US3259563A

US3259563A - Electroplating rack unit

Info

Publication number: US3259563A
Application number: US178086A
Authority: US
Inventors: Monica Peter P Del
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-03-07
Filing date: 1962-03-07
Publication date: 1966-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 1983-07-05

Description

July 5, 1966 P. P. DEL MONICA ELECTROPLATING RACK UNIT Filed March 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Peier .P. Del Monica INVENTOR.

July 5, 1966 Filed March 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Peter 1? Del Monica,

INVENTOR.

BY 7V1 Wdiy H ORNEy United States Patent 3,259,563 ELECTROPLATING RACK UNIT Peter P. Del Monica, Landon Drive, Bordentown, NJ. Filed Mar. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 178,086 10 Claims. (Cl. 204-297) This invention relates to racks for suspending objects to be electroplated in a tank containing a liquid plating solution and particularly to such racks provided with means for clamping thereon the objects to be electroplated.

One of the principal objects of the present invention it to provide a rack unit for the purpose mentioned having means for attaching it, together with any desired number of similar units, to supports in a plating tank, each unit being provided with means for the quick clamping of objects to be plated firmly, but gently, on the rack unit, and also for the quick release of the objects at the conclusion of the plating operation.

Although my improved plating rack unit may be advantageously employed in the electroplating of any objects which may be marred or distorted by conventional clamping devices, an important object of this invention is to provide a plating rack unit which is especially advantageous in the process of electroplating aluminum parts known in the trade as anodizing, for automobile and other delicate parts.

In the anodizing process most metals from which racks are made soon deteriorate, due to the electrolytic action of the acids used in the plating bath or solution, to such an extent as to render the racks unfit for the purpose intended, after a short period of use.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a plating rack unit of eflicient and economical design in which all its parts subjected to electrolytic action are made of titanium, which is the only metal, of which I am aware, that will not deteriorate in the bath employed in the anodizing process.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plating rack unit of the character mentioned having clamping members suitable for clamping objects or parts of various shapes and sizes in the rack unit, and which members may be quickly attached to the rack unit and detached therefrom to be replaced with difierent clamping members.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plating rack unit of the character mentioned having means for adjustment longitudinally of the unit of one of each pair of clamps to accommodate objects of different lengths; and also to provide a scale on the metal plate to which this clamp is fixedly attached to indicate the correct positiOn for attachment of the clamp.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plating rack of the type referred to in which the metal plate to which the movable and fixed clamping members are attached is made in two channel sections with the movable member attachable to one section and the fixed member to the other section, and provided with means for detachably clamping the two sections together at their ends. The section mounting the fixed clamping member being of simple construction, a large number of such sections in diiferent lengths may be kept in reserve to be interchangeably used to acommodate objects of various lengths, or widths according to whether the objects are clamped transversely or lengthwise.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rack unit of the type mentioned in which the movable clamping member is urged into clamping engagement by means of a metal compression spring of calculated. strength and provided with means for insulating it from the electrolytic effects of the acids in the plating bath.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide separate forms of plating rack units having spring urged clamping members of the same general construction and operation, but one form being designed for clamping the surfaces of solid objects or parts, and the other form being designed for clamping the inner surfaces of the objects to be electroplated.

Other objects and advantages of my improved plating rack unit will be apparent or pointed out in the following specification in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of plating rack u-nit in accordance with the present invention, this form being designed for clamping or gripping solid objects to be electroplated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the rack unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the plating rack unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the opposite side;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view showing one form of movable clamping member;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the manner of inserting the movable clamping member into or removing it from the supporting plate;

FIG. 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable clamping member shown in the previous views;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another form of plating rack unit of the same general construction as that shown in the previous views but designed for clamping or gripping hollow objects to be electroplated;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the rack unit shown in FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views showing respectively, forms of the movable and fixed clamping members to be employed in the form of plating rack shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts or elements in the several views, and referring first to FIGS. 1 to 8, my improved plating rack unit includes an elongated flat metal plate designated generally by the numeral 10. In the construction illustrated, this plate comprises two

overlapping sections

12 and 14, although for objects or parts of a certain range in length, or width, according to whether the objects are clamped transversely or lengthwise, the plate 10 may be made in one piece. For electroplating objects or pants by the process known in the trade as anodizing, the

sections

12 and 14 are made of titanium, as being the only metal, of which I am aware, that will not be destroyed by the electrolytic action of the acids used in the plating bath. Therefore, for the sake of economy the sections are thin and of channel formation, as shown in FIGURE 7, to increase their strength and stifiness, and clamped together at their adjacent ends in overlapping relation by means of bolts 16 and nuts 18, or by other suitable device also made of titanium. It is contemplated that any desired number of the plating rack units may be attached to supports (not shown) in the plating tank, and bolt holes 20 are provided in the free end of the section 14 for that purpose.

In one end of the section 12 is a longitudinal slot 22 having closed

ends

24 and 26, this slot having parallel edges 28 extending from end 24 a substantial distance and merging into a widened opening 30. At the end of section 12 nearest the widened opening is a laterally projecting titanium handle 32 rigidly secured to section 12 by means of titanium bolts 34 and nuts 36, also made of titanium, or other suitable means.

A titanium clamping member 38 of rectangular formation and having parallel grooves 40 in opposite edges for slidable engagement with the edges 28 of the slot 22 Patented July 5, 1966 is insertable into engagement with section 12, as shown in FIG. 4, through the widened opening 30, and also removable through said opening, upon rotation of the member 38 within the opening 38 to disengage the grooves 40 from the edges 28 of the slot 22 as shown in FIG. 5. The grooves 40 continue along one side of the clamping member 38, as indicated at 42, for overlapping engagement with section 12 at the end 24 of the slot 22, as more clearly shown in FIG. 4.

The end 26 of the slot 22 is provided with a small projection 44 and the facing surface of the clamping member 38 is provided with a similar projection 46 for insertion in central sockets 48 in the ends of insulating disks 50 abutting the end 26 of the slot 22 and the facing surface of the clamping member 38. The opposite sides of the disks 50 have central projections 52 for insertion in the ends of a helical compression spring 54 inserted between the disks for normally urging the clamping member toward and against the end 24 of the slot 22, which limits the movement of the clamping member in that direction. Since the spring 54 is insulated from electrolytic action of the plating solution it may be made of brass or any other suitable metal.

A titanium cam member 56 is pivotally mounted at 58 on the section 12 and has an eccentric curved edge in Contact with the clamping member 38 on the surface opposite the end of the spring 54. This cam member has a handle 60 by means of which it can be operated to retract the clamping member 38 against the spring 54 along the slot 22, and when the handle is released the clamping member will be returned by the resiliency of the spring toward the end 24 of the slot. The handle 60 projects later-ally from the same edge of section 12 as the handle 32 and is within finger reach thereof for operating the cam member. A stop 62 may be provided on the section 12 to limit pivotal movement of the cam member away from the clamping member 38.

Longitudinally spaced from the movable clamping member 38 is a central longitudinally extending slot 64 in section 14. Over this slot is a complementary clamping member 66 designed to be rigidly but removably and adjustably clamped at any desired location along the slot by means of a bolt 68 and nut 70, all being made of titanium. A scale 72 may be provided on the section 14 cooperative with the edge of the base portion of the member 66 for correctly locating the clamping member to accommodate various objects to be plated.

As shown in FIG. 2 an aluminum plate 74 to be anodized is shown in clamped relation with the

clamping members

38 and 66. However, the clamps may be designed for objects of various shapes.

In clamping an object between the two clamps it is necessary for the operator only to retract the spring 54 by means of the cam member 56, place the object between the clamps and release the cam handle. The strength of the spring 54 is so calculated as to provide only the necessary gripping action without crushing, marring or otherwise damaging the object to be plated.

The form of plating rack unit illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 differs from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 primarily in a reverse arrangement of the clamping elements to adapt them for clamping or gripping hollow objects such as the casing 74 The

sections

12 and 14 and also the operating features of the clamping members may be substantially the same as hereinbefore described, and the same reference numerals are applied thereto. However, the

clamping members

38 and 66 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 are provided with vertical pins 76 for engagement with the inner wall of a hollow object, such, for example, as the casing 74 The movable member 38 the slot 28 and the cam member 56 are all so arranged as to retract the movable member toward, instead of from, the fixed member 66 The casing 74 is engaged with the pins 76 by placing the casing as shown in full lines in FIG. 10, retracting the movable clamping member 33 to a plane inside that of the adjacent wall, then lowering the end of the casing and releasing the handle 60 of the cam member 56. In this modification the bolts 34 and nuts 36 serve the double purpose of clamping the

sections

12 and 14 together and also securing the handle 32 thereto. For use in the process of anodizing, all the parts of the plating rack unit illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, except the spring 54 and the insulating disks 50, are preferably made of titanium, for reason already mentioned.

In the anodizing process the slightest relaxation of the clamping members against an object being anodyzed will permit the anodyzing of the contact surfaces of the clamping members, thereby not only reducing or stopping the flow of electric current and leaving the object incompletely plated, but also rendering the clamping members unfit for further use. In my improved plating rack unit, anodizing of the contact surfaces is precluded by the constant firm clamping action under spring pressure.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a simple and efiicient plating rack unit construction. especially advantageous in suspending objects or parts to be anodized in the anodizing solution, but which may also be advantageously used for parts or objects in any electroplating solution, irrespective of whether the objects are solid or hollow.

Obviously, various changes or modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts in my improved plating rack. within the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments of my invention shown and described are intended to be illustrative, only, and restricted only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath, said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate having therein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends, a metal clamping member removably mounted for longitudinal movement in said slot, a helical compression spring interposed between one end of said slot and the facing surface of said clamping member for normally urging said member toward the other end of said slot which limits its movement in that direction, a complementary clamping member having means for rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate in longitudinally spaced relation with said movable clamping member; and an eccentric cam member pivotally mounted on said plate for engagement with the surface of said movable clamping member adjacent to said movement limiting end of said slot for retracting said member against said spring to permit the clamping engagement of an object to be electroplated with said clamping members, said cam having an operating arm projecting laterally beyond the edge of said elongated. plate, and said plate having means for attaching it to a support.

2. A plating rack unit as in claim 1 and including insulating disks interposed between the ends of said compression spring and the metal surfaces opposed thereto, said clamping member and the spring opposed end of said slot having projections inserted in central sockets in the ends of said disks, and said disks having projections inserted in the ends of said compression spring for holding said spring in parallel relation with said elongated plate.

3. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath, said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate having therein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends and having opposed parallel edges extending a substantial distance from one end and merging into a widened opening, a rectangular metal clamping member having guide grooves in its opposite edges for slidable engagement with the parallel edges of said slot, said widened opening being of SllfilClCIlt width to permit rotation therein of said 5, clamping member to bring said grooves into engagement with said parallel edges, -a helical compression spring projecting into said slot in abutting relation at its ends with the end of said slot nearest said widened opening and the facing surface of said clamping member for urging said member toward the adjacent end of said slot which limits its movement in that direction, insulating disks interposed between the ends of said spring and its opposed metal surfaces, a complementary clamping member having means for rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate in longitudinally spaced relation with said slidable clamping member; and an eccentric cam member pivotally mounted on said plate for engagement with said slidable clamping member on the surface opposite the end of said spring for retracting said member against said spring to permit the clamping engagement of an object to be electroplated with said clamping members.

4. A plating rack unit as in claim 3 in which the guide grooves in the slidable clamping member continue along the end of said member adjacent the ends of the parallel edges of the longitudinal slot for overlapping the edge of the elongated plate at the end of said slot.

5. A plating rack unit for suspending objects in an electroplating bath, said unit comprising, in combination, an elongated metal plate 'having therein near one end a central longitudinal slot having closed ends and having opposed parallel edges extending a substantial distance from one end and merging into a widened opening, a rectangular metal clamping member having guide grooves in its opposite edges for slidable engagement with the parallel edges of said slot, said widened opening being of sufiicient width to permit rotation therein of said clamping member to bring said grooves into engagement with said parallel edges, a helical compression spring projecting entirely through said slot and in abutting relation at its ends with the end of said slot nearest said widened opening and the facing surface of said clamping member for urging said member toward the adjacent end of said slot which limits its movement in that direction, insulating disks interposed between the ends of said spring and its opposed metal surfaces; a complementary clamping member having means for rigidly attaching it to said elongated plate in longitudinally spaced relation with said slidable clamping member; and a cam member pivotally mounted on the bottom of said plate for engagement with said slidable clamping member for retracting said member against said spring to permit the clamping engagement of an object to be electroplated with said clamping members, said cam having an operating arm projecting beyond the edge of said elongated plate.

6. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 and including a handle member rigidly mounted on said plate and projecting laterally beyond the edge of said elongated plate, said handle being within finger reach of said cam operating arm and cooperative therewith.

7. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 in which the means for rigidly attaching the complementary clamping member to said elongated plate include a longitudinal slot in said plate, a bolt hole in the base of said clamping member, a headed bolt projecting through said hole and slot and a nut in threaded engagement with said bolt for clamping said base to said plate in rigid but detachable and longitudinally adjustable relation, and also including a linear scale on said plate cooperative with the edge of said base for indicating the correct fixed position of said clamping member on said plate.

8. A plating rack as in claim 5 and including projections on said slidable clamping member and the end of said longitudinal slot nearest said widened opening projecting into central sockets in the opposed ends of said insulating disks and also including central projections on said disks projecting into the ends of said compression spring for holding said spring in parallel relation with said elongated plate.

9. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 and including means at the end of said elongated plate adjacent the complementary clamping member for attaching said plate to a support.

10. A plating rack unit as in claim 5 in which said,

elongated plate comprises a pair of interfitting channeled sections having through registering openings therein and bolts projecting through said openings and provided with nuts thereon for rigidly but detachably clamping them together at their adjacent ends.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,191,010 2/ 1940 Dahlquist 269254 2,316,609 4/ 1943 Miner 204-297 2,831,808 4/ 1958 Esseff et a1 204-297 2,949,947 8/ 1960 Story 269-254 FOREIGN PATENTS 623,718 1/1936 Germany.

JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

D. R. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A PLATING RACK UNIT FOR SUSPENDING OBJECTS IN AN ELECTROPLATING BATH, SAID UNIT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED METAL PLATE HAVING THEREIN NEAR ONE END A CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL SLOT HAVING CLOSED ENDS, A METAL CLAMPING MEMBER REMOVABLY MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT IN SAID SLT, A HELICAL COMPRESSION SPRING INTERPOSED BETWEEN ONE END OF SAID SLOT AND THE FACING SURFACE OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBER FOR NORMALLY URGING SAID MEMBER TOWARD THE OTHER END OF SAID SLOT WHICH LIMITS ITS MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION, A COMPLEMENTARY CLAMPING MEMBER HAVING MEANS FOR RIGIDLY ATTACHING IT TO SAID ELONGATED PLATE IN LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RELATION WITH SAID MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER; AND AN ECCENTIRC CAM MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE SAID MOVABLE CLAMPING MEMBER ADJACENT TO SAID MOVEMENT LIMITING END OF SAID SLOT FOR RETRACTING SAID MEMBER AGAINST SAID SPRING TO PERMIT THE CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT OF AN OBJECT TO BE ELECTROPLATED WITH SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS, SAID CAM HAVING AN OPERATING ARM PRJECTING LATRALLY BEYOND THE EDGE OF SAID ELONGATED PLATE, AND SAID PLATE HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHING IT TO A SUPPORT.