US3638600A

US3638600A - Apparatus for treating ferrous surfaces

Info

Publication number: US3638600A
Application number: US851920A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry J Modrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-08-21
Filing date: 1969-08-21
Publication date: 1972-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-01

Abstract

This disclosure teaches a device for treating a ferrous surface and contemplates such applications as painting or scrubbing a ship''s hull. Preferably, one or more rollers are engaged to the ferrous surface by magnets which are connected to the rollers within the width thereof by means of spring members. Thus engaged, the rollers are easily moved over the surface. Suitable paint applying devices or scrubbing brushes with drives are furnished on the rollers.

Description

United States Patent Modrey [541 APPARATUS FOR TREATING FERROUS SURFACES [72] inventor: Henry J. Modrey, 158 Eagle Drive, Stamford, Conn. 06903 221 Filed: Aug.21, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 851,920

[52] U.S.Cl ..114/222 [51] ..B63b 59/00 [58] Field of Search ..1 14/222; 335/286 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 851,111 4/1907 Arnold ..114/222 867,513 10/ 1 907 Kennedy-McGregor ..114/222 1,231,973 7/1917 Van Giesen et al ..114/222 1 Feb. 1, 1972 2,104,062 H1938 Temple ..114/222 3,088,429 5/1963 De Fine Brandt .lohannessen ..1 14/222 3,396,423 8/1968 Hope ..114/222 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant ExaminerGregory W. O'Connor Attorney-Plane & Baxley [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure teaches a device for treating a ferrous surface and contemplates such applications as painting or scrubbing a ship's hull. Preferably, one or more rollers are engaged to the ferrous surface by magnets which are connected to the rollers within the width thereof by means of spring members. Thus engaged, the rollers are easily moved over the surface. Suitable paint applying devices or scrubbing brushes with drives are furnished on the rollers.

9 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEE I 872 SHEET 1 [IF 4 slsasoo (Hill-Hill! FIG. 6

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HENRY J, MOORE? Haw e ma ATTORNEYS PATENTED FEB 1 i9 2 SHEEI 0F ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR TREATING FERROUS SURFACES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention is here presented in terms of painting the surface of a ship's hull both above and below the waterline; however, it should be understood that the invention is applicable likewise to such other applications as deck painting and scrubbing marine growth from the hull surface. Further, it can serve in kindred applications for ferrous structures.

To apply paint under water, divers are usually required. The paint is applied under pressure by hand rollers which are covered by suitable paint-applying material (such felt, chamois, etc.). Power-driven applicators are also in use, and comprise a rotating brush driven by a pneumatic motor; the paint is fed to the center of the brush. Operations performed by divers are expensive. Moreover, unless scaffolding is employed, the paint application pressure which can be achieved is small, because the diver has nothing against which to brace himself.

After suitable surface preparation, it is application pressure (achieved by working the paint in) which governs the service life of a coat of paint. Therefore, it is desirable to have a marine paint applicator in which adequate and reliable paint application pressure is assured.

SUMMARY The present invention deals with the foregoing problem in a novel and facile way. One or more rollers are engaged to a ferrous surface (such as steel) by magnets. Thus engaged, the rollers are easily rolled or adapted to slide over the surface.

One object of this invention is to provide a device for treating steel surfaces with application pressure contributed by magnetic adhesion.

A further object is to assure adequate and reliable application pressure.

A further object is to allow adjustment of magnetic adhesion by simple mechanical means.

A further object is to equalize application pressure on a plurality of rollers.

A further object is to facilitate movement of magnets over the surface to be treated.

A further object is to provide for scrubbing of the steel surface with brushes for removal of marine growth.

A further object is to provide for painting of the steel surface with paint-applying material mounted about said rollers.

A further object is to provide for movement of the apparatus sideways.

A further object is to provide convenient storage of the apparatus by attaching it to convenient steel surfaces.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which is simple and robust and which is otherwise well suited to its intended task.

DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features will appear more fully from the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

FIG. I is a partly broken top view, looking inward upon the steel surface to be treated, of an apparatus according to this invention and adapted for painting.

FIG. 2 is a partly broken side view of the apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the pole surface of a magnet chamfered for easy sliding movement over the steel surface to be treated.

FIG. 4 is a partly broken and partly sectioned top view of another embodiment of this invention adapted for scrubbing to remove marine growth.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial broken top view of another embodiment of this invention having wheel magnets for easier movement.

FIG. 6A is a broken detail of a different paint-feeding system.

FIG. 7 generally depicts operation of an apparatus according to this invention applied to the side of a ship.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged detail of a stop disk which engages the bilge keel of the ship shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a top view which shows the layout of the deck of the ship shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the application of a lifting shield for moving the apparatus sideways.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the lifting shield of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11, 12A, 12B, 13A. and 13B graphically illustrate another system, comprising a pawl and spur gears organized to move the apparatus a precise distance sideways, in response to a pull at a lanyard.

FIG. 14 is a broken top view of another embodiment of this invention adapted for painting by hand.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of this invention adapted for painting and with wheel magnets mounted on its roller.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 generally shows operation of an apparatus according to this invention applied to painting a ship's deck.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternate arrangement suited to painting a ship s deck.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Broadly this disclosure includes surface treating devices having general features in common with conventional paint applicators but provided with magnets 21 such as the one shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, as well as a similar embo;iment shown in FIG. 15 with wheel magnets 22 mounted about roller 23. Because the magnets 22 streak paint while sliding over the freshly painted surface, a second roller 24 (such as in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in some embodiments to smooth such streaks. Double roller apparatuses for painting are shown in FIGS. I and 2, and for scrubbing in FIGS. 4 and 5. A like embodiment is shown in FIG. I6 with wheel magnets 22.

As .depicted in FIG. 15 the most simple form of this invention includes roller 23 which is here adapted for painting and with wheel magnets 22 connected thereto for holding roller 23 in engagement with a surface to be painted. Wheel magnets 22 have a smaller diameter than paint-applying material 25 This apparatus is operable by hand or it can be mounted on the end of a pole such as pole 26 preferably provided with a swiveled ferrule 26a, shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. Ordinarily paint rollers have a ferrule which is firmly connected to the frame. The ferrule transmits the application pressure which the operator exercises via pole 26 (which often bends to if the job is done well). In FIGS. 14 and 16 the ferrule swivels, because roller 23 sticks to hull surface 29 and roller 23 is simply pulled up and down by the operator. For this purpose, a swiveled ferrule is far preferred.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and I6 is a simple, convenient paint applicator for general use on steel surfaces. Several magnets 21 are mounted on spring arms 27 which cantilever beyond one of the paired magnets 21 to rigidly engage frame 28 so that roller 23 is held against surface 29. As best seen in FIG. I6 spring arms 27 and yoke pieces 31 (of frame 28) welded thereto form a crank which is urged by magnets 21 toward surface 29. Application pressure can be changed by adjusting the span of spring arms 27 relative cantilever portions 32. Roller 23 is conventional and includes perforated cylinder 33 having a cover of a suitable paint applying material 25 (such as felt, chamois or the like) and encloses an interior paint reservoir with filler cap 34 permitting either filling the reservoir with paint, or else connecting it to a paint feed hose. This embodiment could also have a nonperforated cylinder 33 by merely dipping roller 23 into a bucket of paint. As shown in FIG. 6A, a different paint-feeding system permits the paint to drip out under gravity through perforated tube 33a positioned between shroud 33b and roller 23. This last-mentioned paintfeeding system is used with the arrangement of FIG. 18.

Material 25 (usually felt) is quite thick to start with but it abrades rather rapidly. It is ordinarily replaced when it wears through. This means that the overall diameter of the paint roller will diminish by approximately one fourth inch as the operation goes on. Spring arms 27 and yoke pieces 31 of FIGS. 14 and 16 make up for the decrease in diameter of material 25 and maintain application pressure fairly constant in that embodiment.

The advantage of magnets in paint application service is that application pressure is produced automatically and uniformly by the action of the magnets, independently of the efforts of the painter. This principle is also valid for any other apparatus to treat a steel surface wherein adequacy and/or reliability of application pressure is of concern.

A two-roller apparatus suitable for rope operation is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This apparatus is suitable for both over and underwater painting. Frame 28 has

paint rollers

23, 24 journaled therein in parallel spaced relationship. Either one or both

rollers

23, 24 can be supplied with paint via manifold 35 and paint feed hose 36. Frame 28 includes side pieces 37 with crossbars 38 connected therebetween. Several permanent magnets 21 are spanned by spring arms 27 which extend beyond magnets 21 for connection at both ends to crossbars 38. Spring arms 27 are slightly curved to equalize pressure on

rollers

23, 24. As shown in FIG. 3, magnets 21 have chamfered pole faces to facilitate their sliding over steel surface 29 which is to be treated. When this apparatus is put against steel surface 29, here envisaged to be the hull of a ship, it adheres firmly thereto. Resilience of spring arms 27 enables the apparatus to surmount irregularities of the surface without losing its adhesion. The strength of magnets 21 and the geometric relationship of portions 32 of spring arms 27 to the span of spring arms 27 between paired magnets 21 determines paint application pressure. This application pressure can be regulated by shifting the position of magnets 21 on spring arms 27.

If desirable the slidable magnets 21 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 can be replaced by electromagnets, or by wheel magnets 22 turning on axle stubs 39 as shown in FIG. 6 whereby the apparatus will move more easily. The edges of wheel magnets 22 would also be chamfered as shown.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and is a scrubber used to remove marine growth prior to painting. For reasons which will become apparent, it is desirable to make this scrubber as a separate unit from the paint applicator because frame dimensions will be different.

Rollers

23, 24 have steel bristles 41. Manifolds 42 and hose 43 carry air under pressure. Internally,

rollers

23, 24 are air energized. In roller 23 is shown directrix 44 and turbine wheel 45. Turbine wheel 45 is on shaft 46 which is fixed in eccentric 47. Eccentric 47 engages gear 48 which engages fixed internal gear 49. Gear 49 engages a separate eccentric 51 (behind eccentric 47) fixed on output shaft 52. Spider 53 on shaft 52 connects to bearing 54 for rotating bristle roller 23. Fixed cylinder 55 has slot 56 facing surface 29. Distal end 57 of roller 23 has another bearing 58. In order for driving air to exit under bristles 41, it must pass from turbine wheel 45, and thence between gears. 48 and 49 into fixed cylinder 55. This is possible due to space 59 between gears 48 and 49, and because of openings 61 in spider 53. Roller 23 is of open or screened construction.

These two-roller apparatuses are not motorized. They are moved by ropes 62 attached to hoisting

rings

63 and 64. Hoisting ring 64 is shaped to provide a fulcrum for disengaging magnets 21 from a hull by extending supporting rope 62 outward from the hull. By way of example in painting ship hulls without scaffolding, a rope 62 from winch 65 has to be slung across the bottom of the ship as shown in FIG. 7 to effect movement of the apparatus to and fro. Winch 65 can be mounted on rail 66 and can be operated conveniently by air pressure from lines 67 with taps 68 as shown. FIG. 8 shows the layout of the deck. Painting of a hull must be done in two sections, viz above and below bilge keels 69 which the apparatus cannot surmount. To prevent chafing, rope 62 is slidably encased in nylon tubing 71 for most of its length. The lower end of tubing 71 carries stop disk 70 (see FIG. 7A) which abuts on bilge keel 69 when wire rope 6 2 is tightened so that movement of tubing 71 is prevented. Winch 65 is able to pull the apparatus up and down between bilge keel 69 and scupper 72. The procedure is comparable for the other side of the ship. For painting between the bilge keels 69, which is sorely required in routine maintenance, the device is lifted over one bilge keel by a diver and it thereafter operates between the two bilge keels.

A specific problem is to move the apparatus sideways after it has painted, scrubbed or otherwise treated one strip. It is not practical to pry the apparatus off the hull and affix it again. FIG. 9 illustrates one suitable method for accomplishing this objective. From rail 73 hangs lifting shield 74. As shown in FIG. 10, at the end of its upward travel the painting apparatus moves onto lifting shield 74 which is simply a wedge-shaped piece of wood covered with sheet steel 75. In this way magnets 21 (or 22 as the case may be) transfer this attachment force from the ship's hull to the steel sheet 75, and lifting shield 74 with the apparatus attached thereto is simply shifted sideways to the next strip.

The simple device of FIGS. 9 and 10 has some disadvantages. A minor disadvantage is that lifting shield 74 covers the top of the strip which must be finished thereafter by hand painting. A major disadvantage is that it is difficult to move pull rope 62 at the bottom of its run (near bilge keel 69) by precisely a desired distance (for example a strip width). Because this movement takes place under water, it is difficult to move the pull rope a precise amount without using a diver. Therefore, it is expedient to include in the apparatus means which cause it to move sideways with some degree of precision either under or over water. Further, it is preferable that this device be mechanical rather than electrical, in view of the fact that the use of electricity is severely restricted on some ships (tankers for example). Toward these objectives, walking device 76 shown in FIGS. 11 through 138 was devised. Walking device 76 is operable in either left or right direction by the alternate use of one of the

