US2815051A

US2815051A - Pressure head assembly having individual pressure elements

Info

Publication number: US2815051A
Application number: US585665A
Authority: US
Inventors: Spanhel Walter; Jeff Y Cromeens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-05-18
Filing date: 1956-05-18
Publication date: 1957-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1974-12-03

Description

Dec. 3, 1957 w. SPANHEL ETAL 2,815,051

PRESSURE HEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING INDIVIDUAL PRESSURE ELEMENTS I Filed May 18.. 1956 Waller Span/2e! Jeff X Cromeens United States Patent PRESSURE HEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING INDIVIDUAL PRESSURE ELEMENTS Walter Spanhel and J elf Y. Cromeens, Dallas, Tex. Application May 18, 1956, Serial No. 585,665

6 Claims. (Cl. 144-289) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pressure head assemblies.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure head assembly for holding wood pieces or other work of different thickness against displacement relative to a support so as to facilitate working on the wood pieces or portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure head assembly for use with a wood working or similar machine and having a plurality of resiliently-mounted elements for maintaining wood pieces of different thickness in positive engagement with conveying means whereby the wood pieces are held against displacement while being conveyed through the machine and beneath the pressure head assembly.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure head assembly, of the character described, wherein the resiliently-mounted elements are arranged in overlapping relationship and coact to present a substantially continuous bearing surface having independently-movable portions for engagement with wood pieces of different thickness whereby the wood pieces may travel beneath the bearing surface without being displaced.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure head assembly, of the character described, which includes a plurality of spring-pressed lugs slidably mounted in a pressure head and having enlarged depending portions which overlap the depending portions of adjacent lugs to form the substantially continuous bearing surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure head assembly, of the character described, wherein the enlarged depending portions of the springpressed lugs are in the form of flanges and have overlapping end portions which are bevelled to facilitate travel of the wood pieces therebeneath.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. l is an end elevational view, partly in section, of a pressure head assembly constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view, partly in elevation, of a portion of the assembly in operation,

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views of the springpressed lugs of the assembly.

In the drawing, the numeral designates a pressure head assembly embodying the principles of the invention and including a pressure head 11 which may be of hollow construction and which is adapted to be connected to a conventional ram or other support (not shown) for vertical adjustment. The head is substantially rectangular, being elongated horizontally, and has a flat bottom ICE wall 12. A plurality of coextensive, longitudinal walls or flanges 13 depend from the bottom wall in parallel, spaced pairs to provide channels or grooves 14 therebetween on the underside of the head 11. Although subject to variation, three channels are preferred and the ends of the channels are closed by overlying end plates 15 which are fastened to the ends of the flanges 13 by suitable screws 16. Each channel 14 is rectangular in cross-section and has opposed shoulders or inwardly-directed lips 17 on the lower margins of the flanges and extending throughout the length thereof.

A plurality of individual pressure elements or

lugs

18, 19 and 20 are supported for substantially vertical reciprocation in each channel. Each lug includes a horizontal, flat, rectangular head 21 which is slidably mounted in the channel between its side walls 13 and which is supported by the shoulders 17. A helical spring 22 is provided for resiliently urging each lug outwardly or downwardly of the channel 14 with its head 21 in engagement with the shoulders, and a circular recess or sump 23 is formed in the upper end of each lug head for receiving the lower end of the spring. The upper ends of the springs 22 are confined in similar recesses 24 formed in the lower surface of an overlying bar or header 25 which is co-extensive with the channel and which is supported by said springs in engagement with the bottom of the channel. Since the lug heads are disposed in contiguous or substantially abutting relationship, the springs are confined against displacement by the coaction of the

recesses

23 and 24.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the

lugs

18 and 20 include upright, medial, depending, lower portions, cleats or

flanges

26 and 27, respectively, which are enlarged or elongated and which extend longitudinally of the head 11 and its channel 14. Since the lugs 18 are mounted at the ends of the channels (Fig. 2), only the inner end portion 28 of each flange 26 extends beyond the head of its lug. Both end portions 29 of each flange 27 extend beyond the head of its lug 20. Each lug 19 has a. pair of parallel, spaced flanges 30, similar to the flanges 27 and having end portions 31 adapted to receive the

end portions

28 and 29 there between. It is noted that the

flanges

26, 27 and 30 are of suflicient length to overlap without touching and without interfering with relative movement of adjacent flanges and their lugs. The flanges 30 are of less thickness than the

flanges

26 and 27 and the 'space therebetween is of greater width to accommodate said latter flanges without binding.

Flat, horizontal,

lower surfaces

32, 33 and 34, respectively, are provided on the medial portions of the

flanges

26, 27 and 30 and these surfaces coact to present a substantially continuous bearing surface for engagement with wood pieces or other work W (Fig. 2). The upper and lower surfaces of the

flange end portions

28, 29 and 31 are bevelled as shown at 35, 36 and 37 so as to converge toward each other, while an upwardly and outwardly inclined lower surface 38 is formed on the outer end of each flange 26. As shown in Fig. 2, the pressure head 11 is adapted to overlie and coact with the horizontal bed or table 39 of a wood working or similar machine (not shown) having an endless conveyor 40 of the plate-type for supporting and carrying the wood pieces W to and through said machine. Suitable cleats 41 may be formed on the conveyor at spaced intervals-for engagement with the wood pieces. It is noted that the wood pieces, which usually are of short length, vary in thickness and extend transversely of the table 39 and its conveyor 40 for movement longitudinally of the pressure head to permit sawing, grooving or other working of the end portions of said wood pieces. Of course, the elevation of the pressure head is adjusted in accordance with the average thickness of the wood pieces whereby the .engage the side walls 13 of the channels lugs resiliently engage and confine said wood pieces against displacement during travel beneath said head. Due to the inclined surface 38 of the end lug 18, initial engagement of, the wood pieces Wis facilitated. As shown in 'Fig. 2, the lugs are movable independently of one another to permit engagement of'the

flat surfaces

32, 33 and 34 of .the lugs '18, "1'9 and'20 with wood pieces of different thickness and movement of said wood pieces from beneath one lug to another. Rocking or tilting of .thelugs is permitted by the upper and lower

bevelled surfaces

35, 36 and 37 of the

end portions

28, 29 and 31 pointed out that the wood pieces need not be in engage- :ment as shown and may be fed to the machine one at a time. Pivotal movement of the wood pieces is prevented by the provision of two or more rows of lugs which coact to positively hold said wood pieces against displacement. As explained, the heads 21 of the lugs slidably 14 and are confined against longitudinal displacement by the end plates 15.

The foregoing descripton of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pressure head assembly for holding work of different thickness against displacement while permitting travel of the work therebeneath including a pressure head, a plurality of elements reciprocally mounted in the underside of the head and depending therefrom for engagement with the Work, resilient means carried by said head for urging the elements outwardly thereof, said elements being disposed in substantial alinement with one another and having .enlarged overlapping lower portions elongated longitudinally of the direction of travel of the work to provide a substantially'continuousbearing surface therefor.

2. A pressure head assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the enlarged lower portions of the elements are in the form of flanges having overlapping end portions.

3. A pressure head assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the end portions of the flanges have bevelled lower surfaces to facilitate travel of the work from beneath one element to another.

4. A pressure head assembly for holding work of different thickness against displacement while permitting travel of the work therebeneath including a pressure head, a plurality of spring-pressed lugs slidably mounted in the underside of the head for substantially vertical reciprocation relative to said head and to one another, each lug having 21 depending flange extending longitudinally of the direction of travel of the Work for engagement therewith, the flanges of adjacent lugs having overlapping end portions to provide a substantially continuous bearing surface for the work.

5. A pressure head assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein alternate lugs have a pair of flanges for overlapping the single flanges of adjacent lugs.

-6. A pressure head assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a channel in the underside of the pressure head and extending longitudinally of the direction of travel of the work for slidably supporting the lugs, and a spring confined'in the channel by each element for urging the element outwardly of said head whereby the elements may undergo substantially vertical independent movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,619,999 Lehmann Dec. 2, 1952 2,724,296 Parrish et al. Nov. 22, 1955 2,754,708 Peterson July 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 315,925 Germany Nov. 15, 1919