US2417633A - Conveyer frame structure - Google Patents

Description

5 SheeVcs-Sheet l F.J.COZZOL| CONVEYER FRAME STRUCTURE March A1s, 1947.

Original Filed Feb UUFIIHHHHHIMI JAH March 18, 1947. F.J. cozzvoLl. 4 2,417,633

CONVEYER FRAME STRCTURE originalV Filed Fa. 2, 1945 3 sheets-'sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 1s, 1947.- F, J, OZZU 2,417,633

` CONVEYER FRAME STRUCTURE original Filed Fe. 2. 1943 Vs sheets-shet 5 nwrsN-roRA ATToRNEY f Patented Mar. 18, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE riginal application February 2, 1943, Serial No.

475,625. Divided and this application December 20, 1943, SerialNo. 514,930

2 Claims. 1 The present invention relates to machine structures and more particularly to improvements in the structure of base andframe elements wheremachine construction, each `capable of being easily machined, and which in combination with by the capaci' ty and size or a machine incorporating the invention may be enlarged or decreased to suit a users needs with a minimum of expense and material.

In my prior application Serial No. L$75,625, filed February 2, 1943, of which the present application is a division, a washing machine is disclosed embodying principles of this invention and in the interests of simplicity, that machine will be again referred to as an illustration of the manner in which this invention may be practiced. Itwill be understood that other and different types of machines may b-e constructed in a similar manner each possessing the advantages of inexpensive initial cost and variability of capacityand size.

In the Washing machine referred to, the main framing of the machine is adapted to receive and support the conveyor mechanisms andthe washing instrumentalities, the loading and discharge mechanisms, the drive mechanisms and the controls and is so constituted that the loading mechansm may be eliminated or another substituted and the machine as a whole correspondingly shortened or modified without severe alteration to the main frame structure. In a like respect, the machines production capacity may be varied by increasing or decreasing the washing units, without severe change in the elements making up the main base and framing.

With the aid oi the present invention it becomes possible not only to construct a complete machine relatively inexpensively but to adapt the Y construction to the individual needs and requirements of the customer. Should the customers requirements change, the machine originally constructed may, at small cost, likewise be changed to suit the new conditions.

A further aim of this invention is to render available a machine frame construction unit which, by using several, may be used to forml two or more rail members maybeutilized to form a frame section of any desired length which, when assembled, has the inherent capacity to withstand extremely heavy stresses without yield1 ing or fracturing and to resist such twisting or distorting forces that may arisesubsequently.

In attaining the `aims of the invention it vis proposed toconnect two leg standards'or other supports of suitable height across theirtopswith a rail section ,whose length equals thelength of the intended machine. Upon the rails are mounted one or more generally rectangular and heavily ribbed bearing plates and to the topof the plates `another railmernber is securely fastened. The structure thereby formedwprovides a sturdy side wall f cr the machine in which the bearing plates performnot only a construction functionbut also a means in which shaft journals, etc., may be provided. To suit the characteristics of the machine the bearing plates may be spaced closely or apart alongthe rails without a loss in the rigidity inherent in the rectangular structureso constituted. The opposite side, and ends when necessary, may be similarly constituted. of spaced rails and intervening structural bearing plates, wherebythe side walls of the machine is formed to the required length `and depth, providing a space between walls of ample capacity for the working parts and mechanisms of the machine.

Other objects and advantages will be vin `part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection With the annexed drawings.V

To enable others skilled in the art so fully 'to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody thesame in the various Ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical `construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all `the viewsyof whichl Figure l is a side view of a washing machine embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof partly in section, better to illustrate the capacity of the new frame structure-to ,accommodate and support machine elements and related mechanisms.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a typical frame structure.

Fig. 'i is` a Vperspective vieW of a'wall :section assembly.

Fig. 5 is a view of a single construction unit.

Referring to the drawings, the machine illustrated is an ampule washing machine in which the loading and discharge mechanisms forming a part `thereof are arranged at a convenient height from the floor for easy control and operation and to suit other equip-ment, In this instance the height of the machine is determined by the height of the leg standards I and the bearing plate units I5, I6, I1, I8 rising therefrom. Each of the leg standards I9 preferably consists of a one-piece casting of box like construction, as illustrated in Fig. 2, which forms a front and a rear leg for each end of the machine, A pair of rail members II and I2 are. firmly bolted or otherwise secured to the relatively wide top surfaces of the leg standards and by means of which the legs are maintained the selected distance apart and held against rocking out of vertical and against twisting from front to back, The portions of the rails I I and I2 that extend beyond the legstandards, if unused, may later be cut oi.

`The rails II and I2 are constructed preferably of steel stock to impart strength and rigidity and are generally flat with relatively wide upper and lower bearing surfaces. On top of the rails are mounted bearing plate units I-I8, each of which is substantially rectangular, transversely ribbed as at r and affording bearing areas a, b, and c of generous size along its upper and lower flanged edges and also on one side. The upper ends of the bearing plate units are secured to and support additional rail members I3 and I4. The upper and lower rail members, together with the intervening box-like units I5 etc. thereby forming a self-sustaining wall section, illustrated more clearly in Fig. 4, capable of withstanding heavy loads and stresses that may be imposed thereon. The construction is such that by using increased or decreased lengths of rails, and adding or removing bearing units I5-I3, the length of the machine may be altered and the capacity yof any specic machine changed to suit requirements without expensive reconstruction.

` In the frame shown in Fig. 2, the side walls formed by the plates and rails provide a U-shaped structure, closed at its ends across the bottom and open along the top, (Fig. 3) within and upon which the moving and stationary elements of the machine may be mounted. The ampule washing machine with its conveyor structure shown in the drawings is representative of a machine in which a U-lshaped frame structure of changeable length may advantageously be employed, and will now be briey described.

The conveyor mechanism that supports the washing spindles 42, travels between the planes of the side walls of the frame and includes two linked chain structures I9 and 20, whose pivot rolls-2| engage notches 22 in driving and driven pairs of star wheels 23 and 24. The wheels 23 and 24 are fixedly mounted to shafts 25 and 26, respectively, and these are journaled in bearing blocks 21 and 28 supported by the rails of the main frame. Between the pair of star wheels 23 a ratchet wheel 29 is fixed and adapted to be driven intermittently by means of a spring pressed pawl 39 mounted to the end of an actuating lever 3|. The other end of the lever is pivoted to a cross support carried by the rails I3 and I4 at 32 in such a position that a central portion of the lever overlays an actuating cam or roller 33 mounted upon a main cam shaft 34.

A motor 35 mounted to bearing plate I6 drives the main shaft through reduction gearing in a housing 36, and when operating, the actuating arm 3| is caused to be raised and lowered once during each complete turn of the cam shaft. Each time the arm is lifted the pawl 30 engages a notch in the ratchet wheel and indexes the wheel one position. Such movements, it will be seen, advances the conveyor step by step in a counterclockwise direction (in Fig. l), leaving a dwell period between steps for loading and cleansing operations.

The links of the -two conveyor chains are disposed directly opposite one another and are bridged by removable needle trough assemblies 49 each of which comprises an open ended trough member 4I having a plurality of aligned tube supporting hollow needles 42 radiating therefrom. Each needle is screw threaded to the bottom of a trough and its interior arranged to communicate With a common conduit 43 formed in the trough bottom. The conduit is closed at one end and its other end is provided with a valve seat 44 which is adapted to cooperate intermittently with the l valved end of fluid supply conduits 45.

In the present embodiment, eight supply stations and eight supply nozzles 45 have been illustrated. The number may, however, be increased or decreased as desired merely by varying the number of conveyor links and adjusting the wheel pivots along the rails accordingly. Each of the nozzles 45 is normally spring pressed toward the valve seat 44 in a related trough assembly by a spring 46 operating between a loose collar 41 and a normally tight collar 48. By adjusting the tight collar to the left (in Fig. 2) the particular nozzle effected may be prevented from moving.

The several nozzles are actuated outwardly by means of levers 49 that rare secured to an oscillatable shaft 5I) journaled in brackets 5I secured to the framing. Another lever 52 is also secured to the shaft 59 and has its lower end pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 53 which in turn is pivoted at 54 in a bracket secured to the framing. The other end of the bell crank 53 carries a roller 55 that tracks on the periphery of a cam 56 secured to the cam shaft 34. Part of the surface of the cam 56 is relieved to provide a low portion into which the roller 55 drops during the movement of the conveyor. When the conveyor and the trough assemblies 40 have been indexed, the high portion of the cam 56 engagesA the roller55 and actuates the bell crank clockwise from the position illustrated in Fig. 2. This movement through the toggle-like connection with lever 52 rocks the shaft 50 and levers 49 in a counterclockwise direction and the supply nozzles move inwardly and seat upon the respective valve seats in the trough assemblies.

