US3964600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Natural frequency adjustment for vibratory feeder
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-17
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1994-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An article feeder has a base and a frame mounted on the base with a bowl, which receives and dispenses articles, secured to the frame. The frame and bowl assembly constitute one mass of a two mass system, and the base constitutes the other mass of the system. Several sets of leaf springs are secured by clamps between the frame and the base to support the frame and bowl for rotational oscillation by a motor mounted on the base. The sets of leaf springs provide the total spring coupling between the frame and bowl assembly and the base. These sets of leaf springs are supported adjacent one clamped end thereof by adjustable supports that can alter the effective lengths of the leaf spring sets to change the torsional natural frequency of the two mass system in small increments without disturbing the clamps mounting the sets of leaf springs.
Inventors
- 👤 Perry M. Vensel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G27/00; B65G27/10; B65G27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In an oscillating feeder of the spring coupled two mass torsional pendulum type comprising a base, a frame positioned above the base, at least three sets of leaf springs lying in separate planes inclined from vertical with one end of each leaf spring set being mounted to the base and the opposite end of the leaf spring set being mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the base in a manner that enables oscillatory movement of the frame in both horizontal and vertical planes, each leaf spring set including a plurality of spaced apart leaf spring arranged to twist about their longitudinal axes and bend transversely of their longitudinal axes without contacting an adjacent leaf spring, the improvement therein comprising means clamped adjacent the base end of each set of leaf springs for adjusting the torsional natural frequency of the feeder by changing the effective length of each leaf spring set, said adjusting means having a movable member adjacent said feeder base for adjusting said spring effective length while said springs remain mounted and effective for supporting said feeder for continuing feeder operations, said leaf springs in each said set remaining in spaced apart relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In an oscillating feeder of the spring coupled two mass torsional pendulum type comprising a base, a frame positioned above the base, at least three sets of leaf springs lying in separate planes inclined from vertical with one end of each leaf spring set being mounted to the base and the opposite end of the leaf spring set being mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the base in a manner that enables oscillatory movement of the frame in both horizontal and vertical planes, each leaf spring set including a plurality of spaced apart leaf spring arranged to twist about their longitudinal axes and bend transversely of their longitudinal axes without contacting an adjacent leaf spring, the improvement therein comprising means clamped adjacent the base end of each set of leaf springs for adjusting the torsional natural frequency of the feeder by changing the effective length of each leaf spring set, said adjusting means having a movable member adjacent said feeder base for adjusting said spring effective length while said springs remain mounted and effective for supporting said feeder for continuing feeder operations, said leaf springs in each said set remaining in spaced apart relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An oscillating feeder as described in claim 1 with said adjusting means including spacers interposed between the leaf springs in each leaf spring set, said spacers extending only a partial length from one end of said leaf spring set towards the opposite end of the set, and with said leaf springs having a remaining length that extends beyond the spacers for a minimum effective length that is capable of developing a maximum frequency vibration of the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
An oscillating feeder as described in claim 2 with each said movable member including a cantilever spring located adjacent an end of an associated leaf spring set, said cantilever spring being attached to the base end of the spring set and extending towards the opposite end of the set while normally curving outwardly from the set, each said spacer having a length substantially equal to the length of said cantilever spring, and a plurality of adjustment screws with each said adjustment screw being mounted to engage the curved portion of a said cantilever spring for deflecting that portion of said cantilever spring in a direction opposite to its normal curvature and toward engagement with said leaf spring set.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |