US3263373A

US3263373A - Vibratory finishing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3263373A
Application number: US340225A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis V Abrams; Engel J Anthony
Original assignee: Pangborn Corp
Current assignee: Kennecott Corp; Pangborn Corp
Priority date: 1964-01-27
Filing date: 1964-01-27
Publication date: 1966-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-02
Also published as: GB1072142A; FR1490468A

Description

g 2, 1966 L. v. ABRAMS ETAL 3,263,373

VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 JAn U1 OWE 71 96 L %M ATTORNEYS g- 2, 1966 L. v. ABRAMS ETAL 3,263,373

VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS L 02113 VAbrccms JAnZhog E1196 L ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,263,373 VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS Louis V. Abrams and J. Anthony Engel, Hagerstown, Md., assignors to The Pangborn Corporation, Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 340,225 14 Claims. (Cl. 51-163) This invention relates to vibratory finishing and more particularly to the type of vibratory finishing which is suitable for treating work pieces of metal or similar material with solid and/or liquid treating agents for the purpose of deburring, descaling, cleaning, polishing, burnishing, rounding corners and edges, etc.

The vibratory finishing apparatus of the present invention provides an improvement over prior vibratory apparatus. For instance, the apparatus is particularly adaptable for use with liquid treating agents as well as with solid treating agents for treating the work pieces in a vibratory operation for the purpose mentioned above.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention is most suitable for ease of operation in that the vibrating tub of the apparatus need not be tilted or pivoted to empty the contents thereof after the operation has been completed. The contents can include liquid and/ or solid treating agents as well as the work pieces.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and novel vibratory apparatus for vibratory treatment of work pieces wherein the material being treated and any liquids contained in the vibratory tub can be discharged from the tub without tilting the tub after the vibratory operation is completed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a vibratory apparatus of the above object wherein the top edge of the tub has an inwardly extending ledge to trap and prevent any foreign matter from entering the tub between the top edge of the tub and the lid or cover for the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibratory tub having a discharge door for the work pieces, and a drain for liquid treating agents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vibratory apparatus of the above objects wherein the entire tub inner surface, including a discharge door for the tub, is lined with a suitable protective layer which prevents damage by the tub contents to the tub inner surface itself.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above objects wherein a chute extending from the outer surface of the tub extends below a discharge opening in the tub whereby the work pieces can :be discharged directly from the tub, onto the chute, and into a suitable discharge or collecting unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a detail partially in section of the lower portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a section taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

As seen in the drawings, the vibrator assembly 1 is formed of an open top tub 3 which has an inwardly and outwardly extending top ledge 5 extending along the sides and ends of the tub 3. This ledge affords additional protection for preventing foreign matter from working its way into the tub between the top of the tub and a cover 7 which locks onto the externally extending portion of ledge 5 by virtue of the underslung lip 9 which fits over the outwardly extending portion of the ledge 5, and the turn clamps 11 secured to the front of the top 7 which also fit under outwardly extending portion of ledge 5.

3,263,373 Patented August 2, 1966 Upon rotation of the clamp shafts, the top 7 is firmly clamped down against the ledge 5.

The tub has vertically disposed end walls 2 and side Walls 4 which side walls curve inwardly at the bottom to provide a curved bottom wall portion for the tub.

The tub 3 is fixed to a base support 13 (FIG. 2) by lower extensions 15 of the end panels of the tub 3.

As seen in the drawings, a drain spout 17 for draining liquid from the tub is positioned at the free end of the tub near the bottom thereof. The drain. can be of the type where it is opened and closed by rotating the spout from close to open position and vice versa. With this arrangement, the tub can be drained of liquid without tilting or pivoting the tub on its side. Also, other type drain opening and closing arrangements can be used such as a turn handle, etc.

Also, there is a tub discharge door 19 in the lower portion of the tub 3 on one side thereof. The discharge door structure is shown in better detail in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the wall of the tub 3 flanges outwardly to form an outwardly extending flanged port 21. The door 19 also flanges outwardly at its edges to form a cooperating flange fit with the flanged port 21 of the tub 3. To seal the connection between the door and the flange port 21, a rubber O ring 123 is sandwiched between the flange of the port 21 and the flange of the door 19 as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown better in FIG. 3, the tub 3 has a protective liner 23 which abuts against the inwardly extending portion of ledge 5 which is formed of a suitable hard metal and which is non-corrosive to liquids which may be used in the finishing treatment of the work pieces. The metal liner 23 also protects the inner surface of the tub 3 from any damage brought about by contact with the abrasive media or other finishing media for the work pieces which may knock or rub against the inner surface of the tub thus damaging the same.

In similar manner, the inner surface of the door 19 also has secured thereto a protective liner 23' which mates with the liner 23 of the tub to form an uninterrupted protective liner surface along all areas of the tub.

The door includes an expansion lock arrangement 25 for locking the door in place prior to the vibratory operation and for removing the door after the vibratory treatment is completed. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a lock plate 27 is placed behind lock blocks 29 secured to the inner surface of the side walls of a chute (to be described later). By rotating the turn handle 31, and thus its threaded shaft 33, the lock plate 27 can be moved outwardly tightly against the lock blocks 29. This action also forces the discharge door 19 firmly into and against the flanged port 21 of the tub to form a tight fitting connection therebetween.

Conversely, upon rotation of the turn handle 31 and its threaded shaft 33 in the opposite direction, the lock plate 27 is moved away from the lock blocks 29 and the door 19 may be easily removed from the port 21 to gain access to the tub interior.

Another important feature of the invention is the chute 35 which extends outwardly from the external surface of the tub and surrounds and fits under the discharge door 19. With this arrangement, the material being dis charged through the tub port 21 will fall into the chute 35 and slide down into a suitable carry away or hoist lift without further manipulation. The lower portion of the chute 35 is cradled within a front cut out portion of the platform 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As shown better in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support platform 13 is supported at its four corners by expandable air cushions 40 which are connected at their upper and lower ends to the underside of the platform 13 and to pedestals 42 respectively. The pedestals 42 are in turn connected to longitudinally extending rails 44 connected by cross struts 46.

The air bags 40 are connected to air supply and discharge mechanisms (not shown) whereby the height of the air bag can be adjusted by adjusting the air pressure within the cushions. This is done through control valve 48 (see FIG. 1). By varying the height of the air bag and the air pressure therein, the rate and degree of gyration or vibration is varied as desired according to the particular requirements of the finishing operation. These air bags are better described in Patent No. 3,063,207.

Also connected in underslung manner to the undersurface of the platform 13 is the vibratory shaft arrangement generally identified as 50 which provides a gyratory motion or vibratory motion to the tub 3, being transmitted through the rubber air cushions 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, bearing supports or housings 52 are secured to the underside of platform 13. A driven shaft 54 is supported by the supports 52. An eccentric weight 56 is positioned around and secured to that portion of the shaft lying between the bearing supports 52.

The driven shaft 54 is connected to the drive shaft-:60

by a flexible coupling arrangement 62. The drive shaft 60 is housed in a bearing support 64 secured to the rails 44. The drive shaft is connected with the electric motor 66 for driving the shaft 60 through a housing 68 which contains a variable speed drive arrangement such as a Reeves pulley type arrangement. Such a driving arrangement is also described and disclosed in Patent No. 3,063,207 referred to above.

The supporting rails 44 are in turn supported by air cushions 70 (FIG. 3) at each end of the rails. The cushions 70 are housed within telescoping upper and

lower units

72 and 74. This is necessary since the height of the air cushions 70 can also be varied by providing air supply connections with the cushions 70.

In the operation of the above apparatus, the material or work pieces to be finished is loaded into the tub along with a suitable gn't or other abrasive media, and a liquid treating agent, if desired. The top 7 is then firmly clamped on the tub and the electric motor 66 is started which then drives

shafts

60 and 54 to place the eccentric Weight 56 into rotation. In view of the eccentric weight, the vibration producing assembly 50 causes the platform 13 to vibrate because of the transmission of the vibratory motion from the assembly 50 and through the air bags 40 which support the platform 13. Since the tub 3 is secured or fixed to platform 13 it also vibrates and the abrasive medium is made to follow a gyratory or vibratory motion along with the work pieces.

After the operation is completed, the electric motor is turned off, the top 7 removed and the drain spout 17 opened to remove liquid therefrom. When the liquid has drained, the discharge door 19 is removed and the work pieces along with the abrasive media and removed debris, fines, etc., is discharged through the tub port 21 into the chute 35 and into a suitable hoist or carry away (not shown). Additional vibration is, of course, given through the air cushion floor supports 70 which also pick up and transmit vibratory motion to the tub through the air cushions 40'.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A vibratory apparatus for treating work pieces comprising a base support, a tub supported in upright position by said base, said tub having vertically disposed end walls and side walls which curve inwardly at the bottom to provide a curved bottom wall portion for the tub, a liquid drain spout extending through and from one of the vertically disposed end Walls, a work piece discharge door which fits in an opening therefor in the curved bottom wall portion of the tub to engage with said wall portion, said door when in closed position mating with the inner surface of the tub to provide a flush uninterrupted inner tub surface, a top cover for the tub, resilient means connecting the tub with said base support, and means connected with the base support for vibrating the tub.

2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the top edge of the tub has an inwardly extending ledge, and a protective liner covering the interior of said tub and a butting against said ledge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub is supported by a platform, and air cushions support said platform.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means are provided for varying the air pressure within said cushions.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for vibrating the tub are fixed to the underside of the platform.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the vibration' producing means comprises a driven shaft having an eccentric weight mounted thereon.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for vibrating the platform and tub is connected by flexible coupling to a drive means supported on the base support.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a chute extends out from the curved bottom wall portion of the tub around and pnder the opening for said door in the tub for conveying discharged work pieces into a suitable receiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a portion of said base support is recessed, and said chute is disposed in said recessed portion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opening for said door has an outwardly extending flange, the door has an outwardly extending flange which fits within and against the port flange, and an expanding lock means is connected with the door which releases and tightens the door in said port.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the expanding lock means includes a 'lock plate which cooperates with a pair of lock blocks supported on the inner Wall of said chute.

12. The apparatus according to claim lwherein the inner surface of the tub and inner surface of the discharge door have a protective layer secured thereto for preventing damage to the inner surface of the tub, said layers mating when the door is in closed position to provide an uninterrupted protective surface along all inner surfaces of the tub.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base support is also supported by air cushions connected with the floor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein means are provided for varying the air pressure in said air cushions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 707,011 8/ 1902 Reynolds 2205 7 2,009,126 7/ 1935 Wettlauifer 25972 2,225,537 12/1940 Johnson l72-l26 2,576,116 11/1951 Hoffman 259-72 2,822,092 2/1958 Masson 2l0l38 2,973,606 3/1961 Brandt 51l63 2,997,814 8/1961 Brandt 5 l7 3,063,207 11/1962 Moore 51-163 HAROLD D. WHIT'EHEAD, Primary Examiner.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Examiner.

J. L. TATE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A VIBRATORY APPARATUS FOR TREATING WORK PIECES COMPRISING A BASE SUPPORT, A TUB SUPPORTED IN UPRIGHT POSITION BY SAID BASE, SAID TUB HAVING VERTICALLY DISPOSED END WALLS AND SIDE WALLS WHICH CURVE INWRDLY AT THE BOTTOM TO PROVIDE A CURVED BOTTOM WALL PORTION FOR THE TUB, A LIQUID DRAIN SPOUT EXTENDING THROUGH AND FROM ONE OF THE VERTICALLY DISPOSED END WALLS, A WORK PIECE DISCHARGE DOOR WHICH FITS IN AN OPENING THEREFOR IN THE CURVED BOTTOM WALL PORTION OF THE TUB TO ENGAGE WITH SAID WALL PORTION, SAID DOOR WHEN IN CLOSED POSITION MATING WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF THE TUB TO PROVIDE A FLUSH UNINTERRUPTED INNER TUB SURFACE, A TOP COVER FOR THE TUB, RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED THE TUB WITH SAID BASE SUPPORT, AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE BASE FOR VIBRATING THE TUB.