US3971167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tumbling apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-11
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Granted: 1976-07-27
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Expires: 1995-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A tumbling apparatus having a plurality of tumbling barrels for use primarily for grinding or polishing semi-precious stones or the like. The apparatus having a single motor for directly and indirectly rotating the barrels, the barrels having peripheral drive portions in the form of gear teeth which are of different diameter so that different rotation speeds for the barrels may be made.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael van Moppes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:38
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B31/00; B24B31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Tumbling apparatus comprising a circular sectioned tumble-barrel, two mutually exclusive external peripheral drive surfaces of different diameters formed about said barrel and spaced equally from the longitudinal center of said barrel, a base member for said barrel, drive means supported on said base member for engaging one of said mutually exclusive drive surfaces to directly rotate said barrel, and mounting means secured to said base member for supporting said barrel for rotation about its longitudinal axis so that the axial orientation of the barrel may be reversed to provide for alternative engagement of a selected one of said drive surfaces with said drive means to rotate said barrel at two alternative speeds of rotation of said barrel for a given speed of rotation of the drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Tumbling apparatus comprising a circular sectioned tumble-barrel, two mutually exclusive external peripheral drive surfaces of different diameters formed about said barrel and spaced equally from the longitudinal center of said barrel, a base member for said barrel, drive means supported on said base member for engaging one of said mutually exclusive drive surfaces to directly rotate said barrel, and mounting means secured to said base member for supporting said barrel for rotation about its longitudinal axis so that the axial orientation of the barrel may be reversed to provide for alternative engagement of a selected one of said drive surfaces with said drive means to rotate said barrel at two alternative speeds of rotation of said barrel for a given speed of rotation of the drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tumbling apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of idler barrels for rotation, at least indirectly, by said tumbler barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said drive surfaces is provided in a lid portion constituting one end of the barrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising one or more additional barrels supported for rotation on axes parallel to the axis of said tumbler barrel, each said additional barrel having at least one circular external peripheral drive surface for engagement with a drive surface of an adjacent barrel, whereby each said additional barrel is driveable from said tumbler barrel either directly or by at least one of the additional barrels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the drive means includes a toothed driving wheel and the driving surfaces of each barrel are provided with teeth for meshing engagement at times with said driving wheel and at times with the driving surface of an adjacent barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein each said barrel is provided with axially projecting shafts, adapted to fit into slots in a pair of spaced uprights of a frame to form bearings for rotatably supporting each said barrel, the frame of said tumbler barrel further having means for releasably locating a motor unit to drive said tumbler barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said barrel, including said teeth, and each respective frame are molded from synthetic plastics material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tumbling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a base board to which each said frame is attachable.
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) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |