US3685213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orbital finishing system
Assignee: JEPMAR RESEARCH
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Filing: 1970-02-05
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A vibratory finishing machine including a supporting frame, a processing tub, and vibratory means interposed between the frame and the tub to vibrate the tub. Spaced charging and discharging means deliver workpieces and media into one end of the tub and discharge it through an opening in the opposite end of the tub so as to provide a continuous feed finishing operation. The discharging means includes a weir which extends to an adjustable height to control the height at which workpieces and media discharge from the tub. The discharging means also includes a closure means for closing the discharge opening to retain or discharge workpieces and media. A timing control serves to cyclically actuate the closure operator at adjustable predetermined intervals of time during operation of the machine. Together these adjustable controls permit the retention time of workpieces in the tub to be controllably varied.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Rampe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:46
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B31/00; B24B31/06; B24B31/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A vibratory finishing machine comprising: a. a supporting frame structure; b. a tub structure carried on said frame structure but free to vibrate relative to said frame structure; c. vibratory means interposed between said structures to vibrate said tub structure relative to said frame structure; d. charging means for feeding into said tub structure a plurality of workpieces to be finished and media to be used in finishing the workpieces; e. discharging means for controllably discharging workpieces and media from said tub structure; f. said charging means and said discharging means being arranged to introduce and discharge workpieces and abrasive media into and from spaced regions of said tub structure whereby the machine is operable in a continuous feed mode; g. said discharging means comprising: i. means defining a discharge opening in communication with said tub structure and forming weir means extending to a predetermined height to control the height at which workpieces and media discharge from said tub structure; ii. closure means selectively closing said discharge opening whereby said closure means may be opened to permit workpieces and media to pass over said weir means and to discharge through said discharge opening, and may be closed to retain workpieces and media within said tub structure; iii. closure operator means connected to said closure means for opening and closing the closure means; and, iv. automatic flow control means for periodically actuating said closure operator means to open and close the closure means at selected intervals during the operation of said machine thereby to control automatically the discharge rate of workpieces and media from said tub structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A vibratory finishing machine comprising: a. a supporting frame structure; b. a tub structure carried on said frame structure but free to vibrate relative to said frame structure; c. vibratory means interposed between said structures to vibrate said tub structure relative to said frame structure; d. charging means for feeding into said tub structure a plurality of workpieces to be finished and media to be used in finishing the workpieces; e. discharging means for controllably discharging workpieces and media from said tub structure; f. said charging means and said discharging means being arranged to introduce and discharge workpieces and abrasive media into and from spaced regions of said tub structure whereby the machine is operable in a continuous feed mode; g. said discharging means comprising: i. means defining a discharge opening in communication with said tub structure and forming weir means extending to a predetermined height to control the height at which workpieces and media discharge from said tub structure; ii. closure means selectively closing said discharge opening whereby said closure means may be opened to permit workpieces and media to pass over said weir means and to discharge through said discharge opening, and may be closed to retain workpieces and media within said tub structure; iii. closure operator means connected to said closure means for opening and closing the closure means; and, iv. automatic flow control means for periodically actuating said closure operator means to open and close the closure means at selected intervals during the operation of said machine thereby to control automatically the discharge rate of workpieces and media from said tub structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said weir means is movable relative to said tub structure to adjustably control the height at which workpieces and media are discharged from said tub structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said weir means comprises the lower edge of said discharge opening and said closure means is engageable with the upper edge of said weir means so as to prevent the passage of workpieces and media over said weir means when said closure means is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 1 wherein: a. said means defining a discharge opening comprises housing means adjustably connected to said tub structure; and, b. said weir means comprises the lower edge of said discharge opening defined by said housing means; c. whereby the position of said housing means may be adjusted relative to said tub structure to adjustably control the height at which workpieces and media are discharged from said tub structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 4 wherein: a. said housing extends substantially horizontally such that its central axis in effect continues the central axis of said tub structure; b. said discharge opening is formed in the periphery of said housing with a region spaced radially from said central axis; and, c. said housing is adjustably rotatably mounted on said tub structure whereby said housing may be rotated relative to said tub to adjustably position said weir means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claIm 5 wherein said weir means comprises the lower edge of said discharge opening, and said closure means is engageable with the upper edge of said weir means so as to prevent the passage of workpieces and media over said weir means when said closure is closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vibratory finishing machine comprising: a. a supporting frame structure; b. a tub structure carried on said frame structure but free to vibrate relative to said frame structure; c. vibratory means interposed between said structures to vibrate said tub structure relative to said frame structure; d. charging means for feeding into said tub structure a plurality of workpieces to be finished and media to be used in finishing the workpieces; e. discharging means for controllably discharging workpieces and media from said tub structure; f. said charging means and said discharging means being arranged to introduce and discharge workpieces and abrasive media into and from spaced regions of said tub structure whereby the machine is operable in a continuous feed mode; g. said discharging means comprising: i. means defining a discharge opening in communication with said tub structure; ii. closure means for selectively opening and closing said discharge opening so as to permit or prohibit the discharge of workpieces and media from said tub structure; iii. closure operator means connected to said closure means for opening and closing said closure means; and, iv. timing control means for cyclically actuating said closure operator means to open and close said closure means at predetermined intervals of time during the operation of said machine, whereby the discharge rate of workpieces and media is automatically controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vibratory finishing machine comprising: a. a supporting frame structure; b. a tub structure carried on said frame structure but free to vibrate relative to said frame structure; c. vibratory means interposed between said structures to vibrate said tub structure relative to said frame structure; d. charging means for feeding into said tub structure a plurality of workpieces to be finished and media to be used in finishing the workpieces; e. discharging means for controllably discharging workpieces and media from said tub structure; f. said charging means and said discharging means being arranged to introduce and discharge workpieces and abrasive media into and from spaced regions of said tub structure whereby the machine is operable in a continuous feed mode; g. said discharging means comprising: i. means defining a discharge opening in communication with said tub structure; ii. closure means for selectively opening and closing said discharge opening so as to permit or prohibit the discharge of workpieces and media from said tub structure; iii. closure operator means connected to said closure means for opening and closing said closure means; and, iv. timing control means for cyclically actuating said closure operator means to open and close said closure means at predetermined intervals of time during the operation of said machine, whereby the discharge rate of workpieces and media is automatically controlled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 7 wherein said means defining a discharge opening also serves to form a weir extending to a predetermined height to control the height at which workpieces and media discharge from said tub structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 8 wherein said weir is movable relative to said tub structure to adjustably control the height at which workpieces and media are discharged from said tub structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The vibratory finishing machine of claim 7 wherein: a. said closure operator means comprises a fluid operated cylinder which is extensible and contractable to move said closure means; and, b. said timing means comprises a timer mechanism the intervals of operation of which are adjustable such that the discharge rate of workpieces and media from said tub structure may be adjustably controlled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |