Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An abrasive cleaning machine comprising a conveyor in the form of an endless conveyor belt of an open construction through which abrasive particles may freely pass, said conveyor belt having a generally horizontal longitudinal upper run for supporting articles to be cleaned, at least one blast wheel for directing abrasive particles moving along said run, a transverse trough extending below said run for collecting spent abrasive particles, and return means for returning spent abrasive particles to said blast wheel, said return means including a second belt having exterior carrying buckets, and said second belt being of an open construction wherein abrasive particles may freely pass therethrough, said conveyor belt being of an open wire mesh construction, said second belt having a lower run presenting said buckets to said trough for collecting abrasives collected in said trough, said second belt in longitudinal cross section and transversely of said machine presenting series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said second belt by a longitudinally extending bar extending transversely of said second belt seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket being supported by two of said base with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said second belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An abrasive cleaning machine comprising a conveyor in the form of an endless conveyor belt of an open construction through which abrasive particles may freely pass, said conveyor belt having a generally horizontal longitudinal upper run for supporting articles to be cleaned, at least one blast wheel for directing abrasive particles moving along said run, a transverse trough extending below said run for collecting spent abrasive particles, and return means for returning spent abrasive particles to said blast wheel, said return means including a second belt having exterior carrying buckets, and said second belt being of an open construction wherein abrasive particles may freely pass therethrough, said conveyor belt being of an open wire mesh construction, said second belt having a lower run presenting said buckets to said trough for collecting abrasives collected in said trough, said second belt in longitudinal cross section and transversely of said machine presenting series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said second belt by a longitudinally extending bar extending transversely of said second belt seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket being supported by two of said base with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said second belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said buckets have end supports, and there are rails for engagement by said end supports for supporting said buckets at least along said trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A machine according to claim 2 wherein each bucket is V-shaped in cross section and has a first wall remote from said belt disposed parallel to said belt and a second wall sloping from said first wall towards said belt whereby each bucket is self-dumping when passing along said upper run.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
An abrasive return system comprising a collection trough, an endless belt having a lower generally horizontal pickup run extending generally through said trough, said belt having an exterior surface, and buckets secured to said exterior surface in transversely extending relation, said belt having an upper generally horizontal discharge run, and said belt being of an open construction providing means for the passage of abrasive particles through said lower run into said trough and the discharging and passage of abrasive particles through said upper run, said belt being of a flexible open wire mesh construction and in longitudinal section presenting a series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said belt by a longitudinally extending bar extending transversely of said belt seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket being supported by two of said bars with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
An abrasive return system comprising a collection trough, an endless belt having a lower generally horizontal pickup run extending generally through said trough, said belt having an exterior surface, and buckets secured to said exterior surface in transversely extending relation, said belt having an upper generally horizontal discharge run, and said belt being of an open construction providing means for the passage of abrasive particles through said lower run into said trough and the discharging and passage of abrasive particles through said upper run, said belt being of a flexible open wire mesh construction and in longitudinal section presenting a series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said belt by a longitudinally extending bar extending transversely of said belt seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket being supported by two of said bars with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An abrasive return system according to claim 4 wherein said buckets have end supports, and there are rails for engagement by said end supports for supporting said buckets at least along said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An abrasive return system according to claim 5 wherein each bucket is V-shaped in cross section and has a first wall remote from said belt disposed parallel to said belt and a second wall sloping from said first wall towards said belt whereby each bucket is self-dumping when passing along said upper run.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
A belt and bucket assembly comprising an endless belt having attached to one surface thereof a plurality of buckets, said belt being of a flexible open wire mesh construction presenting in longitudinal section a series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said belt by a longitudinally extending bar transversely of said belt and seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket is supported by two of said bars with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A belt and bucket assembly comprising an endless belt having attached to one surface thereof a plurality of buckets, said belt being of a flexible open wire mesh construction presenting in longitudinal section a series of interlocking loops, and each bucket being secured to said belt by a longitudinally extending bar transversely of said belt and seated in said loops, and each bucket being secured to a respective bar, each bucket is supported by two of said bars with each bucket being rigidly secured to one bar and resiliently secured to the other bar to permit said belt to flex around roller type supports.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said buckets have end supports, and said end supports form means for engaging rails extending along a trough for supporting said buckets at least along said trough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein each bucket is V-shaped in cross section and has a first wall remote from said belt disposed parallel to said belt and a second wall sloping from said first wall towards said belt whereby each bucket is self-dumping when passing along an upper run of said belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
An abrasive return system comprising a collection trough, an endless belt having a lower generally horizontal pickup run extending generally through said trough, said belt having an exterior surface, and buckets secured to said exterior surface in transversely extending relation, said belt having an upper generally horizontal discharge run, and said belt being of an open construction providing means for the passage of abrasive particles through said lower run into said trough and the discharging and passage of abrasive particles through said upper run, said buckets having end supports, and there being rails for engagement by said end supports for supporting such buckets at least along said trough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
An abrasive return system comprising a collection trough, an endless belt having a lower generally horizontal pickup run extending generally through said trough, said belt having an exterior surface, and buckets secured to said exterior surface in transversely extending relation, said belt having an upper generally horizontal discharge run, and said belt being of an open construction providing means for the passage of abrasive particles through said lower run into said trough and the discharging and passage of abrasive particles through said upper run, said buckets having end supports, and there being rails for engagement by said end supports for supporting such buckets at least along said trough.