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth, the cylindrical structural element including therein, a separately formed reinforcing rod adapted to be inserted in the upper portion of the cylindrical structural element after said cylindrical structural element is inserted in the tooth; and
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material, the blades being included in the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel.
9. A dental pin according to claim 8 in which the reinforcing rod extends beyond the end of the upper portion of the cylindrical element.
10. A dental pin according to claim 9 wherein the portion of the reinforcing rod which extends beyond the upper portion of the cylindrical element is L- shaped.
11. A dental pin according to claim 9 wherein the portion of the reinforcing rod which extends beyond the upper portion of the cylindrical element is T- shaped.
12. A dental pin according to claim 9 wherein the portion of the reinforcing rod which extends beyond the upper portion of the cylindrical element is eyeletshaped.
13. A dental pin combining cutting and structural elements, the dental pin being adapted to be embedded in the structure of a mutilated tooth which is reconstructed and being further adapted for insertion in the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel, and comprising:
a. a tube-like cylindrical structural element having internal threads in the upper portion thereof and being adapted for reception into a mutilated tooth and retention in a reconstructed tooth,
b. cutting blades adapted for cutting tooth material comprising a multiplicity of vertically disposed cutting edges, the blades being included in the lower portion of the cylindrical element which is driven into the mutilated tooth by the use of a pin mandrel; and
c. a separately formed externally threaded reinforcing rod having threads corresponding to the internal threads of the upper portion of the cylindrical element which is received into the tooth, the reinforcing rod being adapted to be engaged into the cylindrical element after the cylindrical element is first inserted and secured in the tooth. |
US-3874082-A | Tooth treatment method | United States Patent [191 Stein Apr. 1, 1975 1 TOOTH TREATMENT METHOD [76] inventor: Lewis Stein, 147-34 Village Rd.,
Jamaica, NY. 11435 [22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 366,668
[52] U.S. Cl. 32/15 [51] Int. Cl A6lk 5/02 [58] Field of Search 32/1, 15, 57; 106/6, 35;
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,884,925 5/1959 Meynier, Jr 128/285 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner.1. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carlos Nieves [57] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure TOOTH TREATMENT METHOD The present invention relates to dental methods for maintaining teeth, and in particular to a way of treating teeth having infected pulps.
Currently, teeth having infected pulps are treated according to a method known as root canal. Typically, the root canal method includes the steps of drilling through the enamel and dentin of a tooth until the pulp cavity is reached, removing the infected pulp (debride ment), eliminating the infection, enlarging the root canal, test scaling the root canal, and permanently sealing the root canal. In cases involving infected pulps, nonvital teeth, and acute and chronic periapical areas, after debridement, it is preferred that the canal be kept, temporarily, unsealed to avoid the pain and swelling which frequently accompanies teeth sealed prematurely. Generally, in an unsealed tooth the canal is left completely vacant or a piece of cotton is introduced into it. Both alternatives are precarious in that if the cotton in a tooth is compressed, for example, by food, it impedes or completely stops gaseous and liquid drainage from the tooth, thereby preventing resolution of the infection. Further, in such cases a patient is usually subjected to prolonged antibiotic treatment and/or to a plurality of different antibiotics. The latter is particularly common when teeth in the mandibular premolar region are concerned. On the other hand, if the cotton fallsout or if the canal of the tooth is left vacant, food generally finds its way into the cavity and is packed therein. The packed food causes objectionable tastes, foul odors, supplies bacteria to the periapical region, and is generally accompanied by the drawbacks described above with regard to the compressed cotton. In addition, most patients suffer mentally when told that their tooth must be kept open until its infection is resolved.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a favorable environment for the resolution of an infection in a tooth.
It is another object of the present invention to reduce the time required to heal an infected tooth.
It is still another object of the present invention to eliminate discomforts and obnoxious characteristics associated with infected teeth.
The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tooth whose pulp has been replaced with a permeable and resilient material.
In a dental method, according to the invention, after access and debridement of an infected tooth (see FIG. 1) a permeable and resilient material 11 is inserted, for example, with a college pliers into the access section of the resulting cavity 12. The material, because it is permeable, permits pus and serous exudate to drain from the tooth while preventing the passage of food particles through the material 11 and into the cavity 12. Further, since the material 11 is resilient, if it is cut so that it is larger than the access section of the cavity. when it is inserted into the access section its surface 13 is biased against the wall 14 of the cavity and prevents the passage of food particles along the wall 14 of the cavity. With the material inserted in the cavity, if food is pressed against its exposed surface 15, for example, during mastication by the patient having the infected tooth, the material yields temporarily and, because of its resiliency, pushes the food away when the pressure on the food is released. Thus, food does not tend to compress the material. In addition, since the material 11 is biased against the wall 14 of the cavity, the frictional force thus created does not allow the material to creep out of the cavity 12 during mastication. As a result, a more favorable environment is provided for resolution of the infection in the tooth.
In order to be suitable for the process described, the material must be inert, non-toxic, and capable of being injested without harming the patient treated. One such material is polyurethane foam. Presently, polyurethane is not produced in sizes small enough to be suitable for the process described. However, larger sizes can be cut into suitable sizes. If desired, before polyurethane foam in a suitable size is inserted into an infected tooth it may be cold sterilized, autoclaved, or boiled to insure cleanliness. Alternatively, manufacturers of polyurethane foam can produce it in a size or set of sizes and ship it to a dentist sterilized and in suitable containers, thereby eliminating the need for sterilization by the dentist.
Experiments with polyurethane have shown that foam having a density of about six pounds per cubic foot and a pore size of about 0.20 millimeters is particularly useful because it is not readily compressed by food during mastication and the pores permit drainage. In conducting the experiments, the foam was cut so as to be larger than the section of the cavity into which it was to be inserted, but not so large as to collapse the pores of the foam when in an expanded state in the cavity.
With stubborn infections, the material can be removed to expose the cavity for treatment and after such treatment the cavity can be filled again with another piece of material. After resolution of the infection, a permanent seal may be inserted into the cavity.
Although polyurethane foam has been described as a particularly useful material for treating infected teeth, its usefulness is due to the fact that it is nontoxic, can be sterilized, can be cut into useful sizes, is resilient, and is permeable with respect to fluids discharged by infected teeth. However, other materials having the same properties may be used as substitutes. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing description has been set forth to illustrate the invention and is not to be construed or interpreted in any way which limits the following claims.
What is claimed is:
l. A method of treating a tooth in a mouth, the tooth having a cavity extending into the tooth from its surface, comprising the step of lodging a permeable, resilient, and physiologically inactive material in the cavity, whereby fluid can flow from the cavity through the material and the material prevents food particles in the mouth from flowing in the opposite direction.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said lodging is accomplished by compressing the material, inserting the compressed material into the cavity, and releasing the material, thereby permitting the material to expand into engagement with at least an annular section of the'wall of the cavity.
3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said material is polyurethane foam.
4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said polythe steps of removing the material and permanently urethane foam is of the type having a density which is sealing the cavity. substantially 6 pounds per cubic foot and has pores 6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said matewith average diameters of 0.2 millimeters. rial is polyurethane foam.
5. A method as defined in claim 2 further including |
US-3874083-A | Adjustable nozzle dental syringe with pull-back valve | United States Patent Buckley ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE DENTAL SYRINGE WITH PULL-BACK VALVE Apr. 1, 1975 Primary E.\'aminerRobert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhillips, Moore, Weissenberger Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT A dental syringe connectable to sources of air and water under pressure for selectively providing a solid stream of water, a spray of water and air or a jet of air is described. An adjustable nozzle capable of varying the diameter of the stream of water without change in the water pressure at the orifice of the nozzle is disclosed The syringe includes a valve for controlling the stream of water, which valve provides a pull-back action with respect to the water at the orifice of the syringe when the water flow is interrupted.
5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE DENTAL SYRINGE WITH PULL-BACK VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to means for forming and controlling streams or jets of fluids or mixtures of fluids in space and more particularly to a syringe capable of selectively providing a solid stream of water, a spray of water and air or a jet of dry air.
One of the instruments used by a dentist in the practice of his profession is a so called three-way dental syringe." Such a syringe is a hand held instrument connected to sources of air and water under pressure by appropriate tubing. The syringe includes air and water valves designed and positioned to enable them to be operated either independently or simultaneously by a digit or digits of the hand in which the syringe is held. The air and water orifices of the syringe are so located with respect to each other that the simultaneous operation of the air and water valves will produce a spray of water droplets.
In the practice of his profession, a dentist must often flush out the oral cavity or specific portions thereof with water. The dentist must also thoroughly dry specific portions of the oral cavity or of specific teeth in the performance of certain dental procedures. Thus, the three-way dental syringe provides a convenient instrument capable of providing a spray of water or a solid stream of water for flushing purposes or a jet of dry air for drying purposes.
However, three-way dental syringes of the prior art have not provided adequate control over the rate at which water is delivered when the water valve of the instrument is actuated. Such valves, by their nature,
tend to be on/off" devices and it would be difficult and expensive to design such a valve capable of varying degrees of actuation in use in order to provide control over the rate at which water is delivered by the syringe. Thus, in the prior art, such control has been provided by adjusting, at the source, the pressure of water supplied to the syringe. It will be understood that, whether the rate at which water is delivered is controlled by partial actuation of the valve or by adjustment of the water pressure at the source, the net result will be to change the water pressure at the orifice of the syringe and thus the characteristics of the stream of water issuing from the syringe. In other words, the stream of water issuing from the syringe will tend to be weak and ineffective at low rates of delivery.
It is an object of this invention to provide an adjustable nozzle for a dental syringe or the like which will enable the rate of delivery of water thereby to be reduced without reducing the effectiveness of the stream of water issuing therefrom.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an adjustable nozzle for a dental syringe or the like capable of providing a solid stream of water of varying diameter without change in the water pressure at the orifice of the nozzle.
It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable nozzle for a dental syringe or the like which is inexpensive to fabricate and convenient to use.
When the dentist wishes to use the three-way syringe to dry a portion of the oral cavity in the performance of certain dental procedures, it is necessary that there be no water present adjacent the air orifice of the syringe since such water would tend to be picked up in the jet of air issuing therefrom thus reducing the drying action of the jet of air. Since the water orifice of the syringe must be located adjacent the air orifice in order to provide the spray function of the syringe, it is necessary to provide means for withdrawing water from the water orifice when the flow of water is interrupted.
In the prior art, various methods and means have been used to withdraw or pull-back the water which would otherwise remain present at the water orifice of the syringe when activation of the water valve is discontinued. However. such methods and means have been complicated, expensive or relatively ineffective.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a water valve for a dental syringe or the like which is designed to perform the pull-back function of withdrawing water from the downstream side of the conduit in which it is interposed.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a water valve for a dental syringe or the like which is inexpensive to fabricate and convenient to operate and which provides the pull-back function automatically upon deactivation thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the teaching of this invention the adjustable nozzle comprises a conduit having one end adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and the other end provided with a surface extending transversely with respect to the axis of said conduit at said other end thereof. A tubular member of elastic material surrounds at least a portion of the orifice of such other end of the conduit coaxially therewith and a tubular compression member surrounds the tubular member of elastic material. One end of the tubular compression member is mounted on the conduit for axial movement with respect thereto and the tubular compression member terminates in an inwardly extending flange at its other end adapted to compressively contact the other end of the tubular member of elastic material. Thus, axial movement of the tubular compression member with respect to the conduit will subject the tubular member of elastic material to varying amounts of compression thereby changing the inner diameter thereof and the diameter of the fluid stream that will issue therefrom upon actuation of the fluid control valve interposed in such conduit between its ends. According to this invention such valve comprises a body having an elongated cavity therein with inlet means at one end of the cavity communicating with one end of the conduit and outlet means spaced along the cavity from the inlet means and from the other end of the cavity communicating with the other end of the conduit. A valve means extends across the cavity between the inlet means and the outlet means and is adapted to interrupt fluid communication therebetween The valve means includes a plunger having dimensions to slidably fit the cavity, the plunger being located adjacent the outlet means when the valve is actuated and adjacent the inlet means when the valve is not actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING This invention together with its objects and advantageous features will be more fully understood from a reading of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view partially in elevation and partially in section of a dental syringe embodying this invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the valves thereof;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in crosssection of the nozzle of the dental syringe of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in crosssection of the water valve structure of the dental syringe of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 a three-way dental syringe including a nozzle and valve according to the teaching of this invention is shown. The syringe comprises a handle portion 11 and a tip portion 12 interconnected by a valve body portion 13.
In the embodiment shown the handle portion 11 of the syringe 10 comprises a hollow tubular member dimensioned to provide a convenient grip for the human hand and may be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal, for example. A pair of suitable tubes or hoses 14 and 15 extend through the hollow handle 11 and are connected to nipples 16 and 17 on the valve body portion 13. According to this embodiment of the invention one of the tubes 15 is connected to a source of water under pressure (not shown) and the other of the tubes 14 is connected to a source of air under pressure (not shown).
The tip 11 of the syringe comprises a pair of rigid coaxial tubes mounted at one end on the valve body 13 and extending transversely of the axis of the handle 12. The outer one 18 of the coaxial tubes of the tip 11 provides a conduit for air under pressure and the inner one 19 of the coaxial tubes provides a separate conduit for water under pressure.
As shown in FIG. 1 a valve mechanism 21 is installed in a cavity 23 in the valve body 13 with the control button 25 thereof projecting from the valve body 13. Passageways 27 and 29 formed in the valve body 13 communicate with the cavity 23 at spaced points and interconnect the inner tube 19 of the tip 11 with the nipple 17 through the cavity 23 to form a continuous conduit with the valve mechanism interposed between the ends thereof.
Referring to FIG. 2, it will be understood that a second valve mechanism (not shown) is installed in a second cavity in the valve body 13 with the control button 26 thereof projecting from the valve body 13 adjacent the control button 25. Appropriate passageways (not shown) formed in valve body 13 and communicating with the second cavity interconnect the outer tube 18 of the tip 11 with the nipple 16 through the second cavity to form a second continuous conduit with the second valve mechanism interposed between the ends thereof.
Thus, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the handle portion 12 of the syringe 10 may be held in the palm of the hand of the operator by his fingers with the tip portion 11 of the syringe pointing away from the operator in the manner of a pistol. The thumb of the hand of the operator will thus be in an appropriate position to operate the control buttons 25 and 26 projecting from the valve body portion 13 of the syringe.
When control button 25 is pressed down by the thumb of the operator a solid stream of water will be projected from the nozzle 30 at the free end of the tip 11 and when the control button 26 is pressed down by the thumb of the operator a jet of air will be projected from the nozzle 30 at the free end of the tip 11. Since the control buttons 25 and 26 are located adjacent each other, it is also convenient for the operator to press both of such buttons down simultaneously with his thumb, in which case both water and air are projected from the nozzle 30 at the free end of the tip 11 in the form of a spray.
Referring to FIG. 3 a nozzle 30 according to the teaching of this invention is shown in enlarged cross section mounted on the free end of the tip 11 and in fluid flow communication with the tubes 18 and 19. According to this embodiment of the invention the nozzle 30 comprises a tubular inner member 31 rigidly fixed to the free ends of the tubular 18 and 19 and forming an extension of the inner tube 19. The free end of the member 31 is provided with a surface 32 extending transversely of the axis of the conduit formed thereby and provides the orifice from which the stream of water is projected. A tubular member 33 of elastic material is compressively held against the surface 32 on the free end of the member 31 in coaxial alignment therewith by a flange 34 on the free end of an outer tubular compression member 35. The other end 36 of the outer tubular compression member 35 is provided with internal screw threads adapted to engage cooperating exterior screw threads on the free end of the tube 18. Thus, upon rotation of the outer tubular compression member 35, the engagement of the screw threads will cause it to move axially of the inner tubular member 31 to vary the compression force exerted on the tubular elastic member 33 between the flange 34 and surface 32.
It will be seen that when the compressive force exerted axially on the tubular elastic member 33 is increased by proper rotation of the compression member 35 to cause the flange 34 to approach the surface 32, the opening through the tubular elastic member 33 will be reduced by the inward expansion of the walls thereof. Such reduction in the opening through the tubular elastic member 33 will reduce the diameter of the orifice from which the stream of water is projected and will thus reduce the diameter of such stream and the rate of water flow in such stream without change in the pressure of the water in such stream.
It has been found that the nozzle 30 according to the teaching of this invention is most useful in dental procedures since it enables the quantity of water projected into the oral cavity to be reduced without reducing the effectiveness of the stream of water. Thus, for example, an extremely fine stream of water under good pressure may be directed into a small drilling to flush it out without using a sufficient quantity of water to require that the patient empty his mouth. This eliminates the delay involved in waiting for the patient to reposition himself in the chair before the drilling operation is continued. At the same time, the nozzle 30 may be quickly and conveniently readjusted to provide a greater quantity of water flow as required.
As indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3 the inner tubular member 31 is provided with passageways 37 in the wall thereof communicating with the interior of tubular member 18 and with passageways 38 through the wall of the outer tubular compression member 35. The passageways 38, in turn, communicate with the interior of a tubular jacket member 39 which is mounted on the free end of the compression member 35 to provide an annular space thereabout terminating in an annular orifice coaxially surrounding the orifice of the water conduit. Thus, such passageways 37 and 38 and the annular space formed by the jacket member 39 about the free end of the compression member form an extension of the air conduit and the orifice of the air conduit is fixed in its relationship to the orifice of water conduit regardless of axial movement of the compression member 35.
It will be understood that it is necessary that there be no internal communication between the air and water conduits in order to enable a jet of dry air to be provided by the syringe when desired for the purpose of drying a portion of the oral cavity. Thus, an O-ring type sealing member 40 is provided between the inner tubular member 31 and the compression member 35. A set screw 41 passing through the wall of the compression member 35 and received in an annular groove or channel 42 in the exterior surface of the inner tubular member 31 limits the amount of relative axial movement of the compression member 35 with respect to the inner tubular member 31 and can be used to fix the adjustment of the nozzle at some particular setting between the established limits.
Thus, operation of the water valve 21 by pressing down on the button 25 will allow pressurized water from the source to flow through the tube and the conduit formed by the nipple 17, passageways 27 and 29, cavity 23 and inner tube 19 of tip 11, which water will be projected from the free end of the tip in a stream. The diameter of the projected stream will be established by the setting of the nozzle 30 as described above. When the button 25 is released the valve 21 will cut off the flow of water. However, the inner tube 19 of the tip 11 would tend to remain full of water and a large drop of water will tend to form at the orifice of the inner tube 19 if it were not for the novel features of the valve 2] according to the teaching of this invention.
It will be understood that if the inner tube 19 remain completely full of water, and more particularly if a drop of water should form at the end of the tube 19, then such water will tend to be picked up in the air jet projected from the tip 11 by subsequently pressing down on the button 26 to actuate the air valve. This is highly undesirable since it will tend to spray water directly on the area which it is desired to dry by means of the air et.
Thus, according to this invention the valve 21 functions to withdraw or pull-back the water that would otherwise remain in the tube 19 when the button 25 is released. Referring to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the passageways 27 and 29 communicate with the cavity 23 at points Spaced from each other along the axis of the cavity 23 and that the actual valve means of valve 21 is interposed across the cavity 23 between such points. The valve means includes a plunger 43 and an O-ring 44. The O-ring 44 is held tightly against the outer wall of the cavity 23 and the plunger 43 is provided with a conical surface dimensioned to compressively contact the inner periphery of the O-ring 44 when the valve 21 is in its off position as shown in FIG. 4. The plunger 43 6 is also dimensioned to fit within the cavity 23 with fairly close tolerance and is connected to the button 25 by a shaft 45 received through a bushing 46, which bushing is fixed in the cavity 23 with its inner end in compressive contact with the O-ring 44 by means of a wedging screw 47. A spring means 48 is mounted between the other end of the bushing 46 and the button 25 to bias the valve 21 to its off position. Further O-rings 49 and 50 are interposed between the bushing 46 and the cavity wall and between the bushing 46 and the shaft 45, respectively, in order to make the valve structure fully water right. An appropriate passageway 51 through the bushing 46 provides direct communication between the passageway 27 and the interior of O-ring 44.
Thus, when the button 25 is pressed down the spring means 48 will be compressed and the shaft will slide axially in the bushing 46 causing the plunger 43 to be moved axially away from compresson contact with the O-ring 44. Water will then flow from nipple 17 through passageway 27 into cavity 23 where it will pass through the passageway 51 and thus through the O-ring 44 and along the conical surface of the plunger 43 into the passageway 29 and from there into the tube 19 of the tip 1 l.
The axial movement of the plunger 43 is sufficient to cause the body thereof to be located at a point in the cavity 23 adjacent the passageway 29 thereby enabling direct communication between passageways 27 and 29 through the valve means when the button 25 is fully depressed. When the button 25 is released, the axial movement of the plunger 43 by the spring means 48 back past the passageway 29 and into compressive contact with the O-ring 44 will tend to withdraw or pull-back water from the passageway 29 and tube 19 of tip 11. The clearance between the plunger 43 and walls of cavity 23 in relation to the volume of the cavity 23 through which the body of the plunger 43 is moved will determine the amount of water withdrawn or pulled back from the tip 1 1 and is preferably adjusted to withdraw only that amount of water necessary to insure that, when the valve is in its off position, no water is present at the orifice of the tip 11 that can be picked up in the jet of dry air issuing from the tip 11 when the air system is actuated.
Although this invention has been described as applied to a syringe for projecting and controlling a stream of water and a jet of air in space, it will be understood that other fluids could be substituted for the water and air. It is believed that those skilled in the art will find other applications for this invention and that they will make obvious changes in the specific embodiment described herein without departing from the teaching of this invention.
What is claimed is:
l. A dental syringe including a handle portion and a tip portion interconnected by a valve body portion and comprising:
a. liquid conduit means extending through said syringe from an inlet in said handle portion to an outlet at the free end of said tip portion;
b. liquid control means in said valve body portion interposed in said liquid conduit between said inlet and outlet thereof;
c. gas conduit means extending through said syringe independently of said liquid conduit means from an inlet in said handle portion to an outlet at the free end of said tip portion;
d. gas control means in said valve body portion interposed in said gas conduit between said inlet and outlet thereof;
e. nozzle means at the free end of said tip portion communicating with said outlets of both said liquid conduit and said gas conduit; said nozzle means including means providing an orifice of adjustable diameter at said outlet of said liquid conduit, means providing a fixed orifice at said outlet of said gas conduit, and means for adjusting the diameter of said orifice at said outlet of said liquid conduit without change in said fixed orifice at said outlet of said gas conduit and without substantial change in the relationship of said fixed orifice to said adjustable orifice.
2. A dental syringe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said liquid control means and said gas control means are arranged with respect to each other to enable both to be actuated simultaneously by a single digit of the hand of an operator thereof.
3. A dental syringe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle means comprises:
a. a tubular member of elastic material coaxial with the terminal portion of said liquid conduit at said free end of said tip and surrounding said outlet of said liquid conduit with one end of said tubular member in abutment with the end of said liquid conduit to provide said orifice of adjustable diameter at said outlet of said liquid conduit; and
b. a tubular member of rigid material having an annular passageway extending coaxially within the wall thereof from one end toward the other end thereof and aperture means at said other end thereof for communication with said outlet of said gas conduit to provide said fixed orifice of said gas conduit in annular form at said one end of said tubular member of rigid material; and
c. said tubular member of rigid material coaxially surrounding the outlet portion of said liquid conduit including said tubular member of elastic material, said tubular member of rigid material being provided with annular compression means internally at said one end thereof for abutment with the other end of said tubular member of elastic material and said other end of said tubular member of rigid material being mounted on said liquid conduit for selective axial movement with respect to said liquid conduit to provide said means for adjusting the diameter of said orifice at said outlet of said liquid conduit by axial compression of said tubular member of elastic material.
4. A dental syringe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said liquid control means comprises an elongated cavity,
first aperture means at one end of said elongated cavity communicating with said inlet of said liquid conduit, second aperture means spaced along said cavity from both said first aperture means and the other end of said elongated cavity communicating with said outlet of said liquid conduit, and valve means extending across said cavity intermediate said first aperture means and said second aperture means adapted to selectively interrupt fluid communication between said first aperture means and said second aperture means, said valve means including a plunger having transverse dimensions which slidably fit the transverse dimensions of said elongated cavity, said plunger being located adjacent said second aperture means when said valve means is actuated and being biased to return to a location adjacent said first aperture means when said valve means is not actuated. whereby a reduced pressure is provided in said other end of said elongated cavity to withdraw fluid from said outlet of said liquid conduit.
5. In a dental syringe comprising a handle portion and a tip portion interconnected by a valve body portion;
a. liquid conduit means extending through said syringe from an inlet in said handle portion to an outlet at the free end of said tip portion;
b. liquid control means in said valve body interposed in said liquid conduit between the inlet and outlet thereof; said control means comprising an elongated cavity in said valve body, said inlet of said conduit communicating with said cavity through a first aperture at one end thereof, said outlet of said conduit communicating with said cavity through a second aperture spaced along said cavity from both said first aperture and the other end of said elongated cavity and a valve means extending across said elongated cavity intermediate said first and second apertures adapted to selectively interrupt liquid communication between said inlet and said outlet of said conduit, said valve means including a plunger having transverse dimensions which slidably fit the transverse dimensions of said elongated cavity, said plunger being located adjacent said second aperture when said valve is actuated and being spring biased to return to a location adjacent said first aperture when said valve means is not actuated, whereby a reduced pressure is provided in said other end of said elongated cavity to withdraw liquid from said outlet of said conduit;
c. gas conduit means extending through said syringe independently of said liquid conduit means from an inlet in said handle to an outlet at the free end of said tip portion, at least a portion of said gas conduit at the outlet thereof coaxially surrounding a portion of said liquid conduit at said outlet of said liquid conduit; and gas control means in said valve body portion interposed in said gas conduit between said inlet and outlet thereof. |
US-3874084-A | Prescription tooth-cleansing and gingival therapeutic device | United States Patent Cole [ Apr. 1, 1975 1 PRESCRIPTION TOOTH-CLEANSING AND GINGIVAL THERAPEUTIC DEVICE William Lloyd Cole, Hollywood, Fla.
[73] Assignee: Orville N. Greene, New York, NY.
; a part interest 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 422,179
[75] Inventor:
Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Allorney, Agent, or Firm-Greene & Durr [57] ABSTRACT A prescription fitted unitary tooth-cleansing and gingival therapeutic device is disclosed which is fabricated from study models taken by a dentist of a patients individual dentition. The device of the invention includes opposed channels which are formed integrally with a common handle. Each channel is bent into an arcuate shape so as to form an arch which conforms to the exact shape of the teeth and adjacent structures. In addition, the interior of each channel, which is formed of an elastic plastic material, is molded to closely conform to the contour of the teeth and adjacent soft tissue structures of the person utilizing the device. In the interior channel portion of the device are positioned, in two sections, a plurality of bristles or similar projections, which extend generally in a perpendicular direction from the inner walls of the channels. The material of said channels is sufficiently elastic so that when the person chews into the upper and lower channels with his teeth, the projections effectively and exactly clean food particles and bacteria from every surface of every tooth except the interproximal contact areas and interdental C01, and in addition, the device cleanses the area between the teeth and gums known as the Gingival Crevice while also properly massaging and stimulating the Free Marginal Gingival, by reason of the fact that it is provided with ledges beyond the several gingival lines to permit compression of the gingiva.
8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 I975 CIOW/V %4 WWI/T AW NW 5 WW Z i PRESCRIPTION TOOTH-CLEANSING AND GINGIYAL THERAPEUTIC DEVICE This invention relates to a custom unitary toothcleansing and Gingival therapeutic device, which can be positioned in the mouth of a user and which, when chewed upon, is operable not only to clean the teeth but also the Gingival Crevice and massage the Free Marginal Gingiva.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In 1780, the first toothbrush was produced by William Addis, which, although crude, was essentially like the toothbrushes of today. It had a bone handle and the bristles or hairs thereof were drawn into holes bored in the head and secured with wires. This toothbrush or others similar thereto have been used by millions of people concerned with dental hygiene. However, in order to attempt to clean teeth and prevent both cavities and peridontal disease, the cleaning of teeth by a typical toothbrush has proven to be less than adequate. This is due in a large measure to the difficulty of reaching the many surface areas of the teeth. It is known, for example, that each tooth has generally five surfaces, and that there are 32 adult teeth in the mouth (if none have been extracted), with some surfaces of the teeth being, for all practical purposes, inaccessible to an ordinary toothbrush. Examples of difficult-to-reach areas of the teeth and gums are the fine crevices at the depths of the tiny hilly projections on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which crevices are called fissures, the contact points where adjacent teeth touch each other and the crevice between the tooth and the gum edge where the teeth leave the gum, which area is called the Gingival Crevice. It is in these areas that much of the tooth decay and Peridontal disease initiates, and which are not reached by the typical toothbrush utilized today.
Thus, it has been reported that expert use of a toothbrush can remove bacteria and foreign particles from approximately 85 percent of the surface of the teeth with little gum massage. However, it is in this 85 percent area where only percent of dental diseases originate. The other 15 percent of the teeth which are typically missed is where 85 percent of all dental diseases occur. Accordingly, present usage of a customary toothbrush has proven to be less than adequate in providing protection for both teeth and gums.
Other devices have been untilized, such as dental floss and toothpieks, in combination with a toothbrush to attempt to provide adequate cleaning of the teeth. Dental floss aids in cleaning the contact points between the teeth, but it is not capable of cleaning the remaining portions of the teeth and is less than adequate in providing gum massage to the Free Marginal Gingiva. Toothpicks can be utilized to clean foreign particles fromm between the teeth and around the gums, but once again, cannot be utilized to clean the Gingival Crevice and clean bacteria and other minute particles from the many surfaces of the teeth.
More recent developments have included power toothbrushes which provide a rapid back and forth oseillating movement of the bristles thereof. The toothbrushes have not been proven to clean teeth in a more efficient manner than manually operated toothbrushes, nor have they been shown to provide for gum massage in and around the gingival crevice, which massaging is important in preventing Peridontal disease. In addition, power toothbrushes have not been able to clean the contact points between the teeth and reach the small crevices on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Accordingly, these power toothbrushes have also not solved the problems of providing an adequate and consistent means for brushing and massaging teeth and gums.
Hydraulic teeth cleaning devices have been developed which foree jets of water against the teeth and gums. These cleaning devices are adequate for cleaning particles between the teeth and under bridges, but they require unnatural skill on the part of the person utilizing them.
Applicant is also aware of the fact that single or double channel brush devices have been devised for brushing all or a large portion of the teeth simultaneously. Such devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,874 of Bauer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,192 of Sevenson, and British Pat. No. 546,136 (dated June 30, 1942).
Generally speaking, the devices of these patents (1) do not allow for the fact that each and every mouth is different and a standard mass-produced brush will not fit all mouths, (2) do not provide for the cleansing of the gingival crevice and the stimulation of the marginal gingiva, and (3) can do harm to tender tissues especially in the event that the user has one or more missing teeth where tender tissues are exposed. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a custom prescription, tooth-cleansing and gum massaging device made on an exact mold of an individual patients mouth obtained by the dentist through one of several standard impression taking techniques, which therefore closely conforms to and therefore properly cleans substantially the entire surface area of every tooth of user, which cleans the area of the gingival crevice and which compresses and releases and thereby massages the free marginal gingiva without requiring any degree of manual dexterity.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the process of the invention therefore, a dentist takes an exact impression of the dentition and adjacent soft tissues of a prospective owner of such a cleaning device. The impression will be poured in a suitable stone or plastic material and will duplicate every exposed surface of said dentition and include the Marginal Gingivae and a portion of the tissue lateral to and surrounding the gingival crevice. A mold is made from the dentition and an elastomeric replica of the original impression is made from the mold. The bristles or protuberances are then inserted in the elastomeric replica. If desired, the mold may be altered, e.g., by forming small holes therein, which will then appear as protuberances on the elastomeric relica made from the altered mold.
Accordingly, the invention relates to a unitary toothcleansing and gum massaging device made of resilient material so that it can be chewed-on, and having a pair of oppositely directed channels, each of which has a U- shaped configuration to conform to the exact shape of the individual dentition and preferably to the adjacent soft tissue structures. Each side of each channel comprises two distinct areas which have different objectives and functions. The first said area conforms to the adjacent clinical crown areas of the teeth. Scrubbing projections comprising bristles, nipples, or soft abrasive structure are provided on said first areas, the bristles or projections preferably extending generally in the perpendicular direction with respect to the facial, lingual, interproximal and occlusal surface of the teeth respectively. Thus, the entire clinical crown areas of all the teeth are cleaned by making the walls of the channels correspond exactly to the clinical crown areas. The second area of each side of the channels begins with an un dulating line corresponding approximately to the line projected on the clinical crown by the unattached gingival tissue, known as the Free Marginal Gingiva, and has a separate and distinct non-abrasive ridge. This undulating line on the walls of the channels will be called the gingival line. A series of bristles or bristle clusters or similar cleansing projections is provided adjacent to or on the gingival line, for cleansing the gingival crevice when the Free Marginal Gingive is compressed and released by the chewing operation. Beyond the gingival line, the non-abrasive ridge may be flattened out somewhat from a snug fit so as to accommodate the slight lateral expansion of the free marginal gingiva which occurs when the latter is compressed by the gingival line during chewing. Thus, when the device is positioned in the users mouth, and chewed upon, said first areas of the channels cleans the surfaces of the clinical crown of every tooth while said second areas cleanses the area between each tooth and the unattached gingiva and at the same time said second areas compress and release said unattached gingiva to stimulate and massage the same. This is accomplished without any degree of manual dexterity and without harming the gingival tissue, only because the said channels have been prescription molded to the exact form of the users dentition and adjacent soft tissues. The free marginal gingiva is substantially uniformly compressed to about ().52mm, during chewing, by the device of the invention and there is no way that a mass produced item could produce this desired effect.
The bristles or ridges or combination thereof of either section of each channel, may be natural or synthetic and may also take the form of protuberances formed integrally with the plastic channels. The bristles or protuberances are not so long that they will be held continuously in collapsed position during chewing. Advantage may be taken of the fact that plastics molded from a melt shrink slightly on cooling so that the channels produced from the impressions made of a persons mouth are still slightly smaller than the actual teeth and will elastically expand on chewing. The walls of the channels are thick enough to form the ridges referred to above, extending away from the gingival lines of the device.
The elastic plastic material forming the channels can be of any elastomeric material which does not have an offensive odor or taste and which is relatively inert with respect to saliva. Suitable materials include the natural and synthetic rubbers, polymers of ethyl vinyl acetate, elastomeric silicone resins, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of this invention which may sometimes be referred to as a chewbrush.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the chewbrush of this invention shown positioned over two opposing teeth before being chewed into.
FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the chewbrush of this invention as it appears over a typical tooth when chewed upon (in a fully closed position).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Refer now to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the tooth-cleaning device of this invention. The device is formed of a pair of integral channels 11 and 12. which are fabricated to conform to the maxillary and mandibular arches, respectively, and to the arcuate arrangement of the teeth and surrounding structures within the mouth of a person utilizing the device. Formed integral with the channels 11 and 12 is an arm 13 which is terminated in a handle 15. Each channel 11 and 12 has inner surfaces of two distinct parts, which are formed by a molding process to l) the contour of the teeth, and (2) to conform approximately to the adjacent structures of the Marginal Gingiva. Accordingly, when the device is positioned in the mouth and the user chews, the entire crown portions of the teeth will fit snugly against the walls of the channels and be cleansed and the unattached gingiva (Free Marginal Gingiva) will be compressed to allow for the cleansing of the gingival crevice and the massaging of the marginal gingiva.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower channels 1 l and 12 of the tooth-cleaning and gingival therapeutic device positioned over opposing teeth. In FIG. 2, the area of the clinical crown, the Free Marginal or unattached gingiva, the epitheliel attachment, the gingival crevice and the peridontal ligament have been labeled.
The gingiva surrounding the clinical crown attaches itself in the healthy mouth to the tooth at a depth ranging from 0.05 to 2 millimeters below the superior position of the marginal gingival thus creating what is known as the gingival crevice. It is through this crevice that bacteria gain entry into the epitheliel attachment and into the peridontal ligament 25, initiating its breakdown, together with assymptomatic and progressive bone destruction. This pathologic progressive asymptomatic destruction of supporting bone is what ultimately challenges the integrity of the tooth structure itself.
It therefore is important that the gingival crevice be cleaned and the marginal gingiva be massaged on a regular basis. Of particular importance is the configuration of the interior channels 11 and i2, which comprises two parts, the main channel portion 32 corresponding to the clinical crown of the tooth, and the ledge portions 33, adapted to fit over the free marginal gingiva adjacent to the gingival crevice. Thus, when the teeth are closed into the device upon chewing, the lower channel is pressed down upon the teeth as best illustrated in FIG. 3. The main channel portion 32 also includes a number of bristles 29 or similar projections, the bases of which may be slightly indented in the surface. The ledge portion 33 is free of bristles, except for a series of bristles 29 right at the gingival line 34.
FIG. 3 shows separate areas 32, 33 and 34 of the channel 12 with area 32 scrubbing the surface of the clinical crown, line 34 and bristles 29 cleansing the gingival crevice and area 33 compressing and massaging the free marginal gingival. Accordingly, it can be seen that by contouring the tooth-cleansing device to the precise shape of the teeth and gums of the user, and by including the ledge portions 33, substantially all areas of l the teeth, and (2) the areas between the teeth and the gums and the unattached gingiva are cleansed and stimulated. By chewing into the device, the projections or bristles of the two separate and distinct areas of each channel move back and forth across the tooth and gums to provide the cleaning and massaging action.
The gingival lines 34, as shown in FIG. 1, are typical and it is readily seen that these lines are undulating rather than straight. Brushes or protuberances positioned along or fairly close to the gingival line will tend to brush particles out of the gingival crevice when one chews in to the device due to the undulating nature of the gingival crevice and to the lateral movement of the jaws during chewing. The channels, although made of elastomeric material, are, nevertheless, of sufficient thickness to require the user to exert some force in order to chew against the same. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ledges 33 of the device have a concavity to fit about the free marginal gingiva and to compress the same without irritation.
The present invention has been illustrated in conjunction with a preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that there may be other equivalent embodiments which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
I claim:
1. A tooth-cleansing device for cleaning and massaging substantially the entire surface of the teeth comprsing:
a molded body of elastomeric material having arcuate lower channels of the curvature of the lower jaws ofthe user and a superposed upper channel of the curvature of the upper jaw of the user,
each of said channels having a central portion substantially conforming to the shapes of the clinical crown portions of the teeth of the user,
each of said channels containing undulating gingival interior ledge portions on each side of the central portion, corresponding to the free marginal gingiva of the teeth of the user, whereby when the user chews upon the device, the Free Marginal Gingiva is compressed and released substantially uniformly along the length thereof.
2. The tooth cleansing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central portions of said channels contain a multiplicity of spaced, cleansing projections extending from the surface thereof.
3. The tooth-cleansing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleansing projections comprise clusters of bristles embedded in the elastomeric material of the channels.
4. The tooth-cleansing and gingival stimulating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lines connecting the gingival ledge portions of said device to the central portion of the channels comprise a series of bristles adapted to extend into the gingival crevices when the ledge portions compress the free marginal gingiva.
5. The tooth-cleansing device as claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, a handle extending from the connecting mass of elastomeric material in the region between the central parts of the arcuate channels.
6. A process of making a chew brush type of tooth cleansing device comprising taking an impression of patients dentition, forming a replica of said impression from elastomeric material comprising upper and lower channels adapted to closely conform to the contour of the teeth in the maxillary and mandibular arches,
said impression taken of the patients dentition including the clinical crown portions of all of the teeth and, in addition, portions of the free marginal gingiva beyond the gingival lines formed between the clinical crown portions of the teeth and the free edges of the gingiva, and providing ledges on the elastomeric replica adjacent at least a portion of the gingival lines whereby said ledges are adapted to substantially uniformly compress the free marginal gingiva of the patient when chewed upon.
7. The process as claimed in claim 6, comprising forming scrubbing projections on those portions of the elastomeric replica corresponding to the clinical crown portions of the teeth whereby to clean the teeth when the chew-brush is chewed upon.
8. The process claimed in claim 6 wherein the ledges are formed as smooth surfaces, except that a line of brushes is formed along said gingival lines. |
US-3874085-A | Pasta gauge | United States Patent 1 1 Atkins [451 Apr. 1, 1975 l l PASTA GAUGE 2 l 1 Appl. No.: 363,274
[52] US. Cl 33/174 T, 33/178 B [5 1] Int. Cl. GOlb 3/34 [58] Field of Search 33/174 T. 174 H, 174 D,
33/178 B, 199 R, 1 F
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.025.255 5/1912 Driver 33/178 B 2.166.650 7/1939 Townsend 33/178 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 525.373 3/1955 Italy 33/178 B Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian Assistant E.taminerRichard R. Stearns Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Limbach, Limbach & Sutton [57] ABSTRACT A pasta gauge for mechanically selecting specific quantities of elongated dried pasta, such as spaghetti, the gauge having a body with a top surface and a plurality of different sized vertical, cylindrical bores each intersecting the top surface in a circular aperture, each aperture representing a predetermined number of serving portions which portions of a plurality of dried pasta members are selected by grasping a larger bundle of pasta noodles, supporting them against the surface over a selected aperture and allowing the desired portion to slide into the aperture and be separated from the remaining pasta noodles in the bundle.
3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PASTA GAUGE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Because of the expansion of dried pasta noodles. such as spaghetti and vermicelli. upon cooking. it is difficult to predict the proper quantity of noodles necessary for a specific number of portions. While package guides illustrating bundle diameters are helpful. they are not wholly satisfactory in providing a means for quickly and accurately selecting the quantity desired.
An apparatus has been devised by which a desired quantity of a plurality of dried. elongated pasta noodles. such as spaghetti and vermicelli. can be quickly and accurately selected for the number of serving portions desired.
The gauge includes a body having a top surface and a plurality of different sized cylindrical bores. each intersecting the top surface in a circular aperture. each aperture having a predetermined diameter representing an integral number of serving portions of a plurality of Pasta noodles. A predetermined quantity ofdried pasta noodles can be selected by insertion of a quantity of noodles sufficient to fill a selected aperture of the gauge. The diameters of the cylindrical apertures of the gauge are prc-selected on the basis of predetermined average serving portions. i.e.. the smallest diameter representing a single serving. the next larger diameter two servings. and the next larger. three servings. Three apertures in the pasta gauge are preferred since a greater number of servings can be obtained by a simple combination of the apertures.
Using the gauge. an astute cook can mak an accurate judgment whether to add or remove noodles for a particular cooking requirement after only a little experience. In this respect. the gauge provides an accurate starting point from which educated variations can be made.
The pasta gauge can be constructed in a variety of embodiments. For example. it may comprise a decorative wooden block. a roller or even a flat plate that can be seated across the top of an open pot allowing pasta to be directly disposed into the cooking water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I I(iv I is a perspective view of a pasta gauge in the embodiment of a wooden block.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pasta gauge in the embodiment of a wooden roller.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pasta gauge in the embodiment of a plate.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pasta gauge in the embodiment of a modified plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings. several embodiments are illustrated which disclose several variations in the form ofthe pasta gauge. For example. in FIG. I. a decorative wooden body block 10 is shown with three vertical cylindrical holes or bores I2. 14 and I6. respectively. each intersecting the top surface 18 of the block I in a circular aperture. The cylindrical bores are formed to a depth not quite equal to the thickness ofthe block I0. thereby prmiding a bottom (in phantom) suitable for the support of elongated. dried pasta noodles. such as the spaghetti 20 shown in FIG. I.
Each of the apertures has a diameter predetermined to provide a specific integral number of serving portions when filled with a plurality of spaghetti or other dried. elongated pasta noodles. Since substantially different types of noodles may require a different diameter to provide. for example. a single serving portion. it is contemplated that entirely separate gauges may be required for substantially different type noodles. However. for the most common sizes of spaghetti and vermicelli. a single gauge will be adequate.
In FIG. I. the smallest aperture bore 16 represents the necessary size of a bundle of spaghetti for a single serving. Similarly. the next larger aperture bore 12 represents the size for two servings. Finally. the largest aperture bore I4. shown here filled with a quntity of spaghetti. represents the size for three servings. It is contemplated that if a larger number of servings is required. a combination of more than one aperture may be used. The block may be naturally or decoratively finished to provide an attractive functional item for the kitchen.
While the pasta gauge is largely functional. the ornamental eharacter of the gauge can be emphasized by combining the functional gauge with a decorative item. For example. with reference to FIG. 2. the gauge is in the form of a wooden roller body 22. When using a roller 22 of the type having one end 220 of a larger diameter than the other end 22h. three bores 24. 26 and 28 can be arranged on the roller 22 in ascending size. In the embodiment of FIG. 2. the bores 24. 26 and 28 pass through the diameter of the roller to exemplify an alternate arrangement to the embodiment of FIG. I. The pasta gauge of FIG. 2 can be used by grasping the roller in one hand at the small end. holding the roller over a counter top (not shown grasping a bundle of noodles in the other hand and inserting the noodles through the selected bore aperture. The aperture retains a predetermined portion of the noodles as represented by the gauge selected.
With reference to FIG. 3. the functional character of the pasta gauge is emphasized. The gauge is formed from an elongated rectangular plate body 30 having contoured ends 30a formed in a 90 bend to provide two legs which raise the plate above a support counter surface 32 as shown. Again. three bores 34. 36 and 28 are formed by holes through the plate 30 and sized to contain specific integral serving portions of of a plurality of noodles in the same manner as the bore apertures of the block and roller. As shown in FIG. 3. a handle 40 of spaghetti noodles are held over the aperture of bore 36. Those noodles 40a filling the aperture of bore 36 drop to the counter surface 32. Those noodles which remain on the top of the plate 30 are selectively removed.
In addition to being adapted for counter top use. the pasta gauge of FIG. 3 is adapted to be seated on top of a pot to allow the noodles inserted in an aperture to drop directly into cooking water. To accommodate pots of different size, the overall length of the gauge may differ. the purchaser of the gauge selecting one or more suitable sizes.
Alternately. as shown in FIG. 4. a pasta gauge comprising a modified plate 42 having a plurality of centrally located apertures 44. 46 and 48 is adaptable for use ofdifferent sized pots by the inclusion of a plurality of pairs of concentrically curved ridges 50 projecting downwardly on the underside 42a of the plate on opposite ends of the row of circular apertures, each pair of ridges spaced apart by a different diameter distance. In this manner, the plate as shown in phantom in FIG. 4 can be seated on a pot 52. of random size, and be stably positioned thereon by the restricting effect of the ridges 50 with the lip 52a of the pot.
The four embodiments shown in the drawings exemplify various arrangements of the pasta gauge of this invention as defined in the following claims.
I claim: I. A pasta gauge for selecting a predetermined serving portion of a plurality of elongated, dried pasta members from a larger bundle of elongate, dried pasta members comprising:
an elongate flat plate member having a top surface and a plurality of spaced apart, hollow, generally cylindrical, vertical bores therein intersecting said top surface perpendicularly in a plurality of spaced apart circular apertures; each aperture and the associated bore having a predetermined diameter different from the diameter of the other of said apertures and representing, when filled with a bundle of elongate, dried pasta members. an integral number of serving portions each containing a plurality of dried pasta members;
leg means depending downwardly from said plate member for locating said top surface above a supporting structure, said leg means being shorter than the length of the pasta members.
said top surface defining an area surrounding each aperture for supporting the balance of the larger bundle of pasta members apart from the desired serving portion of pasta members which drop by gravity through the aperture down to the supporting structure, whereby the pasta members on the supporting structure may be separated from the pasta members supported on said top surfacev 2. The pasta gauge of claim I wherein said plate member includes a plurality of complementary pairs of concentric curved ridges spaced outwardly of said plate on opposite ends of said plurality of circular apertures and projecting downwardly from the bottom surface of said plate member, each pair of ridges spaced apart by a different diameter distance for locating said pasta gauge over the top openings of different sized pots.
3. A method of selecting a predetermined serving portion of a plurality of elongated, dried pasta members from a larger bundle of elongate, dried pasta members comprising the steps of:
establishing a generally horizontal surface having therein a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening into a vertical bore and with each opening defining a different integral number of servings of a plurality of elongate, dried pasta members when located therein;
positioning a larger bundle of elongate, dried pasta members than the desired predetermined serving portion of such elongate, dried pasta members on said surface over a predetermined one of said openings;
permitting the desired predetermined serving portion of a plurality of elongate, dried pasta members to drop by gravity through said predetermined one of said openings while supporting the remainder of the larger bundle of elongate, dried pasta members on the horizontal surface; and
separating the remainder of the larger bundle ofelongate, dried pasta members supported on said horizontal surface from the predetermined serving portion of elongate, dried pasta members which has dropped through said opening. |
US-3874086-A | Layout device | United States Patent [191 Ludlam Apr. 1, 1975 22 Filed:
[ 1 LAYOUT DEVICE [76] lnventor: David C. Ludlam, 5828 McMillan Cir., Columbia, SC. 29210 Apr. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 465,079
Primary E.\'aminerRichard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Willis Little Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Bailey & Dority [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus is illustrated for laying out indicia patterns and the like on a workpiece such as a wide flange beam wherein a pattern plate is carried in superposed relation to the flange of the wide flange beam by suitable frame members which also carry means for maintaining the pattern plate in longitudinal alignment with the flange, including a pair of opposed depending arms pivotally carried intermediate their ends with threadable means interconnecting upper end portions of the arms for adjustably fixing the distance between the lower ends of the arms so as to properly space inward projections carried by lower ends of the arms against the web of the wide flange beam so that indicia patterns may be laid out on the flange as the apparatus is moved longitudinally thereon.
7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures LAYOUT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Steel fabricators must often place rivet holes and the like in somewhat repetitive patterns on structural members having a flange carried by a web portion such as on a wide flange beam. These holes, or other attachment means for angles. stiffners, braces and the like on steel beams and colunms are commonly used in building construction requiring accurate and often sequential measurements on such flanges. It is generally the practice to simply measure and mark the locations at which such holes and adjustments are to occur preparatory to the use of a transfer center punch to facilitate drilling of the holes. Such measurements are time consuming. and due to human errors, result from tedious. repetitive work, often produce inaccurate marks or indicia patterns being laid out on the workpiece. While templates are sometimes used, it is often difficult to position them accurately and to execute the variety of the manipulations necessary in order to produce successive marks resulting in a proper indicia pattern.
Accordingly. it is an important object of this invention to provide a template. or indicia pattern which may be readily moved longitudinally of the workpiece maintaining proper alignment so as to facilitate the laying out of the indicia patterns as on steel structural members.
Another important object of the invention is to facilitate the fabrication of the steel structural members used in building construction by more accurately and with great speed and precision laying out the locations of the various attachment means.
Still another important object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive device which may be used over and over again in producing a variety of patterns along a lengthy structural member.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has been found that apparatus for laying out indicia patterns employing a pattern plate or template may be constructed by utilizing opposed pairs of depending arms pivotally carried intermediate their ends by the template and extending downwardly on opposite sides thereof for positioning spaced tracking means maintaining proper spacing with respect to the web and interconnecting opposed arms by threadable members at the top for producing similar adjustment in the positioning of the lower ends of the arms for maintaining alignment and facilitating movement of the entire device along the flange and web portions of the structural member upon which a layout is being made.
The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described. together with other features thereof.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating a layout device constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned for use upon a wide flange beam, and
FIG. 2 is an end elevation further illustrating the layout device looking toward the left hand end of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawing illustrates apparatus for laying out indicia patterns on a workpiece having a flange carried by a web and the like.
A pattern plate A overlies the flange in superposed relation thereto. Spaced frame members B carry the pattern plate for movement longitudinally of said flange. Means are provided for maintaining the pattern plate in longitudinal alignment with the flange including. a pair of opposed depending arms C pivotally carried intermediate their ends adjacent respective frame members on opposite sides of the flange. Threadable means D interconnecting upper portions of each pair of depending arms. Inwardly projecting means E are carried by lower portions of each pair of depending arms extending toward opposite sides of the web. Thus, turning of the threadable means varies the distance between the upper portions of each pair of depending arms moving the inwardly projecting means into engagement with said web on opposite sides thereof maintains longitudinal alignment of the pattern plate permitting successive indicia patterns to be laid out on the flange as the pattern plate is moved longitudinally.
The workpiece is illustrated in the form of a wide flange beam broadly designated at 10 having upper and lower flanges 11 and 12 joined by the vertical web 13. The pattern plate A which overlies the upper horizontal flange 11 is fastened to the frame members B by any suitable fastening means such as counter sunk screws 14 (FIG. 2). The pattern plate, or template A includes holes or other indicia forming means in a predetermined pattern as illustrated at 15. The pattern plate further includes spaced viewing slots preferably having sight glasses with cross hairs as illustrated at 16. The holes 15' serve as guides for a transverse center punch when marking the workpiece. It will be observed that the sides 17 and 18 of the pattern plate are in alignment with the sides 11a and 11b respectively of the upper flange l1 and as illustrated the web 13 of the structural member is centrally disposed between the upper and lower flanges 11 and 12 respectively.
Means for providing a rolling engagement of the apparatus with the upper flange 11 includes spaced side frame members B. The spaced side frame members B carry spaced pairs of rollers 19. The rollers 19 are carried for rotation upon axles 20 which are supported by spaced brackets 21 suitably fastened as by welding to the transverse members 22 which forms the essential support members constituting the spaced frame members B. It will be observed that the rollers 19 are accommodated within notches or cutout portions 23 within the pattern plate A so as to space the pattern plate A above the flange 11 in superposed relation thereto.
The means for maintaining the pattern plate A in Iongitudinal alignment with the flange 11 preferably in cludes a pair of opposed depending arms C. It will be observed that the arms C are constructed of bifurcated members 24 and 25 which are pivoted intermediate their ends as upon pivot pins 26 carried by respective ends of the transverse frame portions 22. The bifurcated members 25 and 26 are maintained in spaced relation to permit a free pivoting action at the top as by internally threaded blocks 27 and by a shank portion 28 of an inwardly projecting arm 29 which form portions of the inwardly projecting means E which will be described in greater detail below. An auxialliary spacer 27a may be employed and carried by a suitable pin or other fastening means as illustrated at 278.
The threadable means D interconnecting upper portions of each pair of depending arms C includes a threaded shaft 30 having left hand threads on one side thereof as illustrated at 30a aand right hand threads on the other side thereof as illustrated at 30b. The respective threaded portions are defined by a central portion 30c which is carried for rotation within a bearing block 31 which is in turn supported by a bracket 32 carried by the cross frame members 22. As previously indicated, the blocks 27 are internally threaded to accommodate the threads 30a and 30b respectively. A single adjusting screw 33 is fixedly carried by each of the threaded shafts 30 which may be turned as by a wrench to draw in and out the tapered upper end portions 24a and 25a of the bifurcated members 24 and 25 respectively forming upper portions of the arms C. By thus interconnecting opposed depending arms, a movement of the lower end of an arm on one side of the web 13 will ensure a commensurate movement of the lower end of the opposite arm C. The lower ends of the arms C, as illustrated at 34, may be provided with a plurality of spaced rows of spaced holes 34a to accommodate a pair of bolts 34b to accommodate the shank 28 of the inwardly projecting arm 29. Bolts 34b may be positioned as desired to obtain an approximate horizontal disposition for the inwardly projecting means E. The inner ends of the inwardly projecting means E are bifurcated to accommodate suitable rollers 35 for rota tion upon stub shafts 36. The rollers 35 are in rolling engagement with the web 13 of the wide flange beam, and together with the rollers 23 to accommodate the entire device to a rolling support upon the upper flange 11.
In operation. use of the apparatus is accommodated by positioning a tape measure 37 in alignment with the upper flange 11 so that the indicia may be read through the sight glasses 16 to properly locate the holes for producing the desired indicia pattern on layout upon the beam. Use of the device may be further facilitated as by the use of C clamps and the like, not shown, for fixing the pattern plate with respect to the flange ll preparatory to punching or otherwise placing indicia upon the upper surface of the flange.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. What is claimed is:
v '1. Apparatus for laying out indicia patterns on a workpiece having a flange carried by a web and the like comprising:
-a pattern plate overlying said flange in superposed relation thereto;
spaced frame members carrying said pattern plate for movement longitudinally of said flange;
means maintaining said pattern plate in longitudinal alignment with said flange including;
a pair of opposed depending arms pivotally carried intermediate their ends adjacent respective frame members on opposite sides of said flange;
threadable means interconnecting upper portions of each pair of depending arms; and
inwardly projecting means carried by lower portions of each pair of depending arms extending toward opposite sides of said web;
whereby turning of the threadable means varies the distance between the upper portions of each pair of depending arms moving said inwardly projecting means into engagement with said web on opposite sides thereof maintaining longitudinal alignment of said pattern plate permitting successive indicia patterns to be laid out on said flange as the pattern plate is moved longitudinally.
2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said threadable means includes a threaded shaft threadably carried adjacent each end thereof by said upper portions of each arm, and an intermediate support carrying said shafts for rotation between said upper portions.
3. The structure set forth in claim 1 including a pair of spaced wheels carried by each respective frame supporting said plate for rolling movement on said flange.
4. Apparatus for laying out indicia patterns on a workpiece having a flange carried by a web and the like comprising:
a pattern plate overlying said flange in superposed relation thereto;
means maintaining said pattern plate in longitudinal alignment with said flange including;
a pair of opposed depending arms pivotally carried intermediate their ends by said pattern plate on opposite sides of said flange;
means interconnecting upper portions of each pair of depending arms; and
inwardly projecting means carried by lower portions of each pair of depending arms extending toward opposite sides of said web;
whereby adjustment of the interconnecting means varies the distance between the upper portions of said depending arms moving said inwardly projecting means into engagement with said web on opposite sides thereof maintaining longitudinal alignment of said pattern plate permitting successive indicia patterns to be laid out on said flange as the pattern plate is moved longitudinally.
5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said threadable means includes a threaded shaft threadably carried adjacent each end thereof by said upper portions ofeach arm, and an intermediate support carrying said shafts for rotation between said upper portions, and including a pair of spaced wheels carried by each respective frame supporting said plate for rolling movement on said flange.
6. Apparatus for laying out indicia patterns on a workpiece having a flange carried by a web and the like comprising:
a pattern plate overlying said flange in superposed relation thereto;
spaced frame members carrying said pattern plate for movement longitudinally of said flange;
means maintaining said pattern plate in longitudinal alignment with said flange;
spaced openings in said pattern plate for guiding indicia producing means;
spaced viewing slots aligned with said openings in said pattern plate for reading a measuring device carried on said flange;
whereby successive indicia patterns may be laid out on said flange as the pattern plate is moved longitudinally.
i 6 7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said threadable means interconnecting upper portions of means maintaining said pattern plate in alignment ineach pair of depending arms; and eludes: inwardly projecting means carried by lower portions a pair of opposed depending arms pivotally carried of each pair of depending arms extending toward intermediate their ends adjacent respective frame 5 opposite sides of said web. members on opposite sides of said flange; |
US-3874087-A | Surveying instrument | [ 1 Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent 1 Nunlist 2,998.653 9/1961 Haglund............................ 33/275 R 20 ll 7 197 P' 3 267 Rene Nunlist, Aarau, Switzerland 3 5 6 0 mm 3/ Kern & C0. AG, Aarau, Switzerland Primary E.\'aminerHarry N. l-laroian Assistant Examiner-Richard R. Stearns Attorney, Agent, or FirmMurray Schaffer 3 M 7 U 9 R l T 9 2 S 1 00 N w G M 3 e E m e N V m We 1 .1 R e .l w 0. U V H p S .m A F A M W. H H H 5 7 1 a k [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar, 24. 1972 Switzerlandum.........i........,
ABSTRACT ying instrument combining a theodolite or transit and an electro-optical telemeter in which the transmitter and receiver of the telemeter are arranged in gravity-symmetrical relationship with respect to the horizontal axis of the theodolite.
6 V r U S A 52 5 10M]. U W W SE 5 2% 2 00 M HMS/0 3/75 3323 w w 0 RGQ 3 .3 3 3 mm Ur "3 "N H II CH M .w U.mF H m 555 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS mxxmo Kourkcnc 33/284 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 I975 SHEET 1 0F 2 FIG! SURVEYING INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to surveying instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to a surveying instrument comprising in combination a theodolite and an electro-optical telemeter arranged in a gravitysymmetrical manner.
Combinations of a theodolite with distance measuring devices such as telemetering means are known. Generally, however. the telemetering means is arranged laterally parallel to the theodolite telescope, being mounted on the telescope itself or fixed to the telescope support. Consequently. the tilting axis of the instrument has an inherent imbalance which is disadvantageous. Moreover, because of the laterally positioned arrangement of the telemetering means with respect to the tilting axis it is not possible to transit the telescope. that is. to set it to the opposite sighting direction for error compensation. In addition, steep sightings are not possible since the high precision bearings of the tilting axis structure do not permit any heavy weight settings to be made and in relatively steep sightings as the telemetering system swings into a position above the tilting axis the tendency is for the instrument to return to the gravity stable position. Consequently, with known instruments of this type, it is necessary to remove the telemetering means before changing position, such as for transiting or for steep sightings. There exists. therefore. a need fora surveying instrument which includes telemetering means but which does not exhibit the drawbacks mentioned which are inherent in known instruments of this type.
-\ccordingl it is a primary object of the present intention to provide a surveying instrument including in combination a theodolite and telemetering means, Such as an electro-optical telemeter and which in normal operation. and particularly in transiting, does not require removal of the telemeter before changing position and which is not substantially or at least only slightly encumbered b the telemeter. Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skiled in the art.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION ln accordance with the invention there is provided a suneying instrument comprising in combination a theodolite and telemetering means in which the transmitter and receiver of the telemeter are arranged in a gravity-s mmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal median axis of the telescope of the theodolite so that the assembly can be transited in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal median axis of the telescope of the theodolite with substantially no imbalance in the assembly.
ln order to understand the present invention more fully. reference is directed to the accompanying drawing which is to be taken in conjunction with the following description.
THE DRAWING in the drawing:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a surveying instrument in accordance with the invention showing the general arrangement of the telemetering mechanism and the theodolite, with respect to an associated reflector;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the device showing the telemetering removed from the telescope of the theodolite.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the surveying instrument illustrated there comprises a theodolite or transit assembly generally depicted by the numeral 1. The assembly is mounted by conventional means between a pair of vertical standards S fixed to a support plate P. The plate P is secured to a conventional support such as a tripod or table and is adapted to be generally maintained in a horizontal position with respect to ground. The support including vertical standards, horizontal rest plates, etc., are quite conventional and for the sake of brevity are omitted from the disclosure. The plate P does of course include the conventional vertical spindle enabling the assembly to be traversed in a horizontal circle or plane, the tangent screw means to effect such traverse, and the Vernier calibrations and markings necessary to read the angles so traversed.
According to the present invention the theodolite or transit assembly includes a telescope 2 having an objective on the right, and an eye piece on the left as seen in drawings. The telescope 2 has a central longitudinal median axis or sight line 2', which is focusable, for example, on a separation reflector device R spaced in front of it. A telemetering mechanism, such as an electro-optical telemeter 3 is mounted about the telescope 2. The telemetering mechanism is conventional; its internal construction comprising an optical (or other radiation) transmitter 4 and a cooperative receiver 5. The transmitter 4 is mounted above the telescope objective while the receiver 5 is mounted below the telescope objective so that their respective median axes 4 and 5' are parallel and lie in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal median axis of the telescope to thus lie in a common vertical plane with the sight line 2' and substantially parallel to it. The transmitter 4 and receiver 5 are fixedly housed in a U-shaped body B having a hole in its bight through which the telescope 2 passes allowing the telemetering units to surround the telescope. The electronic metering circuits and components of the telemetering mechanism are housed in the body b and comprise conventional units. The lens system are also mounted in the body by conventional means.
The body is removably fastened to the telescope by a swallow tail guidance system comprising a plate 10 horizontally disposed on the upper surface of the telescope having opposed bevelled edges 11 which form a swallow tailed plug means. The lower surface of the upper arm of the body b is provided with a correspondingly formed socket plate 12 having parallel clamping lips which are operated by level 13 to close and engage over the bevelled edges 11. Both plates 10 and 12 are aligned so that their center lines lie along the common vertical plane of the sight line 2 and the median axes 4 and 5' respectively. Any other guidance means may be useful for this purpuse which can be provided with adjustment means for individual adjustment of the angular position of the body b of the telemetering device with respect to the telescope and simultaneously maintaining symmetrical balance.
The angular positions of the body b of the telemetering device with respect to the telescope is fixed. by adjusting the optical systems within the body with respect to the swallow tail plates. Because of the excellent guidance afforded by this type of latching system. further alignment or angular adjustment of the optical systerns by the user is not necessary. but can be done if any other guidance means is used. The telemeter mechanism thus can be provided as a self-contained unitary sealed assembly directly from the factory. if the swallow tail" mechanism is used.
The swallow tail or bayonet type latch. enables the body b to be easily slided on and plugged onto the telescope itself when so plugged or latched to become fixedly secured together for conjoint movement. The latch further insure that the median axes 4' and 5' will be perfectly guided and held in place with respect to the common vertical plane with the sight line 2'. lt further insures that the weight of the telemetering device is balanced about the telescope 2.
Suitable clamps. shims, and journal means may be provided to secure the housing b to the telescope 2 so that the two will be fixed together for proper conjoint movement. However. these means should be preferably such that the housing b may be easily removed from the telescope 2 allowing replacement or repair of any part oftelemetering mechanisms or to permit the use of the telescope without the telemetering mechanism.
As seen in FIG. 1, the telescope and telemetering apparatus sight on the reflector R along parallel lines and notwithstanding the tilt of the telescope these lines do not vary from each other. The reflector used may be a conventional prism type reflector well known in this 21".
The telescope 2 is secured on a horizontal shaft or bar 6 journalled at each end in the spaced vertical standards S. Suitable tangent screws. vernier markings, etc.. are provided to enable the telescope to be rotated or tilted accurately about the axis 6' of the bar 6. angularly displacing the objective in the vertical plane. The telemeter transmitter and receiver are arranged so that each respectively lies symmetrically to the top and bottom of the telescope. and its sides. weight and mass is distributed symmetrically. radially about the tilting axis 6'. The outer limits of the housing body 11 are inscribed in a circle 7 having a radius from the tilting axis 6' less than the distance from this axis to the upper surface of the support plate P. so that the entire instrument can be tilted in an exceptionally wide vertical angle without any interference or collision with the supporting mechanism.
This symmetrical arrangement insures that all effects of gravity are equallized about the tilting axis 6 and are symmetrically distributed. Consequently. tilting of the assembly. even at very steep angles. does not cause any imbalance or unwanted torque on the telescope. the assembly. or the supporting tripod or table. Furthermore. fixing the transmitter 4 and receiver 5 in a housing body )1 mounted for conjoint movement with the telescope 2 insures that the median axes 4' and 5 always remain parallel to the sight line 2 and in the common vertical plane. no matter to what degree the telescope is tilted.
The transmitter and receiver of the telemeter may be electrical-powered by a battery 8 mounted on the tripod, table, etc. and connected by a flexible cable 9 to a receptacle 14 located on the exterior on the plate P. It may also be powered by a battery housed directly on the housing body b or carried on the supporting plate, care being taken to insure that the gravity-symmetrical balance is maintained. On the other hand, the telemeter may be powered by common electrical supply remote from the assembly and connected thereto by the flexible cable. The flexible cable permits the assembly to be freely tilted without substantial interference from the power supply.
Numerous variations. modifications and changes can be made to the structure described without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope thereof. Therefore. it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and is not to be limited to the illustrated embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed:
1. A surveying instrument comprising in combination supporting means. a theodolite mounted on said sup porting means and range finding telemetering means carried by said theodolite in a gravity-symmetrical relationship wherein the center of gravity of said telemetering means lies substantially at the intersection of the horizontal axis and the sighting axis of said theodolite. thereby permitting transiting ofthe assembly in the vertical plane of said theodolite with substantially no imbalance in the assembly.
2. A surveying instrument according to claim 1 wherein the telemetering means includes a transmitter being mounted above the telescope of said theodolite and said receiver being mounted above the telescope of said theodolite and the longitudinal median axes of said transmitter and said receiver being located respectively above and below said sighting axis of said theodolite.
3. A surveying instrument according to claim 2 wherein said transmitter and receiver are fixedly secured within a housing. and means are provided for removably securing said housing to said telescope for conjoint movement therewith.
4. A surveying instrument according to claim 3 including means for mounting said transmitter and receiver with their median axes parallel to said sighting axis of the theodolite.
5. A surveying instrument according to claim 1 including an electric supply source for the telemetering means mounted on the supporting means.
6. A surveying instrument according to claim 5 including a flexible cable connecting the electrical supply source and the telemetering means.
k l l |
US-3874088-A | Optical plumbing apparatus | United States Patent [191 Shaffer, Jr.
[111 3,874,088 [451 Apr. 1,1975
[ OPTICAL PLUMBING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: William Shaffer, Jr., 3103 Carter,
Pasadena, Tex. 77503 [22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 330,295
260.205 5/1970 U.S.S.R 33/286 Primary Examiner-Harry N. l-laroian Assistant Examiner-Richard R. Stearns [57] ABSTRACT A telescope is mounted for 360 rotation within a tubular collar. The collar is supported in a vertical position by means of a collar flange supported by an apertured frame. The apertured frame is supported over an apertured base to allow the tubular collar to extend therethrough. The base is fixed to the framework of a vertical wall. Bevel screws on the frame vertically orient the telescope by reference to level vials attached to the telescope. By sighting the telescope on a fixed target, the relatonship between the telescope axis and a known point can be determined with respect to the target or a known reference point.
4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures OPTICAL PLUMBING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an optical plumbing apparatus for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point or target. More precisely, this invention relates to an optical plumbing apparatus for checking the vertical plumb of buildings, elevator shafts and the like during construction.
The prior art discloses a number of plumb-bob type instruments that are used for orienting a transit or other surveying device over a physical point on the ground. These plumb-bob type devices are useful in place of a conventional plumb-bob in that they are not effected by wind or the weather. Such plumb-bob type devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5 l5,8l5, Brightly et al; 928,477, Sloggctt; 2,679,18l Keffuel et al.
In U.S. Pat. No. l,9()3,333 to C. Botcl, issued Apr. 4, 1933, a plumbing and leveling instrument for use in checking the vertical plumb of buildings under construction is disclosed. However, the Botcl device is cumbersome and does not have accurate means for determining whether the telescope is vertically oriented. In addition, the telescope cannot be rotated to deter mine accurate vertical alignment of the telescope throughout its range.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,324,557 to W. S. Hodges, issued June 13, I967, an optical plumbing device is disclosed. However, the device is complicated and does not provide a precise means for vertically orienting the plumbing telescope. In certain applications, a plumb-bob or other sighting device must be utilized to initially orient the device.
Accordingly, one primary feature of the present invention is to provide a simple optical plumbing apparatus that requires a minimum of equipment and adjustment.
Another feature ofthe present invention is to provide an optical plumbing apparatus in which the telescope is mounted for 360 rotation and its vertical alignment may be checked throughout the 360 traverse in order to precisely align the telescope in a vertical position.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that the optical plumbing apparatus may be utilized to sight downwardly upon a reference point or to sight upwardly upon a reference point merely by reversing the telescope.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide an optical plumbing instrument that can be readily attached to steel columns or other portions of a steel structure and then adjusted to a position by which it can be determined whether or not the columns or masonry work built about the columns is along vertical lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION free to rotate 360. Attached to the telescope are leveling vials that can be rotated with the telescope through its 360 traverse for checking vertical alignment of the telescope in varying positions. The supporting frame is adjustable with relation to a planar base so as to adjust the attitude of the support frame with regard to the base and thereby vertically orient the telescope supported by the support frame. The support frame may be moved laterally through short distances in order to precisely orient the telescope reticle over a known reference target.
In accordance with a principle of this invention an optical plumbing apparatus is provided for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point, comprising a planar base with an opening therethrough, a supporting base having an opening therethrough for indexing over said opening in said base, a tubular collar having an extending flange, said collar insertable through said openings in said frame and base, said collar supportable on said frame by means of said flange. a telescope carried by said tubular collar and adopted for 360 rotation therein, said telescope carrying a plurality of level vials, and means for leveling said level vials carried by said telescope and orienting said telescope in a vertical position, said supporting frame adjustable in relation to said base for exactly aligning said telescope with the fixed reference point.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the manner in which the above-recited advantages and features of the invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention may be had by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate typical embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope for the invention may admit to further equally effective embodiments.
In the Drawings:
FIG. I is a perspective view (partly in cross section) of an optical plumbing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical plumbing apparatus.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical plumbing apparatus I0 according to the present invention is shown. The optical plumbing apparatus 10 is shown'attached to steel framing 34 of a building under construction. The optical plumbing apparatus 10 comprises a planar base 12 that is conventionally attached to steel framing 34 or other parts of the frame or structure of the building, elevator shaft or the like. The base is conventionally attached by means not shown in the drawings, which may be C-clamps or other conventional retaining devices. Base 12 has a central aperture 44 therethrough for accommodating the tubular collar 16 carrying telescope 20 of the plumbing apparatus. Tubular collar 16 extends through aperture 44 of base 12 and the collar is supported by means of a flange 18 by supporting frame 14. Support frame 14 has a central aperture 48 therethrough for accommodating collar I6 and an extending shoulder or surface 15 for engaging and supporting flange l8. Clamps 42 may be provided for holding and clamping flange 18 in place. The clamps may be retained by conventional screws 40.
Support frame 14 is supported above base 12 by means of a plurality of frame leveling screws 30. A typical arrangement utilizes three leveling screws 30 that support theframe 14 above base 12. By means of screws 30 the relative attitude of the support frame 14 may be adjusted with respect to base 12 as will be hereinafter further described.
The telescope is mounted for 360 rotation within collar 16 by means of a pair of ball bearing races 46 that are clamped between the support collar l6 and an inner collar 17 that is attached to the barrel of telescope 20.
At each end of the barrel of telescope 20 is attached a level vial housing 24 that has a base 26 to support a pair of level vials 22. The housing is shown partially open in FIG. 1 and may be closed by means of a sliding or rotating cover 28. As will be noted, the level vial housings 24 are mounted in opposite relation to each other on opposite ends of the telescope 20 so that level indication means may be provided depending on whether telescope is oriented to be sighted in an upward or a downward vertical position.
The telescope 20 is any conventional telescope having a cross hair rcticle and a focusing means such as focusing knob 32 and is advantageously a Kueffel & Esser Company dumpy level.
ln operation, the base 12 is clamped to steel cross member 34 by conventional clamping means (not shown). The support frame 14 is centered so that its central aperture 48 is concentrically aligned with the aperture 44 in base 12. The telescope is lowered through apertures 48 and 44 so that tubular collar 16 extends through apertures 48 and 44 and the collar flange 18 engages surface of the supporting frame 14. With the flange 18 supported by frame 14, the flange 18 may be clamped in position by means of clamp springs 42. Cover 28 is rotated so that the upper level vial housing 24 is opened and the level vials 22 are exposed. Then level vials 22 are leveled by means of adjustment of the support frame leveling screws 30 in a conventional manner. The telescope may be rotated 360 so that level vials 22 may be rotated for leveling by means of various ones of the support frames leveling screws 30. When level vials 22 indicate a level condition when rotated through 360, then the telescope is correctly oriented in a vertical position.
Sighting through the telescope 20, the reticle of the telescope can be oriented to coincide with target 38 which may be on the ground level or at some level below the level at which the plumbing instrument is mounted. Horizontal adjustment of the cross hairs or retiele may be accomplished by horizontal movement of frame 14 in relation to base 12 within aperture 44.
Once the telescope is vertically oriented and its reticle is aligned with target 38, the position of reference point 36 may be determined precisely with relationship to reference point 36. As will be noted, the relationship of reference point 36' to the reticle or central axis of telescope 20 is measured by means of X and Y, which can be compared to the relationship of the target 38 to reference point 36-measured by X and Y. In this way, the plumb ofa building or other structure may be checked precisely with relationship to a known reference point while it is under construction and appropriate corrections and changes can be made if the building structure is not within sufficient construction tolerances.
The optical plumbing apparatus is self-verifying in that once the level vials 22 are leveled by means of adjustment of the support frame leveling screws 30, the accuracy of the vertical positioning of the telescope 20 may be checked or verified by rotating the telescope 20 by If properly leveled, the cross-hair retiele of the telescope should still be on the target 38. However, if it moves off from the target 38 by a fraction of an inch, the difference can be split for measurement purposes without releveling the telescope level vials 22. Often it occurs that the instrument maybe properly leveled and oriented vertically, but heat expansion due to sunlight can cause the reticle to move in relation to the target. The rotational ability of this instrument causes it to self verify its accuracy by merely rotating telescope 20 by 180.
As may be noted, the optical plumbing apparatus disclosed herein would be ideally suited for constructing and checking the plumb of elevator shafts under construction in a building. The base 12 could be modified to be clamped to the elevator shaft housing so as to check the plumb of the elevator shaft under construction. Of course, many other applications in which a true vertical plumb is necessary during construction or erection of buildings or structures may be visualized in which the disclosed optical plumbing apparatus would be useful.
Numerous variations and modifications may obviously be made in the structure herein described without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention herein described and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings are illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. An optical plumbing apparatus for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point, comprising a planar base with an opening therethrough,
a supporting frame having an opening formed therein and being positionable over said opening in said base,
a tubular collar having a centrally located flange extending in substantially normal relation to said collar, said collar being insertable through said openings in said frame and base, said collar being adjustably supportable on said frame by means of said flange, engaging a portion of said frame a telescope carried by said tubular collar and being supported for 360 rotation therein, said telescope carrying a level vial at each extremity thereof,
a plurality of adjustable leveling elements being carried by said supporting frame and reacting against said base, said leveling elements being manipulatable for orienting said telescope in a vertical position, and
said leveling elements being slidably movable on said base for precisely aligning said telescope with the fixed reference point.
2. An optical plumbing apparatus for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point, comprising a base with an opening therethrough,
a supporting frame having an opening formed therein, said opening of said supporting frame being positionable over said opening in said base,
a tubular collar having an annular flange disposed thereabout, said flange being disposed intermediate the extremities thereof and extending in substantially normal relation to said collar, said flange engaging and being adjustably supported by said frame whereby at least a portion of said collar extends through said openings,
an inner collar being disposed within said tubular collar,
a telescope being supported within said inner collar,
bearing means disposed between said tubular collar and said inner collar and mounting said inner collar for 360 rotation relative to said tubular collar,
a pair of leveling vials being supported by said telescope, one of said leveling vials being disposed at each extremity of said telescope,
a plurality of leveling elements being carried by said supporting frame and engaging said base, said leveling elements being manipulatable for orienting said telescope in a precisely vertical position, and
said leveling elements being slidably movable on said base for exactly aligning said telescope with the fixed reference point.
3. An optical plumbing apparatus for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point, comprising a planar base having an opening therethrough,
a supporting frame having an opening formed therein, said opening of said supporting frame being positionable over said opening in said base, said frame carrying a plurality of adjusting screws for adjusting the attitude of said frame with respect to said base,
a telescope carrying a tubular collar and being supported for 360 rotation therein, portions of said telescope and collar being insertable through said openings in said frame and base, said telescope and collar being adjustably supportable on said frame by means of a flange extending from said collar, adapted to engage a portion of said frame said telescope carrying a plurality of level vials adapted for leveling by said adjusting screws for orienting said telescope in a precisely vertical position, said supporting frame being slidably movable with respect to said base for exactly aligning said telescope with the fixed reference point, and said supporting frame carrying a plurality of spaced clamps for clamping said tubular collar extending flange to said frame. 4. An optical plumbing apparatus for locating a point in vertical alignment above a fixed reference point,
comprising a planar base with an opening therethrough,
a circular supporting frame having an opening formed therein, said opening of said supporting frame being positionable over said opening in said base, said frame having a plurality of spaced adjusting screws for adjusting the attitude of said frame with respect to said base,
a telescope carrying a tubular collar and being supported for 360 rotation therein, said collar having an extending circular flange, said telescope and collar being insertable through said openings in said frame and base, said telescope and collar being adjustably supportable on said frame by means of said extending flange, engaging a portion of said frame said telescope carrying a plurality of level vials adapted for leveling by said adjusting screws carried by said frame for orienting said telescope in a precisely vertical position,
said supporting frame and adjusting screws being laterally movable in relation to said base for exactly aligning said telescope with the fixed reference point, and
said supporting frame carrying spaced clamp means for clamping said tubular collar extending flange to said frame. |
US-3874089-A | Thermal coupler for a dryness control circuit | United States Patent 1191 Offutt THERMAL COUPLER FOR A DRYNESS CONTROL CIRCUIT [75] Inventor: Carl R. Offutt, St. Joseph, Mich.
[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor,
Mich.
[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 391,552
317/235 Q; 324/65 R, 71 SN; 328/3; 307/310, 132; 219/494, 497, 499, 504, 505
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Apr. 1, 1975 3/1971 Ebrahimi 307/310 3/1971 Garfield ..34/48 Primary Examiner-Charles .l. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Paul Devinsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT In a clothes dryer control circuit, a four terminal semiconductor thermal coupler device has input terminals connected in circuit with the heating means and a thermostat of the dryer control circuit and an output including a variable resistance connected in series with the timer motor of the dryer control circuit. The variable resistance changes in response to heating, due to current flow through the input of. the device, between low and high values to control energization of the timer 'motor. The input terminals of the device 3,031,768 5/1962 Kurowski 34/48 3.109717 1 1/1963 (3111 1 1 34/45 may be connected Parallel Wlth respect to a thermo- 3.186.107 6/1965 Raley 34/53 stat r the heater means, p nding n h ther the 3.3431104 9/1967 Ovshinsky 307/310 thermal coupler device has a positive or negative tem 3.393328 7/1968 Meadows ct al. 317/235 0 pemture coefficient of resistance. 3.394.466 7/1968 11611111111111 34/53 1444.399 5/1969 .lOnCS 317/235 0 2 Clams, 6 Drawing Flgures VT 0/ W12 /24 2/0 /27 j o E,
7' book aw/ra/ MIL, L
PATENIEBAPR mzs 3.874. 089.
THERMAL COUPLER FOR A DRYNESS CONTROL CIRCUIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a dryer control circuit, and more particularly to a dryer control circuit in which the timer motor is energized or tie-energized in accordance with the state of energization of the heating circuit and to a dryer control circuit in which there is electrical control, but electrical isolation, between the heating circuit and the timer motor.
2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known in the art to isolate the heating circuit of a dryer control from the timer motor circuit. For example, Richard L. Garfield and Harold S. Stacik, in their US. Pat. No. 3,571,941, issued Mar. 23, 1971 and assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, disclose a dryer control circuit in which there is an electrical connection between the timer motor and the heater; however, a set of timer contacts is provided for isolating these circuits to prevent energization of the heater during a cool down portion of the drying cycle. It is also known in the art to employ a bimetal switch operated by a heater to terminate operation of a drying cycle as disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,IO9,7 17. In addition, it is also known in the art to utilize temperature responsive devices in the winding of a motor for the purpose of speed regulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dryer control which utilizes a thermostat to control the operation of a timer motor and to electrically isolate the timer motor control from the thermostat to prevent the possibility of energization of the heater by way ofthe timer motor circuit at the thermostat.
Another object of the invention is to control the energization of the timer motor of a dryer control circuit in accordance with the state of energization of the heater circuit.
A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit connection between the heating circuit and the timer motor of a dryer control for electrical control of the timer motor by the heating circuit while at the same time electrically isolating the timer motor from the heating circuit.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic dryer control which compensates for ambient condition and load size variations.
A dryer control includes a heating circuit including a heater, at least one thermostat, and a set of timer contacts all connected in series. A timer motor is connected for energization at different times during a drying cycle by way of a plurality of contacts including timer operated contacts. A semiconductor thermal coupler is connected between the heating circuit and the timer motor. The thermal coupler includes a pair of input terminals connected to the heating circuit and a pair of output terminals connected in series with the timer motor. Between the output terminals is a temperature responsive resistance which changes from a very low value to a very high value, or vice versa, in response to current flow through the input terminals. In one embodiment the input terminals are in series with the thermostat and heater control timer contacts and the thermal coupler has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance; whereas, in another embodiment the input terminals are connected in parallel with the thermostat and the thermal coupler has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. I is a perspective view of a dryer in which the invention may be employed, with certain wall portions of the dryer being removed to show details;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a thermal coupler device for use in the dryer control of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of the invention utilizing a positive temperature coefficient thermal coupler;
FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention utilizing a negative temperature coefficient thermal coupler;
FIG. 5 is a timer schedule showing the condition of timer controlled contacts during various operating cycles; and
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the temperature compensating characteristics of the dryer control.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a clothes drying appliance is generally referenced 10 and is shown as comprising an enclosure cabinet 12 having a control console 14 thereon housing a control device 16 for regulating the drying operation. A control knob 18 is selectively operable to set the control device 16 for programming various drying cycles of operation, as, for example, automatic or timed drying cycles. The enclosure cabinet 12 comprises a horizontal top panel 20 and a horizontal bottom panel 22, a pair of vertical side panels 24 and vertical front and rear panels 26 and 28, respectively. An access opening 30 is provided in the front panel 26 and is defined by an axially in-turned flange 31. A closure door 32 is located in the front panel 26 and cooperates with the access opening 30 for loading and unloading the dryer 10.
The dryer 10 further includes a drying container for tumbling clothes, the container being in the form of a rotatable drum 34 housed within the cabinet 12 and extending axially from the front panel 26 to a bulkhead 36 spaced forwardly of the rear panel 28. To encourage tumbling action in the clothing being dried, a plurality of circumferentially spaced baffles 78 (only one being illustrated) project from the inner surface of the drum 34. The drum 34 includes a radially inward extending front closure wall 41 having an access opening 42 therein formed by means of an axially out-turned flange 43. The flange 43 provides a forwardly extending bearing annulus which overlies and is suitably journaled on the complemental flange 31 of the cabinet 12. It is readily apparent from the foregoing description that the opening 42 into the drum 34 and the opening 30 formed in the front panel 26 are concentric and provide access into the rotatable drum 34 from the outside of the cabinet 12. The drum 34 is supported at the rear by a pair of support rollers 48 (only one being illustrated) mounted on the bulkhead 36. A raceway in the form of a circumferential groove 50 indented into the peripheral wall of the rear portion of the drum 34 serves as a track for the rollers 48.
A drive motor 52 is mounted to the bottom panel 22 in a rear corner of the cabinet 12 and rotatably drives the drum 34 by means of a drive belt 54 extending around the periphery of and in frictional engagement with the drum 34 and around a motor pulley 56 mounted at one end of a motor shaft 58. The other end of the motor shaft 58 drives a blower 60 which is arranged to circulate air through the drum 34. The blower 60 is positioned between the rear panel 28 and the bulkhead 36 and communicates with ductwork generally indicated at 62 forming part of the warm air system for the dryer.
The bulkhead 36 serves to enclose the open-ended rear portion of the drum 34 and provides a fixed rear wall in which is located a pair of spaced openings, comprising an air inlet 64 and an air outlet 66. The blower 60 draws moisture-laden air from the interior of the drum 34 through the outlet 66, through a removable lint screen 68, through an air duct to the blower 60 and then blows the air out of the cabinet 12 through an exhaust duct 72. Air exhausted from the drum 34 is replaced by ambient air entering the warm air system 62 by way of an intake opening in the rear panel 28 (not shown) and is drawn through a fresh air duct 74 passing over a heater means 76 and into the drum 34 through the air inlet 64. The warm air system for the dryer thus circulates a stream of warm air through the drum 34, subjecting clothing placed therein to a drying environment to remove moisture from the fabrics while the clothing is tumbled as the drum rotates.
Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary thermal coupler device is schematically illustrated. The device 90 is a four terminal semiconductor device having an outer casing 88. The impedance of the device measured from its input terminals 91, 92 is a constant high value of resistance 93. At its output terminals 94, 95 the device has a resistance 96 which is either a high or low value at ambient temperatures depending on whether the device has a positive temperature coefficient or a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. For the positive temperature coefficient device at normal room ambients and with no input voltage applied to the input terminals 91, 92, the resistance 96 between the output terminals 94, 95 is a relatively low value. When voltage is applied to the input terminals 91, 92, heating occurs within the device (indicated by the broken arrow 97) and the resistance 96 increases about one thousand times. When voltage is removed from the input terminals 91 and 92, the subsequent cooling of the internal semiconductor material causes the output resistance 96 to return to its initial low value. For the negative temperature coefficient device at normal room ambients with no voltage applied to the input terminals 91 and 92, the resistance 96 between the output terminals 94 and 95 is a relatively high resistance. When voltage is applied to the input terminals 91 and 92, heating occurs within the device (also indicated by the broken arrow 97) and the resistance 96 decreases. When voltage is removed from the input terminals, the subsequent cooling of the internal semiconductor material causes the output resistance to return to its initial high value. A metallic heat sink 89 is interconnected with the casing 88 to control the heat transfer from the resistance 96 when voltage is removed from the input terminals 91, 92. Thermal couplers suitable for use in the present invention are available in the TC series of thermal couplers manufactured by Superior Electronics Industries Ltd, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a control circuit for use with the dryer of FIG. 1 and utilizing a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermal coupler 90a is shown. The control circuit 120 comprises a door operated switch 121 including movable contacts 122 and 125 and stationary contacts 123, 124 and 126 connected between electrical supply terminals L1 and N. A console lamp 127 is connected between the movable contact 122 of the switch 121 and the terminal N. The timer 16 is connectible to the terminal N by way of the contacts 125 and 126 of the switch 121. The timer 16 includes a plurality of contacts which are connected to or connectible to the terminal L1. The timer 16 comprises a timer motor 143 and a plurality of movable contacts 144, 146, 148 and 152 and their associated fixed contacts 145, 147, 149 and 153, respectively. The initial and operational conditions of these contacts can be seen by reference to the timer schedule of FIG. 5 wherein the cross hatched bars represent contact closure and the open bars represent open conditions of the contacts.
The control circuit 120 also comprises the drive motor 52 which is employed to rotatably drive the drum 34 by way of the belt 54. The motor 52 is also connected on one side to the terminal N by way of the contacts 125 and 126 of the switch 121 and a conductor 136 and comprises a start winding 137, a run winding 138, a centrifugally operated movable contact 139, a fixed contact connected to start winding 137, and another fixed contact 141 which is engaged by movable contact 139 when motor 52 is up to speed. The contact 139 is illustrated in the starting position wherein it is closed to the contact 140. The motor 52 is connectible to the terminal Ll by way of the contacts 144145 and 146-147 of the timer 16 and by way of a pair of contacts 129130 ofa relay 128. For starting purposes, the relay 128 is initially unoperated and its contacts 129 and 130 are open; therefore, a push-to-start switch 131, generally spring loaded to an open condition, is included in the motor starting circuit. The pushto-start switch 131 includes a spring loaded movable contact 132 and a pair of fixed contacts 133-134 which are connected in shunt relation to the contacts 129130 of the relay 128.
The control circuit also comprises a safety thermostat 154 which is advantageously disposed on the duct 74 adjacent the heating element 76 (a fragmentary portion of duct 74 is removed to show a portion of heating element 76). The thermostat 154 senses the heat being supplied by the heater 76 to the air flowing toward the drum 34. The thermostat 154 includes a heat sensitive element 155 having a movable contact portion 156 which is normally closed to a contact 157 and which is movable to open the contacts 156 and 157. The thermostat 154 is connectible to the terminal L1 by way of the timer contacts 152-153. A second thermostat 159 is connected to contact 157 of the thermostat 154, the second thermostat 159 being disposed near the exhaust end of the air duct 70 to sense the heat of the air flowing from the drum 34. The thermostat 159 includes a heat sensitive element 160 having a movable switch contact 161 normally closed to a fixed contact 162. The timer operated contacts 152, 153, the pair of thermostats 154 and 159 and a centrifugally operated switch 166 having a movable contact 167 and a stationary contact 168 provide for the connection of the heating element 76 between the terminals L1 and L2 for completing a 230 volt circuit, for example. The input terminals 91-92 of positive temperature coefficient thermal coupler device 90a are connected across the heater element 76. Therefore. whenever power is supplied to the heating element 76, voltage will also be applied across the input terminals 91-92 of the thermal coupler 90a and the output resistance 163a will increase to a high value.
Therefore, in operation of the automatic drying cycle, after the wet'clothes have been loaded into the drum 34, the door 32 is closed and the timer is set for automatic operation wherein the contacts 144-145,
- 146-147 and 152-153 are initially closed. The amount of timer run time is determined by the dryness level selected by the user on control knob 18. This is represented in FIG. 5 by the Dry and Damp settings under the automatic cycle heading wherein the Dry setting requires more timer run time before cycle termination than the Damp setting. The push-to-start switch 131 is operated to start the motor 52 and upon closure of the switch 166 by centrifugal force. the heater 76 is energized. It should be noted that at this time the contacts 148-149 are open and the timer motor is initially operating through the low resistance 1630 of the output of the thermal coupler 90. However, because voltage is now applied across the input resistance 164, the output resistance 163a quickly increases and the increased resistance in series with the timer motor 143 causes the timer motor to cease operation.
As the laundry begins to dry, the exhaust temperature begins to rise and at a predetermined temperature the exhaust thermostat 159 moves the Contact element 161 away from the element 162. The voltage is thereby removed from the input resistance 164 of the thermal coupler and the output resistance 163a decreases to its initial low value thereby allowing the timer motor 143 to again begin to operate. Therefore, when the temperature of the exhaust air rises to a predetermined level, operation of the timer motor is initiated under the control of the exhaust thermostat 159.
The exhaust thermostat 159 will open and close the thermostatic switch contact 161 a number of times determined by the amount of moisture contained in the load being dried to allow the timer motor to operate. After the selected timer motor run time has accumulated, the timer motor 143 has advanced to the point at which the contacts 148-149 close to provide a circuit to the timer motor which is independent of the exhaust thermostat 159. This circuit includes the terminal L1, the closed timer contacts 144-145, the closed relay contacts 129-130, the closed timer contacts 146-147 and the closed timer contacts 148-149. The timer motor 143 therefore continues to advance for a certain interval upon which the timer contacts 152-153 are operated to an open condition, thus removing the energizing power from the heater 76. The powering circuit to the motor 52 remains unaffected at this time and the motor continues to run. providing a cool down portion for the cycle. At the end of the cool down portion, the
contacts 144-145 are open and the dryer ceases operation.
The timer motor 143 operates and accumulates time only when the thermostat 159 operates to open the circuit to the heating element 76. Therefore by controlling the power dissipated in the input resistance 164 and the amount of heat transferred to the output resistance 163a, a time delay can be created after application of the voltage to the input resistance 164 before the resistance of the output resistance 163a changes. By controlling the heat transfer coefficient between the output resistance 163a and the thermal coupler casing 88 by means of a heat sink 89, a different time delay can be obtained after voltage is removed from the input resistance 164 before the output resistance 163a changes back to its initial low resistance. The difference between the two time delays is the net increase or decrease in timer motor run time per thermostat cycle.
Without this delay per thermostat cycle the dryness of the clothes load with the same timer setting will vary with ambient temperature conditions and load size. With low ambient temperatures, clothes tend to be overdried because the drying efficiency of the heated air is increased, and a longer time would be required to heat the theromstat 159 to the temperature at which it cycles. The same condition exists with small loads, where the exhaust temperature would rise rapidly to trip the thermostat 159, but only a small amount of time would be accumulated on the time before the thermostat 159 would reset. Consequently, for small loads and low ambient temperatures. the net timer motor run time accumulated per thermostat cycle would be lower than for normal loads and ambients. With extremely large loads and at high ambient temperatures, the reverse problem would occur. The net timer motor run time accumulated per thermostat cycle would be greater, thus shortening total drying time and making it more difficult to get the load dry.
The present invention overcomes the above difficulties because the time delay per thermostat cycle is utilized to provide ambient temperature and load size compensation. By designing the time delay curve to the dryercharacteristics, a net time delay curve 170 for the positive temperature coefficient thermal coupler, as shown in FIG. 6, can be made to provide more nearly equal dryness for the same timer setting. The FTC thermal coupler of FIG. 4, designed to have the delay characteristics illustrated by curve 170 in FIG. 6, will increase the amount of timer motor run time accumulated per thermostat cycle at relatively low ambient temperatures to decrease total drying time for a selected dryness level. Further, the thermal coupler with these characteristics will decrease the amount of run time per thermostat cycle at relatively high ambient temperatures to increase the total drying time for a given dryness level. Also, because the number of thermostat cycles during a drying cycle is greater for small loads than large loads, the net gain or loss of accumulated time per thermostat cycle will provide load-size compensation.
Referring to FIG. 4, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermal coupler 90b is illustrated in the control circuit 120. Inasmuch as this circuit operates substantially the same as that discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, only a limited description follows. In FIG. 4, the output resistance 16311 is initially at a very high value. As the temperature of the exhaust air rises near the end of the drying cycle, the thermostat 159 opens its contacts 161-162 and'allows power to be supplied to the input resistance 164 of the coupler 90b. This causes the output resistance l63b to drop to a low value and the timer motor 143 is permitted to operate. Thus, the timer motor again operates whenever the operating thermostat 159 is open. Ambient temperature compensation is accomplished in the same manner as described above in connection with the PTC thermal coupler of FIG. 3.
In summary, l. have disclosed a highly advantageous and desirable use for thermal coupler devices in the control circuit of an automatic dryer, it being readily apparent that the coupler could be employed for other laundry applications.
Although I have described my invention by reference to a particular illustrative embodiment or exemplary embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I therefore intend to include within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of my contribution to the art.
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. ln combination with a rotatable drum dryer dryer control for controlling drying operations of a dryer having a treatment zone for treating fabrics, comprising:
a programmer including a timer motor for connection to an electrical supply, and timer contacts operated by said timer motor through a programmed sequence for controlling drying operations;
heating means for supplying a flow of heated air to the treatment zone including a heating circuit for connection to the electrical supply and comprising a heater and a thermostatconnected in series with said heater and thermally coupled to the treatment zone for opening and closing said series circuit in response to predetermined temperatures in the treatment zone; and
timer control means disposed remotely from said heating means connecting and electrically isolating said timer motor and said heating means, said timer control means comprising a single device having a two terminal input connected to said series circuit, resistance means connected to said two terminal input, a two terminal heat responsive variable impedance output connected to said timer motor and responsive to current flow through said resistance means due to operations of said thermostat to change the impedance of said output between values which are respectively sufficient and insufficient to prevent operation of said timer motor, a casing surrounding said resistance means and said variable impedance means for partially isolating said variable impedance means from the environment and heat sink means connected with said casing for partially coupling said variable impedance means to the environment for controlling the rate of change in impedance of said variable impedance means when said series circuit is open.
2. A dryer control according to claim 1 wherein said dryer control includes compensation means for providing a net gain or loss of timer motor run time per opening and closing of said series circuit by said thermostat.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIN PATENT NO. 3, 874, 089 DATED April 1, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Carl R., Offutt it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Column 7, claim 1, line 28, after "dryer" (1st occurrence) insert a-. Signed and tis twenty-second D y 0f July 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:
RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL'DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks |
US-3874090-A | Method and apparatus for drying polymeric materials | United States Patent [191 McCracken [451 Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRYIN POLYMERIC MATERIALS I [75] Inventor: Nathan John McCracken, Sarnia,
Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: Polysar Limited-Polysar Limitee,
Sarnia, Ontario, Calif.
22 Filed: Mar. 2, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 337,701
Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 289,567, Sept. 15, 1972, Pat.
[52] U.S. Cl. 34/61, 34/70, 159/2 E, 100/93 S, 100/145 [51] Int. Cl. F26b 19/00 [58] Field of Search 34/12, 15, 61, 69, 70, 34/42; 425/207209; 159/2 E; 100/145, 93 S [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,462 12/1962 Kullgren 34/92 3,078,512 2/1963 De Haven 3,192,564 7/1965 Beck et a1. 159/2 E FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 734,182- 7/1955 United Kingdom 159/2 E Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Assistant Examiner-James G. Yeung Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT An improved extrusion dryer for drying wet polymeric materials comprises a compression zone where the wet material is compressed and heated and an expansion zone where the compressed hot material is allowed to expand and the volatile liquid to volatilize. The expanded material is conveyed by screw to an unrestricted outlet where it is separated from vapours and isolated in the dry form.
The extrusion dryer of this invention operates at low temperatures and low power consumption and is suitable for drying at high throughput rates elastomeric polymers such as polybutadiene, butyl rubber, as well as heat sensitive polymers.
5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIED 3 SEEN 1 BF 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING POLYMERIC MATERIALS This is a division, of application Ser. No. 289,567, filed Sept. 15, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,440.
This invention relates to method and apparatus for drying polymeric materials such as wet rubber crumb. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the apparatus and in the operation of extrusion dryers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the production of synthetic polymers such as synthetic rubber, the material emerges from the polymerization process as a slurry of the material in water. Before the material can be baled or otherwise used, it must be dewatered and then dried to a moisture level of less than 1 percent. Drying is generally accomplished by one of two means: mechanical or tunnel dryers. In tunnel dryers, the material is passed through an enclosed, heated atmosphere where water freely evaporates and is drawn off, and the material emerges substantially dry. Mechanical dryers, as distinct from tunnel dryers, are often referred to as expander or extrusion dryers.
Present extrusion dryers work on the well-known worm-screw extrusion machine principle. They may be divided into single and multiple screw types. The former is exemplified in the apparatus described in U.S. Pat, No. 3,222,797. A multiple screw type dryer is described in Reissue U.S. Pat. No. 23,948, granted Feb. 15, 1955. Differing somewhat in detail, single and mul tiple screw dryers are essentially similar in their basic machine elements and operation.
In the single screw machine, the dewatered material is advanced along a barrel by a worm-screw against a restriction such as a multi-orifice die. Against the restriction, a back-pressure is built up and, due to mechanical working by the screw, the temperature in the material is increased. Heat may also be added by means of steam jackets surrounding the barrel. Although the sensible heat within the material is normally sufficient to vaporize the liquid element in the material, the backpressure in the barrel is sufficient to prevent this occurring. Upon expulsion from the die into a zone of lower pressure, e.g., atmospheric pressure, flash vaporization takes place, the moisture escaping and rupturing the material into substantially dry crumb form.
In extrusion dryers of multiple screw type having two screws, for example, the material is advanced along a double barrel having contiguous parallel bores communicating via a central continuous slot, by twin wormscrews of opposite hand and rotation. At an intermediate position between an inlet at one end of the barrel and an outlet at the other end is a block valve comprising a block, slidably adjustable in a housing in communication with the bores and arranged to cooperate with blisters on the screws, generally known as compounders, to restrict flow and create a back-pressure in the material upstream of the valve. Downstream of the block valve isa low pressure zone which is vented to a low pressure source, e.g., atmosphere. Moisture from the evaporation taking place in this zone is vented off and the material is advanced to a single screw extrusion barrel where it is recompressed and at the same time reheated. Finally the material is expelled through die means where it forms a crumb and is conveyed away on a cooler/conveyor.
The electrical power requirements for extrusion dryers are approximately twice that of a tunnel dryer of similar capacity. More complicated in themselves and in their mode of operation, and operating as they do at high temperatures, extrusion dryers require complicated post-dryer equipment such as vibrating cooler/- conveyors. In consequence, maintenance costs of allmechanical systems can be as much as percent higher than tunnel dryer systems.
There are of course some important advantages in the use of extrusion dryers: the product is more uniform, freer from contamination and less floor space is required than for tunnel dryers. If the machine capacities can be increased, the operating temperatures reduced, the power requirements lowered and the severe mechanical problems associated with dryer and postdryer equipment can be alleviated, then mechanical drying systems prove superior over tunnel systems on all counts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that in drying polymeric materials in extrusion dryers, considerably improved results are obtained in a machine which includes an adjustable, variable-flow restriction downstream of the inlet for creating a back-pressure in the material and a continuation bore and conveying means downstream of the restriction having an unrestricted outlet in communication with ambient atmosphere.
According to the present invention therefore there is provided a method of drying an extrudable polymeric material containing volatile material in an extruder comprising a number of zones which method comprises:
l. compressing the material in a zone maintained at a temperature capable of vaporizing the volatile liquid at atmospheric pressure and a pressure sufficient to prevent such vaporization;
2. forcing said compressed material through a restriction into an expansion zone maintained at reduced pressure whereby said liquid is vaporized and said polymeric material expanded; and
3. conveying said expanded material and vaporized liquid through the expansion zone wherein the vapor separates from said material.
In the utilization of the apparatus and method of the invention, the peak product temperatures of the extrudable material in the dryer and residence time at these temperatures have been reduced so as to enable more heat sensitive products to be successfully dried, and the throughput capacity of the dryer has been markedly increased over the capacity of the prior art extruders of the same size. Excessive mechanical stresses in the dryer have been eased because when running the machine at or close to capacity the power requirements of the machine are reduced. Finally, the residual temperature of the product leaving the dryer has been lowered.
Other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, is a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus of the present invention with associated equipment in a rubber drying process;
FIG. 2, is a simplified plan view in section showing the apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 3, is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4, is a cross-sectional elevation taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
DETAILS OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an extrusion dryer according to the invention generally indicated at 10. To the right of the extrusion dryer is represented a deliquefying machine 11 which may be of the extrusion type shown or it may be equipment of any other well-known type adapted to reduce the liquid content of a slurry of synthetic rubber or other polymeric material to not more than 15 percent by weight and preferably to between 5 and 8 percent. The machine 11 is arranged to feed the deliquefied material into a hopper 12 of the dryer while an outlet 13 discharges the dried material onto a cooler/conveyor l4 represented as a belttype conveyor but which may be of the vibrator or any other type.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2 through 4, a double-barrelled structure 15 is fabricated to define two parallel bores 16 and 16a formed so that they communicate with each other through a common slot 17 (FIG. 4) running the length of the barrel structure. Surrounding the barrel structure is a continuous sheath l8 spaced from the barrel structure and compartmented by transverse bulkheads such as 19 to provide a series of heating or cooling jackets 20 adapted to receive a flow of fluid such as steam or water or any other heat transfer medium from an exterior system.
Adjacent one end of the barrel structure remote from outlet 13 is a gravity feed inlet 21 surmounted by hopper 12 whereby particulate deliquefied material is fed to the bores 16 and 16a. Between the inlet 21 and the outlet 13 is a pressure block-valve indicated at 22. The valve will be more full described later herein.
Freely rotatable within the bores 16 and 16a are oppositely handed worm-screws 23 and 23a. Except for the harding of the flights, the worm-screws are precisely similar. They are preferably synchronized so that their flight crests are contiguous. The screws rotate in opposite directions: screw 23 in an anti-clockwise direction and screw 23a in a clockwise direction when viewed at the outlet 13. The screws are driven by power means such as an electric motor through a suitable transmission. The power means is generally indicated at 24.
The screws are designed to increase the pressure ratio up to valve 22 and this is done by gradually increasing the stem diameter and decreasing the pitch of the screw flights in well known manner. At valve 22, the screw stems are increased to form blisters 25 and 25a. These blisters carry multiple-start, shallow, reverse flights 26 and 26a on their peripheral surfaces. That is to say, flights 26 are of opposite hand to the main worm-screw 23 and flights 26a are of opposite hand to main worm-screw 23a. These blisters are sometimes referred to as compounders and there is a small running clearance between their flight crests and the barrel bores for a maximum flow restriction.
Integrally formed on the upper side of the barrel structure normal to the axes of the barrel bores is a hollow rectangular housing 27 which opens into the bores 16 and 16a. The housing carries a sliding valve block 28 with arcuate low surfaces 29 and 29a which are flush with the surfaces of bores 16 and 16a respectively when the block 28 is in its fully lowered position. The position of the block 28 is adjustable with respect to the blisters 25 and 25a to vary the clearance between the surfaces 29 and 29a and the blisters within a range from the fully lowered position to a position sufficiently removed from the blisters such that the material is allowed to by-pass the normal restriction of the blisters. By this means, therefore, is controlled the backpressure in the material upstream of the block valve. Adjustability is effected by a screw 30 rotatably anchored to the valve block at 31 and threadibly engaging a member 32 bridging the top of valve housing 27. The screw is operated by a handwheel 33 and locked at the selected setting by a locknut 34.
Barrel structure 15 extending downstream of valve 22 is precisely similar to the structure upstream of the valve and is merely a continuation thereof. The block valve 22 defines a restriction zone 35 and divides the barrel structure into a high pressure compression zone 37, preceded by a feed zone 36, upstream of the valve and an expansion zone 38 downstream thereof. The flighted screws in expansion zone 38 are of constant pitch and stem diameter and, since in this portion of the machine the screws only have a conveying function, a lighter form of construction, e.g., sheet metal fabrication or machining from light alloy instead of steel alloy, may be used.
The dual screw extrusion dryer described hereinabove represents but one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. It is also possible to use a single screw extrusion dryer having a compression zone and an extrusion zone provided with an unrestricted outlet for dry material and vapours and an adjustable restriction zone between said compression and expansion zones.
Operation of the extrusion dryer according to the present invention will be described by way of specific examples and the performance figures compared with performance figures obtained from a similar machine constructed in accordance with known art.
EXAMPLE 1 An aqueous slurry of 98 percent cis-1,4 polybutadiene having a Mooney viscosity (M/L-4' at 212F) of 40 was dewatered in the dewatering machine 11 to about 6 percent moisture content and fed to the hopper 12 of the extrusion dryer 10. For start-up, heat was built up in the barrel structure by passing steam through the heating jackets 20 and the valve block 28 was partly backed off. Material entering the bores 16 and 16a through inlet 21 was conveyed therealong by screws 23 and 23a and by-passed the blisters 25 and 25a at the block valve 22. The block 28 was progressively closed down, to restrict the passage of the material and create an increasing back-pressure therein. This backpressure was increased until a barrel temperature of between 300-350F was reached. The heat from mechanical working of the material in the compression zone was sufficient for the drying process. Small amounts of steam were added during the operation to balance the heat loss by radiation. The back-pressure in the compression zone 37 varied from about 750 to about 2,500 psi.
The back-pressure built up in the material in the compression zone was sufficient to prevent evaporation of the water present in the material. Some water was expelled from the material and was forced back along the bores towards the inlet. As the pressure in the material upstream reduced, so this water evaporated and escaped through the inlet 21 and hopper 12 to atmosphere. The polybutadiene material was expelled from block valve 22 into the continuations of bores 16 and 16a where the pressure was considerably lower than that upstream of the valve and very close to atmospheric pressure. Rapid evaporation of the residual water present in the dewatered material caused the material to expand and rupture into crumb form. The material was then conveyed along the continuation bores by the screws with continued formation of water vapour, which finally escaped over the crumb to atmosphere at the outlet 13. The material issued from the outlet 13 at a temperature of about 270F, and was conveyed on the cooler/conveyor system 14 to baling machines. The final moisture content was about 0.3 percent.
A dual screw 6-inch extrusion dryer provided with a 500 HP drive means and operated in accordance with the present invention yielded up to 9,000 lbs. of dry polybutadiene product per hour using only 300 of the available HP of the drive means. Productivity rates of this order of magnitude were maintained over prolonged periods of operation so that the production/- power ratio was in the order of about 30 lbs. of product per HP per hour.
The same extrusion dryer having an additional single screw section at the outlet end and operated with a die at the outlet, i.e., not in accordance with this invention, delivered up to 3,500 lbs/hr. steady production at almost full power. Barrel temperature was between 390 430F, resulting in scorching and even ignition of the dried polymer at the outlet. Average productivity was in the order of a ratio of 7 lbs. of product per HP per hour. The temperature of the extrudate was reduced to a level of about 350F by venting off the volatile material downstream of the restriction; unfortunately it resulted in a loss through the vent system of nearly 1,000 lbs/hr of the polybutadiene material in the form of fines.
EXAMPLE 2 Three extrusion drying runs were carried out on different polymers using the procedure and the dual screw extrusion dryer as described in Example 1. The polymers, all dewatered to a moisture level of 5-8 percent, were as follows:
A. a masterbatch of 100 parts of cis-1,4 polybutadiene and 37.5 parts of a highly aromatic extender oil having a Mooney viscosity (M/L-4 at 212F) of 36;
B. a butyl rubber having a Mooney viscosity (M/L-8' at 212F) of 45 and an unsaturation level of 0.7 mol. percent; and
C. a brominated butyl rubber containing 2.0 percent bromine and having a Mooney viscosity (M/L-4' at 257F) of 51.
The data are shown in the table below All these runs indicated that various polymers could be effectively dried at high rates at safe peak temperatures.
A comparative experiment was carried out with polymer C using a conventional duel screw extrusion dryer. The temperature in the barrel rose to about 350F at which temperature the polymer degraded a scorched black mass.
What is claimed is:
1. An improved extruder for drying extrudable polymeric material having at least one rotatable worm screw extending throughout the bore of an elongated extruder barrel having an inlet at one end for introduction of wet material and a single, unrestricted terminal outlet for dry material and vapour at the other end and comprising four serially interconnected zones:
a. a feed zone for receiving and forwarding said material from said inlet;
b. a compression zone wherein said screw is a compression screw for working and compressing said material from said feed zone;
c. a restriction zone comprising a blister on said screw and adjustable restriction means cooperating with said blister to variably control the flow of said material through said zone and to provide a back pressure in said compression zone; and
d. an expansion zone wherein said screw is a conveying screw for advancing said material towards said single, unrestricted terminal outlet of an area not less than the area of the polymeric path through said expansion zone and open to ambient atmosphere.
2. An improved extruder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compression worm screw has a compression ratio increasing from said feed zone to said restriction zone.
'3. An improved extruder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the running surface of said blister is provided with shallow reverse flights.
4. An improved extruder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveying worm screw in said expansion zone is of low stem diameter and coarse pitch.
5. An improved extruder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extruder barrel includes heat .exchange means.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,874,090
DATED i April 1, 1975 INVENTOWS) 1 Nathan John Mc CRACKEN it is certified that error appears in he above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown beiow: r
In the Heading:
[73] Change "Calif." to Canada Signed and sealed this 27th day 0f May 1975.
(SEAL) Attest: r
c. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks RUTH C. MASON Attesting Officer |
US-3874091-A | Printed paper drying device for offset printing | mte States Patent 1 1 1 3,874,091 Fukumoto Apr. 1, 1975 [54] PRINTED PAPER DRYING DEVICE FOR 2,473,629 6/1949 Andrews: 34/160 OFFSET PRINTING 2,532,032 11/1950 Offen..... 34/13 2,700,226 1/1955 Dun ler 34/160 [76] n ent T a Fukumoto, 3,680,218 8/1972 Belui 34/156 Sanno-cho l-chome, Ota-ku, T J Okyo apan Primary ExaminerCarro11 B. Dority, Jr. [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1972 Assistant Examiner-Larry I. Schwartz [21] Appl. No.: 277,688
[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Th t l t t d t d d 1s lnven ion re a es 0 a rymg appara us lspose Aug. 6, 1971 Japan 46 69707 adjacent to an Offset p g machine for y g the printed paper sheets, said apparatus being provided [52] US. Cl 34/66, 34/160, 443322//1]3436, with a direct fire y g station and a hot air y g [51] Int Cl F26b l9/00 station arranged in side by side relation, wherein the [58] Fieid 162 62 66 substantial portion of hot air supplied to said hot air 34/ 432277 drying station is returned back to the air heating section where hot air is produced, so as to enhance heat- [56] References Cited ing efficiency and hot air drying performance, thereby realizing quick finishing of prints. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,297,314 9/1942 Offen 34/160 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PRINTED PAPER DRYING DEVICE FOR OFFSET PRINTING TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is of late an increasing demand forhigher quality of the prints particularly in offset printing, and it is generally accepted that the quality of the prints depends greatly on drying performed on the printed sheets.
For efficient and economical practice of such drying, full utilization of heat is essential. However, when a paper sheet, which has been printed on its both sides, is moving in the air, the surface of the sheet is, as it were, wrapped with a thin film of air which flows at the same velocity as the sheet, and since such air film around the sheet surface has an adhesvie disposition and also acts as a heat insulator, great difficulites, both techically and mechanically, are encountered in excluding such air film and transmitting heat at high efficiency so as to accomplish uniform drying in a short time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatus of the type referred to, in which a direct fire drying means and a hot air drying means are provided in side by side relation in the apparatus and after the web has been heated at high speed by direct exposure to tire, said web is contacted with hightemperature high-speed hot air so as to enhance drying efficiency for both sides of the web travelling in the apparatus and to gasify and isolate solvent gas produced from the printing ink so as to effect immediate exclusion of such gas.
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide means whereby a major portion of hot air supplied to the hot air drying section provided immediatley behind the direct fire drying section is circulated to the heating section where said hot air is generated. so as to increase the heating efficiency and to realize most economical utilization of heat.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly in which the direct fire drying means, hot air drying means, air heating means, air blower means and web air-cooling means are all combined into a single integral mechanism and wherein each of said means can be operated at its fixed position.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a construction in which said direct fire drying means and hot air drying means are arranged in vertically symmetrical relation to allow optional joining and separation of said both means, so as to facilitate feeding of web into said both means and inspection thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, showing a part of the hot air drying section and essential parts of the air-cooling means;
FIG. 2 is a side view as taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. l in the direction of arrows, with parts broken away to show the interior mechanism;
FIG. 3 is a prespective view of a part of the apparatus, showing the hot air supply route; and
FIG. 4 is an illustrative arrangement plan showing the hot air circulation route.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a combination type drying system in which direct fire drying and hotair drying are used in combination. The charateristic mechanism of the system is described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.
Substantially in the center of the'body (11 of the apparatus are provided vertically juxtaposed casings or box-like structures (20) and (21) in which there are provided direct fire dryingzones (14) and (15), respectively, where upper and lower flame-ejecting burners (12) and (13) are arranged alternately in opposed relation with their jets directed toward the center, that is to say, toward the web passage, and hot air'drying zones (18) and (19), respectively, where the series of hot air nozzles (16) and (17) are provided in vertically opposed relation, with their jets being also directed toward the center of toward the web passage. Said boxlike structures (20) and (21) are joined together by hinges (22) provided at the rear portions such that they are openable frontwise pivoted by said hinge means (22) and powered by an air cylinder (23) provided at the front side. In the surfaces of said upper and lower structures (20) and (21) are formed openings or windows (24) and (25), respectively, each of which is fitted with transparent heat-resisting glass through which the operator can inspect the condition of flames. At both ends of the upper and lower structures (20) and (21) joined together are provided elongated lateral slots one of which is disigned toserve as an inlet or feed port (26) and the other as an outlet or discharge port (27). The printing paper sheet or web (28) inserted through the inlet (26) travels along a passage indicated by arrows in FIGS. 1 and 4, that is, the sheet or web thus fed in passes first betweenthe flame-ejecting burners (12), (13) and then between the series of hot air nozzles (16), (17) in the respective casing (20), (21), and is discharged out of the casings through the outlet (27), and then said sheet or web further advances passing round the air-cooling delivery rollers (29) and is fi-. nally taken up on a taken-up device (not shown) provided outside of the apparatus. Above the assembly of said air-cooling delivery rollers (29') is provided a suitable air collector (30), and at the top of the extension of said air collector (30) is provided an exhaust fan (31) driven by a motor (32). Provided at the inlet of said air collector cylinder (30) is an air flow control valve (33) arranged to be operated from the outside of the apparatus so as to be opended or closed as desired.
In the lower part of the body (11) of the apparatus are provided a heating chamber (34) where hot air is produced and a fan (35 adapted to feed hot air at high speed. Said heating chamber (34) is provided with combustion burners (36), an outer air inlet (37), a discharge port (38) and a hot air return port (39). The arrangement and function of this hot air return port (39) will be further described later. Said combustion burners (36) and the aforementioned direct drying burners 12), (13) in the direct fire drying station are supplied with fuel through a same supply system, and they are mechnically or electrically incorporated in the apparatus such that their adjustment can be made by operating one of the adjusting wheel handles (40) provided at the front panel of the apparatus.
The hot air generated in said heating chamber (34) is forced out through the discharge port (38) and delivered at high speed by the action of the fan (35) into an air chamber (41). Said fan (35) is driven by a motor (42) which is connected to said adjusting wheel handle assembly (40) so. that its rotation can be suitably controlled by operatingsaid handles.
Said air chamber (41) is connected through holes (43) and (44) with the hot air ejection nozzles (16) and (17) in the upper and lower hot air drying stations (18) and (19), respectively. Said both stations are also provided with vent sleeves (45) and (46) both of which open sidewise into an exhaust cylinder (47). In the inside of said exhaust cylinder (47) is provided a partition wall (48) whereby a major portion of the hot air flown into said cylinder from ventilators (45) and (46) is obstructed from advancing further on and is forced to flow back into a refluxing chamber (49) which is provided with a refluxing port (50) communicated with the aforesaid hot air return port (39) provided in the heating chamber (34), so that said major portion of hot air exhausted is returned back into the heating chamber (34).
In said exhaust cylinder (47) is also provided a suitable air exhausting fan (51) for adjustment of air to be exhausted. Supply of hot air and adjustment of exhaust air can be performed by operating one of the handle wheels (40) at the front panel of the apparatus, in the same way as described above.
As the web, which has been printed on both sides thereof, travels along a fixed passage in the drying structures and (21), it is first of all subjected to rapid heating through exposure to flames from the upper and lower burners (l2) and (13) and then undergoes heating with high-temperature high-speed hot air from the nozzle (16) and (17), so that the solvent gas is quickly isolated away from the printed faces of the web, and upon leaving the drying structures (20) and (21), it is immediately passed round a series of cooling rollers (29) to trace a zigzag course, during which periodthe web is exposed to air stream flowing into the air collector (30) to receive a favorable cooling action, and then the web is finally wound up by a suitable takeup means. In the meanwhile, the hot air, which has been ejected from the respective nozzles (16) and (17) and completed its drying action, flows through the respective upperand lower vent sleeves (45) and (46) and enters the exhaust cylinder (47) and refluxing chamber (49). Although a minor portion of said hot air is released to the outside according to the operation of the air exhausting fan (51), most of said hot air is blown back through refluxing port (50) and return port (39) into the heating chamber (34), thereby enhancing the heating efficiency.
While the invention has been described by way of illustrative embodiment, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications in its design can be made within the scope of the technical thought of the invention featured by provision of a direct fire drying station and a hot air drying station arranged in a single assemblage and by recirculation of hot air for re-use thereof.
What is claimed is:
1. A printed paper drying apparatus for off-set printing, comprising in combination: a pair of upper and lower drying box-like structures defining space therein having upper and lower direct-fire drying means respectively, for drying upper and lower surfaces respectively of a strip web conveyable therebetween; a hot air drying space means for providing hot air against the strip web, located serially after said upper and lower direct-fire drying means; roller-assembly and aircooling means defining an air cooling space in juxtaposition to and next in flow series after the hot air drying space means; a vented air collector collection means including a collection space and an exhaust fan mounted therein operatively connected in flow series communication with an upper portion of the air cooling space for variably adjustably controlling exhaust air from the air cooling space; an air heating chamber means for heating air within a chamber space thereof, and mounted in communication with the air heating chamber means chamber space there being an air heating chamber fan for force circulating hot air from the chamber space to a lower portion of said hot air drying space means; and air flow-recycle means including outlet vents to said hot air drying space means and conduit structure providing for recycling the flow thereof to the air heating chamber means; said upper and lower direct-fire drying means comprising opposing serially alternately spaced flame-ejecting burners positioned to alternately and serially expose opposite faces of a strip web to direct flame; said hot air drying space means providing a series of opposingly-directed and axiallyaligned substantially coaxially to one-another upper and lower hot-air-ejection nozzles arranged for simultaneously directing hot air onto upper and lower strip web faces; and hinge means pivotably hinge-mounting the pair of drying box-like structures at corresponding edges thereof for the opening and closing of one relative to the other, and including jack means connected between opposite-side edges of the pair of drying boxlike structures opposite from the hinge-mounted hinge means, for opening and closing'one relative to the other of the pair of drying box-like structures. |
US-3874092-A | Drying device for a rotary dragee-making kettle | United States Patent Huttlin Apr. 1, 1975 DRYING DEVICE FOR A ROTARY 3.83.38! 391329 gufini 331:3:
,2 .23 Ill 6 ain ..r.ll DRAGEE MAKING KETTLE 3,302,608 2/l967 Coons et al ll8/l9 [75] Inventor: Herbert Huttlin, Steinen, Germany [73] Assignee: Werner Glatt, Haltingen, Germany FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 60,537 2/l97l Japan ll8/l9 {22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 456,206 Primary E.taminerKenneth W. Sprague Assistant E.\'aminerJames C. Yeung [30] Foreign Application Prior), Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Karl W. Flocks Mar. 30, I973 Germany 23l5882 [57] ABSTRACT 52 US. Cl 34 130, 34 4, 4 I38, l l l 181/19 4 A drying device for a rotary dragee-makmg kettle with 5 l] 1m. Cl. F26!) 11/02 air Permgable headpiece 3 Pipe having 58 Field of Search........: 1 i i/sink) 10s 109 and exhaus Pipes axially arranged and 34/130 134 '38 f nected to the headpiece. The headpiece has a form of I 1 lglig i 165/88 a ship floating in the dragee-making material with its hull constituting an air supply zone and its deck form- [56] References cued ing an air exhaust zone or may variously be shaped UNITED STATES PATENTS with air supply and exhaust air zones.
532.553 1/l895 Hemschel 34/138 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures FIG. 2
FIG.1
PATENTED SHEET 2 UP 5 DRYING DEVICE FOR A ROTARY DRAGEE-MAKING KETTLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a drying device for a rotary dragee-making kettle comprising an air supply pipe arranged stationary in the dragee-making kettle, which pipe is immersed into the dragee-making material and possesses an air-permeable headpiece, through which air can be blown into the dragee-making material, and an air exhaust pipe that can be connected to a suction device.
Dragee-making kettles are employed for wetting; e.g., pillular or granular dragee-making materials with a liquid, in particular a sugar solution or a lacquer, and drying it again during continuous agitation, so that the separate particles of the dragee-making material are coated with a film of sugar or lacquer.
In a known drying device of the type described the air exhaust pipe is introduced independently of the air supply pipe into a cylindrical or spherical dragee-making kettle and ends at a distance above the dragee-making material. Accordingly, the air is introduced into the dragec-making material and passes from there into the free interior of the dragee-making kettle above the dragee-making material, so as to be finally drawn off from such interior through the air exhaust pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the task of improving a drying device of the type described in such a manner as to reduce the consumption of energy for the drying of the dragee-making material.
The invention solves the problem in such a manner that, in addition to the supply air zone of the headpiece provided for the entry of air into the dragee-making material, the headpiece possesses an exhaust air zone, which is likewise permeable to air and immersed into the dragee-making material and connected to the exhaust air pipe.
In this manner it is attained that the air introduced from the supply air zone of the headpiece into the dragee-making material remains substantially in the dragee-making material until it passes out through the exhaust air zone of the headpiece. Since the introduced air usually consists of warmed air, the invention avoids unnecessary heating of the space about the drageemaking material as well as ofthe dragee-making kettle through such air. Accordingly, the heat energy supplied with the air is partricularly well-utilized. This leads to the further advantage of rapid vaporization of the solvent employed for wetting the separate particles of the dragee-making material, so that the separate particles do not adhere to one another and accordingly, there is also no breakage of the lacquer shells when the separate particles of the dragee-making material are separated from one another.
Owing to the fact that not only the feed air is blown directly into the dragee-making material, but also the exhaust air is drawn off directly from the drageemaking material, there results a further advantage, independently of the temperature of the introduced air: dust and small abraded particles are drawn off from the dragee-making material by the headpiece of the drying device, so that the pills, tablets, granulates or the like, which forms the dragee-making material. obtains a particularly smooth film of sugar or lacquer.
The exhaust air pipe could be led to the headpiece separately from the air supply pipe. However. in a preferred embodiment of the drying device of the invention the exhaust air pipe is arranged coaxial with the air supply pipe.
The headpiece may possess the shape of a ship floating in the flow of the dragee-making material and oriented in the direction of the main flow thereof; its hullwall constituting the supply air zone while its deck forms the exhaust air zone. The headpiece is immersed in this connection into the dragee-making material expediently to such an extent that the supply air zone provided on the hull contacts the dragee-making material rolling up on the inner wall of the dragee-making kettle, while the downward-rolling dragee-making material rolls over the deck of the headpiece and, therefore, over the exhaust air zone.
In another embodiment of the drying device of the invention, the headpiece likewise possesses the shape of a ship or the form of a circular-sector-shaped, platetype element, wherein only the areas pointing against the direction of rotation of the dragee-making kettle form the supply air zone, while the areas pointing in the direction of rotation form the exhaust air zone.
In a third embodiment of the drying device, the headpiece possesses the shape of a sword blade situated flat in the dragee-making material, its lower side forming the supply air zone while its upper side forms the exhaust air zone.
Finally, it is of advantage to provide a coating of tetrafluoroethylene at least on the headpiece. This coating, which may also be provided on the inner wall of the dragee-making kettle, prevents the adhesion of the particles on the surfaces of the headpiece and/or on the inner surface of the dragee-making kettle. Besides, the coating facilitates the gliding of the dragee-making material along the surfaces of the headpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained with further details in the following text by means of schematic drawings that show several exemplified embodiments.
FIG. 1 shows a first drying device in a dragee-making kettle comprising a horizontal axis of rotation, which is illustrated in a section along the line lI of FIG. 2, normal to its axis of rotation;
FIG. 2 shows the same drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line ll-ll of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the drying device illustrated with further details for a similar drageemaking kettle, in a section along the line lll--III of FIG. 4, normal to the axis;
FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3',
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the drying device in a similar dragee-making kettle, which is illustrated in a section along the line V-V of FIG. 6, normal to the axis;
FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment of the drying device in an axial section through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIVI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows a drying device, which is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but is arranged in another drageemaking kettle, illustrated in a section through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIIVII of FIG. 8; and
FIG. 8 shows the same drying device in an axial sec tion through the dragee-making kettle along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Each illustrated drying device is designated as a unit by numeral 1 and possesses an air supply pipe In, which is enclosed by a coaxially arranged exhaust air pipe 111. In any case, air supply pipe Ia and exhaust air pipe lb end in at least one headpiece 2, that possesses a supply air zone 2:: and an exhaust air zone 2h. Supply air and exhaust air zones 20 and 2b are separated from each other by a partition 3. Supply air zone 2a is only connected to air supply pipe la, while exhaust air zone 2b is only connected to exhaust air pipe lb.
Headpiece 2 is immersed in a heap of pills, tablets or granulates, designated in its entirety as a drageemaking material 4; it is treated in a dragee-making kettle 5. Dragee-making kettle rotates in the direction of the arrow about a central, horizontal or oblique axis and carries along in this connection a portion of dragee-making material 4, within a limited angular range, which portion is designated in the following text as an ascending dragee-making material 4a. In a region, wherein the wall of dragee-making kettle 5 is substantially vertical, dragee-making material 4 is separated from such a wall, so that a portion of the drageemaking material, designated in the following text as a downward-rolling dragee-making material 4h, continuously rolls downward over and away from headpiece 2 within dragec-making kettle 5, until it is again carried along by the wall of the dragee-making kettle.
Everyone of the components described above preferably consists mainly of stainless steel sheet; e.g., chrome steel sheet metal.
In drying device I illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, headpiece 2 substantially possesses the shape of a ship of perforate sheet-metal, whose hull-wall forms supply air zone 21: and whose deck forms exhaust air zone 2h. Supply air zone 21: is situated within ascending drageemaking material 4a, which is indicated by solid black dots. On the other hand, exhaust air zone 2b is situated within downward-rolling dragee-making material 411, which is indicated by small curls.
In drying device l shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. a pair of headpieces 2 is connected to air supply pipe la and to exhaust air pipe lb. Each headpiece 2 consists of a circular-sector-shaped, hollow disk, extending basically in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of drageemaking kettle 5 and sharpened like a knife at its outer edge. The region of headpiece 2 oriented against the direction or rotation of dragee-making kettle 5 forms here supply air zone 21:, while the region oriented in the direction of rotation of the dragee-making kettle forms exhaust air zone 212. Accordingly, ascending drageemaking material 4a contacts first supply air zone and then exhaust air zone 2b. In relation to the structure of headpieces 2 illustrated in FIGS. and 2. this structure possesses the advantage that the exhaust air zone 2b is more closely adjacent to the inner wall of drageemaking kettle 5 and, therefore, is particularly effective when the abraded powder of the dragce-making material is drawn off by suction.
As seen in FIG. 3, the cleaning of each headpiece 2 can be facilitated in such a manner that the radially outer portion of each headpiece, wherein supply air and exhaust air zones 2a and 2b are arranged. is constructed as a separate component that is attached in a detachable manner to the radially inner portion of headpiece 2 by means of any type of a snap closure 20 of known design.
The third embodiment of drying device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 differs from the first and the second embodiments of drying devices in that headpiece 2 possesses the shape of a sword blade situated flat in dragee-making material 4. In a manner similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, supply air zone 20 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided on the lower side and exhaust air zone 211 on the upper side of headpiece 2. The flat, sword-blade type shape of headpiece 2 of FIGS. 5 and 6 makes it possible to arrange baffle plates 6 on the inner wall of dragee-making kettle 5, which baffles contribute to the function of headpiece 2 consisting in effecting a continuous and thorough mixing of the drage-making material during the rotation of the dragee-making kettle.
The variety of dragee-making kettles in which the drying device of the invention can be employed is made clear from a comparison of two dragee-making kettles 5 illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the one hand, and FIGS. 7 and 8, on the other hand.
Dragee-making kettle S of FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided with a cylindrical central portion 7, connected in each case to a side portion 8 tapering frustum-shapcd with the increasing distance from the central portion. Each side portion 8 is provided with a central opening 9 at one of its ends. Through opening 9 of side portion 8 situated on the left side in FIG. 4, there extends air supply pipe lu containing coaxially arranged exhaust air pipe 111.
Air supply pipe la is held in a bracket I0 arranged laterally beside dragee-making kettle 5. On its end which is interior in relation to dragee-making kettle 5, it is provided with a detachably attached cap II as well as with a threaded bush 12 arranged laterally beside such cap. A threaded rod 13 is attached in adjustable manner in threaded bush 12. A lid 14 is pivoted on the end of threaded rod I3 which is exterior in relation to dragee-making kettle 5. Two side portions 8 of drageemaking kettle 5 are provided with a ring IS in each case around their opening 9. Lid I4 is provided with an elastic edge 16, that contacts in a tight sealing manner corresponding ring 15. when lid [4 assumes its closing position illustrated with thick lines in FIG. 4. Ring I5 of left side portion 8 of FIG. 4 seals in a similar manner against an annular flat packing 17 which is attached to air supply pipe la and exhaust air pipe In.
A circular track ring [8 is attached to each side portion 8 at a small distance on either side of cylindrical central portion 7 and coaxially therewith. Each track ring I8 runs on two rollers 19 and 20, attached in pairs to a shaft in each case. The two shafts of respective rollers l9 and 20 are supported in two bearings 2] in each case, which bearings are attached on the upper side of a roller block 22. The common shaft of rollers 20 is connected through a belt drive 23 to an electric motor 24 arranged in the roller block.
Dragcc-making kettle 5 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is approximately spherical in shape and consists ofa main portion 27 and a cover 28. Main portion 27 is attached to a shaft 29 which is mounted in an overhung manner in a bearing housing 30. Bearing housing is mounted on a bracket 32 so that it can be adjusted by pivoting about a horizontal shaft 3|. A turning gear 33 is provided for setting a desired angle of pivoting of bearing housing 30 and. therewith. also of shaft 29 and dragcemaking kettle 5. The turning gear can be operated by means of a hand lever 34. The set angle of pivoting is indicated by means of a pointer 35 firmly attached to bearing housing 30. on a scale that is provided on bracket 32.
An electric motor 36, arranged on bracket 32 is provided for turning main portion 27 of dragce-making kettle 5, which motor is connected to shaft 29 through a belt drive 37 and an infinitely variable gearing arranged in bearing housing 30. A hand lever 38 is provided for displacing the gearing. A further hand lever 39 is employed for tightening belt drive 37.
Cover 28 is attached to an end of a tubular bowed bracket 40, whose other end is attached adjustably to hearing housing 30. Bracket 40 is subdivided by a joint 4], pivotal about a horizontal axis into two sections, that can be rigidly connected to each other by means of a clamping device 42 in the closing position of cover 28. When clamping device 42 is released, cover 28 can be swung upward, as indicated in FIG. 8.
Cover 28 is provided on its edge with a flat, annular seal 43, in the closing position of the cover, seal 43 contacts in sealing manner main portion 27 around an opening provided in the latterv A hole is provided in cover 28. which hole is covered by a llap 44. Flap 44 consists of transparent material such as acrylic glass and is articulated to cover 28 by means of hinges 45.
A first sleeve 46 comprising oblique upper face 47 is attached to cover 28. Sleeve 46 is traversed by air supply pipe lu together with exhaust air pipe lb arranged coaxially therein. A second sleeve 48 is pivoted on air supply pipe la. lts lower face is likewise oblique and rests on oblique upper face 47 of first sleeve 46. Air supply and exhaust air pipes la, lh. together with headpiece 2 attached thereon, can be adjusted vertically by turning second sleeve 48.
Finally, FIG. 7 indicates a spraying device 49, by means of which a sugar solution or a lacquer can be sprayed in the interior of dragee-making kettle 5 onto dragee-making material 4. The sugar solution or the lacquer is fed to spraying device 49 through a pipe 50 and a valve SI and can be returned into a reservoir (that is not illustrated) through a return flow pipe 52 when valve Sl is closed. Pipes 50 and 52 are situated within bracket 40.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that vari ous changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.
What is claimed is: l. A drying device for dragec-making material in a rotary dragee-making kettle comprising a stationary air supply pipe extending into the dragee-making kettle, said air supply pipe having an air permeable headpiece on an end thereof positioned to be immersed in the dragee-making material in said kettle. an exhaust air pipe adapted for connection to suction means extending into the dragee-making kettle, said headpiece including wall portions permeable to air and forming an air supply zone and an exhaust air zone connected to said air supply pipe and exhaust air pipe respectively, both said zones extending into the lower part of the dragee-making kettle so as to be immersed in the dragee-making material for blowing air into the dragee-making material through said air supply zone and exhausting through said exhaust air zone. 2. The drying device ofclaim 1, further characterized y said air supply pipe and said being arranged coaxially to each other. 3. The drying device of claim I, further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a ship floating in the flow of the dragce-making material and oriented in the direction of the main flow thercotand including a hull-wall constituting said air supply zone, and a deck forming said exhaust air zone. 4. The drying device of claim 1. further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a circular sectorshaped, plate-type element in the flow of the dragee-making material with said air supply zone in the regions pointing against the direction of flow and said exhaust air zone in the regions pointing in the direction of flow. 5. The drying device ot'claim I, further characterized y said headpiece having the shape of a sword blade situated flat in the dragee-making material with its lower side forming said air supply zone and its upper side forming said exhaust air zone. 6. The drying device otclaim I, further characterized y at least said headpiece having a coating of tctrafluorethylene. |
US-3874093-A | Respiratory apparatus | United States Patent 91 11 3,874,093 Garbe Apr. 1, 1975 RESPIRATORY APPARATUS Primary E.\'aminerHarland LS. Skogquist [76] Inventor: Dietmar Rudolf Garbe, Maids Anomey Agen" or FlrmaBlerman & Blerman Moreton House, Maids Moreton, Buckingham, England 57] A T Flledl p 14, 1973 An anatomical model for teaching the intubation of [2 l AppL No: 397,387 the human trachea has epi glottis and tongue parts simulated by an assembly which is pivotally movable and biased into a normal position by elastic resilience of U-S- Clthe tongue part The larynx of the model is exposable [5 l l Cl. 1 through the mouth on manipulation of the tongue and {58] Field of Search 35/17 i l i pal-ts ith the blade of a laryngoscope. A primary use of the model is in teaching non-specialist References cued personnel to insert an endotracheal tube correctly in UNITED STATES PATENTS the trachea for resuscitation purposes. 2.029.682 2/1936 Squires 35/17 UX A jaw and a trachea may be movably mounted for 3.209.469 l0/l965 James 35/17 teaching appropriate procedures for cases 3,520.07] 7/1970 Abrahamson ct a1 35/17 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTS] APR 1 1975 SHEET 1 BF 2 RESPIRATORY APPARATUS The present invention relates to respiratory apparatus and has as an object the provision of means for facilitating the use thereof.
Resuscitation via an endo-traceal tube is often required in emergency situations. and an object of the present invention is to provide means whereby-some measure of experience of the requisite intubation technique can be obtained by non-specialised personnel, e.g. nursing staff, ambulance crews or general medical practitioners, without the use of actual human subjects.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an anatomical model for teaching the intubation of the human trachea said model having larynx tongue, epiglottis and mouth parts, the epiglottis and tongue parts being simulated by an assembly which is pivotally movable and biased into a normal position by elastic resilience of the tongue part so as to simulate visual exposure of the larynx by manipulation through the mouth with a laryngoscopc.
L'sing the model, practice may be obtained in the art of exposing the larynx to view through the mouth by means of a laryngoscope. recognising the larynx and inserting an endotracheal tube for resuscitation purposes. By such practice it is possible for personnel to become sufficiently competent and confident to perform on a subject in emergency situations.
For realism, and to provide experience of the kind of manipulation which may be the lips, of the lips, the lip parts are admntageously formed of resiliently deformable material.
Additionally it is desirable to provide the model with an internal rigid lowerjavv part which is movable anteriorly, such movement sometimes being required on an actual subject.
A result of incorrect intubation can be intubation of the oesophagus rather than the trachea. It is desirable to provide the model with a retro-laryngeal oseophageal pathway. so that this effect can be demonstrated.
In practice. some trainees tend to lever the laryngoscope against the upper teeth. By incorporating an alarm device sensitive to force exerted on the teeth e.g. a switch operting a buzzer or lamp this tendency can be discouraged.
For best results the model may be provided with interchangeable upper dentures so that experience with different tooth configurations and distributions can be obtained Additionally or alternatively the larynx may be resiliently mounted for posterior movement under externally applied manual pressure and is preferably adjustable in its natural position. In many cases, manipulation of the larynx is required to facilitate the intubation.
With a model having the various preferred features hereinbefore described. a trainee may be presented with most of the difficulties which he is likely to encounter in practice and given the opportunity to learn how to modify his technique as required.
The following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings is given in order to illustrate the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the model.
FIG. 2 shows the model of FIG. 1 in cross section,
FIGS. 3 and 4 show details of the models on an enlarged scale, and
FlG. 5 shows details of the trachea and lung assembly.
The drawings are largely self-explanatory. The exterior of the model is moulded from rubberfof such mechanical properties as to give a realistic skin texture and a realistic response to manipulation.
Within the mouth is mounted an epiglottis-tongue assembly having a metal insert a pivotally mounted at b upon a pin carried by a mounting plate b. The tongue part a is a hollow rubber moulding formed with perforations to permit ingress and egress of air as it is manipulated. The epiglottis a is represented by part of the metal insert which is coated with rubber to give it a natural texture and appearance. Movement of the epiglottis is opposed by the elasticity of the tongue part, the tip of which is restrained in the region of the lower lip at c.
Lower teeth d are mounted upon a lowerjaw moulding 2 of rigid polyurethane. Moulding e is held only bythe exterior rubber moulding f and thus has realistic freedom of movement when manipulated.
Within the skull-part g of the exterior moulding f is a solid moulding h of flexible polyurethane which gives the head a realistic feel.
Trachea tubej of flexible material. having vocal cord formationsj' (FIG. 5). passes through a short rigid tube It and connects with a bronchi bifurcation block 1. Tube k is mounted by a clamp k upon a slider p. slidably carried within a bracket q and biassed anteriorly away from the bracket by a pair of springs of which one. r is shown in H6. 4. The spacing of the clamp A" from the posterior end 1) is adjustable. over a range of lcm. by a screw 1'. Thus the trachea tube is movable posteriorly against spring pressure from an adjustable position.
Block I communicates with a pair of bronci tubes it. carried by an elastomeric moulding m, said tubes terminating in a pair of inflatable bags p which represent lungs.
An interchangeable set of upper teeth is resiliently mounted upon a bracket t, stiffened by a member I, and backed by a microswitch u operable to actuate a buzzer r which is energised by a battery it when teeth s are disturbed. The roof of the mouth r, together with the uvula and the throat y, are provided in the form of elastomeric mouldings shaped as shown. The lips are stiffened internally by a ring 1.
Moulding y has an edge which is in contact, or nearly in contact, with trachea tubej to simulate an oesophageal pathway visible posterior to the larynx when the tongue and the epiglottis are manipulated with the blade of a laryngoscope to give a straight line of sight through the mouth.
Training features provided by the model may be summarised as follows:
1. The skin is textured and mobile, and the lips are sufficiently supple to enable the operator to mould and retract them during manipulation.
2. The lower jaw is mobile and can be moved forward by up to 2.0 cm.
3. The larynx assembly may be moved anteriorly or posteriorly in relation to the spine, thereby introducing a varying degree of difficulty for the trainee operator. 4. The larynx can be depressed by downward pressure as in the human subjectdemonstrating the useful manoeuvre often used to facilitate a difficult laryngeal view, as when the larynx is lying'in an anterior position.
5. The depression of the larynx in fact simulates Sellicks method of cricoid pressure and is pre-adjustable by spring pressure to require about 0.3Kg/cm -equal to that required to satisfactorily effect this manoeuvre in actual practice. 6. A retro-laryngeal oesophageal pathway is represented in the correct anatomical position, for demonstrating inadvertent intubation of the oesophagus. 7. The trainee is discouraged from levering the laryngoscope against the upper teeth by a buzzer alarm. 8. The tongue/epiglottis configuration provides effective simulation of the laryngoscope blade action:
a. to depress the tongue thus revealing the tip of the epiglottis. then b. flexing the epiglottis towards the tongue thus revealing the entrance to the trachea, vocal chords etc. 9. The bifurcation of the trachea follows an anatomical angle and allows a long endotracheal tube to find its way into the right bronchus. thus demonstrating the value of choosing a correct length of tube. 10. The upper denture is readily detachable. The degree of difficulty' for the trainee can be varied by the provision of dentures with different forms. Two alter native sets are provided as standard; one with protrud ing teeth. the other a partial set.
I claim: 1. An anatomical model for teaching the intubation of the human trachea said model having a larynx part, mouth parts. a tongue part. an epiglottis part joined to the base of the tongue part, an anteriorly movable lower jaw part and a pivotal mounting carried by the lower jaw part and positioned adjacent the junction of the epiglottis and tongue parts, the epiglottis and tongue parts being simulated by an assembly which is pivotally movable about said pivotal mounting and biassed into a normal position by elastic resilience of the tongue part. said elastic resilience and anterior movability of the tongue part with the jaw part co-operating to simulate visual exposure of the larynx part by manipulation through the mouth parts with a laryngoscope.
2. A model according to claim 1 having lip parts formed of resiliently deformable material, said lip parts simulating the lips of a human mouth.
3. A model according to claim 1 having a formation representing a retro-laryngeal pathway in addition to the larynx part.
4. A model according to claim 1 having a set of interchangeable upper dentures providing a choice of upper teeth formations.
5. A model according to claim 1 in which the larynx is resiliently mounted for posterior movement under externally applied manual pressure.
6. A model according to claim 5 in which the larynx is carried by adjustable means operable to position the larynx over a range of chosen natural positions from which it is resiliently displaceable by said manual pres sure.
UN Fri-1E GFI ECE LIERETE'FHTA'EE; UEREQETIQN PAZL'NT NU. 3,874,093
mm) r April 1, 1975 rwrjmr'owsr DIETMAR RUDOLF GARBE H rs certified that error appears rrr the abo re-rderriifiedpatentand r'nat said Letters Paterrr are hereby corrected as shown below;
Column 1, Line 29: Delete "manipulation which may be the lips of the lips, the lip" Insert: --manipulation which may be required of the lips, the lip Signed and Salad tr's A ttesl:
RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Cammissioner of Parents and Trademarks |
US-3874094-A | Preparation of skeletal display of animals | United States Patent 119] Mackey -451 Apr. 1, 1975 PREPARATION OF SKELETAL DISPLAY OF ANIMALS [76] Inventor: Walter J. Mackey, 1991 Sharondale Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55113 [22] Filed: Feb. 6, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 439,874
OTHER PUBLICATIONS R. M. Anderson, Methods of Collecting and Preserving Vertebrate Animals," 1960, pp. 141-145.
EUTHANIZE ANIMAL SPECIMEN PRE-POSITION SPECIMEN ON BLANK Primary Examiner-Harland Si. Skogquist [5 7] ABSTRACT A process for the preparation. of animal skeletons by insect corrosion, wherein a skinned natural specimen is prepared for exposure to insects by being placed in restrained position upon a mounting base, and dehydrated by exposure to circulating air currents at a controlled temperature. After drying, the restrained specimen is placed in contact with a colony of flesh-eating insects, such as Dermestes beetles, with contact being maintained until the beetles have devoured the fleshy portions. Thereafter, the remaining skeletal specimen is cleaned and bleached, any may, if desired, be coated with an adherent and coherent transparent film.
' 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures CLEAN AND MOUNT CORRODED SPECIMEN INTRODUCE DERMESTES BEETLES DRY SPECIMEN SLOWLY (IZO-I40Fl PATENTEUAPR 1 1% sum 2 er 2 FIG.7
FIG.9
FIG.8
PREPARATION OF SKELETAL DISPLAY OF ANIMALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the preparation of articulated skeletons of animals including, for example, rodents such as mice, rats, hamsters, or other mammals, as well as amphibians including frogs and toads, and reptiles such as snakes, lizards, turtles and the like. The skeleton in its final form includes the articulated skeletal structure which is mounted in generally erect position on a suitable mounting retainer. The process of the present invention makes it possible for the preparation of kits which utilize the dehydrated specimen in proper condition for exposure to flesheating insects such as the Dermestes beetle.
In the teaching of anatomy, biology, and other related sciences, there is a substantial need for new and more detailed anatomical teaching aids. In most academic routines, three-dimensional models have been found to be extremely helpful, and particularly models which will accurately present the various relative relationships of the skeletal structures and their individual spatial relationships. Obviously, it is always desirable to utilize skeletons of this type which are obtained from actual specimens.
The process of the present invention may be utilized to prepare skeletons from virtually any species of small mammals or reptiles which fall within the class of vertebrates having an organized or orderly constructed spinal column. Skeletons so prepared accurately represent the skeletal structure of the species inasmuch as they are obtained from the actual bodies of the individual vertebrates. Accordingly, skeletons prepared pursuant to the technique of the present invention are of significant value to those academicians engaged in the teaching of such sciences as anatomy, zoology, biology, or the like. Furthermore, the skeletons are of significant value to teaching at virtually any academic level, and may be utilized in kit form to comprise a portion of a teaching project.
Studies of animal and/or human anatomy have traditionally been either by the dissection of cadavers, the study of drawings, skeletons and textbooks, or by a study of models prepared to disclose only portions of the skeletal system. Recently, synthetic plastic or plaster models of various portions of the body structure have become available for anatomical studies, with these models, for the most part, illustrating only a general likeness to the structure which they represent. Frequently, these models are lacking in the fine structural details of the natural specimens, with these details having been found to be of great value to academicians or teachers of the anatomical sciences.
In order to properly prepare the skeletal specimen for exposure to the flesh-eating insects, it is desirable to have the specimen dehydrated while disposed in the ultimate upright mounted disposition. Controlled dehydration is conducted in order to avoid temperatures sufficiently low so that putrification may occur, or temperatures which are sufficiently high so as to destroy connective tissues. A controlled temperature of between about 125 F. and 160 F. has been found desirable for most specimens. with a temperature of approximately 140 F. being considered optimum for most purposes.
While the Dermestes beetle has been used by biologists for the removal of flesh from skeletal structures in the past, the present process makes it possible to appropriately remove flesh from skeletal structures in the classroom or laboratory. In this connection, therefore, the skeletons are prepared in such a fashion that they will retain their general standing or upright characteristics. Thus, the preparation of kits of various animals may be undertaken for use in teaching aids or the like, with the dried mounted cadavers having an extended shelf life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, therefore, skeletons of animal specimens are made involving the following basic steps:
1. The animal specimen is initially euthanized;
2. The euthanized specimen is pre-positioned on a supporting base, with the structure being restrained in an upright, standing or erect position and disposed upon a suitable mounting base;
3. The specimen is dehydrated by slow drying at a temperature of between F. and F.;
4. The thus processed specimen is then ready for introduction to the flesh-eating insects such as the Dermestes beetle; and
5. The corroded specimen. is then removed from contact with the insects, at which time it is cleaned, bleached and dried. The specimen may thereafter be placed in its ultimate display container.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved "process for the preparation, mounting and drying of small mammals and reptiles for ultimate exposure to flesh-eating insects, and for the preparation of standing articulated skeletons.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for the preparation of natural skeletons of animals wherein the specimen is placed in a restrained upright position upon a mounting base, and dehydrated under controlled conditions for preparation to exposure to flesh-eating insects.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for the dehydration of euthanized animal specimens wherein the dehydration is undertaken while the specimen is maintained in restrained disposition upon a mounting base, preparatory to exposure of the specimen to corrosion techniques, specifically corrosion by flesh-eating insects.
Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the various basic steps involved in the preferred process of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the dehydrated mammal specimen prior to introduction to the flesh-eating Dermestes beetles;
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are top plan, side elevational, and front elevational views respectively of the mounting base or restraint pad utilized for the specimen illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a dehydrated reptile specimen shown mounted on a modified base and in the disposition prior to introduction to the flesh-eating Dermestes beetles; and
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are top plan, site elevational, and front elevational views respectively of the mounting base or restraint pad utilized for the reptile specimen illustrated in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In order to best disclose the process of preparing skeletons pursuant to the present invention, the following technique is described in detail. This technique is directed to the preparation of a skeleton of a rodent, specifically a rat, with the process being appropriate for other small mammals and rodents as well.
EUTI-IANASIA AND SKINNING OF ANIMAL The animal is initially euthanized with an overdose of ether. In order to accomplish this, the animal is placed in a small enclosed container with a pledget of cotton soaked in ether, whereupon the animal will expire in less than about minutes.
Using a tissue scissors to slit the skin in the ventral midline from the chin to the tip of the tail, the skin in cut away from the incision laterally to the tip of each limb. By manual traction and snipping of tissues with the tissue scissors, the entire skin is removed from the animal. The skin is also pulled off the end of each paw. In this operation, care is required in order to avoid fracture of bones or cutting of ribs. Following skinning, all intestinal and thoracic viscera is removed.
CONSTRUCTION OF BASE MOUNTING BOARD With particular attention being directed to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing, the base mounting board is provided utilizing soft wood of A inch thickness. Specifically, a base 12 is provided having a support rail 13 mounted thereon, and with support posts 14, 15l5 and 16-16 being provided. A recess zone is provided as at 17 to receive and otherwise support the skeleton. This mounting base permits and facilitates handling of the specimen during the entire process, as well as to immobilize and properly position the specimen during the drying process. The support arrangement prevents loss of component parts during washing, chemical corrosion, and bleaching processes.
POSITIONING Tl-IE SKINNED SPECIMEN ON THE BASE MOUNTING BOARD The specimen is initially positioned in the normal erect position, such as the normal standing position, with the heat erect and the tail around to one side. The specimen must be securely restrained in this position by the combined upright wooden pegs or pins. In this position, one such pin is provided on each side of the anterior neck area, such as the pins 1515, with an additional pin being provided to support the lumbar area,
DRYING The animal specimen which has been mounted on the base plate is placed in a drying oven in order to become thoroughly dehydrated. The drying process may take from between 3 days to 14 days, depending upon the size of the species and the conditions of the drying oven. The drying oven is maintained at a temperature of from between F. up to F with adequate circulation of air being provided during this drying process. It has been found that an oven temperature below 125 F. causes partial putrification of the specimen, and thus is undesirable, while a temperature of over about 160 F. destroys certain connective tissues. Upon becoming completely dehydrated, the specimen and muscular tissues are resistant to putrifactive breakdown, and are generally mechanically hard and firm, and will not yield to ordinary mechanical shock and pressure.
INSECT CORROSION A colony of Dermestes beetles is employed for insect corrosion, with these beetles being placed into the c0rrosion box with the dried specimen, along with a covering of wood chips and a supply of water. For best results, and for proper control of the corrosion operation, the corrosion is undertaken in a plastic corrosion box.
For best results, the corrosion box is kept in a warm room with a quantity of water being added to a cotton wad each day. The beetle colony will grow and multiply in number and in a period of approximately 6 weeks, will completely corrode away the normal flesh from the specimen and leave an intact standing skeleton.
CHEMICAL CLEANING OF CORRODED SPECIMEN The specimen is gently removed from the corrosion box and beetle colony, and rubber bands may be placed across the wooden pins on either side of the skeleton in order to assist in retaining the structure unitary in form. The skeleton is then immersed in an undiluted solution of sodium hypochlorite (5 percent) for a period of approximately 1 /2 minutes. Undiluted solutions of sodium hypochlorite are, of course, commercially available as household bleach. This solution will chemically remove any of the remaining bits of tissue and other debris which may remain on the skeleton. Following exposure to the sodium hypochlorite solution the skeletal remains are rinsed in water.
BLEACI-IING In order to bleach the skeleton, it is immersed in a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide for a period of about 24 hours, and thereafter again rinsed.
DEGREASING The skeleton may contain quantities of fat which may be removed upon immersion in a strong detergent solution such as, for example, a substantially concentrated solution of trisodium phosphate. Several hours of expo sure are normally sufficient, and thereafter, the skeleton is again rinsed.
FINAL DRYING Following these steps, the specimen is clean and somewhat flexible. The cleaned specimen is then dried thoroughly in a standing position as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, and is maintained in this position until dry and firm. This drying may normally be accomplished in conventional ambient room conditions, but may be accelerated if undertaken in the sunlight or in front of an air-moving structure such as a fan or the like. Normally, drying is completed in 72 hours, again depending upon the size of the specimen. Normal rodents such as rats are sufficiently dry in 72 hours. Thereafter, any bones or joints which may have become loosened during the operation should be restored by adhesively coupling the bones or joints in proper position, particularly after the specimen is fully dried.
SPRAY COATING OF SPECIMEN The skeleton may thereafter be sprayed with a suitable number of coats of clear acrylic plastic which is commercially available in an aerosol spray can. One such spray is clear acrylic plastic spray, such as Krylon under the Code number 1301.
MOUNTING THE SKELETON IN FINAL DISPOSITION The final step in preparing the skeletal specimen is the removal of the skeleton from the wooden base plate and the securing of the skeleton to its ultimate display box or base. For a skeleton of a rat, it is merely necessary to cement each of the feet to the surface of the final display base.
Attention is now directed to the devices illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 inclusive, particularly wherein a skeleton of a frog is illustrated in restrained disposition on a somewhat modified form of mounting pad. In this embodiment, the structure generally designated includes a mounting pad 21 having a support rail 22 mounted thereon, and with support posts 2323, 24 and 25-25 disposed thereon. A skeleton of a frog is shown at 26, with the individual foot elements being secured to the surface of the base 21 by means of tacks or the like as shown at 27-27.
The posts 23-23 are used to laterally hold or retain the head portion, while the spinal column is supported as at 24. The pelvis is disposed inwardly of the restraining pins 25-25., while these pins further provide an outside restraint for the limbs as at 28.
As has been indicated, the general procedure followed in the preparation of the skeleton is the same as that described above in connection with the rat, with the drying time, of course, being somewhat shorter because of the smaller size of the specimen.
GENERAL COMMENTS As has been indicated, temperatures of from between about 125 F. and 160 F. are preferred for drying or dehydrating the animal, and for most conventional specimens, such as adult rats or the like, a temperature of 140 F. for 6 days has been found proper. This exposure provides the ideal dried specimen for the exposure to flesh-eating insects.
In the insect corrosion of the body, the colony of Dermestes beetles, generically known as Dermestes vulpirus, are placed within a layer of approximately 1- inch of sawdust or wood chips, preferably along the bottom of the box containing the colony. Moisture is provided for the colony by providing a quantity of cotton which is moistened from time to time in order to maintain the beetle colony active and viable.
The working colonies are preferably maintained in a darkened room as the insects have been found to work more rapidly in the dark. The room is maintained at normal conditions and normal relative humidity. Preferably, the specimen is examined daily in order to note the progress of flesh removal and in order to avoid over-corroding or disarticulation of the specimen. As the joints and other connective items between the bones begin to appear on the specimen, care should be taken to controllably note the the progress, since connective tissues including ligaments and the like are removed following consumption of the muscular and fatty tissues. Care must be taken to remove the specimen from the colony at the proper time. As indicated, a period of approximately 6 weeks provides desirable results for essentially any corrosion operation.
While fat removal has been described above, utilizing strong detergent solutions, carbon tetrachloride or other degreasing solutions may be utilized in a separate operation, following the fat removal. Appropriate precautions should, of course, be taken for using carbon tetrachloride or other degreasing materials.
I claim: 1. The method of preparing natural skeletons for insect corrosion of an animal specimen which includes the steps of:
a. euthanizing the animal specimen; b. removing the skin layer from the euthanized animal specimen and placing the skinned specimen in a restrained position upon a mounting base; and
c. dehydrating the specimen at a temperature of from between about F. up to 160 F. for a period of from about 3 to 14 days.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said dehydration is undertaken at a temperature of approximately F. for a period of 6 days.
3. The method as defined in claim I being particularly characterized in that said restrained position is a normal erect position for the animal specimen.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that dehydration occurs in an enclosure having a circulating atmosphere.
5. The method as defined in claim I being particularly characterized in that the dehydrated specimen is exposed to a colony of Dermestes beetles, with the specimen being exposed to said colony until the flesh is substantially entirely removed from the restrained specimen.
6. The method as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that following said exposure to the colony of Dermestes beetles, the animal specimen is immersed in an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite.
7. The method as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that the corroded specimen is immersed in an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite, and thereafter immersed in an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide until the surface becomes bleached.
8. The method as defined in claim 5 being particularly characterized in that said corroded specimen is removed from said beetle colony and residual fatty tis sue is removed by immersion in an aqueous detergent solution. |
US-3874095-A | Educational aid for teaching inequalities | United States Patent 11 1 Dewaele 1 Apr. 1, 1975 1 EDUCATIONAL AID FOR TEACHING 6/1970 Stobbe.....,.. 35/31 F 2/1974 Romstad 35/31 E Priniary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J. Swartz [57] ABSTRACT An educational device for demonstrating mathematical relationships between quantities including a support, a plurality of bound pages on the support bearing indicia at opposite ends of the support representing a plurality of different quantities, and an inequality sign movable on the support to selected positions between the indicia at opposite ends of the support for selectively indicating that the quantity represented at one end of the support is greater than or less than the quantity represented at the other end of the support.
15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures EDUCATIONAL AID FOR TEACHING INEQUALITIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an educational aid for teaching mathematical relationships between quantities and more particularly to teaching apparatus incorporating a movable inequality sign for teaching inequalities.
An object of the present invention is to provide an aid for teaching a student whether one quantity is greater than or less than another quantity, an instructor will frequently ask the students to copy problems comprising pairs of spaced apart numerals from a book and then write the proper inequality sign between each pair of numerals. The copying of the problem contributes little to learning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a teaching aid which will accelerate the teaching of inequalities.
Sometimes instructors will provide students with printed worksheets having problems comprising sets of spaced apart numerals and will ask the students to write the proper inequality sign between the numerals of each set. young children frequently have difficulty writing the inequality sign, and thus the learning process is impeded.
Another concept which sometimes proves especially difficult for young children to grasp is the significance or the order in which the digits are placed in any given number. The children encounter difficulty in distinguishing between the tens value digit and the ones value digit. For example, a student will confuse the numbers 76 and 67. Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for teaching mathematical relationships between quantities represented by numerals which include the same digits, but in reverse order.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a teaching aid which includes pluralities of quantityrepresenting numerals disposed at laterally opposite sides of an inequality sign that is selectively movable to positions indicating that the quantity represented at either side thereof is more than or less than the other quantity represented at the other side thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities including a support member, a plurality of interconnected pages bearing quantity indicating indicia at opposite ends of the support, and an inequality sign movable on the support between positions indicating that either of the quantities represented is larger than the other quantity represented.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
SUMMARY or THE INVENTION An educational device for the individualized teaching of mathematical relationships comprising support means, a plurality of quantity indicating means representing a plurality of different quantities at opposite ends of the support means selectively movable to positions in which means representing a selected quantity at one end of the support means opposes means representing a selected quantity at the other end of the support means. and means on said support means between the quantity indicating means at opposite ends of the LII support indicating the mathematical relationships between said quantities represented.
The present invention may more readily be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an open teaching aid booklet, constructed according to the present invention, parts of the booklet pages being broken away to more clearly illustrate the booklet covers;
FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of the booklet taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a modified construction;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating a further modified construction; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, front elevational view illustrating a cover, bearing an equality sign, in a position overlying the inequality sign illustrated in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus constructed according to the present invention comprises a book, generally designated 10, including front and rear covers 12 and 14 connected for swinging movement by hinge loops 16. The covers 12 and 14 are movable between the open positions in prolongation of each other, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and generally coextensive or closed positions as illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 2. Opposite ends of the inside surfaces 12a and 14a of the covers 12 and 14 are printed with numeric symbols, generally designated 20 and 22. The quantities represented by the symbols 20 on each cover may be either greater than or less than the quantities represented by the opposing symbols 22.
Rotatably mounted on each of the covers 12 and 14, by a pivot pin 32, is a flat disc 30 having an inequality sign 34 printed thereon. The discs 30 may be individually rotated to reorient the inequality sign 34 from the positions illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1 to the positions illustrated in chain lines in FIG. I so that they can selectively indicate that the quantities represented by the symbols 20 are either greater than or less than the quantities represented by the symbols 22, depending on the position to which the signs 34 are rotated. For example, the disc 30 on cover 12 is illustrated in a position in which the inequality sign 34 printed thereon indicates that the numeral 98 at the right end of the cover 12 (FIG. 1) is greater than the numeral 89 at the left end of the cover 12.When the inequality sign 34 on the cover 14 is in the position illustrated in chain lines (FIG. 1), it indicates that the numeral 76 at the right end of the cover 14 is greater than the numeral 67 at the left end of the cover 14.
Swingably supported by the hinge loops 16, between the covers 12 and 14, are a plurality of panels or pages 24, each including a centrally located aperture 25 which is of such size and is so positioned as to be aligned with the discs 30 on the covers 12 and 14 when the pages 24 are coextensive with the covers 12 and 14, respectively. Each of the panels or sheets 24 includes a front side 24a printed with numeric symbols, generally designated 26 and 28 on laterally opposite sides of the aperture 25, and a reverse side 24b printed with numeric symbols, generally designated 27 and 29, on opposite sides of the aperture 25.
When the sheets 24 are in the positions adjacent the cover 14, the numeric symbols 26 and 28 are on opposite sides of the disc 30 on sheet 14. When the sheets 24 are swung from the positions adjacent cover 14, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2, to the positions adjacent the cover 12, as illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 2, the numeric symbols 27 and 29 on the reverse side 24b are adjacent the disc 30 on the cover 12. The inequality sign 34 on the cover 14 is used to indicate which of the quantities represented by the symbols 26 and 28 is larger, whereas the inequality sign 34 on the cover 12 is used to indicate which of the quantities represented by the symbols 27 and 29 is larger. For example, the inequality sign 34 on the cover 12 may be moved to the position illustrated in chain lines to indicate the numeral 91 at the left end of sheet 24 is greater than the numeral 19 at the opposite end of sheet 24. When the disc 30 on the cover 14 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the inequality sign 34 indicates that the numeral 42 at the left end of the sheet 24 is greater than the number 24 at the right end of sheet 24.
Young children frequently have difficulty comprehending the order of digits in a multi-digit number.
'When children can compare numerals having digits which are the same but in reverse order, they will more quickly grasp the relationship. The digits of each of the numerals 20, 26 and 27 are the reverse of the digits of each of the opposing numerals 22, 28, and 29, respectively.
After a fully qualified instructor has demonstrated and explained the inequality concept to students, the students are generally drilled in exercises which helps to fix the inequality concept on the students mind. Apparatus constructed according to the present invention is particularly useful by a teachers aide who may successively attend to individual children practicing the exercises.
To utilize the teaching aid 10, the cover 12 of the book is opened to the position illustrated in FIG. 2. The student demonstrates his learning by reorienting the discs 30 so that the inequality sign 34 on the cover 12 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and then reads the sentence formed, i.e., the numeral 98 is larger than the numeral 89." The inequality sign 34 on the cover 14 is reoriented to the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1 representing that the numeral 42 is greater than the numeral 24. The sheet 24 is then turned to the position illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 1. The student then turns the disc 30 on the cover 12 180 so that the inequality sign is in the position illustrated in chain lines reresenting that the numeral 91 is greater than the numeral 19.
THE MODIFIED CONSTRUCTION A slightly modified teaching aid booklet is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is identical to the book 10, except that the pages 24 have been replaced by a plurality of individual cards 40 and 42 at opposite ends of the covers l2 and 14. The front sides 40a and 42a of the sheets 40 and 42 are printed with numeric symbols 26 and 28', whereas the rear sides 40b and 4212 are printed with numeric symbols 27' and 29'. Because-the cards 40 and 42 are individually movable, the quantities represented by the symbols 20 on cover 10' and indicia 27' onlsheets 40 may be compared to the quantities represented by the indicia 29' on any of the cards 42. Simi- 65 tively, on any of the other cards 42 and 40, respectively. The number of possible combinations for a given quantity of numerals on the cards 40 and 42 is substantially greater than the combination possible with the same quantity of numerals on the cards 24, illustrated in FIG. 1.
MODIFIED EMBODIMENT The teaching aid, generally designated 46 in FIG. 4, is generally utilized by an instructor at the head of a class, although it should be understood that identical devices, reduced in size, could also be utilized by each of the students at their desks.
The teaching aid 46 includes a triangular frame, generally designated 48, including a base wall 50 and upwardly converging side walls 52 joined at an apex 54. Rotatably mounted on a pin 57 provided on the upstanding front side wall 52 is a disc 56 bearing an inequality sign 58. The upstanding front wall 52 includes a pair of pockets 60 on opposite sides of the disc 56, each mounting one card 64 of a packet of identical cards connected by a hinge loop 66. The cards 64 include quantity representing numeric symbols, generally designated 68 and 69, at opposite ends of the triangular frame 48. Disposed below the packets of cards 64 on the front of the upstanding support member 52 are layers 70 and 71 of felt, separated by a vertical divider strip 73. A plurality of objects 72, corresponding in number to the quantity represented by the symbols 68 and 69, are mounted on the felt layers 70 and 71, respectively, by felt layers 74 provided on the objects 72. This assists the child in visualizing the quantities represented. For example, eight objects 72 are placed on the felt layer 70 to correspond to the quantity (10-2) represented by the indicia 68, whereas two objects 72 are placed on the felt layer 71 to correspond to the quantity (2) represented by the indicia 69.
Pivotally mounted on the apex 54 of the triangular frame 46 by a pair of hinge loops 76 is a card 78, having an equality sign printed thereon, which can be flipped from an inoperative position, illustrated in FIG. 4, to a position illustrated in FIG. 5, overlying the disc 56. If the quantity represented by the numerical symbols 68 equals the quantity represented by the numerical symbols 69, the card 78 is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 5.
It should be realized, of course, that the numerical symbols on the covers and pages of the various embodiments could comprise printed words, quantity representing pictures, such as a pie, for example, having differently colored portions to pictorially represent a fraction, or other quantity representing indicia.
It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. An educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities comprising:
support means;
quantity indicating means representing a plurality of different quantities at each end of said support means;
inequality means, disposed between the quantity indicating means at opposite ends of said support means and'movable to selected positions on said support means, for selectively indicating that a quantity represented at one end of said support means is greater than a quantity represented at the other end of said suport means; and
means mounted on said support means swingably mounting said indicating means for turning movement on'said support means to and from a position in which said indicating means indicates that a quantity at the other end of said support means is greater than a quantity represented at said one end.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, including coupling means mounting said quantity indicating means for movement between juxtaposed, stacked positions and unstacked positions.
3. Aan educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities comprising:
support means;
quantity indicating means representing unequal quantities at opposite ends of said support means; and
inequality indicating means movable to selected positions on said support means for indicating that one of said quantities represented is greater than the other quantity represented;
said quantity indicating means comprising a plurality of page panels, swingably connected to said support means, having indicating means representing different quantities, said page panels being coupled for movement between juxtaposed, stacked positions in which selected quantities are represented on laterally opposite sides of said inequality indicating means and unstacked positions.
4. An educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities comprising:
support means;
a plurality of quantity indicating means for selectively presenting selected ones of a plurality of dif ferent quantities at opposite ends of said support means;
inequality indicating means movable to selected positions on said support means for indicating that one of said quantities represented is greater than the other quantity represented; and
coupling means on said support means coupling the quantity indicating means at each end of said support means to each other and to said support means for representation of selected quantities at opposite ends of said support means;
said coupling means including means at at least one end of said support means mounting said indicating means for movement such that when one of said quantities indicated is displaced from one end of said support means, another quantity is concurrently presented to said one end.
5. The device set forth in claim 4 wherein said quantity indicating means includes means representing a plurality of quantities at one end of said support means different than the quantities represented at the opposite end of said support means, selectively movable to a position in which means representing selected ones of said quantities are disposed at opposite ends of said support means.
6. The device set forth in claim 5 wherein said inequality indicating means comprises first and second inequality indicating members movably mounted on said support means so as to indicate that a quantity represented at either end of said support means is larger than a quantity represented at the other end of said support means; said quantity indicating means comprising a plurality of page panels having quantity indicating indicia on opposite sides thereof, swingably mounted on said support means for movement between positions adjacent a selected one of said inequality indicating members.
7. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said inequality indicating members comprises a disc rotatably mounted on said support means bearing an inequality sign, said page panels having an aperture movable into alignment with said discs and bearing quantity representing indicia on laterally opposite sides of said aperture.
8. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein said page panels comprise a plurality of individually movable sheets on laterally opposite sides of said inequality indicating members bearing quantity indicating indicia on opposite sides thereof each movable to a position in which the indicia on one side thereof is adjacent one of said discs.
9. The device of claim 5 wherein said quantity indicating means includes a plurality of swingably connected page panels on each lateral side of said inequality indicating means for movement between removed positions and positions adjacent said inequality indicating means.
10. The device set forth in claim 9 wherein said support means comprises an upstanding member mounting said page panels, and apparatus for removably mounting objects in juxtaposition with said panels corresponding to the quantity represented on the page panels.
11. An educational device for the individualized teaching of mathematical relationships comprising:
support means;
a plurality of intercoupled quantity indicating means at each end of said support means, representing a plurality of different quantities, selectively movable to positions in which means representing a selected quantity at one end of said support means opposes means representing a selected quantity at the other end of said support means;
coupling means mounting said indicating means at at least one end for movement such that when one of said quantities indicated is displaced from one end of said support means, another quantity is concurrently presented to said one end; and
means coupled to said support means for movement to different positions on said support means be tween said quantity indicating means for indicating, in said different positions, different mathem atical relationships between the quantities represented on opposite ends of said support means.
12. The device set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for indicating the mathematical relationships between the quantities comprises means for selectively indicating that the quantities at opposite ends of said support means are equal and for selectively indicating that the quantity at either end of said support means is greater than the quantity at the other end of said support means.
13. The device set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for indicating the mathematical relationship comprises a disc, rotatably mounted on said support means bearing indicia indicating that the quantity at one end of said support means is greater than the quantity at the other end of said support means, and means for indicating that the quantities at opposite ends of said support means are equal mounted on said support means for movement between a position overlying said disc and a removed position.
14. An educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities comprising:
support means;
a plurality of quantity indicating means representing unequal quantities at opposite ends of said support means;
inequality indicating means movable to selected positions on said support means for indicating that the quantity represented at either selected end of said support means is greater than the other quantity represented at the other end; and
coupling means on said support means coupling said quantity indicating means to each other and to opposite ends of said support means for representation of selected quantities at opposite ends of said support means;
said quantity indicating means comprising a series of swingable connected page panels providing a plurality of quantity indicating means on laterally opposite sides of said inequality indicating means. 15. An educational device for the individualized teaching of inequalities comprising:
a pair of swingably connected covers constituting support means;
quantity indicating means representing unequal quantities at opposite ends of said support means; and
inequality indicating means movable to selected positions on said support means for indicating that one of said quantities represented is greater than the other quantity represented;
said quantity indicating means comprising a series of page panels, swingably connected to and disposed between said covers, having indicating means representing different quantities, selected ones of said page panels being movable to positions in which selected quantities are represented on laterally opposite sides of said inequality indicating means. |
US-3874096-A | Educational flash card assemblies | United States Patent [191 Romstad [451 Apr. 1, 1975 [2]] Appl. No.: 411,639
[52] US. Cl. 35/31 E, 35/75 [51] Int. Cl. G09b 1/36 [58] Field of Search 35/31 R, 31 D, 31 E, 31 G,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 565,797 8/1896 Roller 35/75 850,150 4/1907 Glazier....
1,538,529 5/1925 Troidl 35/75 1,641,982 9/1927 McDade 35/75 1,728,491 9/1929 .lanneson 35/75 2,145,794 1/1939 Huber 46/34 2,317,206 4/1943 Major 35/31 D 2,881,662 4/1959 Harris..... 116/63 P X 2,982,032 5/1961 Cooke 35/75 3,206,872 9/1965 Nason ct a1 35/31 G 3,374,559 3/1968 Smith 35/31 G 3,435.54] 4/1969 Tacey 35/75 X 3,491,193 1/1970 35/75 X 3,690,019 9/1972 Fernandez 135/31 R 3,789,517 2/1974 Romstad 35/9 E Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert G. McMorrow [57] ABSTRACT Flash card training devices in which a plurality of exhibitors are interengaged to relate indicia thereon in such manner as to form ma'thematic or other equations have cards with back panels and front panels connected to form a sleeve-like slideway. The front panels and portions of the back panels bear indicia which are adapted for alignment when the cards are engaged. Changeable orientation of the cards provides different exhibition of equations.
Modified forms provide for self-support of the card assemblies on a planar surface.
12 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures EDUCATIONAL FLASH CARD ASSEMBLIES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This invention pertains to subject matter related to that in my prior copending application Ser. No. 309,723, filed Nov. 27, 1972 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,517, issued Feb. 5, 1974.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Patent No. Patcntcc Issue Date.
565,797 Roller Aug. 11, 1896 1,538,529 Troidl May 19, 1925 1,641,982 McDadc Sept. 13, 1927 1,728,491 .Ianneson Sept. 17, 1929 2,317,206 Major April 20, 1943 2,982,032 Cooke May 2, I961 3,206,872 Nason et 211 Sept. 21, 1965 3,374,559 Smith March 26, 1968 3,435,541 Tacey April l. 1969 3,491,193 Bianchi Jan. 20, 1970 3,690,019 Fernandez Sept. 12, I972.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to novel educational apparatus employed in learning situations wherein relation of a visible concept to a manual exercise increases retention of the concept. These devices are particularly useful in mathematical drill, and also in language skill development, color perception and similar visual/intellectual training. The devices hereof are particularly useful in imparting skills to young children. At preschool levels, childhood experiences are essentially activity oriented. The beginning learner is therefore required to transfer his activity to intellectual undertakings as he enters primary training levels. The present device is useful in the transition to the cognitive domain of learning. The devices further promote psychomotor activity, and visual/manual coordination.
A principal objective of the invention resides in the provision of a learning tool which inhibits the boredom often associated with rote drill techniques. The exhibitors hereof are changeable in nature, thereby retaining interest through the necessity to manipulate the components.
In certain forms of the invention, the components are so arranged as to be readily manipulated from either side, thereby appealing to both right handed and left handed children.
Employment of these devices permits children to progress at individual rates. The units offer drill which is both entertaining and readily understandable.
The units are employed in numerous activities. One method of use involves the student manipulating the device and writing equations on a work sheet. This provides a further step in the learning process (e.g., translation from observation to writing), and also avoids the undesirable situation wherein equations are printed or written out in advance by the instructor. Again, with these units, assignments may be tailored to the needs and abilities of individual children.
An important feature of the invention pertains to the increasing complexity of the various forms. In the basic units hereof, simple sliding movement of a portion of the exhibitor provides a relationship between the indicia. As the learner progresses, more complex forms requiring assembly of components, are available.
The invention further provides for the use of the arrangements in differential attitudes, such as vertically and horizontally. Additional numbers of the units may be employed to provide advanced problems.
Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent. to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elongated slide strip comprising a component of a first form of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slidable member comprising a second component of the aforesaid first form of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the components in assembled condition;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modification of components of FIGS. 1 through 4;
FIG. 6 shows in plan view a further embodiment of the invention; I
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a slide strip of a fourth form of the unit;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slide member as used with the strip of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the components of FIGS. 7 and 8 in assembled condition;
FIGS 10 and 11 are perspective views of further modifications of the invention;
FIG. 12 shows the components of FIGS. 10 and 11 in assembled condition;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing details taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 14 is a partially disassembled plan view showing use of units similar to those in FIGS. 10 through 13;
FIG. 15 is another plan view, partially disassembled, showing the use of units similar to those of FIGS. 10 through 14;
FIG. 16 is an assembled plan view showing still further similar units with a modified form of indicia thereon;
FIG. 17 is a dissassembled plan view showing a further modification;
FIG. 18 shows a further form of the invention in perspective, assembled view;
FIG. 19 shows the device of FIG. 18 in flattened, plan view; and
FIG. 20 is a side elevational view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in more detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 through 4, a first'form of the invention is therein shown. The device comprises a flash card assembly including a pair of exhibitors 22 and 24 shown assembled in FIG. 3, and individually in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first exhibitor 22 comprises an elongated, substantially rectangular slide strip formed of a panel 26 of cardboard, plastic, or similar material. The panel has opposite front and rear surfaces 28 and 30, respectively, and top and bottom side edges 32, 34. Between the ends 36, 38, the panel is provided on its front surface 28 with various indicia. Such indicia illustratively includes a conclusionary numeral 40 accompanied by an equal symbol 42 located in a box area 44 adjacent the end 38; a series of dots 46 located in boxes 48 provided adjacent the top side edge 32; and a central elongated slide box 50.
The slide member 24 constitutes the second exhibitor component. Again, the unit is formed of heavy paper stock, plastic, or the like, and has a back panel 52 with opposite inner and outer surfaces 54, 56. The back panel further includes a base edge 58 and sides 60, 62. At a top fold portion 64, the back panel is secured to a front panel 66. The front panel 66 also has opposite inner and outer surfaces 68, 70, provided with indicia 72. In this particular form of the the invention, the main extent of the front panel 66 is in the form ofa plus sign. As will be understood, other mathematical symbols may be substituted therefor, such as minus, greater than, or less than notations. Depending from the front panel 66 is an elongated tab 74. The back panel 52 has a slit 76 formed therein at a depth slightly greater than the height of the slide strip panel 26. The tab 74 is extended through the slit, and as shown in FIG. 4, is of a length such that is substantially co-terminus in depth with the base edge 58. This extension of the tab through the slit forms a sleeve-like portion on the slide member.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the slide member 24 is adapted for folding in such manner as to support the assembled components in upright condition. To this objective, the back panel 52 has a fold line 75 and the tab 74 has a coaligned fold line (not shown). Thus, the tab and lower portion of the back panel may optionally be folded in opposite horizontal directions as shwon, to provide a base support for the device.
It will be noted that the slide member is engaged on the slide strip in such manner that the indicia bearing front surface of the strip is exposed as well as the outer surface 70 of the strip front panel 66. The plus symbol 72 is so positioned that the horizontal cross portion thereof is aligned with the slide box 50. In the illustrated example, six separate dots 46 are located in the six boxes 48, and the equal symbol 42 is interposed between the dots and the conclusionary numeral 40, constituting here the number 6. Thus, positioning of the slide member 24 in the location shown in FIG. 3 provides training that 3 plus 3 equals 6. The movement of the slide member to other positions demonstrates the other combinations of integers which also equal 6.
In FIG. 5, a unit of similar construction is shown, and components of like structure to those previously described bear the same reference character with the letter a added to differentiate. In this form of the invention, two rows of dot indicia 46a are provided in boxes 48a, arranged on opposite sides of a central slide box 50a of the first exhibitor 22a. A bar indicia 42a is employed at the end of the column of dots, and a conclusionary numeral 40a is disposed thereunder. This format permits the teaching of addition of more abstract sums of dot indicia.
FIG. 6 discloses yet another embodiment (the letter b being added to reference numerals to distinguish from above described subject matter). Here, the indicia 4612 consists of linear displays of tens, and two separate second exhibitors 24b and 2412 are engaged on the slide panel 26b. This permits instruction and practice in cumulative figures, e.g., the addition of 20 plus 30 plus 20, equalling 70.
An adaptation of this concept for the teaching of subtraction is shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. Here, the first exhibitor 220 has the base numeral 400 followed by the minus sign 420 in a first section 44c on the front surface 280. This is followed by a series of box enclosures 48 each having a dot indicia 46c therein. A band-like marking extends about the dots as shown. The second exhibitor 240 has a front panel 660 of generally rectangular outline, having substantially semi-circular indentations 102, 104 at its sides. Immediately adjacent the edge of the indentation 102 is a marking 106 which aligns at its ends with the band-like marking 100 of the first exhibitor when the components are assembled, enabling the display of an enclosed group of dots, as shown in FIG. 9. A stub tab 108 extends from the panel 660 centrally of the indentation 108, and equal symbol indicia 720 is disposed on the outer surface 680 between the indentations. Thus, by movement of the second exhibitor, it is demonstrable for example, that 6 minus 2 equals 4. I
FIGS. 10 through 13 relate to another embodiment of the concept. Here the exhibitors are employed in various combinations, and the unit of FIG. 10 is referred to arbitrarily as a first exhibitor 22d. This comprises an elongated slide strip defined by a panel 26d. The panel has opposite front and rear surfaces 28d, 30d and top and bottom edges 36d, 38d. A fold portion 200 extends to a forward flap 202 with, for example, a numeral indicia 204 thereon. A lower panel 206 depends integrally from the edge 38d of the panel 26d, and has dot indicia 208 corresponding or otherwise related to the numeral on the flap 204. A tab element 210 on the;
flap extends through a slit 212 in the lower panel.
scribed immediately above, but is descriptively distinguished herein by its functional role in the combination. The exhibitor 24d comprises a slide member for engagement with the exhibitor 22d in forming numeral or other comparisons, equations, or the like. The exhibitor 24d has a back panel 52d, a front panel 66d connected to the back panel at a fold section 64d, and a tab element 74d which extends through a slit 76d in the back panel. Indicia, here in the form of a word representation of a number 72d appears on the exposed face of the front panel. The back panel has side extensions 300, 302 projecting laterally, the extension 300 being of a length greater than that of the extension 302. Further word indicia 304 is provided on the exposed portion of the outer surface 56d of the back panel. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the extension 300 is slidably engaged between the panel 26d and the forward flap 202 of the first exhibitor.
Further adaptations of this are shown in FIGS. 14 through 16. In FIG. 14 two exhibitors 22a and 24e are assembled, and the indicia thereon showns an addition problem, calling for the connection of an answer exhibitor. The correct answer exhibitor, selected by the learner from a group of correct and incorrect exhibitors is indicated at 400. Similarly, in FIG. 15 it is shown that individual exhibitors may have only indicia such as a plus symbol 500, or a total symbol 502, and that infinite combinations of these are possible. FIG. 16 shows a variance in the type of indicia employed.
In FIG. 17, a blank slide card 600 is used for connection and convenient holding of a series of first and second exhibitors 22f and 24f. These exhibitors are similar to those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, except that the lateral extensions 28f and 300f of the former are of appreciably less extent, and the opposite sides have indentations 602, 604 shaped to receive the re spective extensions. Thus, the exhibitors are sequentially arranged on the slide card in any desired order.
FIGS. 18 through 20 disclose another form of the second exhibitor 24g. This is usual with the first component 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, and provides a stable and convenient support means for the assembly. The unit is initially flat as shown in FIG. 19, but in use, occupies the assembled condition of FIGS. 18 and 20. The assembly includes an enlarged base portion 700 having opposite ends 702, 704. The end 704 has an extended tab 706 for ease of manipulation of the exhibitor when assembled. Hingedly connected to the end edge 702 at a fold line 708 is an angle panel 710. As best seen in FIG. 19, the panel 710 has a transverse slit 712 therein adjacent the fold line 708.
A support panel 714 is .hingedly connected to the angle panel at a second fold line 716. A slot 718 is provided at the edge 720 remote from the fold line.
A front panel 722 is hingedly connected to the base portion at the end 704 thereof. The front panel is provided with indicia 72g in the form ofa plus sign. A connecting strip 724 has a first section 725 which is hinged to the front panel at a fold 726, and a terminal second section 728. The second section 728 is reverted through the slit 712, and it will be observed that the front panel seats in the slit 718 of the support panel. Thus, the front panel, when folded back against the support panel, defines a slideway therebetween for the first exhibitor.
I claim:
1. An educational flash card device comprising:
a plurality of interengaged exhibitor members each having a back panel with opposite front and rear surfaces;
the front surface of the panel comprising a slide surface, at least a portion of which is exposed when the members are disengaged;
at least one of the exhibitor members having a fold portion;
the back panel of said one exhibitor having a slit formed therein at a location remote from the fold portion;
the front panel of said one exhibitor, having inner and outer surfaces,.the outer surface having indicia thereon;
a tab extending from the front panel of said one exhibitor and extended through said slit of said back panelwhereby said one'exhibitor member forms a sleeve portion; and
the sleeve portion of said one exhibitor being engaged about the back panel of another exhibitor.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:
each of the interengaged exhibitor members is of the same construction.
3. The invention of claim 2, wherein:
the exhibitor members have different indicia thereon.
4. The invention of claim 1, and:
an elongated slide strip extended through the sleeve portion of said one exhibitor.
5. The invention of claim 1, wherein:
another of said interengaged exhibitor members comprises an elongated slide strip having indicia on its front surface.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein:
the indicia on said one exhibitor is adapted for correlation to the indicia on the slide strip to exhibit mathematical equations.
7. The invention of claim 6, wherein:
the front panel of said one exhibitor is in the form of a plus sign.
8. The invention of claim 6, wherein:
the front panel of said one exhibitor has indentations on opposite sides thereof with said indicia arranged between the indentations.
9. The invention of claim 1, wherein:
the exposed portion of the front surface of said one exhibitor has indicia thereon corresponding to the indicia on the outer surface of the front panel.
10. An educational flash card device comprising:
a first exhibitor comprising an elongated slide strip having an exposed surface, and the slide strip having opposite side edges;
second exhibitor means comprising at least one slide member slidably engaged on the slide strip;
the slide member having a back panel with opposite front and rear surfaces;
the back panel of the slide: member having a slit formed therein;
the slide member having .a fold portion slidably engaging one of the side edges of the slide strip;
the slide member having a front panel with indicia thereon; and I the slide member having a tab section extended through the slit of the back panel to conform the slide member about the slide strip.
11. In an educational flash card device, the combination comprising:
a first exhibitor comprising an elongated slide strip;
a second exhibitor comprising a base portion having opposite ends;
an angle panel hingedly connected to the baseportion at a fold line on one of said ends, the angle panel having a slit formed therein;
a support panel hingedly connected to the angle panel at a second fold line, the support panel having a slot therein on an edge remote from the second fold line;
a front panel hingedly connected to the base portion at the other of said ends thereof, the front panel having indicia thereon, the front panel overlying the support panel and forming a slideway therebetween;
a connecting strip having a first section and a second section extending from the front panel, the first section overlying the angle panel and the second 12. The invention of claim 11, and:
section extending through the said slit; and the base portion having an extension on said other the first exhibitor being slidably engaged in said slideend forming a handle means. |
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