lanyards

77, 78 operating spur tooth pawl 79 which in turn operates spur gears 81 which may have magnets thereon. Arm 82 has cam 83 at its inner end and spindles pawl 79 at its outer end. Gear 84 fixed to bevel gear 85 turns freely on shaft 86. Shaft 86 at its far end has crank stop 87 which, meeting pins 88 on the frame, limits rotation of shaft 86 to in either direction. Springs 89 attached to arm 82 are prespread into their normal position about post 90 as shown in FIG. 12A. Similarly prespread are springs 91 fixed to an extension of the frame. Springs 89 are light compared to springs 91. Pull on lanyard 78 passing around roller 92 will first turn pawl 79 into engagement with gear 84 which turns bevel gear 85 and spur gears 81. A 90 turn (as shown from FIG. 12A to FIG. 12B) ensures a full repositioning of spur gears 81. If pawl 79 does not engage gear 84 at first, mismatch is self-correcting. A turn of less than 90 does no harm as the magnets on spur gears 81 will be so close to the hull that they will pull themselves into final position. The center yoking of lanyard 78 over roller 92 is necessary to maintain engagement of pawl 79. On release of lanyard 78 spring 89 bearing against post 90 disengages pawl 79 from gear 84. The weight of arm 82 and pawl 79 starts pawl 79 downward. Springs 91 complete return of pawl 79 to its initial position.

The problem associated with painting a ship's deck is to steer the paint-applying apparatus around various obstacles such as cargo hatches, ventilating trunks and the like. A scheme for painting a ships deck is shown in FIG. 17 wherein the device according to FIG. I is pulled fore and aft by winches 66 at either end of the ship. As steering is necessary, it can be accomplished by pulling on ropes 93 attached to the sides of the apparatus. This procedure can be assisted somewhat by guiding the lengthwise pull ropes 62 over pulleys or derricks to align movement of the apparatus. Side pulling, in coaction with the straight winch pull, permits steering in a surprisingly effective manner. One gets about the equivalent of tacking in a sailboat. Trials have shown that about 70 percent of the deck surface of a cargo ship can be painted in this manner, and more than 85 percent of the deck of a tanker.

FIG. 18 shows a bicyclelikc arrangement especially suited to painting of decks. A gravity paint feeding system such as the one shown in FIG. 6A is here employed. Seat 94 and handles 95 are adjustable. Staggered wheel magnets 22 provide traction. Springs 96 regulate leveling and application pressure. Steering joint 98 is limited, so this apparatus can be picked up by means of eyelets 97.

Magnetic apparatuses as taught in this disclosure have the added advantage of being easily stored on shipboard by merely attaching their magnets to convenient steel surfaces. Such storage is beneficial to the life spans of these magnets.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for treating a substantially planer ferrous surface, said apparatus comprising in combination:

a frame including a pair of parallel sidepieces;

a pair of rollers rotatably supported by said frame and disposed therein in spaced-apart parallel relationship, said rollers being journaled at their ends in said sidepieces and organized for rolling engagement with the surface to be treated;

a pair of crossbars each connected between the sidepieces and inward of said rollers;

magnet means;

spring means supported by said frame and supporting said magnet means intermediate said rollers, said spring means being biased to urge said magnet means into engagement with said surface when said rollers are placed in engagement with the surface, said spring means including a spring arm arranged parallel to and inward of said sidepieces and connected at each of its ends to one of the crossbars and said magnet means being mounted on said spring arm for engagement of both of said rollers with said surface; and

forward drive means attachable to said frame for rolling the rollers on and along said surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim I and further comprising sideways drive means supported by said frame for displacing said frame sideways through predetermined increments.

3. The apparatus of claim I with said magnet means comprising a chamfered pole surface to facilitate sliding over said surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 with the spring arms organized for bowing toward said surface to equalize pressures on said rollers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 with said magnet means including a magnet rotatably mounted for rolling along said surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 with a paint-applying material mounted about at least one of said rollers and means for supplying paint thereto.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 with a paint-applying material mounted about both of said rollers and means for supplying paint thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 with said roller adapted to engage a ships hull,

sideways drive means including spur gears connected to the frame and arranged to engage said hull sideways relative said rollers,

means operable by a lanyard for turning said spur gears to move said frame sideways relative said rollers through a predetermined distance in response to an operation of the lanyard.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 with said spur gears mounting magnet means.

Claims

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising sideways drive means supported by said frame for displacing said frame sideways through predetermined increments.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 with said magnet means comprising a chamfered pole surface to facilitate sliding over said surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 with the spring arms organized for bowing toward said surface to equalize pressures on said rollers.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 with said magnet means including a magnet rotatably mounted for rolling along said surface.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 with a paint-applying material mounted about at least one of said rollers and means for supplying paint thereto.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 with a paint-applying material mounted about both of said rollers and means for supplying paint thereto.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 with said roller adapted to engage a ship''s hull, sideways drive means including spur gears connected to the frame and arranged to engage said hull sideways relative said rollers, means operable by a lanyard for turning said spur gears to move said frame sideways relative said rollers through a predetermined distance in response to an operation of the lanyard.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 with said spur gears mounting magnet means.