US3337997A

US3337997A - Finishing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3337997A
Application number: US442457A
Authority: US
Inventors: John F Rampe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: JEPMAR RESEARCH
Priority date: 1965-03-24
Filing date: 1965-03-24
Publication date: 1967-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-29
Also published as: GB1135557A

Description

1967 J. F. RAMPE 3,337,997

FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTCR. JOHN F. PQMPE BYWM yaw/QM 4 Fig. 7

ATTom/evs. I I

Aug. 29, 1967 J. F. RAMPE 3,337,997

I FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN F. Pam/ E ATTOENEKE.

Aug. 29, 1967 J, F, RAMPE 3,337,997

FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Fig. 4

INVENTOR. JOHN F. PAMPE BY flow MM MW MAM' ATTO/QMEv s.

Jv F. RAMPE Aug. 29, 1 967 FINISHING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 24, 196E INVENTOR. JOHN F. QAMPE BY fiwwmfi'} M,

4 TTOPNEYi Aug. 29, 1967 J. F. RAMPE 3,337,997

FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig. 6

INVENTOR JOHN F Pnmoe BY M,

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 29, 1967 Filed March 24, 1965 J. F. RAMPE FINISHING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. Jo /v F. PAM/ E x A TUBA/5Y5.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,337,997 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 3,337,997 FINISHING APPARATUS John F. Rampe, Cleveland Heights, Ohio (14915 Woodworth Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44110) Filed Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 442,457 4 Claims. (Cl. 51-163) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to vibratory finishing apparatus of the type shown and described in copending US. application, Ser. No. 357,212, filed Apr. 3, 1964, now Patent No. 3,318,051.

In that application is disclosed an orbital type vibratory apparatus for the surface finishing of articles such as castings, forgings, stampings, etc., in which an open-topped work holding tub is mounted on a carriage which in turn is supported on a fixed frame by resilient mounts whereby the carriage and the tub may have orbital movement relative to the frame. A counterpoise structure is also supported on the fixed frame adjacent to the tub carriage by resilient mounts and a common eccentric drive shaft imparts orbital movement to both the tub carriage and the counterpoise structure. The forces imposed on the eccentric drive shaft by the orbital movement of the resiliently mounted tub carriage and the tub are oppposed and balanced by the forces imposed on the eccentric drive shaft by the orbital movement of the resiliently mounted counterpoise structure. This arrangement provides a smooth running mechanism which may be operated at high speed without setting up dangerous and harmful vibrations in the apparatus itself or in the building which it is housed.

In the operation of finishing apparatus of this type an abrasive finishing medium such as steel shot, stone particles, or other suit-able material, selected according to the results desired, is charged into the tub with the articles to be finished A liquid, for example water, is usually, but not always, added to facilitate the polishing, de-burring or other finishing action of the finishing medium on the work. In the apparatus of the above-identified copending patent'application, and in other finishing apparatus of this general type, the finishing is carried on in batches, the apparatus being completely stopped to empty the tub at the completion of each finishing cycle and the tub then being recharged with articles to be finished, abrasive media and liquid vehicle and the operation repeated.

The stopping of the apparatus for emptying the tubs, recharging them and starting up again is a time consuming operation and it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a vibratory finishing apparatus by which this time is minimized in bath operation and which may also be adapted to operate continuously with-out stopping or shut down. To this end means are provided whereby articles may be intermittently or continuously deposited in one end of the tub and intermittently or continuously discharged from the other end without stopping the orbital movement thereof. Advantageously, the generally cylindrical tub is mounted on the carriage with the tub axis slightly inclined and defining an acute angle, as viewed both in elevation and in plan, with the axis of the substantially horizontal vibratory drive shaft. This angular rel-ationship causes the vibratory forces developed by the drive shaft to move the workpieces through a substantially helical path to insure substantially equal finishing of all workpieces and to aid the discharge of finished workpieces from the lower end of the tub.

The tub is provided with a discharge elbow rotatably mounted around the discharge port. The length of the angularly depending portion is sufiicient to prevent the discharge of workpieces when the elbow is rotated to a position in which the depending portion is directed upwardly. When the work-pieces are to be discharged, the elbow is rotated to direct the angularly depending portion downwardly. With this arrangement, there will be no change in the area of the discharge opening and the parts can be quickly and easily discharged. Further, the discharge of parts can be quickly and easily terminated. The finishing medium may be intermittently or continuously charged into and removed from the vtub without stopping same, the undesirable fines which result from the finishing process may be separated out and removed, and the liquid vehicle may be intermittently or continuously withdrawn, separated from an entrained undesirable material, and returned to the tub during operation thereof.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of an improved finishing machine in which the work receiving vessel or tub is disposed for convenient loading and unloading of workpieces and finishing medium thereinto and which may be readily discharged without stopping its vibratory movement; the provision of an orbital type finishing machine of compact and rugged design in which the tub may be loaded from one end and unloaded from the other end during operation thereof; the provision of a vibratory finishing machine which will not transmit substantial vibration to the floor or other support on which it is mounted; and the provision of a vibratory type finishing machine which may be operated continuously, which requires a minimum of upkeep, and which may be economically constructed and maintained.

The above and other objects of my invention will appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective View showing the improved continuous finishing machine including the orbital type vibratory finishing tub, the work and finishing medium separating screen, the medium recirculating mechanism, and the fluid vehicle cleaning and circulating apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan on a somewhat larger scale of the apparatus illustrated in FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partially broken away for clearness, of the finishing tub and its support and drive means;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view, taken from the right in FIG. 3, illustrating the vibration damping tub support mechanism, the tub being removed;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view taken substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a detached end view of the finishing tub, parts being broken away to show the inner contour thereof and the end discharge arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the front end of the finishing tub and the discharge arrangement, partly in section;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the .rear end of the finishing tub; and

In FIG. 1, which is a general perspective view of my improved apparatus, and in FIG. 2 which is a plan view thereof, the orbital finishing unit is generally indicated at A, the medium and work separator unit at S, the fluid settling and recirculating tank at R, and the medium recirculating conveyor at M. Seen asin FIGS. 1 and 2, the "finishing unit A, except for the tub T, is enclosed in a pro- 'tective sheet metal casing. In FIGS. 3-6 inclusive, the orbital finishing unit is illustrated with the enclosing cover removed. Broadly speaking, the finishing unit A includes a stationary frame generally indicated at F, a tub supporting carriage structure generally indicated at C, a counterpoise structure generally indicated at P, a work carrying tub T, and drive means D for imparting the desired movement to the tub carriage and tub.

The frame structure (see FIGS. 3 and 4) consists of a generally rectangular base 2 on which are mounted upright columns 3 and 4. The column 3 is made up of angle members 5 and 5' which extend upward from the base 2 and are connected by suitable top and bottom cross members-6 and 6'. Top ofifset angle tub carriage support flanges 7 and 8 are secured at the top of column 3 and project in 'the opposite direction from the angles 5 and 5'. Similar bottom offsetangle tub carriage support flanges 7 and 8' are secured at the bottom of the column 3.

In like manner, the column 4 has vertical angle members 9 and 10 connected by top and bottom cross members 6 and 6 oppositely extending top ofiset angle tube carriage supports 11 and 12, and bottom tub carriage'supports oneof which is seen at 12' in FIG. 4. The upper edges of the oppositely extending flanges of the angles 5 and 5 and the tub carriage supports 7 and 8, and the corresponding upper edges of the angles 9 and 10 and the tub carriage supports 11 and 12, are each provided with a downwardly extending slot 13 to receive resilient shear mount members as will be later described. Suitable reinforcing cross members 3 and 4, extending between the columns 3 and '4, are also provided to impart the desired rigidity to the structure (see FIG. 4). v

The tub carriage structure C, as best seen in FIGS. 3 6, includes a pair of upright H-shaped tub carrying members generally indicated at 14 and 15. The front (as seen in FIG. 3) tub carrying member 14 includes a pair of vertical uprights 17 and 18 connected together by a transverse horizontal center cross member 19. The rear tub carying member 15, in like manner, consists of a pair of vertical uprights 17 and 18' connected together by a center cross member 19. The two H-shaped members 14 and 15 are secured together by transverse struts 16 which connect the vertical members 17 and 17 and similar transverse struts 16 which connect the vertical members 18 and .18. A pair of parallel angle irons 20, 21 are secured in acuate angular relationship to center cross members 19, 19 and are employed as tub supporting channels to support the tub T with its axis forming an acute angle with the drive shaft axis and with the tub axis slightly inclined in a manner which will be subsequently described.

Heavy transverse bars 22 and 23 are secured to the lower ends of each of the H-shaped end members 14 and '15 and extend across between the vertical uprights 17, 17' and 18, 18' thereof. These bars 22 and 23 constitute weights which are designed to balance the weight of the tub T and the work load carried therein.

The tub carriage C is suspended at its upper end in the frame F by four resilient shear mounts 30, 31, 32, and 33. Each of these mounts (see FIG. 3) comprises a cylindrical resilient body of rubber or the like having coaxial bolts and 36 embedded therein and extending out from its opposite ends which are flat and parallel. The inner ends f bolts 35 and'36, which are bonded in the resilient body, are spaced from each other to provide a resilient connection between the stationary frame F and the tub supporting carriage C whereby the carriage may have orbital or other vibratory movement independently of and relative to the frame. Such movement, however, is restricted by the mounts 30-33 to being substantially in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the tub T.

The mounts 30, 31, 32 and 33 are respectively secured at the upper ends of the tub carriage vertical uprights 17 18, 17 and 18', the bolts 35 of the mounts extending through holes in the uprights and being secured thereto by nuts 35 as indicated in the drawings. The opposite bolts 36 of the mounts 30, 31, 32 and 33 are lowered into the slots 13 in the upper edges of the offset angle tub carrying supports 7, 8, 11 and 12 of the frame F when the carriage C is lowered into position in the frame F. When the bolts 36 are disposed at the bottom ends of slots 13 they are secured therein by nuts 36' (see FIG. 6).

Resilient shear mounts 38, 39 and 40, similar in all respects to the shear mounts 30-33, are bolted to the bottom oifset angle tub carrying support flanges 8, 12' and 7' respectively (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and another similar mount, not seen in the drawings, is secured to the tub supporting flange on column 4 which corresponds to flange 7' on column 3. Upwardly evtending slots such as shown at 42 (FIG. 3) are formed in the bottom ends the vertical uprights 17, 18, 17' and 18' of the tub carriage C, and the open bottom ends of these slots receive the bolts at the outer ends of the bottom shear mounts when the carriage C is lowered into position in the frame F.

The workpiece carrying tub T, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 7, 8 and 9, is mounted on the carriage C above the'cross members 19 and 19' of the H-shaped tub carrying members 14 and 15; is generally cylindrical in shape; and has its longitudinal axis 24 inclined at an angle less than 5 and preferably of the order of 1", as indicated in FIG. '10, and extending at an acute angle relative to the drive shaft, as shown in FIG. 6. With this orientation of tub axis, the workpieces enter the charging opening, which will be subsequently described, and travel through a substantially helical path to the discharge opening, thus assuring uniform finishing of all workpieces. A curved wall 45 defines the bottom and part of the sides of the tub and vertical side panels 46 and 47, an apertured rear wall 48, formed with a charging opening 49, and an apertured front end wall 50, formed within a discharge opening 5011, complete the tub. The upper edges of the side panels 46 and 47 and end walls 48 and 49 provide support for a tub lid or cover 57.

The tub T includes a base plate 55 secured to the curved wall 45- by gussets 56. When the tub T is mounted on the tub supporting carriage C this base plate 55 rests upon and is removably secured (as by screws or bolts, not shown) to the tub sup-porting channels 20, 21. The length of the tub T is preferably such that the ends thereof project somewhat outside of or beyond the front and rear H-shaped tub carrying members 14 and 15. The tub T is provided with a charging hopper, or funnel, 58 (FIG. 9) joined to the rear wall 48 and tapering toward an inlet or charging opening 59. With this arrangement the hopper 58 and the charge opening 50 are unobstructed by other parts of the structure.

The discharge opening 50 is provided with a tubular discharge elbow 51 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Elbow 51 is rotatably supported in alignment with the discharge opening 50 by means of a clamping sleeve 52 held on to end 49 of the tub T by means of a ring 53. The clamping sleeve 52 can be loosened or tightened relative to elbow 51 by means of a contra-threaded bolt 54. To discharge workpieces from the tub, bolt 54 is rotated to loosen the engagement of the elbow 51 and the elbow 51 is rotated.

until the angularly depending portion projects downwardly, as indicated in dotted outline. After discharge is completed, the elbow 51 is rotated to its solid line position and locked in position by bolt 54. This type of discharge arrangement exhibits advantages over a sliding door arrangement because the elbow does not employ a change in the discharge area. Further, discharge can be quickly and easily controlled, even while parts are being discharged. Still further, the elbow 51 may be rotated to any position intermediate the upward and downward positions to permit'continuous metered discharge of finished workpieces, the metering rate being determined by the angle of .projection of elbow 51 relative to the horizontal. Thus, the elbow contributes to the successful continuous cycling of the finishing apparatus.

4 By means of the double H-frame tub carriage C, a rigid support is provided for the work receiving tub T, the length of which is limited only by the distance between the front and rear H-shaped members 14 and 15. It will also be understood that in some cases, one or more additional intermediate H-shaped tub carrying members may be supported from the frame F between the end pair 14 and 15 of suchmembers.

Because of the vertical H-shaped tub support, with the .tub mounted in the upper portion thereof and above the transverse cross members 19 and 19, there is no structure overlying the charging hopper 58 of the tub or disposed at the other, or discharge end of the tub. As previously noted, this permits unobstructed loading of the tub at one end and unobstructed discharge from the other end thereof. As will be later described, this arrangement will permit continuous charging of articles to be finished into the hopper 58 of the tub at the end thereof opposite to the-discharge opening 50 and continuous discharge of finished articles and finishing medium from the end discharge opening 50.

In order to balance the forces that are imposed upon the drive shaft (to be later described) and to minimize the vibration transmitted to the frame F during gyration of the tub supporting carriage C, a pair of counterpoise struc tures P and P are provided. As these structures are substantially identical in form and arrangement, only counterpoise P at the front of the finishing unit A will be described in detail.

The counterpoise P, like the tub supporting carriage C is generally an H-shaped structure having a pair of vertical side members 60, 61 connected by a center transverse member 62. At the upper ends of members 60 and 61, resilient shear mounts 63 and 64, similar to mounts 30-33, are secured by bolts 63' and 64 which extend through holes in the upper ends of members 60 and 61. The bolts which project from the opposite ends of shear mounts 63 and-64 are carried in those of the slots 13 and other than the ones having the tub frame shear mounts in the upper ends of the vertical frame members 4 and 5. Bottom shear. mounts 65 and 66 are bolted to the lower ends of the vertical frame members 5 and 10, respectively, and the lower ends of the members 60 and 61 of the counterpoise P are slotted at 67 and 68 (see FIG. 3) to receive bolts 65' and 66' which project from the outer ends of the shear mounts 65 and 66.

From the above, it will be observed that when it is desired to support the counterpoise P on the frame F, thebolts which project from the inner ends of the shear mounts 63 and 64 (which are bolted to the'upper ends of members 60 and 61 of the counterpoise) are inserted into the slots 13' in the upper ends of the uprights 5 and on the frame structure and at the same time the slots 67 and 68 at the lower ends of members 60 and 61' of the counterpoise P receive the bolts 65' and 66' of the bottom shear supports 65 and 66.

-Counter balancing weights 69 and 70 are secured to the transverse center member 62 of the counterpoise P for purposes which will be later described. To add rigidity to the counterpoise structure stiffening webs 71, 72, 73

and 74 are secured to the members 60 and 61 and the transverse member 62 as by welding. The resilient shear mounts 63, 64, 65 and 66 are so disposed, and the counterpoise structure P is so designated, that when supported on the frame F, the counterpoise is entirely out of contact therewith and also entirely out of contact with the tub supporting carriage C. The resilient shear mounts permit the counterpoise P to oscillate relative to the frame F and independently of the tub carriage C.

The rear counterpoise structure P is substantially identical with the structure P but is mounted adjacent to and outside of tub carrying member 15, at the opposite end of the finishing unit A from tub carrying member 14, on resilient shear mounts similar to those which support the counterpoise P, the upper two mounts being seen at 75 and 76 in FIG. 3. As the counterpoise P is mounted in the same manner as counterpoise P it also is supported for limited orbital movement independently of the frame F and the tub carriage Q As seen in FIG. 3, one of the pairs of H-shaped counterpoise structures P and P is supported adjacent each of the pair of H-shaped tub carrying members 14 and 15 with the transverse members 62 of the counterpoise structures horizontally disposed and aligned with the cross members 19 and 19' of the tub carrying members.

The drive mechanism for imparting orbital movement to the tub supporting carriage C and the tub T is generally indicated at D on FIG. 6 of the drawings. As best seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 8, this drive means includes a drive motor 82 mounted on a supporting bracket 81 which is pivotally mounted on the frame F at 89 (see FIG. 5). A floating drive shaft 83 has end and center portions 83a, 83b and 83c (see FIG. 5) and its axis extends normally to the transverse cross members 19 and 19' of the tub carriage C. The drive shaft axis 24 lies in a horizontal plane and the tub axis 24 is positioned in a slightly inclined plane. Preferably, the angle of inclination is less than 5 and an angle of 1' is sufi'icient to produce the proper movement of workpieces toward the discharge opening 50. Also, preferably, the channels 20, 21 support the tub T in a position such that the tub axis 24 lies in a vertical plane defining an acute angle with the vertical plane containing the axis of drive shaft 83. This angle is less than 30 and preferably is of the order of 5. This angular relationship contributes to the continuous operation of the machine by translating a component of force from drive shaft 83 to the workpieces in the tub T in direction tending to move the workpieces through the tub discharge opening 50.

An eccentric counterpoise engaging portion 83d of shaft 83 (FIG. 6) is rotatably mounted in a bearing 84 carried by the center transverse member 62 of the front counterpoise structure P. Adjacent to eccentric counterpoise engaging shaft portion 83d is a tub carriage engaging eccentric shaft portion 832 which is supported in a suitable bearing 85 in the cross member 19 of the front H-shaped tub carrying member 14 of the tub supporting carriage C.

In like manner, at the rear counterpoise engaging eccentric eccentric portion 83d) extends through a suitable bearing 84' in the transverse member 62 of the rear counterpoise P and a tub carriage engaging eccentric portion 83g (oflset from eccentric portion 83f and coaxial with eccentric portion 83e) extends through a bearing 85' in the cross member 19 of the rear H- shaped tub carrying member 15 of the tub support carriage C.

The rear end 83a of shaft 83 has a pulley 86 secured thereto and the driving belt 87 extends between the pulley 86 and the drive motor pulley 88. As the motor support bracket 81 is pivotally secured at its inner end 89 at (see FIG. 5) to the frame F, the weight of the motor 82 and the bracket 81 maintains the belt 87 under substantially constant tension regardless of any minor variations in the position of the which may occur during starting, the apparatus. v

If it is desired that the tub carriage C and the tub T have an orbital movement of approximately amplitude, the common center line of the portions of shaft 83, which extend through the bearings 85 and 85' and activate the carriage C, will be olfset approxiend of drive shaft 83, a

stopping or operation of portion 83 (coaxial with.

center line of shaft 83' 83c and 83g mately 3%" from the main shaft center line of the coaxial portions 83a, 83b and 830.

In order that the forces that are imposed on the tub carriage C and the tub T during rotation of shaft 83 will be properly counterbalanced and opposed by the counterpoise members P and P, the common center line of the shaft portions 83d and 83 which extend through and are supported in bearings 84 and 84 in counterpoise members P and P, is offset the same distance (approximately 1A on the opposite :side of the main shaft center line and 180 .from the common center line of portions 83e and 83g.

The counterpoise .members P and P are so designed that their centers of inertia or mass lie in close juxtaposition to the main axis of the shaft 83 and the tub carriage C and the tub T are so designed that the center of mass or inertia 'thereof, with the designed load of parts and finishing materials in the tub, is also in close juxtaposition to the main axis of the shaft 83 and for-ms an acute angle therewith, as previously mentioned.

Now, when the motor 82 is operated and the shaft 83 is rotated, orbital movement will be imparted to the tub carriage C and to the tub T and its contents. A corresponding but opposed orbital movement will also be imparted to the counterpoise members P and P, these orbital movements being permitted by the resilient shear mounts which support these structures relative to the frame F. Due to the balancing of the orbit imparting forces applied to the tub carriage and tub as one unit and to the counterpoise structures as another -unit during the above described operation of this apparatus, the main shaft center line or axis of the portions 83a, 83b and 83c of the shaft 83 and hence the center of drive pulley 86, will remain substantially stationary and a minimum of vibratory forces will be transmitted to the frame structure F and the foundation upon which it is supported.

The orbital finishing unit A has been described above. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, '2 and 9, the finishing medium and work separator unit S, the fluid settling and recirculating'tank R, and the finishing medium recirculating conveyor M will now be described.

The separator nnit'S includes a frame structure 95 on which a screen box or housing 96 is rockably supported on pivotal supports 97 and 98. As seen in FIG. 1, the screen box 96 is inclined downwardly to the right and suitable drive means 96' is provided for imparting oscillating rocking motionto the box 96 on its supports 97 and 98. A finishing medium discharge chute 99 extends from one end of the screen box 96 and an upper work discharge chute I and a lower waste fines discharge chute 101 extend from the opposite end.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper course screen 102 receives material discharged from the tub T by the elhow 51. This screen is of large enough mesh to permit the finishing medium to pass therethrough but will .retain thereon the workpieces that have been discharged from the tub T. Due to the inclination of this screen 102 downwardly to the right as seen in .FIG. '1, and to the oscillating vibratory movement thereof, the articles that have been finished move thereover and are discharged by the upper chute 100. The finishing medium and any discharged liquid vehicle pass through the upper screen 102 and the finishing medium is stopped by the lower relatively fine mesh screen 103.'This screen is inclined in a direction opposite to upper screen 102 so that the finishing medium particles thereon will travel to the left (FIGS. 1 and 2) into the finishing medium discharge chute 99 which, as seen in FIG. 1, is inclined downwardly and extends to the medium recirculating con veyor M.

The fluid vehicle and fine particles of abrasive material removed from the parts being finished pass through the lower screen 103 to the inclined bottom of the screen box 96 and then travelto the right (FIG. 1 to the waste fines outlet chute 101 which discharges them into a suit- 8 able receptacle (not shown). .From the preceding :description it will be observed that the separator'unitS will separate and convey to different locations the parts that have been finished in the tub, the finishing medium and the waste .fines and liquid that result from the finishing operation.

In order to maintain the desired quantity and quality of liquid (such as water) in the tub T, a recirculating and cleaning system is provided which includes "the settling and recirculating tank R, an inlet hose 104 which extends from tank R and discharges into the open top of the tub T, and an outlet hose 105 which connects to drain openings 106 in the bottom of the tub 'T and conducts the liquid from the tub T to the tank R. 'The tank R provides means whereby sludge from the finishing operation which is entrained in the liquid vehicle withdrawn from the tub T may be permitted to settle out from the liquid, thus providing a source of clean liquid which may be recirculated by means of a pump 107 through'th'e hose 104 back to the tub T. A valve .108 in hose 104 is adapted to shut off or throttle the flow of clean liquid back to the tub T and valve means, not shown, are provided to control the discharge of liquid from the tub T through hose 105.

By means of this liquid vehicle settling and recirculating apparatus the sludge which results from the abrasive cleaning operation may be continuously removed from the circulating liquid vehicle, thus maintaining most efficient cutting action at all times and result-ing in cleaner and brighter finished parts. A trough 109 on top of tank R is adapted to receive liquid from the tub T which is discharged from the spout 110 when the tub is emptied of liquid at the end of a batch finishing operation. Suitable connections and valves (not shown) control the flow of liquid from the tub T to the spout 110 and tr'ough 109 discharges into tank R through an outlet '111 (FIG. 2).

The medium recirculating conveyor M, which receives the finishing medium from the separator unit S and returns it to the tub T, is best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and-1'0. A vertical housing or tower has a medium receiving hopper 116 at its lower end. The medium discharge chute 99 of the separator unit S has its outlet withinthehopper 116 and discharges the particles of finishing medium 'thereinto.

As best seen in FIG. 10, the inner bottom wall 117 of the tower 115 is curved to facilitate picking up of the medium which enters the bottom of the "tower 115 from the hopper 116 by the conveyor buckets '118 which are mounted on a conveyor chain 119. The conveyor chain 119 is endless and extends around a bott'om sprocket 120 rotatably mounted on a shaft 121 and an upper sprocket 122 mounted on drive shaft 123. The top shaft bearings 123' are mounted for vertical adjustment in guideways 124 and 125 and tension on the chain 119 may be maintained at the proper value by the adjusting screws 126 which extend through suitable threaded apertures in plate 127 mounted on the tower 1'1'5.

The chain and bucket conveyor just described is driven by a motor 128, mounted on a bracket 129 on the 'tower 115, through a belt 130 (FIG. '2) which extend from the motor pulley 131 to the pulley 132 which is mounted on the end of the shaft 123. An outlet opening 133 in the upper part of tower 115 opens into the medium re ceiving box 134 which is mounted on the side of the tower 115 and a guideplate or bafiie 135, which extends inwardly into the tower 115 adjacent the bottom of out let opening 133, is adapted to direct the finishing medium; into the receiving box 134 as it is dumped from the buckets 118 when they pass over the top sprocket 122.

As seen in FIG. 10 and indicated by arrows, the conveyor chain 119 travels in counterclockwise direction so that the open ends of the buckets 118 are on top as the buckets move upwardly, and are on the bottom as the buckets move downwardly. An inclined chute 136,

supported by a bracket 136', extends from the bottom of the receiving box 134 to a point above the charging hopper 58 of the tub T as seen in FIG. 2. In order to shut off or regulate the flow of medium through the chute 136 to the tub T, a movable balfie or damper 137 is supported on a shaft 138 extending across the chute 136 near its upper end. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, this damper 137 is open to permit the free flow of finishing medium through the chute 136. A handle 139 on the outer end of shaft 138 will facilitate adjustment of the position of the :damper 137 and permit same to be moved transversely of the chute 136 to block the flow of finishing medium therethrough, when desired. When the baffle 137 is closed, the finishing medium which is elevated by the conveyor buckets 118 will be collected in the receiving box 134.

From the above explanation of the improved finishing apparatus, it will be understood that it is adapted for operation cyclically or continuously, that the tub support and balancing mechanism is such that the open top of the tub is fully exposed and accessible While the ends of the tub are also fully exposed to permit free, and if desired, continuous discharge therefrom. Furthermore, although one illustrative embodiment of this invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be made in the particular form and arrangement of the several elements thereof without departing from the spirit of this invention. It is not, therefore, limited to the exact apparatus herein shown and described.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by summarization in appended claims, all features of patentable novelty residing in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Vibratory finishing apparatus including a frame structure, a tub carrying member having a pair of uprights and a cross member extending between said uprights, resilient shear mount means on said frame structure for supporting said tub carrying member on said uprights, a Work carrying tub mounted on said tub carrying member between said uprights and above said cross member thereof, said tub having its longitudinal axis extending at an acute angle relative to said cross member and having a charging opening in one end thereof and a discharge opening in the other end thereof, a drive shaft having its axis extending substantially normally to said cross member of said tube carrying member, said shaft having an eccentric portion having bearing in said cross member, means for rotating said shaft, a counterpoise structure having a pair of side members connected by a transverse member, resilient mount means on said frame structure for supporting said counterpoise structure on said side members thereof, said drive shaft having a second eccentric portion offset substantially from said first eccentric portion and having bearing in said transverse member of said counterpoise structure, the center of mass of said tub carrying member and tub with designed load therein and the center of mass of said counterpoise structure being disposed in close juxtaposition to said axis of said drive shaft.

2. Vibratory finishing apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a plurality of said counterpoise structures, one supported on said frame structure by said resilient shear mount means adjacent to each of said tub carrying members and wherein said longitudinal tub axis lies in a vertical plane defining an acute angle of less than 30 with a vertical plane containing said drive shaft axis and wherein said tub axis lies in an inclined plane having an angle of inclination of less than 5 3. Vibratory finishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said shaft axis is substantially horizontal and wherein said acute angle is substantially 5.

4. Vibratory finishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said angle of inclination is of the order of 1 degree.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,516,802 11/1924 Wellman 68-208 X 2,170,832 8/1939 Minich 51-263 X 2,414,038 1/1947 Gossard 51-263 X 2,660,835 12/1953 Burden 51-163 X 2,728,614 4/ 1955 Rink.

3,071,900 1/1963 Balz 51-163 3,108,408 10/1963 Dahlquist 51-163 3,187,473 6/1965 .Ruppe 51-163 X 3,253,369 5/1966 Reichert 51-163 HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS INCLUDING A FRAME STRUCTURE, A TUB CARRYING MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF UPRIGHTS AND A CROSS MEMBER EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID UPRIGHTS, RESILIENT SHEAR MOUNT MEANS ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING SAID TUB CARRYING MEMBER ON SAID UPRIGHTS, A WORK CARRYING TUB MOUNTED ON SAID TUB CARRYING MEMBER BETWEEN SAID UPRIGHTS AND ABOVE SAID CROSS MEMBER THEREOF, SAID TUB HAVING ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS EXTENDING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE RELATIVE TO SAID CROSS MEMBER AND HAVING A CHARGING OPENING IN ONE END THEREOF AND A DISCHARGE OPENING IN THE OTHER END THEREOF, A DRIVE SHAFT HAVING ITS AXIS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMALLY TO SAID CROSS MEMBER OF SAID TUBE CARRYING MEMBER, SAID SHAFT HAVING AN ECCENTRIC PORTION HAVING BEARING IN SAID CROSS MEMBER, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, A COUNTERPOISE STRUCTURE HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE MEMBERS CONNECTED BY A TRANSVERSE MEMBER, RESILIENT MOUNT MEANS ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING SAID COUNTERPOISE STRUCTURE ON SAID SIDE MEMBERS THEREOF, SAID DRIVE SHAFT HAVING A SECOND ECCENTRIC PORTION OFFSET SUBSTANTIALLY 180* FROM SAID FIRST ECCENTRIC PORTION AND HAVING BEARING IN SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER OF SAID COUNTERPOISE STRUCTURE, THE CENTER OF MASS OF SAID TUB CARRYING MEMBER AND TUB WITH DESIGNED LOAD THEREIN AND THE CENTER OF MASS OF SAID COUNTERPOISE STRUCTURE BEING DISPOSED IN CLOSE JUXTAPOSITION TO SAID AXIS OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT.