US2357373A - Portable milking machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 5, 1944. B. H. ANDERSON PORTABLE MILKING MACHINE Filed Deo. 15, 1959 5 Sneets-Sheet l 1 NV EN TOR. h. ndenson ATTORNEY.

SePt- 5, 1944. B. H. ANDERSON 2,357,373

PORTABLE MILKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6N J9 Je n -5)6f`58 /Q 4a.@ se 4J "-3 4 4 /4 o 7x, 20 l Z *.8

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INVENTOR,

,Benjam/7 M /V/Menfol? BY ATTORNEY.

sept. 5, 1944.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 UVVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE MILKING MACHINE Benjamin H. Anderson, Madison, Wis.

Application December 15, 1939, Serial No. 309,449

(Cl. .3l-73) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to portable milking machines.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a portable milking machine which is simple in construction and easy to operate.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for centering the suction pump cylinders and for readily regulating or adjusting the degree of vacuum developed by the suction pumps.

Another object of this invention is to provide simple means for guiding the motion of the suction pump cylinders.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for lubricating the piston guiding means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a. compact portable milking machine in which the operating elements are enclosed and yet are readily available for inspection.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section and with one panel of the housing removed, of a portable' milking machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view, partly in section and with the front panel of the housing removed, of the portable milking machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed View of the connection between the connecting rod and the piston guide tube.

Fig. 5' is a detailed view of the supporting means.

vFig. 6 is a cross sectional view, at an enlarged scale, of the turret member. l Figs. 7, 9, and 11 are bottom views, at an enlarged scale, of valve members and associated valve or milk receiving chambers mounted in the milk container covers.

Figs. 8, l0, and 12 are sectional views of the members illustrated in Figs. 7, 9, and 1l, taken on lines 88, I 0-I0, and I 2-I2, respectively.

driving motor =v `Referring to the drawings, the milking ma- `prises side' panels 'I and 8, front panel 9, rear panel I0, and cover Il. The side panels are provided y lWith removable `plates I2 and .I3 which may be removed easily to provide ready access to the operating elements.

Vacuum cylinders I4 are supported from cover II of housing 6. The upper ends of cylinders I4 are closed by caps I5, each of which is provided with a spigot I6. The cylinders are retained in cover I I by means of clamp I1 which is drawn tight by means of bolt I8, secured to cover II by means of nut I9. The cylinders are maintained in centered position by means of clamping rings 20. y

Clamping rings 20 are arcuate, having their end portions 2| and 22 bent outwardly. Bracket 23 is securely mounted on front panel 9 of housing 6. End portions 2| of the clamping rings are secured to bracket 23, as by spot welding. Bearing plates 30 may be secured to the free end portions 22 of the clamping rings. Bracket 23 is provided with threaded apertures 24 adapted to receivethe threaded ends 2E of studs 25. The lixed end portion-s 2|, the free end portions 22 and bearing plates 30 are provided with apertures through whlchthe threaded ends 26 of studs 25 may project.

The studs 25 are provided with an enlarged section 21 to form a shoulder 28 which bears against bearing plate 30. 'Ihe studs project outwardly of housing 9 and are provided with knurled heads .29 to permit ready adjustment. Bearing plates 30 may be provided with end portions 3| bent at right angles to provide means for limiting closing` of the clamping rings. Coil springs 32 encompass the threaded portions 26 of the studs between end portions 2| and 22 of the clamping rings to constantly urge the clamping rings into expanded position.

It is obvious that upon drawing up studs 25 in threaded apertures 24 in brackets 23, the end portions 2| and 22 of clamping rings 20 are brought toward each other and the clamping rings are tightly drawn about cylinders I4. The

and thereby seal the apertures 33. Sealing the apertures 33 increases the degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. Loosening of studs 25 slightly, although the clamping rings remain effective in centering the cylinders, breaks the seal overlying apertures 33 and thereby decreases the degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. The decrease in the degree of vacuum developed is directly dependent upon the degree of opening of the apertures, which is in turn directly dependent upon the degree to which the clamping rings are opened.

Brackets 34 are mounted on the housing of gear reduction unit 4, or may be integral with the housing, as illustrated in the drawings. Oil reservoirs or cups 35 are positioned on brackets 34, both the oil cups and brackets being provided with apertures. A guide rod 36 is positioned on each of the brackets, the lower ends of the guide rods being threaded and passing through the apertures in the oil cups and the brackets. The guide rods are secured to brackets 34 by means of nuts 36a. The guide rods extend upwardly, projecting through apertures in cover 'I'he upper ends of the guide rods may be secured to cover by means of nuts 31. The guide rods are positioned directly behind cylinders I4.

A tubular member 38 is positioned slidably on each of the guide rods 36. A bracket 39, having a forwardly projecting arm 4|, is securely fastened to tubular member 38, being spaced from the lower end of the tubular member an amount suflicient to allow the lower end of the tubular member to extend well into oil cup 35 when the tubular member is in its lowermost position. The lowermost end of piston rod 40 is secured to the forwardly projecting arm 4| of the bracket 39. Piston 42 is secured to the uppermost end of piston rod 40.

A collar 43 is securely fastened to the uppermost end of tubular member 38. A bearing pin 44 is integral with collar 43, or may be secured to the collar. 'Iubular member 38 is provided with an aperture 45, collar 43 and 'pin 44 are provided with a drill hole 46, and pin 44 is provided with a diametrical` aperture 46a, for purposes to be described hereinafter. Tubular member 38 is reciprocated along guide rod 36 by connecting rod 41 which is pivotally connected to pin 44. The connecting rod 41 is in turn driven by gear reduction unit 4 through crank 48. The gear reduction unit is driven by a motor 49 through pulley 50 and belt 5|.

Motor 49 is secured to platform 52 exteriorly of housing 6. In order to provide simple'means for adjusting the tension in belt platform 52 is preferably mounted pivotally on the rear panel I0. Flanges 53 may be provided on the panel IU and platform 52 is pivotally secured to the flanges 53 by means of bolts 54. A pair of cooperating plates 55 and 56, each having a slot 51 and 58 serve as means for maintaining the platform in any desired position. Plates 55 and 56 may be of sheet metal and are secured to platform 52 and Vpanel I0, respectively. The plates are maintained in any desired position by 'friction between the plates. 'I'he plates are tightly clamped together by means of bolts 59 which pass through the slots 51 and 58 and ring nuts 60.

A milk container 6| is supported on a plat` form 62 which, is secured to the front panel 9. The open end of milk container 6| is provided with a cover 63. A valve member 64,'the construction of which will be described hereinafter,

is positioned in an aperture in cover 63. The valve member is retained in the aperture in cover 63 by means of yoke 66, which is retained on the cover by a bolt and a cooperating ring nut 66.

A rod 61 is rigidly secured to front panel 9 in spaced relation thereto. A cover holding arm 68 is slidably mounted on rod 61. 'I'he bore of the aperture in the arm 68 is of such diameter as to permit the arm to be raised or lowered easily when held at substantially right angles to the axis of the rod, but is suiiiciently small in diameter to prevent the free movement of the arm along the rod. Since the center of gravity of the arm is at some distance from rod 61, the downward pull of gravity is adequate to create sufficient frictional force between the rod and the edges and surfaces of the aperture to hold the rod in any position to which the arm may be raised or lowered.

The free end of arm 68 is preferably hookshaped and is provided with a rubber snubber 69. Ring nut 66 is placed on the hook-shaped end of arm 68 whereby the associated container cover 63 and valve member 64 may be supported while placing a milk container 6| on platform 62. The pull of gravity of the arm 68, cover 63,

valve member 64 and associated elements creates.

sufficient friction between the rod and the edges and surfaces of the aperture in arm 68 to retain the arm in any position to which it is moved. 4

The arm may be held in a right angle position with respect to rod 61 and may be lowered until cover 63 is positioned on milk container 6|. The arm is then lowered until the snubber rests on the lower inside surface of ring nut 66. The arm may be pressed into contact with the inner surface of the ring nut. The snubber 69 exerts adequate pressure upwardly to create suicient friction between rod 61 and arm 68 to maintain the cover in position until it is desired to remove the milk container. If it is desired to remove cover 63, the ann may be placed in a right angle position with respect to rod 61 by 'exerting a downward pressure on the arm to into contact with the lower inside surface of the ring nut. Nor is it necessary to support the cover from the arm. The cover may be handled as desired and the snubber may be placed in direct contact with the upper surface of the cover, if desired.

'Ihe cooperating substantially vertical rod 61 and arm 68 form an exceedingly simple yet reliable and very effective means for supporting cover 63 and the associated elements and for preventing accidental displacement of the cover during operation and use of the milking machine.

A turret 10 is mounted on support 1| which is secured rigidly to cover as by welding or other suitable means. The turret comprises a pair of disc holders 12 and 13 mounted rotatably on support 1|. The disc holders are identical in construction, see Fig. 6, each comprising a cup-like body 14 having its wall flared outwardly slightly at the open end of the body, to 'provide a bearing surface 15. A centrally positioned journal 18 is provided to receive bolt 11 which passes through the journals of each o f the bodies and through support 1I. A nut 18 is threaded on the lower end of bolt 11 to secure the disc holders to support 1| Bearings 19 and 8| are positioned to one side of the journals and are provided with openings 80 and 82, respectively. Disc holders 12 and 13 are assembled with their orpen ends toward each other and with surfaces 15 in contact. Supporting arms 83 and 84 are mounted slidably in openings 80 and`82, respectively.

Bolt 11 is drawn up or tightened suiliciently so that the supporting arms 83 and 84 can Ibe moved with a slight force. The weight of the supporting arms creates sufficient friction between the bearing surfaces 15 of thedisc holders to maintain the arms in any desired position into which they may be moved.

A traxp 85 may be interposed between the vacuum pumps and valve members 64. The trap provides simple means by which the dairyman may quickly detect a failure in the apparatus such as will cause a flow of milk into the vacuum pumps. Trap 85 is mounted on front panel 9. The trap may comprise a transparent cup 86 and a head 81. The head is provided with two conduits 88, one of which appears in Fig.- 1,

or other washer members 9| may be positioned between the top of the cup 86 and head 81 and between the lower end of the cup yand nut 90. It is to be understood that the milking machine may be operated with equal effectiveness without the trap. It is also to be understood that a trap is provided for each of the vacuum pumps.

Spigot |6 of each of the vacuum pumps is connected with one of-the conduits 88 in the head 81 of its associated trap by flexibletubing 92. The remaining conduit 88 of the head 81 is connected with its associated valve member 64 by means of flexible tubing 93. Valve members 64 communicate with the milk claws 94 by means of flexible tubing 95. The milk claw 94 in turn communicates with a plurality of teat cups 91 by means of short lengths of flexible tubing 96. Flexible tubing 95 and the milk claw 94 with its cluster of teat cups may be supported by hook 98 which is secured to theend of sufpporting arm 83.

It is to be understood that a similar milk claw and associated elements are provided for each vacuum pump and valve member.

In Figs'. 7 to 12, inclusive, I have illustrated, in detail, the construction of several embodiments of the valve members. The valve and valve chamber structure is disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,287,506, issued June 23, 1942.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 8, the valve member 64 comprises a valve retaining ring |00, a valve plate and a valve chamber |02. The valve retaining ring comprises a tubular sleeve' |03 having a reduced portion |04 forming an external shoulder and an internal ledge |06. The reduced portion |04 is adapted to be positioned within opening |01 in can cover 63, shoulder |05 being disposed on rim |08 which defines opening |01. Aspider |09 is provided with cut-out portions I|0 and with a centrally located aperture The spider is preferably formed by a stampi118 operation and its central portion is raised as at H2. A valve plate |0| is disposed on the spider- |09, the aperture receiving guide pin H3. The guide pin and aperture cooperate to maintain valve plate |0| in centered position at all times. In forming raised portion ||2 and aperture I prefer to draw the metal to provide a bearing surface for pin ||3 which is longer than the normal thickness of the spider.

The valve chamber |02 is preferably cylindrical and is provided with an enlarged base p0rtion ||5 which forms an external shoulder ||6. The enlarged base portion ||-5 fits loosely within sleeve |03, being positioned on spider |09. The valve retaining ring and the valve chamber are maintained in opening |01 by means of yoke 65, the extremities of the yoke bearing upon shoulder ||6 of the valve chamber. In the assembled position of the valve retaining ring and valve chamber, the spider |09 is held securely between internal ledge |06 and the lower end of the valve chamber. The lower end of the inner wall of the valve chamber is ground to form a valve seat H1.

Air spigot ||8 communicates with the interior of the valve chamber and with a source of vacuum, such as vacuum cylinder I4, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Milk spigot ||9 communicates with the valvetchamber and with the teat cups 91 through flexible tubing.

In operation, on application of vacuum to air spigot ||8 or on the suction stroke of the pump, the clearance between valve plate |0| and valve seat ||1 is sufficiently small to permit the valve to be closed by atmospheric pressure on the underside of the valve plate. On closing of the valve, milk is drawn through the teat cups, associated milk claw, associated tubing, and milk spigot ||9, and flows into valve chamber |02. On the return stroke of the pump or the breaking ofthe vacuum, valve plate |0| falls to the spider |09 and the milk in valve chamber |02 kflows through cut-outs ||0 in the spider into the 'from the retaining ring and the retaining ring may be lifted from the opening |01 in cover 63. The valve plate and spider may be removed from the valve retaining ring. The complete and simple disassembling of the elements of the valve matter permits each element to be properly and thoroughly cleaned.

The valve retaining ring illustrated in Figs. 9 and I0 comprises a tubular sleeve |20 having an outwardly projecting flange |2|. The sleeve is adapted to be positioned in opening |01 in cover 63, the outwardly projecting flange |2| being disposed on the upwardly extending rim |08 which defines opening |01. Sleeve |20 is provided with an internal ledge |22 and a cross bar |23. 'I'he cross bar is preferably formed with a raised central section |24 having an aperture located centrallygwith respect to the sleeve. Valve plate |0| having a centrally positioned depending guide pin ||3 is positioned on the'cross bar |23, aperture |25 receiving guide pin H3. The guide pin and aperture cooperate to maintain valve plate |0| in centered position at all times. The enlarged base portion ||5 of valve chamber |02 ts loosely within sleeve |20 and is positioned on ledge |22. The valve retaining ring and valve chamber are maintained in assembled relation and the assembly is maintained in opening |01 in cover 63 by means of yoke 65, the extremities of the yoke bearing upon shoulder I I6 of the valve chamber. i

Air spigot ||8 communicates with the interior of valve chamber |02 and with a vacuum pump. Milk spigot ||9 connects with the interior of the valve chamber and with the teat cups. The operation of the valve, removal, and disassembling of the elements are similar to that described in connection with the elements of Figs. 7 and 8.

'I'he valve retaining ring illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 may be formed by a stamping operation. Sleeve |26 is drawn from sheet metal and is provided with an outwardly ared rim |21. The sleeve is ladapted to be positioned in opening |01 in cover 63, the outwardly ared rim` |21 being disposed on upwardly projecting rim |08 which defines opening |01. The sleeve is formed with an integral cross member |28. The central portion `of the cross member is preferably raised asat |29. The raised central portion of the cross member is provided with an aperture |30 which is centered with respect to the sleeve. Valve plate having a centrally positioned depending guide pin ||3 is positioned on cross member |28, the aperture |30 receiving guide pin |I3 whereby the valve is maintained in centered position at all times. In forming the aperture A|3|| and the raised central operation of cross member |28, the metal is preferably drawn to provide a bearing surface for pin |3 which is longer than the normal thickness of the cross member- Valve chamber |3| is provided with an outwardly projecting flange |32 adjacent its base. The base portion of the valve chamber is adapted to be positioned within sleeve |26, the lower surface of flange 32 contacting the outwardly ared rim |21 of sleeve |26. The lower end of the inner wall of valve chamber I 3| is ground to form a valve seat |33. The valve retaining ring and the valve chamber are maintained in assembled relation and the valve retaining ring is maintained in opening |01 by means of yoke 65. The extremities of the yoke bear upon the upper surface of flange |32 of the valve chamber.

' The air spigot |34 communicates with the interior of the Vvalve chamber and with a vacuum pump. Milk spigot |35 communicates with the intenor of the valve chamber and with the teat cups. The operation of the valve, removal, and disassembling of the elements are similar to that discussed in connection with the structure illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8.

It is apparent that a valve chamber and valve member are provided for each of the vacuum pumps. For a single milk container, the cover for the container is provided with two valve members, each Valve Amember being connected V, :to its respective vacuum pump. If desired, a

trap may be provided between each of the valve members and Vacuum pumps.

In the operation of the milking machine, studs 25 are adjusted to produce the desired degree of vacuum developed by the vacuum pumps. Oil cups 35 are filled with lubricating oil, and if desired, a small amount of lubricating oil may be placed in wells of base I. As cranks 48 are rotated, connecting rods 41 reciprocate the tubular members 38 on guide rods 36. The connection Vbetween cranks 48 and connecting rods 41 will be lubricated since the connecting pins will dip into the oil wells 5 at each revolution of the cranks.

As tubular members 38 reach their lowermost positions on guide rods 36, the lower ends of the tubular members dip into the oil in oil cup 35. The tubular members 38 fit loosely over guide rods 36 to provide a fair amount of clearance between the tubular member and the guide rod. Suflicient oil is retained between the guide rods and the lower end of the tubular members by capillary action, and because of the surface tension of the oil, a film of oil is carried along the guide rods as the tubular members are reciprocated upwardly. The guide rods and tubular members are thereby thoroughly lubricated. If the guide rod and tubular member are thoroughly cleaned, it will be found that after several revolutions of the crank and several full strokes of lthe tubular members along the guide rods, a film of oil will have been carried along the guide rods and along the entire length of the stroke of the tubular member.

In operation, the oil which is carried along the guide rod also passes through aperture 45 in tubular member 38 and drill holes 46 in collar 43 and pin 44 and lubricates the connection between pin 44 and the upper end of connecting rod 41. After some operation of the machine, it will be found that sufficient oil has been carried along the guide rod and has passed through aperture 45 and drill holes 46 so that a small amount of oil passes downwardly over connecting rod 41 to lubricate the connection between crank 48 and connecting rod 41.

Although I have illustrated a particular form of milking machine it is apparent that various elements may be embodied in other forms of machines and apparatus Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of my invention and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention.

For example, I have illustrated the valve plate ||l| as being dome-shaped and drawn or formed from sheet metal and the guide pin ||3 as being secured to the valve plate by riveting. It is apparent that the guide pin may be secured to the valve plate by screw .means with equal eifectiveness, or the Valve plate may be cast with the guide pin cast integral with the plate. Further modifications will present themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1.A In a device of the class described, a vacuum pump, comprising a cylinder having a pair of diametrically opposite apertures therein and a piston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and adjustable means for centering said cylinder with respect to said piston and sealing said apertures.

2. In a device of the class described, a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having a pair of diametrically opposite apertures therein. a piston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and an adjustable clamping ring encompassing said cylinder and adapted to seal said apertures and to center said cylinder with respect to said piston.

3. In a device of the class described including a substantially vertical panel and a cover plate,

a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having.

dinmetrically opposite apertures therein supported from said cover plate and a piston mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, and an adjustable clamping ring secured to said vertical panel and encompassing said cylinder, said clamping ring being adapted to seal said apertures and to center said cylinder with respect to said piston.

4. In a device of the class described-including a substantially vertical panel and a cover plate, a vacuum pump comprising a substantially vertical cylinder supported from said cover plate and having apertures therein, a piston secured to a piston rod and mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, adjustable means for centering said cylinder with respect to said piston and sealing said apertures, and means for reciprocating said piston in said cylinder comprising a substantially vertical guide rod, a tubular member mounted slidably on said guide rod, said piston rod being operatively connected to said guide rod, and means for reciprocating said tubular member on said guide rod. l

5. In a device of the class described including a substantially vertical panel and a cover plate, a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having a pair of diametrically opposite apertures inthe walls of said cylinder, said cylinder supported from said cover plate and a piston mounted reciprooably in said cylinder, and means for centering said cylinder With respect to said pist-on pump comprising a substantially vertically positioned cylinder having at least two opposite apertures therein, a, piston secured to a piston rod and mounted reciprocably in said cylinder, adjustable means for centering said cylinder with respect to said piston and for sealing s'aid aper vtures to adjust the vacuum developed by said pump, a substantially vertical guide rod, aI cup adapted to contain a lubricant positioned at the lowermost end of said guide rod, a tubular mem- 29 ber mounted slidably on said guide rod and rigidly connected to said piston rod, and means for reciprocating said tubular member o-n said guide rod, the lower end of said tubular member extending into said cup in the lowermost position 25 of said tubular member.

BENJAIVIIN H. ANDERSON.

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