US3849052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe belling machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-19
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A pipe belling machine of elongated frame construction which employs a plurality of chain conveyors which function transversely of the machine to carry previously cut plastic pipes across the machine surface. The chain conveyors carry spaced pins and are periodically functioned to transversely index the pipes in spaced increments. A continuously operating moving belt is associated with each chain conveyor. The continuous motion of the belts results in continuously rotating each length of plastic pipe as it is indexed across the device. One end of each plastic pipe is directed beneath infra-red heaters which are arranged in three heating stations. The heaters soften the pipe ends for pipe belling purposes as the pipes are conveyed across the device. A belling station receives the pipes from the third heating station and includes a power operated mandrel to press a predesigned shape onto each previously heated pipe end. The conveyors move in spaced increments from the initial station, through the three heating stations to the belling station in response to limit switches which are activated by the introduction of additional lengths of pipe into the receiving station.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:48
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C31/00; B29C31/002; B29C57/00; B29C57/02; B29C57/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a pipe belling machine, the combination of A. a frame having a longitudinal axis, 1. said frame having an inlet end and a remote end; B. a pipe receiving station supported by the frame, 1. said pipe receiving station receiving lengths of previously cut pipes from a source exterior of the machine; C. a heater mounted at the inlet end of the frame, 1. said heater defining at least one pipe end heating station; D. a chain conveyor functioning transversely of the said longitudinal axis, 1. said conveyor including means to urge the pipes transversely across the frame, 2. a portion of each said pipe being positioned within the heating station for pipe end heating purposes as the pipe is urged across the frame; E. a belt rotative about the frame and having an upper path and a lower path of travel, 1. the said pipes resting upon the upper belt path and being rotated thereby upon operation of the belt; and F. a belling station receiving the pipes from the heating station, 1. said belling station including means to impress a bell shape upon the previously heated end of the pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a pipe belling machine, the combination of A. a frame having a longitudinal axis, 1. said frame having an inlet end and a remote end; B. a pipe receiving station supported by the frame, 1. said pipe receiving station receiving lengths of previously cut pipes from a source exterior of the machine; C. a heater mounted at the inlet end of the frame, 1. said heater defining at least one pipe end heating station; D. a chain conveyor functioning transversely of the said longitudinal axis, 1. said conveyor including means to urge the pipes transversely across the frame, 2. a portion of each said pipe being positioned within the heating station for pipe end heating purposes as the pipe is urged across the frame; E. a belt rotative about the frame and having an upper path and a lower path of travel, 1. the said pipes resting upon the upper belt path and being rotated thereby upon operation of the belt; and F. a belling station receiving the pipes from the heating station, 1. said belling station including means to impress a bell shape upon the previously heated end of the pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the chain conveyor means include a plurality of spaced, outwardly projecting pins, each pin contacting a pipe to urge the pipe across the frame in response to conveyor operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
a portion of each said pipe being positioned within the heating station for pipe end heating purposes as the pipe is urged across the frame; E. a belt rotative about the frame and having an upper path and a lower path of travel,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
a portion of each said pipe being positioned within the heating station for pipe end heating purposes as the pipe is urged across the frame; E. a belt rotative about the frame and having an upper path and a lower path of travel,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the conveyor moves in timed increments of travel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the belt is an endless belt and herein the belt continuously moves to continuously rotate each pipe within the heating station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the length of travel of the conveyor during each timed increment is equal to the spacing between pins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the upper path of belt travel lies in a plane which upwardly inclines toward the belling station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein the chain conveyor means also include a micro switch affixed to the frame in alignment with the path of travel of a pipe introduced into the receivIng station, the micro switch being activated by the pipe to initiate an operation of the chain conveyor upon the introduction of each succeeding length of pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the heater is fabricated of sufficient length to provide three transversely juxtraposed heating stations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the belling station includes a pair of upper and lower cooperating mold sections, the mold sections having vertical movement relative to the pipe from a molding position to a release position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein the belling station further includes a mandrel in alignment with the pipe, said mandrel having axial movement relative to the pipe from an initial position to a press position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the mold sections are formed to include a peripheral, continuous groove and the mandrel is equipped with air introduction channels, the said air channels directing air into the grooves to press portions of the previously heated pipe end into the groove when the mandrel is moved to its press position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the groove retains the pipe in association with the mold sections to permit withdrawal of the mandrel to its initial position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 10 and a stripping plate interposed between the mandrel and the mold sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein the stripping plate is provided with an opening of size to admit the mandrel when the mandrel is moved to its said press position, said opening being small enough for stripping purposes to prevent passage of the end of the pipe when the mandrel is withdrawn to its initial position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the mold sections clamp the pipe when in the molding position to prevent movement of the pipe relative to the mandrel when the mandrel is moved to its belling position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein a plurality of longitudinally spaced, identical chain conveyors are provided, the said chain conveyors being driven from the same shaft whereby all conveyors operate in unison at the identical speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein the chain conveyors are arranged upon the machine slightly out of longitudinal alignment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein a line drawn through corresponding pins of the conveyors defines a straight line which is slightly angularly offset from the said longitudinal axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein the portion of the line nearest the inlet end of the machine transversely leads the portion of the line nearest the remote end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 19 and an alignment baffle affixed to the frame near the remote end of the machine, the alignment baffle limiting longitudinal movement of the pipes relative to the machine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 20 wherein the angle of incline of the upper path of belt travel and the angle of incline of the straight line through the pins combine to continuously urge the pipes into contact with the alignment baffle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 11 where the mandrel is provided with a circumferential lock, the said lock engaging the mold sections to prevent vertical separation when the mandrel is urged to its press position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein the mandrel is provided with a forward air seal and a rearward air seal, the said forward and rearward air seals sealing between the mandrel and the pipe to prevent escape of air when the mandrel is moved to the press position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 23 wherein the forward and rearward seals are each formed of O-ring gaskets.
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) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |