US1738730A

US1738730A - Apparatus for grinding, smoothing, and polishing plates of glass, marble, or other similar materials

Info

Publication number: US1738730A
Application number: US230976A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rowart Eugene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-04-04
Filing date: 1927-11-04
Publication date: 1929-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-10

Description

Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES 0F GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AMD POLISHING PLATE 5 OF GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov; 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet ,5

Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,733,730

" APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING-PLATES 0F GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS v Filed Nov. 1927 9 sheetsesheet 4 r I U 6 71. toy- Dec. 10, 1929. E. ROWART 1,738,730

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS.

Filed Nov. 4, 1927 Q-Sheets-Sheet 5.

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Dec. 10,1929. E. ROWART v 1,733,730

' APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Ashen 6 "2 l n e takil I fwd Dec. 10, 1929.

NG, AND POLISHING PLATES SIMILAR MATERIALS 1927 9 Sheets-Sh t '7 E. R0 DING, s o BLE, OR

iled Nov.

APPARATUS FOR GRIN OF GLASS, MAR

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iyw kfmi E. ROWART.

APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES OF GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 v e 7? r 1,738,730 APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES 9 sheets s heet 9' Dec. 10, 1929. E. RowA'RT OF GLASS, MARBLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Nov. 4, 1927 Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENT OFFICE EUGENE ROWART, OF AUVELAIS, BELGIUM APPARATUS FOR GRINDING,

SMOOTHING, AND POLISHING PLATES F GLASS,

MARBLE,

OR OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS Application filed November 4, 1927,

This invention relates to an apparatus for grinding, smoothing and polishing plates of glass, marble or other similar materials by means of grinders or polishers. As it is well known, in apparatuses of this kind as heretobefore employed, the grinders and polishers are generally rotated above the plates which are secured on tables or other similar supporting means.

It has already been suggested in apparatuses of this kind in order to accelerate the operations to move the glass plates or other plates continuously under the grinders, polishers or other rubbingmembers. In all those known apparatuses the rubbing members however are rotated more or less quickly above the plates to be treated.

The consequence of this rotative motion is that the polishing or rubbing material is projected to the periphery of the rubbing members and tables, so that the surface of the plates does not receive the required uniform and regular smoothness.

r My invention has for its object to obviate these inconveniences to accelerate the operations, and to obtain glass plates having an equal smoothness over their whole surface.

-With this object in view, my invention essentially consists in the special arrangements andcombinations of parts hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the appended claims:

Referring to the annexed drawings, which show as an example an embodiment of my invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention, showing several grinding or polishing elements and also a table carrying the sheets or plates of material to be treated.

Figure 2 is a plan view, the left half 0 which illustrates the apparatus on the level of v the lateral rails whilst the right half is taken from the higher level of the carrier rail, the Polishers being removed.

Figure 3 is a transverse elevation illustrating a structure with the rods and rails in section and two grinding or polishing elements.

50 Figure 4 is a view of three elements drawn bars which connect a monorail 11 to the Serial No. 230,976, and in Belgium April 4, 1927.

to a larger scale, one of the elements being shown together with its motor.

Figure 4: shows separately one of the burnishing irons as used for the first grinding.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the position 5 of the polishers or other working elements during their travel along the curved part of the monorail.

Figure 6 is a cross section of the table on which the glass plates or the like are bedded.

Figures 7 and 8 are side views in section showing details of the table assemblage, the resilient fixing of the tables to the carrying frames, and means for fixing the glass plates to the joints of the tables and adjustable mechanism permitting the movement of the tables by a sprocket chain.

Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 6, illustrating a modified form of the apparatus which allows the displacement of the table by a reciprocating movement and which is specially applied to the work of polishing.

Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. %1 and 5 and showing three elements and their driving means in the case where it is made use of guiding meansat the upper end at the lower art. 1

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show special arr-angeh ments of the monorail.

In the said figures: 3

1 designates the frame of the apparatus which consists of a fixed part 2 and a movable part 3. The movable portion comprises a screw 3 and a cooperating nut 4 which bears upon the frame 1. By rotating the nut 4, the screw 3' is moved in a vertical direction to adjust the movable portion 3. A ring 5, to which a cable 7 is attached, is secured to the upper part of the movable portion 3. The cable supports at the other end a systemof counter-weights 6.

8 is a framework which is jointed to ,the movable part 3 through the bearings 9.

10 (Figs. 1 and 3) denotes supports or cross framework 8.

12 (Figs. 1 to 4) denotes rails which are designed to guide the grinding smoothing and polishing elements near the base of the latter. we

l3 designates the polishers which are attached to the plates. 15. For the first grinding however, grinding devices 13', (Fig. 4) are substituted for the said polishers.

14 denotes in general the smoothing and polishing elements which consist of the plates 15 each of which carry a male part 16 and a female part 17 by means of which the plates are assembled together in a series, in the form of an endless chain rigid horizontally and joined laterally. The female parts carry a bolt-hole 18 and the male parts carry a bolt hole 19. These elements are adjusted and are assembled with the male part within the female part. A pivot pin 20 (Figure 4).

which passes through the bolt holes in the male and female parts rests by a shoulder on the u per part of the female part and 1s secured beneath the lower end of this part by a collar with a lock-nut. Above the shoulder of this pivot which serves as an axis are horizontally arranged rollers 21, the object.

of which is to maintain the polishers in alignment with guide-rails 12 when the bolted members slide slightly.v

22 designates connecting bars, which are designed to transmit movement to plates 15' on which they are secured in a vertical position, 23 desi nates the upper part of certain of these ars 22, which upper part is shaped in the form of a hook and carries an electric motor 27 which receives its current from the power line 27 (Figure 3).

24 denotes wheels carried by the bars 22 and by means of which the apparatus moves on the monorail 11. The upper wheel 24 rests on the monorail 11 and the lower wheel is in contact with the said monorail immediatelybeneath the said upper wheel. On the axle of the said lower wheel are mounted a toothed wheel 25 and a'wheel 26. The wheel 26 receives its movement from the electric motor 27 fixed to the upper part of the bars 22 and toothed wheel 25 transmits its movement to a toothed wheel 28 which drives 4 the upper wheel 24.

' (Fig 9).

29 (Fig. 1) denotes tables on.which the plates of glass or other material are fixed; these tables consist of a frame 30 on which is fixed the platform or upper part 31; the parts in contact between the frame,30 and the platform 31 are perfectly finished as well as the surfaceon which the glass-plates or other plates are fixed.

Theplatform 31 is secured tothe frame 30 by bolts32 (Figs. 6 and 7) carrying springs 33 (Fig. 7) which are pressed by nuts against the frame 30, and WhlCh form resilient supports for the plate 31, thereby enabling it to move slightly in the verticaldirection with a certain amount of elasticity. I j

The frame 30 is mounted on. the train of wheels 34 which roll on rails 35; the platform 31 carries rollers 36 on a vertical axis Along the path of rolling formed platform 31; these threaded wheel 44 necting the tables together. The saiddevice is integral with the platform 31 and is suitably placed so that the holes 39 of one table align with corresponding holes in the following or preceding table and receive pins 40 which join the tables together in series.

41 (Figure 8) indicates horizontal pins screwed into projections at the ends of the pins fit in corresponding holes 42 in a projection formed on the end of the platform 31 of the following table.

42 indicates a device arranged on the frame 30 which is designed to establish the connection between an endless chain 43 and the tables for moving the latter; this device carries a fork 44 having a threaded shaft extending therefrom which can be displaced in a yertical plane by actuating the internally v The connection with the chain 43 is established by moving the fork 44 downward to straddle the chain between external link connectors. The fork 44 may be moved horizontally into vertical alignment with an internal link of the chain 43 by means of the threaded horizontal shaft engaged by the internally threaded hand wheel 46.

48 (Fig. 8) designates a slightly cut-away portion of the two adjacent transverse edges of. the platforms 31. Under this cut-away part, and at one of its edges, is formed a groove 48 in which is fitted amember 49 which can be moved forwards or backwards by suitable means for instance under the action of a spring arranged in the groove 48 This member is designed to press and fix ness a little greater than the open joint betweenthe glass plates at the end of the two tables, with amaterial which is adhesive and plastic at a certain temperature, so that, when two" tables are attached to one another, there exists between the glass plates at the ends of the two tables, a perfect joint which fixes the glass plates to the table and prevents all vertical movement of the plates and the 'intiiomtluction of foreign matter beneath the said p a es.

51 (Figure 9) indicates a crank and a connecting rod for the producing of a reciproeating motion which drives a conveyor 52. Conveyor 52 is provided with wheels 52 which ride on the rails 52 conveyor. Extending from faces of the frame 52 is an extension 53 to which a connecting rod 61 is connected. The crank arm is actuated from a source of power the lower surand support the by means of. a belt 63 engaging a pulley 64 secured to a horizontal shaft 58 which carries crank 51.

54 indicates an endless chain secured to the carrier. This chain receives its movement from an electric motor 55 which is designed to drive, with a continuous rectilinear movement, the tables used for the work of polishmg.

56- (Fig. 1) indicates a platform surrounding the frames and on which the polishers move,when they leave the table.

In the drawings, the pipes and arrange,- ments for feeding the abrasive and washing materials have been omitted in order to maintain more clearness and to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

In practice the dimensions of the rubbing members, burnishers or polishers and the translation speed of those members and of the tables such as their pressure on the plates to be treated vary according to the use and the phases of the work.

The whole of a plant consists in a track of sufficient length, the rails 35 of which are afiixed at the distance determined by the width of the tables in a perfectly horizontal plane.

The tables 29, the dimensions of which vary according to the weight and dimensions of the articles to be cleaned, move on the track, drawn by the endless chain, with a definite speed between two parallel lines of guides 37 which prevent the lateral movements which they might receive during the working.

Above the track in the horizontal direction and at right angles to the. direction of the rails 35 are arranged in echelon the systems of rubbing devices which have been described and which are arranged parallel to one another and following one another at suitable distances, in order that the distributing devices for the abrasive material and the washing water can be placed between each line of elements. The rubbin members ofeach apparatus, that is to say t e members moving on asame monorail 11 move at a speed suitable for theparticular stage of the operation which they perform in two lines in opposite directions produced by the arrangement of the members in "the form of an endless chain.

Each of the stages of the operation .requires a sufiicient number of rubbing devices to accomplish the work whether it concerns the continuous surfacing, smoothing or washing, etc., of the glass.

As the work of polishing requires for its easy and perfect accomplishment that each of the rubbing elements perform a complete operation in the various stages which go to form the washing, smoothing and polishing of the glass. etc., the tables carried by the carrier 52 (Fig. 9)- receive a reciprocating movement during the various stages of the operation.

In the operation of the devicea series of grinding machines, of the type hereinbefore described, are arranged side by side. endless chain is run beneath the several machines and draws the tables or supports upon The terial to be ground and polished isxsecured to the conveyor chain and advanced under the first set of rubbing elements. The machine is then started and successive tables follow the aforementioned table through the several machines until the last polishing operation .is to be performed, wherein the continuous movement of the table is substituted by a reciprocating motion. The operation of the grinders on the plate will be readily understood fromthe foregoing detailed description of the device.

IVhat'I claim is:

' 1. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connected together to form an endless chain, rubbing plates carried by the rubbing members, a monorail forming an elongated ring above the rubbing members, wheels frictionally engaging the monorail and connected to the rubbing members, and means for rotating said wheels to propel the rubbing members.

2. In a machine of the class described,-rubbing members connected together to form an endless chain, rubbing plates carried by said members, a monorail forming an elongated ring above the rubbing members, wheels frictionally engaging the upper and lower sides of the monorail and connected to said rubbing members, and an electric motor support secured to said wheels.

3. In amachine of the class described, rubbing members connected together to form an endless chain, an endless guideway above said member, a monorail parallel to said guideway, wheels frictionally engaging the monorail and connected to the rubbing members and means for rotating said wheels to propel the rubbing members along said guideway.

4.. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connected together to form an. endless chain, vertical shafts extending from the rubbing members, fixed guide rails forming an endless guideway, rollers on said vertical shafts engaging said guide rails, a mo orail parallel to said guideway, wheels f ictionally engaging said rail and connected to said rubbing elements, and means for rotating the wheels to propel the rubbing members.

5. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connected together to form an endless chain, vertical shafts extending from said rubbing members, fixed guide rails 01111! m an endless guideway above said members,

r0 lers on said shafts engaging the guide rails, a monorail parallel to said guideway, Wheels frictionally en aging said rails and connected to said rubblng elements, an electric motor support carried by said wheels, and an electric motor secured to said support and connected with said wheels, I

6. In a machine of the class described,

rubbing members connected together .to form an endless chain, a monorail forming an elongated contlnuous ring, wheels connected to the upper and lower side of the monorail and connected to said rubbing members, and means for displacing said monorail in a vertical direction to determine the pressure of the rubbing members.

7. In a machine of the class described, rubbing members connected together to form an endless .chain, a monorail forming an elon- 1 gated continuous ring, wheels frictionally engaging the upper and lower side of the monorail and connected to said rubbing members, means for rotating said wheels to pro- I e1 said rubbing elements and means includmg a bolt, a nut and a counterweight, for moving said monorail in a vertical direction.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

EUGENE ROWABT.