US3757683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compactor drive chain tensioning apparatus
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A compactor in which the compacting ram is driven along stationary jack screws by means of internally threaded sprockets mounted on the ram and threadably engaging the jack screws. The sprockets are rotated by means of a drive chain wrapping the sprockets and a drive sprocket. The drive chain is maintained in taut, sprocket engaging relationship to both the drive and driven sprockets by means of a pair of tensioning sprockets pivotally mounted on the ram and urged towards each other into engagement with the drive chain by means of a coil spring.
Inventors
- 👤 E Engebretsen
- 👤 E Grunewald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:16
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/30; B30B9/306; B30B9/3064; F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/10; F16H7/12; F16H7/1254; F16H7/1281; F16H2007/0863; F16H2007/0874
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A compactor comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. an open receptacle received in said housing adjacent a lower portion thereof, c. a plurality of triangularly arranged jack screws mounted in said housing in vertically extending, spaced relationship to each other outwardly of said receptacle, d. a compacting ram, e. a plurality of internally threaded triangularly oriented sprockets rotatably mounted on said ram and threadably engaging said jack screws, f. a drive motor mounted on said ram and powering a drive sprocket positioned substantially medially with respect to said internally threaded sprockets, g. a drive chain trained about said drive sprocket and each of said jack screw engaging sprockets and defining an outer pair of angularly related chain reaches and an inner pair of angularly related chain reaches spaced from said outer pair, h. a pair of opposed bell cranks pivotally mounted on said ram for pivotal movement about axes extending parallel to the axes of rotation of said sprockets, i. idler sprockets mounted on said bell cranks adjacent said pivotal axes thereof and engaging said inner chain reaches on inner surfaces thereof, j. tensioning sprockets rotatably mounted on said bell cranks and engaging said inner chain reaches on outer surfaces thereof, and k. a coil spring attached to and extending between opposed ends of said bell cranks and urging said tensioning sprockets towards each other and into engagement with said outer surfaces of said inner reaches of said drive chain to maintain said chain taut about said sprockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A compactor comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. an open receptacle received in said housing adjacent a lower portion thereof, c. a plurality of triangularly arranged jack screws mounted in said housing in vertically extending, spaced relationship to each other outwardly of said receptacle, d. a compacting ram, e. a plurality of internally threaded triangularly oriented sprockets rotatably mounted on said ram and threadably engaging said jack screws, f. a drive motor mounted on said ram and powering a drive sprocket positioned substantially medially with respect to said internally threaded sprockets, g. a drive chain trained about said drive sprocket and each of said jack screw engaging sprockets and defining an outer pair of angularly related chain reaches and an inner pair of angularly related chain reaches spaced from said outer pair, h. a pair of opposed bell cranks pivotally mounted on said ram for pivotal movement about axes extending parallel to the axes of rotation of said sprockets, i. idler sprockets mounted on said bell cranks adjacent said pivotal axes thereof and engaging said inner chain reaches on inner surfaces thereof, j. tensioning sprockets rotatably mounted on said bell cranks and engaging said inner chain reaches on outer surfaces thereof, and k. a coil spring attached to and extending between opposed ends of said bell cranks and urging said tensioning sprockets towards each other and into engagement with said outer surfaces of said inner reaches of said drive chain to maintain said chain taut about said sprockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
185 words
A compactor Comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. an open receptacle received in said housing, c. a plurality of triangularly arranged jack screws mounted in said housing outwardly of said receptacle in spaced parallel relationship to each other, d. a compacting ram movable along said jack screws, e. drive means mounted on said ram for causing said ram to move along said jack screws into and out of said receptacle, f. said drive means including: i. a drive motor mounted on said ram and powering a drive sprocket, ii. a plurality of driven sprockets threadably engaged with said jack screws, and iii. a drive chain wrapping said drive sprocket and said driven sprockets and supporting said drive chain with an inner pair of angularly related reaches and an outer pair of angularly related reaches extending substantially parallel to said inner reaches, g. a pair of tensioning sprockets engaging said inner reaches of said drive chain, and h. means resiliently urging said tensioning sprockets in directions normal to the axes of rotation of said sprockets to maintain said chain in taut driving relationship to said sprockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
185 words
A compactor Comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. an open receptacle received in said housing, c. a plurality of triangularly arranged jack screws mounted in said housing outwardly of said receptacle in spaced parallel relationship to each other, d. a compacting ram movable along said jack screws, e. drive means mounted on said ram for causing said ram to move along said jack screws into and out of said receptacle, f. said drive means including: i. a drive motor mounted on said ram and powering a drive sprocket, ii. a plurality of driven sprockets threadably engaged with said jack screws, and iii. a drive chain wrapping said drive sprocket and said driven sprockets and supporting said drive chain with an inner pair of angularly related reaches and an outer pair of angularly related reaches extending substantially parallel to said inner reaches, g. a pair of tensioning sprockets engaging said inner reaches of said drive chain, and h. means resiliently urging said tensioning sprockets in directions normal to the axes of rotation of said sprockets to maintain said chain in taut driving relationship to said sprockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The compactor of claim 2 further comprising: a. a pair of tensioning sprocket arms, b. means pivotally mounting said arms on said ram for rotation about axes parallel to the axes of said sprockets, and c. means rotatably mounting said tensioning sprockets on said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The compactor of claim 3 wherein: a. said urging means urges said tensioning sprockets towards each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The compactor of claim 4 wherein: a. said urging means comprises spring means interconnecting said arms at points spaced from said means pivotally mounting said arms on said ram.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |