CA1192790A - Door-removal apparatus - Google Patents
Door-removal apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1192790A CA1192790A CA000421210A CA421210A CA1192790A CA 1192790 A CA1192790 A CA 1192790A CA 000421210 A CA000421210 A CA 000421210A CA 421210 A CA421210 A CA 421210A CA 1192790 A CA1192790 A CA 1192790A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- door
- frame members
- lever arm
- lift
- vertical frame
- 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
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- Furnace Housings, Linings, Walls, And Ceilings (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure An apparatus for vertically and horizontally moving a door with respect to a kiln door opening comprises upper and lower recessed areas in the door, each recessed area providing a lifting ridge, an elongated rail on the floor in spaced parallel relationship to the door, two vertical frame members, wheels rotatably mounted to the frame members and engaging the rail to allow horizontal movement of the frame members, a guide above the door for maintaining the frame members in a generally vertical plane, and upper and lower lift mechanisms carried on the frame members for engaging the lifting ridges in the recessed areas of the door and moving the door vertically upward and away from the kiln door opening. Each lift mechanism includes first, second, and third lever arms. One end of the first lever arm includes a finger for engaging the lifting ridge in one of the recessed areas of the door. The first, second, and third lever arms are pivotally interconnected to each other and to the frame.
A linkage connects the upper and lower lift mechanisms. A
piston and cylinder mechanism is connected between the linkage and the frame members. Actuation of the piston and cylinder mechanisms moves both the upper and lower lifting mechanisms to pivot the lever arms so that the fingers engage the lift ridges in the recessed areas of the door to move the door vertically with respect to the kiln . The door is moved horizontally by rolling the frame members along the track.
A linkage connects the upper and lower lift mechanisms. A
piston and cylinder mechanism is connected between the linkage and the frame members. Actuation of the piston and cylinder mechanisms moves both the upper and lower lifting mechanisms to pivot the lever arms so that the fingers engage the lift ridges in the recessed areas of the door to move the door vertically with respect to the kiln . The door is moved horizontally by rolling the frame members along the track.
Description
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The present invention relates to door-removal devices, and more particularly to an improved lifting and removal apparatus for lumber kiln doors which allows use of doors with a greater insulation (R) factor and betker sealLng around the kiln opening.
Dsor~removal devices are generally well known.
door~removal system is usually designed for removal of a particular type of doorO For example, devices for removal of a coke oven door are disclosed in U.S. Patents 1,411,262;
10. 2,797,820; 3,06g,022; and 4,225,393. Coke oven doors are relative~y heavy, and thus must be removed by a door-removal machine~ Although heavy, coke oven doors are small in size and are thus relatively easy to manipulate.
In the lumber industry, freshly cut or "green" wood must be dried before it is sold or used. Kilns are used for drying ~he wood~ Heated air i~ circulate~ through the kiln to remove moisture ~rom the wood~ These kilns are ~Uit2 : large so that a large guantity of wood c~n be dired in each kiln a~ the same time. Dependin~ upo~ the quantity of wood 20. being dried, ~he kil~ may ramain closed for as long as three months. Numerous kilns are usually constructed in series.
The doors used for closing these kilns are al50 quite larg~.
~eretofore, two doors have been used ~o close each kiln opening. These doors are removed from the klln opening using two door-removal devices operated manually by at least two individuals. SincP the doors have heretofore been removed manual ly, they have been constructed so that 'chey are as light as possible. The doors need to have a high insulation factor and provide a good seal around the kiln 30. opening to keep the heat inside the kilns. The kilns are
The present invention relates to door-removal devices, and more particularly to an improved lifting and removal apparatus for lumber kiln doors which allows use of doors with a greater insulation (R) factor and betker sealLng around the kiln opening.
Dsor~removal devices are generally well known.
door~removal system is usually designed for removal of a particular type of doorO For example, devices for removal of a coke oven door are disclosed in U.S. Patents 1,411,262;
10. 2,797,820; 3,06g,022; and 4,225,393. Coke oven doors are relative~y heavy, and thus must be removed by a door-removal machine~ Although heavy, coke oven doors are small in size and are thus relatively easy to manipulate.
In the lumber industry, freshly cut or "green" wood must be dried before it is sold or used. Kilns are used for drying ~he wood~ Heated air i~ circulate~ through the kiln to remove moisture ~rom the wood~ These kilns are ~Uit2 : large so that a large guantity of wood c~n be dired in each kiln a~ the same time. Dependin~ upo~ the quantity of wood 20. being dried, ~he kil~ may ramain closed for as long as three months. Numerous kilns are usually constructed in series.
The doors used for closing these kilns are al50 quite larg~.
~eretofore, two doors have been used ~o close each kiln opening. These doors are removed from the klln opening using two door-removal devices operated manually by at least two individuals. SincP the doors have heretofore been removed manual ly, they have been constructed so that 'chey are as light as possible. The doors need to have a high insulation factor and provide a good seal around the kiln 30. opening to keep the heat inside the kilns. The kilns are
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typically located in unheated buildings or outsideO Because of the manner in which lumber kiln doors have previously been removed, it has not been possible to add structure or insulation to the doors. Added structure or insula~ion would increase the weight of the doors~ Furkhermore, it has not been possible to provide a good seal between the door and kiln opening. Thusl considerable heat hag been lost through the door and between the door and door frame around the kiln opening, particularly during winter months when the 10. ~emperature is very cold.
According to one aspect of the present inven~ion, a lifting and removal apparatus for a lumber kiln door is capable Qf lifting heavier doors than heretofore possible with conventional kiln door-removal devices, thus allowing structure and insulation to be added to the door to increase the insulation factor~ Further to this aspect, ~he lif~ing a~d removal apparatus allows ~he use of a kiln door providing a better seal between the door and the door frame around the ` kiln opening.
2Q- In another aspect of the present invention, the lifting and removal apparatus facilit~tes lifting and horizontal movement of kiln doors, thus allowing the u~e of a single door to close a kiln openiny.
~n an illustrative embodiment of the prese~t invention, an apparatus for vertically and horizontally moviny a kiln door with respect to a kiln opening includes upper and lower recesses in the kiln door, lifting ridges in each of ~he recesses, vertical frame members, upper and lower lift mechanisms carried on the frame members for engaging the 30. lif~ing ridges ~o move the door vertically wi~h respect ~o ~L9~
the ki:Ln opening, a rail in spaced parallel relationship to the kiln opening, wheels rotatably mounted to the vertical frame members and engaging the rail to allow horizontal movement of the ra-.ne members to move the door horizontally with respect to the kiln opening, and guide mean~ above thé
door for maintaining the rame members in a generally vertical planeO
According to the invention, each lift mechanism includes interconnec~ed lever arms providing a mechanical 10. advantage for lif~ing the doorO ~ach lever arm includes ~irst and second ends~ A first end of a first lever arm i~
pivotally connected to one of the frame members. A second end of the first lever arm includes a finger for enqaging the lifting ridge in one of the upper or lower recessed areas in the door. A first end of a second lever arm is pivotally co~nected to the second end of the irst lever arm~ A second end of the second lever ar~ is pivotally connected to a fir~t end of a third lever arm~ A second end of the third lever arm i~ pivotally connected to the one frame member~ A
20. linkage interconnects khe upper and lower lift mechanisms.
~ydraulic piston ~nd cylinder mechanisms are connected to the linkages and to the frame members. Actuation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms moves the linkages to simultaneously move the first lever ~rms of both the upper and lower lift mechanisms so that the fingers coincidently engage the lit ridges in both the upper and lower recessed areas in the door to move the door vextic~lly upward with respect to the kiln opening.
Various other features and advantages of the 30. present invention will become apparent in view of ~he 9~3 following detailed description of one embodiment thereof exemplifying the best mode o~ carrying out the invention as presen~ly perceived, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional lumber kiln door and a conventional apparatus for lifting and remoYing the door for the kiln opening;
FigO 2 is a front view of three adjacent kilns and doors showing the lifting and removal apparatus embodying the 10. present inv~ntion;
Fig~ 3 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of one vertical frame member of the lifting and removal apparatus shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmen~ary transverse view, partly cross-sectioned, of one kiln door and a portion of the lifting and removal apparatus, taken along lines 4-4 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a front elevational view, partly brsken away, of one vertical fra~e member of the lifting and removal 20. apparatus shown in ~ig. 2.
Lumber which has been freshly cut, commonly called "green" lumber, is dried in kilns before being sold or ussd for construction or other purposes. These kilns are large so that a large quantity of lumber can be dried at one time, For example, the kilns are approximately 34 feet long, 34 feet to 35 feet wide, and 25 feet high. At a temper~ture of approximately 160F 9 the lumber is usually kept in one o~
these kilns for approximately three mon~hs in order for it ~o dry. The kilns are arranged in seriesl and each has a wall 30. removed to provide an opening for access to the in~erior.
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Each kiln opening has previously been closed by two doors.
It is important for the doors to have a high insulation (~) factor and for there to be a good seal between the doors and the door frame~ around kiln openings ~o minimize heat loss.
during the drying process, Thus~ it is desirable that the kiln doors include as much insulation as possible to establish this high insulation factor. Naturally, the greater the quantity of insulation the heavier the doors become. Heretofore, the kiln doors have been manually lifted 10. and removed from the kiln openings, employing an apparatus of the type shown in Fig. l~ Thus, it has been necessary for the conventional lumber kiln doors lO to be relatively lightweight. This weight limitation has served to limit the thickness of the doors and the amount of insulation used in the doors. Furthermor2, with the use of two doors, it has been difficult to achieve a good seal between the doors lO
and the frame around the kiln openings.
Referring to FigO 1, a conventional lumber kiln door lO includes a plurality of interconnected panel sections 20. 12 of lightweight material. Insulative material is provided between inner and outer surfaces of the door lO~ Because it has been nec~ssary to close the kiln opening with two doors lO, each conventional door lO has a width of approximately 14 feet and a height of approximately 21 feet~ The thickness of each door lO is 1.75 to 2.OD inches. Thus, less than 2 inches of insul~tive material has been provided in doors lO
giving them an insulative t~) factor of approximately 12. The door lO includes a lift channel or rib 14 mounted along its upper edge and projecting outwardly from the outer door 30. surface. The channel or rib 14 is used for lifting and 7~
removing the door 10 from the kiln opening (not shown)~ Each conventional door 10 al50 includes one post 16 on its outer edge 18 near the bo~tom of the door 10 which is received in a slot (not shown) when the door is closed.
The conventional door-removal apparatus ~0 includes an overhead rail or track 22 mounted to a wall surface above the door 10. Ro~lers 24 engage the rail or track 22 and support a lifting assembly. The li~ting assembly includes ~wo elongated vertical frame members 26, each being connected 0. ~4 rollers 24. The two vertical frame membes 26 are interconnected by borizontal frame members 29. Two lift members 30 or engaging the lift channel 14 are pivotally connected at point 32 to the vextical frame members 26 ~n proximity to the upper ends o~ the frame members 26~
Elongated levers 34 are connected to the lift members 30 and extend downw~rdly therefrom. Tbe levers 34 are pîvotally connec~ed to a lit bar assembly 40 at points 42. The lift bar as~embly 40 includes a vertical lift bar which i5 pivotally connected to the vertical rame members 26 at pivot 20. points 44. With the lift members 30 engaging the lift channel 14, as ~hown in Fig. 1, one or more individuals pu~hing downward on the lift bar assembly 40 can lift the door 10 vertically upward and away from the kiln opening. As shown in Fig. 1, the door 10 is lifted only rom the top.
The conventional Lifting assembly engages the door 10 only at the top. In its closed positionl door-retaining members 46 are needed t9 hold the bottom of the door 10 in position to maintain a ~e~l be~ween the two adjacen~ dosrs 10 closing ~he kiln opening and hetween the doors 10 and the frame around 30- the openingO Once the door 10 is lited, it is removed from --7~
the kiln opening by rolling the lifting assembly along the track 22. With a series of kilns, the door 10 must be moved away from the door opening a sufficient distance to by-pass the projecting lift channels 14 o adjacent door~ 10.
Although only one conventional door-removal apparatus 20 is shown in Fig. 1, it should be noted that normally two of appaxatus 20 are required to lift and remove the two conventional doors 10, closing each kiln openingO One or more individuals operate e~ch of apparatus 20.
10. Turning now ~o Fig. 2, a lifting and removal apparatus embodying the present invention allows a single individual to lift and remove a lumber kiln door 50 having a length of approximately 34 feet, a height of approximately 21 feet, and a thickness of approximately 4 inches. With appara~us 100~ a single door 50 can be used to close the kiln opening. The door 50 has no interconnecting surface panels and includes approximately 4 inches of foam core insulation between the inner and outer doox surfaces.
In one embodiment~ the door 50 has an insulation (R) factor 20. o~ 30.
One advantage of the lifting and removal apparatus of the present invention ;s that it can lift and remove doors 50 wh;ch are heavier than the conventional doors 10. Thus, doors 50 i~clude structure and insulation which could not have been included in the kiln doors because of the limita~.ions of the conventional door-removal apparatus 20.
The structure and insulation of doors 50 increase the R
factor ratin~ of kiln doors and pxoduce a better seal to reduce heat 105s. In one embodimentr the weight of door 50 30- is 2.5 tons~
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A column 52 having a width of approximately 8 inches and a thickness of approximately 6 inches is provided between each kiln. Columns 52 form side door frame members for the kiln doors 50. A rib panel 54 having a width of approximately 6.25 inches is connected to the tops of columns 52 and forms a top door frame member. A concrete floor 56 ~ypically forms ~he threshold for the kiln opening.
Turning to Fig~ 3, vertical plates 58 are mounted nor~al to the columns 52~ Each vertical plate 58 includes lOo an upper inwardly and downwardly sloping groove or slot 60 for receiving an ~pper po~t 62 on a side edge of the door 50 and a lower inwardly and downwardly sloping groove or slot 64 for receiving a lower post 66 on the edge of the door 50.
Posts 62 and 66 are received in slots 60 and 64 when the door 50 is in its clos~d positionO Because of the inward and downwaxd slope of the slots 60 and 64, the weight of the door serves to force it against the door frame members, i~el t columns 52 and rib panel 54, and toward the floor surface 56.
20. Referring to Fi~s. 3 and 4, an angle i~on or hook member 68 is mounted to the rib panel 54 above the door.
Preferably, two or more of the members 68 are moun~ed ~o the rib panel 54 in spaoed-apart relationship. Brackets 70 are conneeted to the top and near the inner or back surface of the door 50 in predetermined locations corresponding to the spaced-apart positions of the members 68. Each bracket 70 includes a cylindrical rod 72 which engages a hook member 68 to provide an upper support for the door 50 when it is closed. ~s can be seen in FigO 3, each hook member 68 also 30. slopes inwardly and downwardly so that the weight of the door _9_ 7~3t~
50 serves to force its upper edge inward and downward into engagement with the rib panel 54. It will also be appreciated that the location of the brackets 70 near the inner or rear surface of the door 50, i~e., off-center of the central vertica.t plane 181 of the door 50, serves to force the bottom of door 50 .inward, By hanginy the door 50 from the top near the inner or rear surface, its weight forces the bottom inward~ An upper sealing member 74 is connected to the inner surface of the door 50 and extends lengthwise so 10. that it e~gages the rib panel 54 when the door is closed to provide a seal between the top of the door 50 and the rib panel 54. A lower sealing member 76 is connected to the inner surface of the door 50 and extends lengthwise so that it engages the concrete floor 56 when the door 50 is closed to provîde a seal between the bottom of the door 50 and the ~loor 5 6 .
Referring to Figs, 2 and 3, an overhead steel trus~
80 is mounted to the kiln structure above the kiln door 50 An elongated I-bearn 82 is connected to the truss 80 and 20. extends outward therefrom above the door 50. The I-beam 82 provides an upper track 84 and a lower trac~ 86 for purposes which will be explained later.
A rail 90 is mounted in the concrete floor 56 approximately 14 inches from the kiln openingO The rail 90 is elongated and extends in spaced parallel relationsh;p to the door 50 and kiln openingD
Turning now to Figs. 2, 3, and 5, an apparatus 100 ~mbodying the present invention for vertically and horizontally removing the door 50 from the kiln opening 30- includes two elongated vertical frame members 102 ~10--~ L9~'7~n interconnected by upper and lower cross members 104 and 106, respectively, in spaced parallel relationship to each other.
It will be appreciated that the vertical rame members 102 each have a length greater than the height of the door 50 Although no specific distance is required between the two vertical frame members 102, a preferred distance is at least one half of the length of the door 50, such as, for example, 20 feet. Furthermore, as will be explained later, it is necessary that tbe spacing between the vertical frame members 10. 102 be generally the same as the spacing between upper and lower recess areas 130 and 132 in the door 50O
The frame structure of the apparatus 100 is strengthened by s~ruts 108 interconnecting the vertical frame members 102 with one or both of the cross members 104 and 106~ Each vextical frame member 102 includes a wheel 110 rotatably mounted on an axle 112 for engaging the rail 90 in the floor 560 ~t will be appreciated that both vertical frame members 102 and th@ wheels 110 are in the same vertical plane 181 and that this vertical plane is in parallel 20. relationship to the doors 50.
Referring to Fig. 3, roller support members 120 are mounted in proximity to the top of each vertical frame member 102. ~hile only a lower roller support member 120 i~ shown in Figs. 3 and 5, it will be understood that an upper roller suppor~ member 120 will also be mounted to ~he ~op of each vertical frame member. The upper support ~embers 120 support upper inner guide roller~ 122 for engaginy the upper track 84. As shown in E'igs. 3 and 5, the lower roller support members 120 support lower inner guide rollers 124 for 30. engaging the lower track 86 . Both upper (not shown~ and 7~
lower roller support members 120 support an outer guide roller 126 for engaging the I-beam 82. These rollers 1~2, 124, and 126 maintain the frame membe~s 102 in the vertical plane 181 in parallel relationship to the doors 50~ The combination of the rollers 122, 124, and 126 and the wheels 110 allows the apparatus 100 to be moved horizorltally in a vertical plane 181 in spaced parallel relationship to the doors 50 past a series of kilns. Thus, the apparatus 100 can be moved to open any on~ of a series of doors S0 closing the 10. kiln openings~
Turning now to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, each door includes two upper cavities or recessed areas 130 and two lower cavities or recessed areas 132 in its outer surface.
The upper cavities 130 are horizontally spaced apart in the same horizontal plane~ The lower ~avities 132 are also horizontally spaced apart in another horizontal planeO O~e of the upper cavities 130 and one of the lower cavities 132 are vertically spaced apart in the same vertical plane, and the oth~r upper cavity 130 and the other lower cavity 132 are 20. vertically spaced apart in another vertical plane. The vertical planes of upper and lowex cavities 130 and 132 generally correspond to the vertical planes 181 of the ver~ical frame members 102 of the apparatus 100 when the door 50 is being lifted.
As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4~ each cavity or recessed area 130, 132 i5 partially covered or closed by a rectangular shaped member 134 located in the upper right-hand corner of each cavity 130 and 132~ Each member 134 has a lower lifting rib or ridge 136. Preferabl~ the cavities 130 30~ and 132 are square or rectangular shapedr and the members 134 are likewise square or rectangular shaped. Although the members 134 are preferably in the upper right-hand corners of the cavities 130 and 132, they could also be located in the upper left-hand corners o~ the cavities 130 and 132 without departing fro~ the scope of the present invention. It is, however, necessary that ~he members 134 be located in the same corner of each cavity 130 and 132. As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the ~ember~ 134 are flush with the outer surface of the door 50, and the cavi~ies 130 and 132 provide resesse~
10. for allowing the insertion of lifting mechanisms 140 to engage the lifting ribs or edges 136 of the cavities 130 and 132. The lifting mechanisms lift the door 50 upwardly and outwardly from a closed position, as indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 3, to an elevated opened position, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3, in the direction of the broken arrow at the top of the apparatus 100 in Fig~ 3. This lifting movement removes the door 50 from the door frame around the kiln door ~pening and elevates it above the floor 5~.
20. Continuing to refer to Figs. 2-5, the apparatus 100 includes upper and lower lift mechanisms 140 for coincidently engaging the lifting ribs 136 of both the upper and lower cavities 130 and 132. An upper and low~r lift mechanism 140 are pivotally connected to each ~ertical frame member 102.
The lift mechanisms 140 are s~ructurally identical and operate in a similar manner. As will be explained later, all of the lift mechanisms 140 move simultaneously to lift the door 53O
Each lit mechanism 140 includes a first lever arm 30. 142. The first lever arm 142 has a first end 144. The first 9~
end 144 is received in a one of the upper or lower vertical slots 14S which are provided in each of vertical frame members 102. The firs-t end 144 is pivotally connected to the frame member 102 by a pivot connection 146. The irst lever arm 142 has a second end 148 which is enlarged to approximately twice the wîdth of the first end 144. The second end 148 includes a lift finger or hook 150 which extends longitudinally ~rom a lower portion of the second end 148~ The lift finger 150 has an engaging surface 152 forming 10. an angle of approximately 90~ with respect to the edge of the second end 148. As shown in Fig. 3, the lift finger 150, and more particularly the engaging surface 152, engages the lifting rib or ledge 136 of member 134. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of the first lever arm 14~ is approximately 11.75 inches.
Each lift mechanism 140 further includes two second lever arms 1600 Each of the second lever arms 160 includes a first end 162 which is pivotally connected to an upper portion of the second end 148 of the first lever arm 142 by a 20. pivot connection 164. The second lever arms 160 are pivot~lly connected to both ~ides of the first lever arm 142.
The second lever arms 160 extend through the elongated slot 145 in the vertical frame member 102, and each includes a second end 166. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of each of the second lever arms 160 is approximately 14~50 inches. The fulcrum length 154 between pivots 146 and 164 i5 approxima~ely 9.00 inches.
Each lift mechanism 140 also includes two third lever arms 170. Each third lever arm 170 bas a first end 172 30. pivotally connected to the second ends 162 of the second -1~
9~
lever arms 160 by a pivot connection 174. Each third lever arm 170 also includes a second end 176 which is pivotally connected to an outside surface of the vertical frame rnember 120 by a pivst connection 178. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of each third lever arm 170 is approximately 9OOO inches. The fulcrum length 168 between the pivots 164 and 174 is approximately 12.5 inches and the fulcrum length 180 between pivots 174 and 178 is approximately 7.00 inchesO Thus, in the preferred 10. embodiment, the ratio of fulcrum length 154 to fulcrum length 168 to fulcrum length 180 is approximately 1:1.39:.78.
As best shown in Fig. 3, the pivot connections 146 and 173 are in ~he same vertical plane 181 as ~he frame member 120, wheel 110, and rail 90. As further shown in Fig. 3, the pivo~ connections 146 and 178 associated with both the upper and lower lift mechanisms 14~ on a frame member 120 are all in the same vertical pl~ne 1810 An advantage of this arrangement is explained below.
The relationships between the fulcrum lengths 154, 20. 168, and 180 of the first, sa~ond, and third lever arms 14~, 160, and 170, resp~ctively, prcvide the optimum mechanical advantage for lifting the door 50. In the preferred embodi~ent, the pivot connection 164 of each lift mechanism 140 moves along an arc 182 when the lift mechanisms 140 are actuated. The radius 184 of the arc 182 is approximately 9.00 inshes, and it equals the fulcrum length ~84 of the first lever 142~ As represented by the broken lines in Fig.
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typically located in unheated buildings or outsideO Because of the manner in which lumber kiln doors have previously been removed, it has not been possible to add structure or insulation to the doors. Added structure or insula~ion would increase the weight of the doors~ Furkhermore, it has not been possible to provide a good seal between the door and kiln opening. Thusl considerable heat hag been lost through the door and between the door and door frame around the kiln opening, particularly during winter months when the 10. ~emperature is very cold.
According to one aspect of the present inven~ion, a lifting and removal apparatus for a lumber kiln door is capable Qf lifting heavier doors than heretofore possible with conventional kiln door-removal devices, thus allowing structure and insulation to be added to the door to increase the insulation factor~ Further to this aspect, ~he lif~ing a~d removal apparatus allows ~he use of a kiln door providing a better seal between the door and the door frame around the ` kiln opening.
2Q- In another aspect of the present invention, the lifting and removal apparatus facilit~tes lifting and horizontal movement of kiln doors, thus allowing the u~e of a single door to close a kiln openiny.
~n an illustrative embodiment of the prese~t invention, an apparatus for vertically and horizontally moviny a kiln door with respect to a kiln opening includes upper and lower recesses in the kiln door, lifting ridges in each of ~he recesses, vertical frame members, upper and lower lift mechanisms carried on the frame members for engaging the 30. lif~ing ridges ~o move the door vertically wi~h respect ~o ~L9~
the ki:Ln opening, a rail in spaced parallel relationship to the kiln opening, wheels rotatably mounted to the vertical frame members and engaging the rail to allow horizontal movement of the ra-.ne members to move the door horizontally with respect to the kiln opening, and guide mean~ above thé
door for maintaining the rame members in a generally vertical planeO
According to the invention, each lift mechanism includes interconnec~ed lever arms providing a mechanical 10. advantage for lif~ing the doorO ~ach lever arm includes ~irst and second ends~ A first end of a first lever arm i~
pivotally connected to one of the frame members. A second end of the first lever arm includes a finger for enqaging the lifting ridge in one of the upper or lower recessed areas in the door. A first end of a second lever arm is pivotally co~nected to the second end of the irst lever arm~ A second end of the second lever ar~ is pivotally connected to a fir~t end of a third lever arm~ A second end of the third lever arm i~ pivotally connected to the one frame member~ A
20. linkage interconnects khe upper and lower lift mechanisms.
~ydraulic piston ~nd cylinder mechanisms are connected to the linkages and to the frame members. Actuation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms moves the linkages to simultaneously move the first lever ~rms of both the upper and lower lift mechanisms so that the fingers coincidently engage the lit ridges in both the upper and lower recessed areas in the door to move the door vextic~lly upward with respect to the kiln opening.
Various other features and advantages of the 30. present invention will become apparent in view of ~he 9~3 following detailed description of one embodiment thereof exemplifying the best mode o~ carrying out the invention as presen~ly perceived, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional lumber kiln door and a conventional apparatus for lifting and remoYing the door for the kiln opening;
FigO 2 is a front view of three adjacent kilns and doors showing the lifting and removal apparatus embodying the 10. present inv~ntion;
Fig~ 3 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of one vertical frame member of the lifting and removal apparatus shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a fragmen~ary transverse view, partly cross-sectioned, of one kiln door and a portion of the lifting and removal apparatus, taken along lines 4-4 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a front elevational view, partly brsken away, of one vertical fra~e member of the lifting and removal 20. apparatus shown in ~ig. 2.
Lumber which has been freshly cut, commonly called "green" lumber, is dried in kilns before being sold or ussd for construction or other purposes. These kilns are large so that a large quantity of lumber can be dried at one time, For example, the kilns are approximately 34 feet long, 34 feet to 35 feet wide, and 25 feet high. At a temper~ture of approximately 160F 9 the lumber is usually kept in one o~
these kilns for approximately three mon~hs in order for it ~o dry. The kilns are arranged in seriesl and each has a wall 30. removed to provide an opening for access to the in~erior.
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Each kiln opening has previously been closed by two doors.
It is important for the doors to have a high insulation (~) factor and for there to be a good seal between the doors and the door frame~ around kiln openings ~o minimize heat loss.
during the drying process, Thus~ it is desirable that the kiln doors include as much insulation as possible to establish this high insulation factor. Naturally, the greater the quantity of insulation the heavier the doors become. Heretofore, the kiln doors have been manually lifted 10. and removed from the kiln openings, employing an apparatus of the type shown in Fig. l~ Thus, it has been necessary for the conventional lumber kiln doors lO to be relatively lightweight. This weight limitation has served to limit the thickness of the doors and the amount of insulation used in the doors. Furthermor2, with the use of two doors, it has been difficult to achieve a good seal between the doors lO
and the frame around the kiln openings.
Referring to FigO 1, a conventional lumber kiln door lO includes a plurality of interconnected panel sections 20. 12 of lightweight material. Insulative material is provided between inner and outer surfaces of the door lO~ Because it has been nec~ssary to close the kiln opening with two doors lO, each conventional door lO has a width of approximately 14 feet and a height of approximately 21 feet~ The thickness of each door lO is 1.75 to 2.OD inches. Thus, less than 2 inches of insul~tive material has been provided in doors lO
giving them an insulative t~) factor of approximately 12. The door lO includes a lift channel or rib 14 mounted along its upper edge and projecting outwardly from the outer door 30. surface. The channel or rib 14 is used for lifting and 7~
removing the door 10 from the kiln opening (not shown)~ Each conventional door 10 al50 includes one post 16 on its outer edge 18 near the bo~tom of the door 10 which is received in a slot (not shown) when the door is closed.
The conventional door-removal apparatus ~0 includes an overhead rail or track 22 mounted to a wall surface above the door 10. Ro~lers 24 engage the rail or track 22 and support a lifting assembly. The li~ting assembly includes ~wo elongated vertical frame members 26, each being connected 0. ~4 rollers 24. The two vertical frame membes 26 are interconnected by borizontal frame members 29. Two lift members 30 or engaging the lift channel 14 are pivotally connected at point 32 to the vextical frame members 26 ~n proximity to the upper ends o~ the frame members 26~
Elongated levers 34 are connected to the lift members 30 and extend downw~rdly therefrom. Tbe levers 34 are pîvotally connec~ed to a lit bar assembly 40 at points 42. The lift bar as~embly 40 includes a vertical lift bar which i5 pivotally connected to the vertical rame members 26 at pivot 20. points 44. With the lift members 30 engaging the lift channel 14, as ~hown in Fig. 1, one or more individuals pu~hing downward on the lift bar assembly 40 can lift the door 10 vertically upward and away from the kiln opening. As shown in Fig. 1, the door 10 is lifted only rom the top.
The conventional Lifting assembly engages the door 10 only at the top. In its closed positionl door-retaining members 46 are needed t9 hold the bottom of the door 10 in position to maintain a ~e~l be~ween the two adjacen~ dosrs 10 closing ~he kiln opening and hetween the doors 10 and the frame around 30- the openingO Once the door 10 is lited, it is removed from --7~
the kiln opening by rolling the lifting assembly along the track 22. With a series of kilns, the door 10 must be moved away from the door opening a sufficient distance to by-pass the projecting lift channels 14 o adjacent door~ 10.
Although only one conventional door-removal apparatus 20 is shown in Fig. 1, it should be noted that normally two of appaxatus 20 are required to lift and remove the two conventional doors 10, closing each kiln openingO One or more individuals operate e~ch of apparatus 20.
10. Turning now ~o Fig. 2, a lifting and removal apparatus embodying the present invention allows a single individual to lift and remove a lumber kiln door 50 having a length of approximately 34 feet, a height of approximately 21 feet, and a thickness of approximately 4 inches. With appara~us 100~ a single door 50 can be used to close the kiln opening. The door 50 has no interconnecting surface panels and includes approximately 4 inches of foam core insulation between the inner and outer doox surfaces.
In one embodiment~ the door 50 has an insulation (R) factor 20. o~ 30.
One advantage of the lifting and removal apparatus of the present invention ;s that it can lift and remove doors 50 wh;ch are heavier than the conventional doors 10. Thus, doors 50 i~clude structure and insulation which could not have been included in the kiln doors because of the limita~.ions of the conventional door-removal apparatus 20.
The structure and insulation of doors 50 increase the R
factor ratin~ of kiln doors and pxoduce a better seal to reduce heat 105s. In one embodimentr the weight of door 50 30- is 2.5 tons~
~8--~9~
A column 52 having a width of approximately 8 inches and a thickness of approximately 6 inches is provided between each kiln. Columns 52 form side door frame members for the kiln doors 50. A rib panel 54 having a width of approximately 6.25 inches is connected to the tops of columns 52 and forms a top door frame member. A concrete floor 56 ~ypically forms ~he threshold for the kiln opening.
Turning to Fig~ 3, vertical plates 58 are mounted nor~al to the columns 52~ Each vertical plate 58 includes lOo an upper inwardly and downwardly sloping groove or slot 60 for receiving an ~pper po~t 62 on a side edge of the door 50 and a lower inwardly and downwardly sloping groove or slot 64 for receiving a lower post 66 on the edge of the door 50.
Posts 62 and 66 are received in slots 60 and 64 when the door 50 is in its clos~d positionO Because of the inward and downwaxd slope of the slots 60 and 64, the weight of the door serves to force it against the door frame members, i~el t columns 52 and rib panel 54, and toward the floor surface 56.
20. Referring to Fi~s. 3 and 4, an angle i~on or hook member 68 is mounted to the rib panel 54 above the door.
Preferably, two or more of the members 68 are moun~ed ~o the rib panel 54 in spaoed-apart relationship. Brackets 70 are conneeted to the top and near the inner or back surface of the door 50 in predetermined locations corresponding to the spaced-apart positions of the members 68. Each bracket 70 includes a cylindrical rod 72 which engages a hook member 68 to provide an upper support for the door 50 when it is closed. ~s can be seen in FigO 3, each hook member 68 also 30. slopes inwardly and downwardly so that the weight of the door _9_ 7~3t~
50 serves to force its upper edge inward and downward into engagement with the rib panel 54. It will also be appreciated that the location of the brackets 70 near the inner or rear surface of the door 50, i~e., off-center of the central vertica.t plane 181 of the door 50, serves to force the bottom of door 50 .inward, By hanginy the door 50 from the top near the inner or rear surface, its weight forces the bottom inward~ An upper sealing member 74 is connected to the inner surface of the door 50 and extends lengthwise so 10. that it e~gages the rib panel 54 when the door is closed to provide a seal between the top of the door 50 and the rib panel 54. A lower sealing member 76 is connected to the inner surface of the door 50 and extends lengthwise so that it engages the concrete floor 56 when the door 50 is closed to provîde a seal between the bottom of the door 50 and the ~loor 5 6 .
Referring to Figs, 2 and 3, an overhead steel trus~
80 is mounted to the kiln structure above the kiln door 50 An elongated I-bearn 82 is connected to the truss 80 and 20. extends outward therefrom above the door 50. The I-beam 82 provides an upper track 84 and a lower trac~ 86 for purposes which will be explained later.
A rail 90 is mounted in the concrete floor 56 approximately 14 inches from the kiln openingO The rail 90 is elongated and extends in spaced parallel relationsh;p to the door 50 and kiln openingD
Turning now to Figs. 2, 3, and 5, an apparatus 100 ~mbodying the present invention for vertically and horizontally removing the door 50 from the kiln opening 30- includes two elongated vertical frame members 102 ~10--~ L9~'7~n interconnected by upper and lower cross members 104 and 106, respectively, in spaced parallel relationship to each other.
It will be appreciated that the vertical rame members 102 each have a length greater than the height of the door 50 Although no specific distance is required between the two vertical frame members 102, a preferred distance is at least one half of the length of the door 50, such as, for example, 20 feet. Furthermore, as will be explained later, it is necessary that tbe spacing between the vertical frame members 10. 102 be generally the same as the spacing between upper and lower recess areas 130 and 132 in the door 50O
The frame structure of the apparatus 100 is strengthened by s~ruts 108 interconnecting the vertical frame members 102 with one or both of the cross members 104 and 106~ Each vextical frame member 102 includes a wheel 110 rotatably mounted on an axle 112 for engaging the rail 90 in the floor 560 ~t will be appreciated that both vertical frame members 102 and th@ wheels 110 are in the same vertical plane 181 and that this vertical plane is in parallel 20. relationship to the doors 50.
Referring to Fig. 3, roller support members 120 are mounted in proximity to the top of each vertical frame member 102. ~hile only a lower roller support member 120 i~ shown in Figs. 3 and 5, it will be understood that an upper roller suppor~ member 120 will also be mounted to ~he ~op of each vertical frame member. The upper support ~embers 120 support upper inner guide roller~ 122 for engaginy the upper track 84. As shown in E'igs. 3 and 5, the lower roller support members 120 support lower inner guide rollers 124 for 30. engaging the lower track 86 . Both upper (not shown~ and 7~
lower roller support members 120 support an outer guide roller 126 for engaging the I-beam 82. These rollers 1~2, 124, and 126 maintain the frame membe~s 102 in the vertical plane 181 in parallel relationship to the doors 50~ The combination of the rollers 122, 124, and 126 and the wheels 110 allows the apparatus 100 to be moved horizorltally in a vertical plane 181 in spaced parallel relationship to the doors 50 past a series of kilns. Thus, the apparatus 100 can be moved to open any on~ of a series of doors S0 closing the 10. kiln openings~
Turning now to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, each door includes two upper cavities or recessed areas 130 and two lower cavities or recessed areas 132 in its outer surface.
The upper cavities 130 are horizontally spaced apart in the same horizontal plane~ The lower ~avities 132 are also horizontally spaced apart in another horizontal planeO O~e of the upper cavities 130 and one of the lower cavities 132 are vertically spaced apart in the same vertical plane, and the oth~r upper cavity 130 and the other lower cavity 132 are 20. vertically spaced apart in another vertical plane. The vertical planes of upper and lowex cavities 130 and 132 generally correspond to the vertical planes 181 of the ver~ical frame members 102 of the apparatus 100 when the door 50 is being lifted.
As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4~ each cavity or recessed area 130, 132 i5 partially covered or closed by a rectangular shaped member 134 located in the upper right-hand corner of each cavity 130 and 132~ Each member 134 has a lower lifting rib or ridge 136. Preferabl~ the cavities 130 30~ and 132 are square or rectangular shapedr and the members 134 are likewise square or rectangular shaped. Although the members 134 are preferably in the upper right-hand corners of the cavities 130 and 132, they could also be located in the upper left-hand corners o~ the cavities 130 and 132 without departing fro~ the scope of the present invention. It is, however, necessary that ~he members 134 be located in the same corner of each cavity 130 and 132. As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the ~ember~ 134 are flush with the outer surface of the door 50, and the cavi~ies 130 and 132 provide resesse~
10. for allowing the insertion of lifting mechanisms 140 to engage the lifting ribs or edges 136 of the cavities 130 and 132. The lifting mechanisms lift the door 50 upwardly and outwardly from a closed position, as indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 3, to an elevated opened position, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3, in the direction of the broken arrow at the top of the apparatus 100 in Fig~ 3. This lifting movement removes the door 50 from the door frame around the kiln door ~pening and elevates it above the floor 5~.
20. Continuing to refer to Figs. 2-5, the apparatus 100 includes upper and lower lift mechanisms 140 for coincidently engaging the lifting ribs 136 of both the upper and lower cavities 130 and 132. An upper and low~r lift mechanism 140 are pivotally connected to each ~ertical frame member 102.
The lift mechanisms 140 are s~ructurally identical and operate in a similar manner. As will be explained later, all of the lift mechanisms 140 move simultaneously to lift the door 53O
Each lit mechanism 140 includes a first lever arm 30. 142. The first lever arm 142 has a first end 144. The first 9~
end 144 is received in a one of the upper or lower vertical slots 14S which are provided in each of vertical frame members 102. The firs-t end 144 is pivotally connected to the frame member 102 by a pivot connection 146. The irst lever arm 142 has a second end 148 which is enlarged to approximately twice the wîdth of the first end 144. The second end 148 includes a lift finger or hook 150 which extends longitudinally ~rom a lower portion of the second end 148~ The lift finger 150 has an engaging surface 152 forming 10. an angle of approximately 90~ with respect to the edge of the second end 148. As shown in Fig. 3, the lift finger 150, and more particularly the engaging surface 152, engages the lifting rib or ledge 136 of member 134. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of the first lever arm 14~ is approximately 11.75 inches.
Each lift mechanism 140 further includes two second lever arms 1600 Each of the second lever arms 160 includes a first end 162 which is pivotally connected to an upper portion of the second end 148 of the first lever arm 142 by a 20. pivot connection 164. The second lever arms 160 are pivot~lly connected to both ~ides of the first lever arm 142.
The second lever arms 160 extend through the elongated slot 145 in the vertical frame member 102, and each includes a second end 166. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of each of the second lever arms 160 is approximately 14~50 inches. The fulcrum length 154 between pivots 146 and 164 i5 approxima~ely 9.00 inches.
Each lift mechanism 140 also includes two third lever arms 170. Each third lever arm 170 bas a first end 172 30. pivotally connected to the second ends 162 of the second -1~
9~
lever arms 160 by a pivot connection 174. Each third lever arm 170 also includes a second end 176 which is pivotally connected to an outside surface of the vertical frame rnember 120 by a pivst connection 178. In the preferred embodiment, the overall length of each third lever arm 170 is approximately 9OOO inches. The fulcrum length 168 between the pivots 164 and 174 is approximately 12.5 inches and the fulcrum length 180 between pivots 174 and 178 is approximately 7.00 inchesO Thus, in the preferred 10. embodiment, the ratio of fulcrum length 154 to fulcrum length 168 to fulcrum length 180 is approximately 1:1.39:.78.
As best shown in Fig. 3, the pivot connections 146 and 173 are in ~he same vertical plane 181 as ~he frame member 120, wheel 110, and rail 90. As further shown in Fig. 3, the pivo~ connections 146 and 178 associated with both the upper and lower lift mechanisms 14~ on a frame member 120 are all in the same vertical pl~ne 1810 An advantage of this arrangement is explained below.
The relationships between the fulcrum lengths 154, 20. 168, and 180 of the first, sa~ond, and third lever arms 14~, 160, and 170, resp~ctively, prcvide the optimum mechanical advantage for lifting the door 50. In the preferred embodi~ent, the pivot connection 164 of each lift mechanism 140 moves along an arc 182 when the lift mechanisms 140 are actuated. The radius 184 of the arc 182 is approximately 9.00 inshes, and it equals the fulcrum length ~84 of the first lever 142~ As represented by the broken lines in Fig.
3, when the door 50 is lifted to its open position in relationship to the vertical frame members 102, the pivot connection 164 is positioned in the same vertical plane 181 ,7~1~
alonq with the connections 146t 178, the frame member 170, and the wheel 110. Thus, the weight of the door 50 is concentrated and distributed along the vertical plane 181 directly onto the wheels 110. This weight distribution al~ng the vertical plane 181 of the vertical frame members 102 and wheels 110 facilitates horizontal movement of the apparatus 100 along the rail 90.
The upper and lower lift mechanisms 140 on each Yertical frame member 102 are interconnected by linkage bars 10. 186. Bars 186 are pivotally connected to the pivot connections 1740 A linkage rod 188 is adjustably connected to the linkage bars 186 by adjustable couplings 190.
Movement of the linkage rod 188 results in coincidental movement of both the upper and lower lift mechanisms 140. A
piston and cylinder mechanism 192 is pivotally connected to either a vertical frame member 102 or the lower cross member 106 by a pivot connection 196, as best seen in Fig. 2t and is pivotally connected to the linkage rod 188 by a pivot connection 198, A fluid motor 194, shown in Fig. 2, is 20. connected to the two piston and cylinder mechanisms 192 associated with the lift mechanisms 140 on each of the two vertical frame members lC2~ A control 200 allows the operator to simultaneously control the two piston and cylinder mechanisms 192 so that all of the lit mechanisms 140 move concidentally to lift the door 50.
Although not sho~n, it will be understood that a lock mechanism may be provided to lock the lift mechanisms 140 in their raised position as a safety measure to pre~lent the door 50 from lowering if the hydraulic system should 30. fail. The lock mechanism may include a plate corlnected to ~16~
7~
one or both of the vertical frame members 102. The plate having an aperture that aligns with an aperture in one of the linkage rods 188 when the door 50 is lifted to its raised or opened position, as represented by the broken lines in Fig.
3. A pin or post may then ~e inserted through the apertures to lock the li.ft mechanisms 140 in a fixed relationship relative to the frame members 102.
The operation of apparatu~ 100 can best be described by referring to Figs. 2 and 3. When a kiln is 10. ready to be opened, apparatus 100 is rolled along rail 90 to a position in front of the door 50 closing the kiln opening.
The first lever arms 142 of the lift mechanisms 140 are coincidently lowexed into the upper and lower cavities 130 and 132 in the spaces provided by the cavities 130 and 132 adjacent to the lift members 134. With the fingers 150 of the first levers 142 projecting into the cavities 130 and 132, the apparatus 10 is rolled along rail 90 until the fingers 150 are beneath the lif~ing ribs or ledges 136 of the lift members 1,4. Fluid motor 194 is actuated to move 20. linkage rods 188 downwardly so that the fingers lS0 engage the lift ribs or ledges 136. Further downward mov ~ent of the linkage rods 188 simultaneously pivots all of the first lever arms 142 along arcs 182. The door 50 is lif~ed so that upper and lower posts 62 and 66 are removed from slots 60 and 64, respectively, and rods 72 disengage the hooks 68. The lever arms 142y 160, and 170 of each lift mechanism 140 are moved to positions, as represented by the broken lines in Fig. 3, where the door 50 is near or engaging the vertical frame members 102. By this operationy the door is lifted 30. upward and away from the door frame of the kiln opening.
Once the door has been lifted up and away from the kiln opening, the apparatus 100 is rolled along rall 90 to move the door horizontally away from the kiln openingO To replace the door 50, the same procedure is followed, only in reverse.
As shown in Fig. 2, the same apparatus 100 can be used for a series of kilnsl each having a door 50. Because of the mechanical advantage assosiated with the lift mechanisms 140, the doors 50 can be constructed of heavier lOo material and include more insulation to increase the insulation (R~ factor. Furthermore, the combination of the posts 62 and 66, rods 72, slots 60 and 64, and hooks 68 allow the weight of the door 50 to provide a tight seal between the door 50 and the door frame around the kiln opening. Xt will therefore be appreciated that doors 50 having a greater insulation (R) factor and providing a better seal ean be used because of the capabilities of the apparatus 100 embodying the present invention.
20.
30.
alonq with the connections 146t 178, the frame member 170, and the wheel 110. Thus, the weight of the door 50 is concentrated and distributed along the vertical plane 181 directly onto the wheels 110. This weight distribution al~ng the vertical plane 181 of the vertical frame members 102 and wheels 110 facilitates horizontal movement of the apparatus 100 along the rail 90.
The upper and lower lift mechanisms 140 on each Yertical frame member 102 are interconnected by linkage bars 10. 186. Bars 186 are pivotally connected to the pivot connections 1740 A linkage rod 188 is adjustably connected to the linkage bars 186 by adjustable couplings 190.
Movement of the linkage rod 188 results in coincidental movement of both the upper and lower lift mechanisms 140. A
piston and cylinder mechanism 192 is pivotally connected to either a vertical frame member 102 or the lower cross member 106 by a pivot connection 196, as best seen in Fig. 2t and is pivotally connected to the linkage rod 188 by a pivot connection 198, A fluid motor 194, shown in Fig. 2, is 20. connected to the two piston and cylinder mechanisms 192 associated with the lift mechanisms 140 on each of the two vertical frame members lC2~ A control 200 allows the operator to simultaneously control the two piston and cylinder mechanisms 192 so that all of the lit mechanisms 140 move concidentally to lift the door 50.
Although not sho~n, it will be understood that a lock mechanism may be provided to lock the lift mechanisms 140 in their raised position as a safety measure to pre~lent the door 50 from lowering if the hydraulic system should 30. fail. The lock mechanism may include a plate corlnected to ~16~
7~
one or both of the vertical frame members 102. The plate having an aperture that aligns with an aperture in one of the linkage rods 188 when the door 50 is lifted to its raised or opened position, as represented by the broken lines in Fig.
3. A pin or post may then ~e inserted through the apertures to lock the li.ft mechanisms 140 in a fixed relationship relative to the frame members 102.
The operation of apparatu~ 100 can best be described by referring to Figs. 2 and 3. When a kiln is 10. ready to be opened, apparatus 100 is rolled along rail 90 to a position in front of the door 50 closing the kiln opening.
The first lever arms 142 of the lift mechanisms 140 are coincidently lowexed into the upper and lower cavities 130 and 132 in the spaces provided by the cavities 130 and 132 adjacent to the lift members 134. With the fingers 150 of the first levers 142 projecting into the cavities 130 and 132, the apparatus 10 is rolled along rail 90 until the fingers 150 are beneath the lif~ing ribs or ledges 136 of the lift members 1,4. Fluid motor 194 is actuated to move 20. linkage rods 188 downwardly so that the fingers lS0 engage the lift ribs or ledges 136. Further downward mov ~ent of the linkage rods 188 simultaneously pivots all of the first lever arms 142 along arcs 182. The door 50 is lif~ed so that upper and lower posts 62 and 66 are removed from slots 60 and 64, respectively, and rods 72 disengage the hooks 68. The lever arms 142y 160, and 170 of each lift mechanism 140 are moved to positions, as represented by the broken lines in Fig. 3, where the door 50 is near or engaging the vertical frame members 102. By this operationy the door is lifted 30. upward and away from the door frame of the kiln opening.
Once the door has been lifted up and away from the kiln opening, the apparatus 100 is rolled along rall 90 to move the door horizontally away from the kiln openingO To replace the door 50, the same procedure is followed, only in reverse.
As shown in Fig. 2, the same apparatus 100 can be used for a series of kilnsl each having a door 50. Because of the mechanical advantage assosiated with the lift mechanisms 140, the doors 50 can be constructed of heavier lOo material and include more insulation to increase the insulation (R~ factor. Furthermore, the combination of the posts 62 and 66, rods 72, slots 60 and 64, and hooks 68 allow the weight of the door 50 to provide a tight seal between the door 50 and the door frame around the kiln opening. Xt will therefore be appreciated that doors 50 having a greater insulation (R) factor and providing a better seal ean be used because of the capabilities of the apparatus 100 embodying the present invention.
20.
30.
Claims (11)
1. An apparatus for vertically and horizontally moving a door, comprising a track in spaced relationship to the door, two vertical frame members, each in a vertical plane, transverse frame members interconnecting the two vertical frame members in spaced relationship to each other, wheels rotatably mounted to the vertical frame members for engaging the track to allow horizontal movement of the vertical frame members, upper and lower lift mechanisms carried on each vertical frame member for engaging the door and moving it vertically, each lift mechanism including first, second, and third lever arms interconnected to each other and to one of the vertical frame members, each lever arm having first and second ends, first pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the first end of the first lever arm to the vertical frame member, the second end of the first lever arm providing door-engaging means for engaging the door, second pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the first end of the second lever arm to the second end of the first lever arm, third pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the second end of the second lever arm to the first end of the third lever arm, fourth pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the second end of the third lever arm to the frame member, linkage means connecting the upper and lower lift mechanisms on each frame member, drive means for moving the linkage means to simultaneously move both upper and lower lift mechanisms on both frame members, and control means for actuating the drive means, the second ends of the first lever arms being moved in arcs to engage and move the door vertically with respect to the kiln opening.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and third pivot connecting means of each lift mechanisn are in the vertical plane of one of the vertical frame members.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each vertical frame member includes an upper vertically extending slot and a lower vertically extending slot, and the first and second lever arms of the upper and lower lift mechanisms are received in the upper and lower slots, respectively.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second lever arms extend through the slots and are movable therein with respect to the vertical frame members.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second pivot connecting means of each lift mechanism stops in the vertical plane of one of the vertical frame members when the door is moved vertically, and each of the wheels is also in the vertical plane of one of the vertical frame members, whereby the door's weight is directed downward along the vertical planes.
6. The apparatus of claims 4 or 5 wherein each lift mechanism comprises one first lever arm, two second lever arms, and two third lever arms, the first lever arm being connected to a vertical frame member within a slot, the second lever arms being connected to each side of the first lever arm, both second lever arms extending through the slot, one third lever arm being connected on an outer side of one of the second lever arms, the other third lever arm being connected on an outer side of the other second lever arm, and the third lever arms also being connected to opposite surfaces of the vertical frame member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first lever arm has a first fulcrum length between the first and second connecting means, the second lever arm has a second fulcrum length betwen the second and third connecting means, the third lever arm has a third fulcrum length between the third and fourth connecting means, the second fulcrum length being greater than the first fulcrum length, and the third fulcrum length being less than the first fulcrum length.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising guide means in proximity to the tops of the vertical frame members for maintaining the frame members in their vertical planes.
9. In combination, a door for closing an access opening to a kiln and an apparatus for moving the door with respect to the kiln opening to allow access thereto, wherein the door comprises two upper spaced-apart cavities and two lower spaced-apart cavities in its outer surface, lift members in each cavity extending downwardly and providing lift edges within the cavities, and wherein the apparatus for moving the door comprises a track in spaced relationship to the door, two vertical frame members each in a vertical plane, transverse frame members interconnecting the two vertical frame members in spaced relationship to each other, track-engaging means rotatably mounted to the vertical frame members for engaging the track to allow horizontal movement of the frame members, upper and lower lift mechanisms carried on each vertical frame member for engaging the lift edges and vertically moving the door, each lift mechanism including first, second, and third lever arms interconnected to each other and to one of the vertical frame members, each lever arm having first and second ends, first pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the first end of the first lever arm to the vertical frame member, the second end of the first lever arm providing a lift finger for engaging the lift edge in one of the upper and lower cavities, second pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the frst end of the second lever arm to the second end of the first lever arm, third pivot connecting means for pivotally connectng the second end of the second lever arm to the first end of the third lever arm, fourth pivot connecting means for pivotally connecting the second end of the third lever arm to the vertical frame member, linkage means connecting the upper and lower lift mechanisms on each frame member, drive means for moving the linkage means to simultaneously move both upper and lower lift mechanisms on both vertical frame members, and contral means for activating the drive means, the second ends of the first lever arms being moved in arcs so that the lift fingers engage the lift edges to move the door vertically with respect to the kiln opening.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the door further comprises door support means mounted above the door and brackets mounted on top of the door and adjacent to a back surface for engaging the door support means such that the door's weight forces the bottom of the door inward toward the kiln opening when the door is hung on the door support means.
11. The combination of claim 9 wherein the lift members only partialy occupy the cavities, the cavities including spaces between the lift members and sides of the cavities for insertion of the lift fingers to engage the lift edges.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US39808082A | 1982-07-14 | 1982-07-14 | |
| US398,080 | 1982-07-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1192790A true CA1192790A (en) | 1985-09-03 |
Family
ID=23573910
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421210A Expired CA1192790A (en) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-02-09 | Door-removal apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1192790A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107386856A (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2017-11-24 | 山东大学 | Suitable for the full-automatic shutdown stand and application method of model assay systems |
-
1983
- 1983-02-09 CA CA000421210A patent/CA1192790A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107386856A (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2017-11-24 | 山东大学 | Suitable for the full-automatic shutdown stand and application method of model assay systems |
| CN107386856B (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-02-05 | 山东大学 | Full-automatic shutdown rack and application method suitable for model assay systems |
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