Abstract An automatic blade control mechanism for meat skinning machines comprising a laterally extending skin gripping roll having a cutting blade movably positioned adjacent thereto. A power means is connected to the gripping roll to cause rotation thereof so that a layer of meat can be moved rearwardly towards the cutting blade to separate a layer of skin from the meat. A blade control means is connected to the opposite ends of the cutting blade to cause the cutting blade to automatically move into a cutting position upon engagement with the meat. Each of the blade control means comprises an end plate secured to the end of the cutting blade and having a biased support means connected thereto which yieldably resists the upward movement of the cutting blade away from the gripping roll. A support arm is secured to the support means and is operatively connected to a crank arm having its axis of rotation below and forwardly of the rotational axis of the gripping roll. The rearward end of the crank arm is pivotally connected to the upper end of a spring loaded rod which is pivotally and slidably connected adjacent its lower end to a control lever. The control lever may be selectively pivotally moved to a first position whereby the cutting blade is moved outwardly and rearwardly from the gripping roll for cleaning purposes. The control lever is yieldably normally positioned in a second position wherein the cutting blade is in a position to move into its cutting position. The engagement of the cutting blade by the meat causes the support arm and the crank arm to be pivotally moved thereby causing the spring loaded rod to yieldably and slidably move downwardly against the spring resistance imposed thereon, with respect to the control lever to permit the cutting blade to move into its cutting position to separate the layer of skin from the meat. The instantaneous initial bite of the cutting blade into the meat is enhanced and accelerated by pivoting the cutting blade from its position adjacent the gripping roll rearwardly and downwardly into its cutting position.
A blade control mechanism for a skinning machine having rearward and forward ends comprising, a frame; a laterally extending gripping roll mounted tranversly of said frame; a blade positioned adjacent said gripping roll; means for rotating said gripping roll whereby a layer of meat can be moved rearwardly toward said blade to separate a layer of skin from said meat; a blade support means for holding said blade, said blade support means being movably mounted on said frame for movement from a first position wherein said blade is spaced a predetermined distance from said gripping roll to a second position wherein said blade is closer to said gripping roll for removing said layer of skin from said meat; said blade support means being automatically movable from said first positon to said second position in response to said meat being urged into contact with said blade by said gripping roll whereby said blade is moved toward said gripping roll; means for movably mounting said blade to said blade support means for movement toward and away from said gripping roll comprises an arm member movably mounted to said support means, said arm member being pivotally attached to said blade and bias means yieldably urging said blade toward said gripping roll whereby said blade is yieldable away from said gripping roll against said bias means in response to increased thicknesses of said skin passing between said blade and said gripping roll.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A blade control mechanism for a skinning machine having rearward and forward ends comprising, a frame; a laterally extending gripping roll mounted tranversly of said frame; a blade positioned adjacent said gripping roll; means for rotating said gripping roll whereby a layer of meat can be moved rearwardly toward said blade to separate a layer of skin from said meat; a blade support means for holding said blade, said blade support means being movably mounted on said frame for movement from a first position wherein said blade is spaced a predetermined distance from said gripping roll to a second position wherein said blade is closer to said gripping roll for removing said layer of skin from said meat; said blade support means being automatically movable from said first positon to said second position in response to said meat being urged into contact with said blade by said gripping roll whereby said blade is moved toward said gripping roll; means for movably mounting said blade to said blade support means for movement toward and away from said gripping roll comprises an arm member movably mounted to said support means, said arm member being pivotally attached to said blade and bias means yieldably urging said blade toward said gripping roll whereby said blade is yieldable away from said gripping roll against said bias means in response to increased thicknesses of said skin passing between said blade and said gripping roll.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A blade control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said arm member is slidably mounted to said support means for longitudinal sliding movement toward and away from said gripping roll, stop means for limiting movement of said arm toward said gripping roll beyond a predetermined point; said bias means urging said arm member toward said gripping roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
218 words
A blade control mechanism for a skinning machine having rearward and forward ends comprising, a frame; a laterally extending gripping roll; an elongated blade positioned adjacent said gripping roll and having a forwardly presented knife edge; means for rotating said gripping roll whereby a layer of meat can be moved rearwardly toward said blade to separate a layer of skin from said meat; a blade support means for holding said blade, said blade support means being movably mounted on said frame for movement from a first position wherein said blade is spaced a predetermined distance from said gripping roll to a second position wherein said blade is closer to said gripping roll for removing said layer of skin from said meat; said blade support means being automatically movable from said first position to said second position in response to said meat being urged into contact with said blade by said gripping roll whereby said blade is moved toward said gripping roll; pivot means pivotally mounting said blade to said support means for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; said blade support means and said gripping roll having complementary bearing surfaces thereon for causing said blade to be oriented in a predetermined position with respect to said gripping roll whenever said blade support means moves to said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
218 words
A blade control mechanism for a skinning machine having rearward and forward ends comprising, a frame; a laterally extending gripping roll; an elongated blade positioned adjacent said gripping roll and having a forwardly presented knife edge; means for rotating said gripping roll whereby a layer of meat can be moved rearwardly toward said blade to separate a layer of skin from said meat; a blade support means for holding said blade, said blade support means being movably mounted on said frame for movement from a first position wherein said blade is spaced a predetermined distance from said gripping roll to a second position wherein said blade is closer to said gripping roll for removing said layer of skin from said meat; said blade support means being automatically movable from said first position to said second position in response to said meat being urged into contact with said blade by said gripping roll whereby said blade is moved toward said gripping roll; pivot means pivotally mounting said blade to said support means for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; said blade support means and said gripping roll having complementary bearing surfaces thereon for causing said blade to be oriented in a predetermined position with respect to said gripping roll whenever said blade support means moves to said second position.