Vibratory apparatus with improved motor actuated door mechanism for closing the discharge outlet

Claim 2

In vibratory apparatus including a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect generally orbital movement of the load within said chamber, and said container having a wall defining an outlet to provide for the discharge of treated parts from said chamber, an improved door system for said outlet, comprising a door member, means supporting said door member for movement between a closed position forming a closure for said outlet and an open position spaced from said outlet, a reversible electric motor drive unit having a rotary output shaft, means for moving said door member between said open and closed positions in response to rotation of said shaft and for holding said door member in said closed position in response to energization of said motor in a stalled condition.

Claim 3

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor drive unit comprises a gear reducer for driving said output shaft at a speed substantially lower than the speed of said motor, a screw member and a nut member connected to said door member, said screw member is connected to said shaft for rotation thereby, and said door member includes means for supporting said nut member.

Claim 4

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor drive unit comprises a direct current motor and a gear reducer mounted on said motor for driving said output shaft to miminize the mass of said motor drive unit.

Claim 5

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor drive unit is adapted to be continuously energized for continuously holding said door member towards said closed position to effect a positive fluid-tight seal between said door member and said wall of said container during vibration of said container.

Claim 6

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a bracket member mounted on said wall of said container and supporting said door member for pivotal movement between said open and closed positions, and means on said bracket member for supporting said motor drive unit for pivotal movement during movement of said door member between said open and closed positions.

Claim 7

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said bracket member includes means forming a stop surface for said door member in said open position, and said electric motor drive unit is effective to hold said door member firmly against said stop surface while said container is vibrating.

Claim 8

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said bracket member comprises a set of generally parallel spaced support members, said motor unit is positioned generally between said support members, and including an arm member secured to said door member and extending between said support members, and means on said support members for pivotally supporting said arm member.

Claim 9

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means supporting said door member comprise a set of generally parallel spaced arm members secured to said door member, means mounted on said container and pivotally supporting said arm members, and said arm members support said nut member for rotation during movement of said door member between said open and closed positions.

Claim 10

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a resilient sealing member positioned between said door member and said wall of said container to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and means forming an outwardly projecting annular bead to produce concentrated sealing force against said sealing member when said door member is in said closed position.

Claim 11

In vibratory apparatus including a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated meAns for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect generally orbital movement of the load within said chamber, and said container having a wall defining an outlet to provide for the discharge of treated parts from said chamber, an improved door system for said outlet, comprising a door member, bracket means supporting said door member for pivotal movement between a closed position forming a closure for said outlet and an open position spaced from said outlet, a reversible electric motor and gear reducer unit supported by said bracket means and having a rotary output shaft, an elongated screw member connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, a nut member connected to said door member for movement therewith and recieving said screw member, said screw member being rotated within said nut member in response to energizing said motor to effect movement of said door member between said open and closed positions.

Claim 12

In vibratory apparatus including a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated meAns for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect generally orbital movement of the load within said chamber, and said container having a wall defining an outlet to provide for the discharge of treated parts from said chamber, an improved door system for said outlet, comprising a door member, bracket means supporting said door member for pivotal movement between a closed position forming a closure for said outlet and an open position spaced from said outlet, a reversible electric motor and gear reducer unit supported by said bracket means and having a rotary output shaft, an elongated screw member connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, a nut member connected to said door member for movement therewith and recieving said screw member, said screw member being rotated within said nut member in response to energizing said motor to effect movement of said door member between said open and closed positions.

Claim 13

Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said motor comprises a direct current motor having a permanently magnetized stator, and said motor is adapted to be continuously energized for continuously holding said door member towards said closed position to effect a positive fluid-tight seal between said door member and said wall of said container during vibration of said container.