After the nozzles are seated, a valve 6D associated with each supply line, is opened and uld is directed through one or more of the lines 6I, nozzles 45, and conduits 43 of the trough assemblies 40. Normally the valves 60 are closed, and are opened only when their respective valve stems 52 are depressed.

mounted on the cam shaft. The cam V61 pro-q` gres'sesfrcm minimum to maximum diameter (see 2li so that the-'valvestarel gradually. opened'y an'dif quickly closed;

The Lvalve actuating arfrnl-SS'fa'lso', duringa; cer-- tain portion of its travel, operates thefplung'er to a closed position, the motor operates tov drive the camshaft 3.4 andthepartsconnected therewith, of" which the valve"4 actuating and switchucontrol arm 85 is one;A 'The cam shaft'will'.

mak'eapproximately one-quarter of a turni beforethe end 169 engages the plunger 'lll and closes the` switchill. Whenthis occurs the operator may` release switch.'|2. Power operation continues.- until.` the. camroller. 65 rides off thehigh partiof the' cam. 6l. Atthis .-pointthe valve actuating s'crewsirt. are quicklyl lifted, allowingthe valves. to.- close, andthe. stem 68. lifts away from t'liel switch plunger. 1|).w and the1 switch 1| i opens. Thefdrive motorthereupon stopsand the machine cornes. to. rest withv all valvesrclosed; and` with thefloadingimechanism retracted to a position ready to receivetubes.U Spring elements 13, 'M andlfassist inthe retracting movements of the severalielements.

cooperatively related with the indexing of the troughs is the operation ofthe` loading rrechanism, illustrated more particularly in Fig. l, Whose function is to position the unclean ampules or tubeson the-several needles of successive trough assemblies' during thetime the'yjare at rest? Advantageo-usly, a horizontal position of the needles, as illustrated in these figures, is selected as the loading station. `The loading mechanism may comprise a reciprocable carrier 88 that is guided on the rails I3 and I4 and actuated toward and away from the needles by mechanism driven from the common cam shaft 34. A cam element 8l having a gently rising side and a relatively steep side, is mounted upon the cam shaft 34 for that purpose and engages a roller 82 carriedkby a pivoted lever 83. The lower end of lever 83 .connects with generally horizontal link member 84 which in turn connects with the lower end of a pivoted lever 85. The upper end of the lever 85EL has a pin and slot engagement with the under side of the carrier 88, and as the main cam shaft rotates, the loading mechanism is reciprocated in timed relation with the conveyor movements. A heavy spring 86 normally tends to urge the roller 82 against the cam 8| and the feed carrier 80 to retracted position.

As illustrated in the drawings, each trough assembly carries six needles whereby siX ampules or tubes may be loaded and subsequently washed simultaneously. Likewise in the tube carrier 88 there are six channels 88 into which unclean tubes are to be laid. The feeding and aligning of the ampules with the needles is effected mechanically by the overtaking action of the individual plungers 88 which urge the respective tubes into the polished cone shaped recesses 89 provided in centering fingers 80. The centering fingers 90 move forward with the carrier 88 and are provided with similar cone cavities 8| in their sides facing the needles. Thus as the carrier advances, the several needles, should any be not perfectly straight, are guided by the cone walls 9| through a central opening 8 la therein and into the ampule or tube that is centered in the cone on the other side.

The means for advancing the plungers 88 rela- IOL tive .terne carrier-f is iuustrated'in rig; 1i" and coma prises a sliding frame I'Il'that-is'g-uided on'rodsl |0`|`1` thatv form part of thetraveling` carrier 8|). Thefcarrier also mountsJ at its-rear portion, a`

plate |0'4 secured to the main framing;

ofthe sliding frame |88; andv bymeans of a rodlike extension |08, extends'through an aperture ||l`|`i`n a'statio'nary'crossplate 'member |88. Accordingly, as the'lcarrier 9|] moves forward, from the Aposition illustrated'in Fig. 1, the rod lllfulcrums-on the sideseo'f the openingV in the' crossplate and rocks the lever |95,` and the movement of the lever |05 is transmitted to the slide |80 andv plungers' 88" secured thereto, whereby' the latter move forward slightly'faster than the forward movement ofthe carrier;

As illustrated in Figs. l' and 2; the' ampulesoir' tubes are prevented from being blown off the needles when the pressure is' applied; bya vertically adjustable cover ||4. This cover is open endedland normallyis set to clear the. bottoms of the inverted tubes without allowing'the tubes too much end play therebetween.

At thecompletion of the'severalcleaning` cycles the sterile tubesv are carried from under the cover" ll and removed ordischarg'ed from' the needles. In the embodiment illustrated herein an adjustable guide plate'` or chute |15 isy provided on which the tubes are laid as the needles reach a position below the horizontal.'` When ,lthis" occurs thesterile tubes automatically slide" off* the" needles onto the chute and thence onto a conveyor belt IIB. The link connection and pin and recesses 8 afford means for adjusting the chute to different tube sizes.

As above indicated the surfaces of the rail members |||4 are finished smooth and parallel so that when necessary, selected pairs may be used as guides for reciprocable mechanisms, such as for example, the loading mechanism of the. machine shown. Also the flanged edges a, b, and at least one side c of the bearing plate members |5|8 are finished smooth and square not only to obtain uniformity in size but to provide finished surfaces on which other elements such as brackets, journal bearings, pivots, etc., may be mounted with precision location and operation. The plates may in a given machine,

be turned on their sides or at angles to each other, or cut int-o smaller Width units, as may be desired to suit the machine framing plan. By employing the unit principle herein proposed the need for complicated patterns and castings and machining facilities for large pieces becomes unnecessary.

The flanged upper and lower edges a, and b of the bearing plate units are of a depth preferably many times the thickness of the ordinary Wall of a base casting which is ample to prevent a tipping of the planes 0f the side walls. In the present illustration of the invention the depth of the anges is approximateh7 1/5 the Width or height of the unit. Additional cross bracing is however provided by the cross members of the machine assembled thereon, such as, in the present instance, by shafts 25, 26, and 34.

The bearing units may be doweled and bolted to the rails, and the rails to the Wide surfaces d of the leg standards and thus each member of the box-like assembly assists in supporting the other members and the entire assembly is braced and held true in all directions.

Without further analysis, the foregoingv will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A supporting structure for a conveyor comprising a pair of leg standards, each of said standards comprising two spaced legs connected at their upper ends, a pair of supporting rails of a selected length secured in parallel spaced relation to the upper portions of said standards and transversely thereto as to form in plan view a generally rectangular structure; a plurality of bearing plate members rising from said supporting rails and connected thereto opposite one another in selected adjusted positions, a second pair of supporting rails secured in parallel spaced relation to the tops of said bearing plate mem-v bers, said opposite bearing plates, pairs of rails and upper portionsA of the leg standards forming a machine structure of changeable size and generally U-shaped in transverse vertical section adapted to support machine elements thereon and on and between the upstanding walls formed by said bearing plates.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said rails extend beyond the leg standards at one end, and additional bearing plate members interposed between the extended portions of the rails.

- FRANK J. COZZOLI.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 540,311 Hills et al June 4, 1895 721,725 McCabe Mar. 8, 1903 735,722 Dennis Aug. 11, 1903 744,163 Brown Nov. 17, 1903 804,170 Prince Nov. 7, 1905 828,296 Baldwin Aug. 14, 1906 928,365 Crowley July 20, 1909 1,362,263 Harding Sept. 7, 1920 1,428,484 Lankheet Sept. 5, 1922 1,504,106 Donier Aug. 5, 1924 1,648,743 Sheffield Nov. 8, 1927 1,800,428 Bebinger et al Apr. 14, 1931 1,845,066 Walter Feb. 16, 1932 1,915,359 Gilpin June 27, 1933 2,200,690 Elliott May 14, 1940 2,333,112 Maris et al Nov. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 761 British 1903 4,830 Br. 1885 128,262 Br 1919

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