CA1068885A - Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures - Google Patents

Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures

Info

Publication number
CA1068885A
CA1068885A CA297,821A CA297821A CA1068885A CA 1068885 A CA1068885 A CA 1068885A CA 297821 A CA297821 A CA 297821A CA 1068885 A CA1068885 A CA 1068885A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
crank
support post
posts
pillars
support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA297,821A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William G. Robinson
Horace G. Fellows
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Allied Insulators Ltd
Original Assignee
Allied Insulators Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Allied Insulators Ltd filed Critical Allied Insulators Ltd
Priority to CA297,821A priority Critical patent/CA1068885A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1068885A publication Critical patent/CA1068885A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A crank for holding and supporting articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship during kiln firing has upper and lower end units rigidly interconnected by a set of vertical spacing pillars which are each bonded at their ends to the respective end units thereby to form a rigid unitary frame structure. Means are provided for holding and supporting the articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship within the frame structure, said means comprising a set of separate detachably mounted additional support pillars which each have a plurality of spaced-apart sockets into which fit or plug laterally projecting pins or pegs to form a removable rack adapted to support the flatware articles.

Description

The present inventlon relates to kiln lurniture and has particular reference to devices, traditionally termed "cranks", for holding and supporting articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationships during kiln firing.
Such cranks conventionall~ comprise a set of three triangularly spaced upstanding pillars or posts maintained between upper and lower end units, forming a cover and base respectively, having sockets into which fit or plug the respective end portions of the pillars or posts to form a fra~e structure. Along their length said pillars or posts have a series of aliEned holes, disposed at spaced intervals in mutual horizontal planes, into which are fitted laterally projecting replaceable pins or pegs directed generally towards a central axis ~o form a rack adapted to support articles of refractory or ceramic-flatware--inserted or stacked therein-by engagement--~
of said pins or pegs with peripheral portions of said flatware articles.
The cover, base and pillars have generally been : . - 2 -'''' ' ' ' , ' , ' .' :' . ~ . .: ., ' ' , ' : . :' ' ' 1~ 3885 made as individual pieces and it has been the common practice for them to be held together by gravity and the weight of flatware supported b~ the assembled-crank.
One reason for this method of assembly has been to enable the crank to be dismantled after the flatware content has been fired in a kiln so that the pins or pegs can then be replaced by new ones, an operation which i9 usually carried out in a machine and which is generally necessary due to contamination of the pins or pegs by the flatware during firing.
One disadvantage of such arrangements in which the end plates and pillar or post components are all detachably interconnected is that the frame structure so formed tends to lack rigidity and cranXs c~nnot be stacked one crank vertically supporting another wqthout the possibility of the structure and the flatware contained therein becoming unstable and collapsing.
~ Lack of rigidity also limits the practical height to which s a single crank assembly can be made.`

, 20 According to the present invention, in a cr~nk ., .

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for holding and supporting articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship during kiln firing having a set of spaced-apart upstanding frame pillars or posts extending between and interconnecting an upper end unit and a lower end unit forming a cover and a base respectively, said frame pillars or posts are each bonded and fixed at their ends to the respective said end units so as to form therewith a rigid unitary frame structure, and means provided for holding and supporting the articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship comprises a set of separate detachably mounted spaced-apart support pillars or posts which each have a series of spaced sockets into which plug or fit laterally projecting pins or pegs to form .- , collectively a rack for supporting the flatware articles " ::
by direct engagement with peripheral portions thereof.

Also according to the invention, a crank, for .: . . .
holding and supporting articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship during kiln :', . . . ' :: ., . ''. ' , ., . . ' . '. ' ' ~ '- ' . ' ' ' . ''. ' ' :
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-`` 1068885 firing, comprises a rigid unitary frame structure composed of an upper end unit forming a cover, a lower end unit forming a base in vertically spaced relationship below said upper end unit, together with a set of at least three spaced-apart frame pillars or posts extending : vertically between and interconnecting the upper and lower end units to which they are each bonded and fixed at their ends, and, detachably mounted in said frame structure, there is provided a set of separate spaced-apart ~ 10 support pillars or posts each having a series of spaced sockets into which plug or fit laterally projecting . pins or pegs that form collectively a rack for holding r .
and supporting the flatware articles at different levels in spaced and stacked relationship by direct engagement with peripheral portions of said flatware articles.
The end units may be adapted to recei~e the ~ ends of these support pillars or posts in loose fitting `~ engagement within locating sockets or recesses which -~ 20 permit each support pillar or post, complete with ,~ . .

r 10688~5 its pegs or pins, to be removed from and replaced in the frame structure of the crank by a sequence of predetermined manipulatory movements. Conveniently, each such removable support pil~ar or post is mounted closely adjacent and in parallel relationship with one Or the fixed ~rame pillars or posts.
The fixed frame pillars or posts are each preferably bonded at their ends to the respective end units by cement or ceramic jointing, and the surfaces of these frame pillars or posts at their ends may advantageously be roughened or otherwise shaped e.g. ridged, to key into and provide a grip for such cement or jointing.
~he end units may also advantageously be formed of such a shape, such as an open V-shaped configuration, as will enable a plurality of identical cranks to be fitted together in compact nested relationship for tFansport and storage.
, ~y way of example, the invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanylng drawings in which:-, . ~ ~. , ... . , . : - :
.
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~068885 Figure 1 i8 a perspective view of a crank according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view on line II - II of Figure 1;
` 5 Figure 3 is a detail view showing the fitting of removable pegs or pins in supporting pillars or posts o~ the structure of Figure 1;
Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are diagrams showing the manner of fitting and removal of the supporting pillars or posts in the structure of Figure 1;
Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are diagrams showing an . alternative manner of fitting and removal of the supporting pillars or posts in a modification of the structure of ~igure 1; and Figure 6 shows a modified shape for the end units of the structures of the cranks in accordance with the invention which permits fitting together in compact nested relationship.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, thecrank i8 i 20 in the *orm of a rigid unitar~ frame structure made up ~ -7- ~

.

^-` 1l)68885 from substantially triangular plate-like upper and lower end units, 10a and 11a, interconnected by three vertical frame pillars or posts 12a adjacent the corners.
~he components are all composed of refractory material and the ends of the pillars or posts 12a are each ritted into complementary sockets 15a in the end units wherein they are bonded and permanently fixed in place such as by a cement or ceramic jointing as shown at 14a in the sectional view of Figure 2. Al~o, to improve the grip of and tonkey-in" the bonding material, the surfaces of at least the ends of the .~ pillars or posts are advantageously roughened, but in , :
.~ alternative modifications there may be a special profiling of the surfaces to give a keying effect. In-;~
this example which is illustrated, the ends of the pillars or posts 12a have ends of slightly reduced cross-section fitting into blind sockets whilst shoulders abut and locate against the faces of the end units 10a, 11~, but the precise form of the sockets and of . . . .
. -- 8 --10~8885 the ends of the pillars or posts may be varied somewhat, as desired.
The pillars or posts 12a have plain faces without projections and serve only as frame members rigidly interconnecting the end units. For supporting the flatware articles, three separate vertical support pillars or posts 25 are provided which are mounted detachably between the end units 10a, 11a, one closely adjacent and in parallel relationship with each of the fixed frame pillars 12a. As shown, each of these support pillars or posts 25 has a series of spaced sockets 27 into which plug and fit laterally projecting triangular-section pins or pegs 29 in a conventional manner to form collectively a rack for supporting the flatware articles by direct contact with peripheral portions thereof.
~he support pillars or posts 25 are detachably mounted so that after a kiln firing, they can be readily removed to facilitate the replacement of the pins or pegs ~9 which i8 usually necessary and which _ g _ : . , , . .. . .

. .
.:
.

10~88l~5 , is customarily carried out in a single operation on each pillar or post by a machine.
The detachable mounting of the support pillars or posts 25 is achieved by forming the lower end unit 11a with shallow sockets 30 for receiving in loose fitting engagement the lower ends of said pillars or posts which can be inserted therein by a lateral movement through a relatively deep gap 31 at one side, the upper end unit being formed with openings 32 which are sufficiently large as to accommodate the upper ends of the support pillars or posts and to permit the angular movement nece~sary in positioning the lower ends in the sockets 30. The full sequence of operations in removing a pillar or post 30 which involves a small vertical lifting movement followed b~ a sideways angular . movement is shown in ~igures 4a to 4c, and replacement is carried out in the reverse sequence.
In the modification shown in Figures 5a to 5d, the support pillars or posts, here designated 25 , each ; 20 have at their upper end a neck portion 40 of reduced ', .

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width terminating in a head portion 41 and the openings 32 in the upper end unit 10 a are of counterbore form with a narrower lower section having a width which is only slightly greater than that of the neck portion 40 and which is the same as that of a slot 42 at one side which opens out through to the periphery of the end unit. With this arrangement, as illustrated in the sequence of Figures 5b, 5c and 5d, each support pillar or post 25 can be removed by first lifting to bring the head portion 41 above the top of the upper end unit 10 a and b~ then moving the pillar or post sideways - so that the neck portion 40 passes through the slot 42, no angular movement being needed in this operation.
Again, replacement is a reverse sequence of movements.
In both the above arrangements, no additional securing or fastening devîces are needed, the support pillars or posts being fitted and removed solely by manipulatory movements which facilitates easy handling under operational conditions.
A further useful modification, which can be applied . , . ., .. . . - .

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.:
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iO~;8885 to each of the embodiments hereinbefore described, consists in shaping the end units so as to permit fitting together of a plurality of identical cranks in compact nested relationship. ~igure 6 shows in full lines one example of a modified shape for each of the upper and lower end units which has an open V-shaped or re-entrant configuration to enable this result to be achieved as demonstrated by the illustration in broken lines of another end unit of identical shape placed ' ~0 adjacent thereto. Since the frame structures of the ~ -cranks are of rigid unitary form, this feature is important and useful for reducing the total bulk i3 volume required when transporting and storing a number of the cranks together.

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, -

Claims (9)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A crank for holding and supporting articles of refractory or ceramic flatware in spaced and stacked relationship during kiln firing, said crank comprising:
a) upper and lower end units, b) a first set of frame pillars having each end thereof fixedly attached to a respective upper and lower end unit to form a rigid unitary frame structure, c) a second set of separate support posts having each end thereof detachably mounted to a respective upper and lower end unit, d) each said separate support post having a plurality of spaced apart sockets, and e) support pins which plug into said sockets and pro-ject laterally to form collectively with said support posts a replaceable supporting rack.
2. A crank as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower end units each include a plurality of spaced sockets, said support posts each have upper and lower end portions which engage and fit loosely within said sockets of the end units to permit each support post complete with its laterally projecting support pegs to be removed from and replaced in the rigid unitary frame structure of the crank.
3. A crank as defined in claim 2 wherein each socket of the upper end unit has a width greater than the corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the upper end portion of each support post whereby the upper end portion of each support post can be introduced obliquely into the re-spective socket of the upper end unit before the lower end por-tion is brought into alignment with and engaged in the respective socket of the lower end unit when being fitted in place.
4. A crank as defined in claim 2 wherein the upper end portion of each support post has a neck portion of reduced width and a head portion surmounting said neck portion, each socket of the upper end unit includes a gap at one side sufficient to permit passage laterally of said reduced neck portion of the upper end portion of the associated detach-able support post, each upper socket further has a lower bore portion of a width commensurate with the dimensions of said neck portion of the detachable support post and an upper counter-bore portion of larger width commensurate with the dimensions of said head por-tion of the detachable support post, whereby each support post can be removed by first lifting vertically and then moved sideways to pass the neck portion through said gap and can be replaced by a reverse sequence of movements.
5. A crank as defined in claim 2 wherein the upper and lower end units each comprises a substan-tially triangular plate composed of refractory material, and there are three frame pillars in said first set and three support posts in said second set, said pillars and posts being triangularly disposed adjacent the corners of the upper and lower end units with each support post mounted in parallel relationship with and proximate to a respective fixed frame pillar.
6. A crank as defined in claim 5 wherein the upper and lower end units each have an open V-shaped configuration which permits a plurality of identical such cranks to nest compactly together for transport and storage.
7. A crank as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame pillars are fixedly attached with a bonding material.
8. A crank as defined in claim 7 wherein the bonding material is cement or ceramic jointing material.
9. A crank as defined in claim 1 wherein two of the support posts are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to permit flatware to be introduced by a lateral displacement movement into the unitary frame structure while the flatware is in a horizontal orientation.
CA297,821A 1978-02-27 1978-02-27 Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures Expired CA1068885A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA297,821A CA1068885A (en) 1978-02-27 1978-02-27 Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA297,821A CA1068885A (en) 1978-02-27 1978-02-27 Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1068885A true CA1068885A (en) 1980-01-01

Family

ID=4110870

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA297,821A Expired CA1068885A (en) 1978-02-27 1978-02-27 Kiln furniture, particularly crank structures

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1068885A (en)

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