US3774888A

US3774888A - Vibratory apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3774888A
Application number: US00148023A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Isaacson
Original assignee: Vibrodyne Inc
Current assignee: Tailored Systems Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-28
Filing date: 1971-05-28
Publication date: 1973-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-27

Abstract

An elongated open top container is supported by springs and is vibrated by a power source to effect orbital movement of a load of parts and media in a generally circular path within the container. An elongated scoop-like screen member is supported by either a pivotable lever mechanism or a motor driven shaft for movement between a collecting position depending into the orbital path of the load in the container and a retracted elevated position above the orbital path of the load. The screen member may be positioned in contact with the container to vibrate the screen member or may be provided with a vibrating element supported by the screen member or by a high jet stream of water to effect separation of a batch of the media from the parts and gravity return of the media to the container. The screen member may also be moved to a laterally outboard position to provide for discharging of the treated parts into a receiving bin, or be supported by a portable frame independent of the frame supporting the vibratory container.

Description

- United States Patent [1 1 Isaacson [4511 Nov. 27, 1973 [75] Inventor:

[ VIBRATORY APPARATUS Max lsaacson, Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee: Vibrodyne, Inc., Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 148,023

Related Application Data [63] continuation im part of Ser. No. 73,810, Sept. 21,

1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 259/72, 51/163 Primary Examiner Robert W. Jenkins Attorney-William R. Jacox et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An elongated open top container is supported by springs and is vibrated by a power source to effect orbital movement of a load of parts and media in a generally circular path within the container. An elongated scoop-like screen member is supported by either a pivotable lever mechanism or a motor driven shaft for movement between a collecting position depending into the orbital path of the load in the container and a retracted elevated position above the orbital path of the load. The screen member may be positioned in contact with the container to vibrate the screen member or may be provided with a vibrating element supported by the screen member orby a high jet stream of water to effect separation of a batch of the media -from the parts and gravity return of the media to the container. The screen member may also be moved to a laterally outboard position to provide for discharging of the treated parts into a receiving bin, or be supported by a portable frame independent of the frame supporting the vibratory container.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIF NIEU HUY P. 71975 SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTOR MAX ISAACSON 7 ATTORNEYS VIBRATORY APPARATUS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 73,810, filed Sept. 21, 1970, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a vibratory machine such as disclosed in Isaacson et al. US. Pat. No. 3,173,664, it is common to separate the treated parts from the treating media by tilting the vibratory container and dumping the load of parts and media onto a vibrating screen. The media passes through the openings within the screen, and the parts vibrate along the screen to a receiving bin or conveyor. The media is then returned to the vibratory container, preferably by a conveyor. It is also common to provide an opening within at least one end of the vibratory container and to provide the opening with a door or closure which is opened after the treating of the parts is completed and it is desired to discharge the load of media and parts onto a vibrating screen. It has been found that substantial time is required to discharge the load of parts and media from the vibrating container onto the vibrating screen and for the parts to be separated from the media by the screen. Furthermore, additional downtime of the vibratory machine usually results during the return of the media to the vibrating container.

Another method of separating treated parts from the treating media is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,161,993 wherein the vibratory machine is constructed so that the load of parts and media flows or circulates upwardly on one side of a partition within the container and to the upper portion of the container. The load of parts and media then fall by gravity on the other side of the partition back into the lower portion of the container. When it is desired to separate the parts from the media, a slightly sloping screen member is'inserted into the upper portion of the container adjacent the top of the internal partition so that the load of parts and media fall by gravity onto the screen member which is vibrated to effect the continuous separation of the parts from the media and to direct a continuous flow of the parts out of the vibratory container. U. S. Pat. No. 3,405,483 shows a similar type of vibratory machine having a sloping screen which is inserted into the orbital path of the load by tilting the container, to effect a continuous separation of the parts from the media and to direct the separate parts in a continuous flow along the screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a vibratory machine as generally disclosed in any of the above cited patents and which incorporates an improved device for separating batches of treated parts from the treating media and for delivering the parts to a receiving bin or conveyor. The improved separating and delivery device is not only simple and inexpensive in construction, but also provides for quickly separating batches of treated parts from the media and for quickly delivering the separated parts to a receiving bin.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the vibratory container has a U-shaped vertical cross-section configuration and a rectangular top opening. An elongated scoop-like screen member extends longitudinally of the container and is supported for movement between a depending collecting position within the orbital path of the load of parts and media within the container and an elevated retracted position above the load. The screen member may also be moved into contact with the vibrating container to effect vibration of the screen member or :may be oscillated or vibrated by power vibration means or manually to effect the separation of the media from the parts and gravity return of the media to the container.

The lever mechanism also provides for moving the screen member to a position laterally outboard of the container where the separated parts may be discharged by a dumping operation. The screen member may be conveniently installed on or removed from the lever mechanism which, in turn, may be conveniently installed on or removed from the vibratory machine. According to another embodiment of the invention, the scoop-like screen member is supported by a shaft located outboard of the container and which is rotated by a reversible motor adapted to be automatically controlled.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vibratory machine incorporating a separating screen member constructed and supported in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the vibratory machine shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the separating screen member in both collecting and discharging positions.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another vibratory machine incorporating a screen member constructed and supported in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the screen member in several positions; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of the embodiment in FIGS. 3-5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The vibratory apparatus shown in the drawing in cludes a base frame 15 having parallel spaced vertical end walls 16 rigidly connected by a bottom cross plate 17 and an upper cross plate 18. The frame 15 is mounted on resilient shock absorbing feet 19 located at the corners of the frame. A trough-like rectangular tub or container 20 is positioned between the end walls 16 of the frame 15 and includes parallel spaced vertical end walls 21 rigidly connected by an intermediate wall 22 having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The container has an outwardly projecting peripheral flange 23, and the walls 21 and 22 are covered with a durable plastic lining 24 having ribs (not shown) defining a corrugated inner surface.

The lined container walls 21 and 22 define an open top chamber 25 having a rectangular horizontal configuration and a U-shaped vertical configuration. The chamber 25 is adapted to receive a work load, for example, a media M of ceramic chips or other abrasive materials and a suspended batch of parts P which are to be surface finished such as by a deburring, polishing or descaling operation. The container is positioned so that a longitudinal plane 27 extending through the center of the chamber 25, is slightly inclined from a vertical plane.

The container 20 is supported on one side of the center plane 27 by a pair of l-shaped end spring means or beams which connect the end walls 21 of the container to the end walls 16 of the frame 15. On the opposite side of the center plane 27, the container 20 may be supported by a plurality oflongitudinally spaced coil compression springs (not shown) which may extend between the upper plate 18 and a longitudinally extending angle bracket (not shown) secured to the adjacent side of the wall 22 of the container.

The spring beams 30 establish an effective pivot axis for the container 20 and provide the container 20 with a predetermined resonant frequency of oscillation. This resonant frequency is in the neighborhood of and generally above 3,600 cycles per second when the apparatus is to be operated from a 60 cycle power supply. After the load of parts and media is placed within the container 20, the resonant frequency of the system including the container, load and spring beams is substantially 3,600 cycles per second.

The container 20 is oscillated by power operated means including a pair of electromagnets arranged in opposing relation on opposite sides of a bar-like armature 46. The ends of the armature are rigidly connected to parallel spaced plates 48 which are secured to the intermediate wall 22 of the container 20. Each magnet 45 is mounted on a bracket 50 which is slidably supported by the cross plate 17 and is laterally adjustable by a set of screws (not shown). Each magnet 45 is adjusted after a load is placed within the container to form a predetermined uniform gap 52 between the armature 46 and each of the electromagnets 45 according to the desired amplitude of oscillation. As a result of the offcenter effective pivot axis 40, it is apparent th 1 the amplitude of vibration or oscillation of the container 20 is greater on the right side (FIG. 2) of the center plane 27 than on the left side. Thus when the electromagnets 45 are energized, the vibration or oscillation of the container 20 is effective to produce orbital movement of the load in a generally circular path as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the present invention, an elongated scoop-like screen member 55 has a curved crosssectional configuration and a length which is slightly less than the length of the open top container chamber 25. The screen member 55 has a series of holes or openings 56 which are smaller than the size of the parts P but are larger than the particles of the media M. A pair of parallel spaced arms 58 have their lower end portions rigidly secured to the screen member 55 and project upwardly from the ends of the screen member. An elongated U-shaped handle member 59 is rigidly secured to the arms 58.

The screen member 55 is supported by a lever frame 60 which includes a pair of parallel spaced arms 62 having their lower end portions pivotally connected to the frame 15 by a set of aligned pins 63 which extend into U-shaped support blocks 64 mounted on the upper surface of the frame cross plate 18. The upper end portions of the arms 62 are rigidly connected by a cross rod 66 having outwardly projecting end portions. A

pair of parallel spaced arms 68 have corresponding end portions mounted on the projecting ends of the cross rod 66 and are welded to the arms 62 to form a rigid generally L-shaped lever frame.

The opposite end portions of the link member 68 are rigidly connected by a cross rod 69. The upper end portions of the arms 58 are provided with slots 71 forming integral hook members which receive the cross rod 68. Thus the screen member 55 may be separated or removed from the lever frame 60 simply by unhooking the arms 58 from the cross rod 69, and the lever frame 60 may be removed from the main frame 15 simply by lifting the pivot pins 63 from the U-shaped support blocks 54.

As mentioned above, screen member 55 is used after the parts P have been treated and it is desired to remove the parts from the container 20. To accomplish this result, and as is apparent from the drawing, the handle member 59 and the cross rod 69 are manually gripped, and the depending screen member 55 is lowered downwardly into the chamber 25 until the screen member is submerged into the orbital path of the vibrating load of parts and media. The screen member quickly receives a portion of the load, after which the screen member 55 and the load portion are lifted to an elevated retracted position above the orbital path of the load simply by pulling back on the lever frame 60. While the screen member 55 and the collected portion of the load is located above the orbital path of the load, the screen member may be oscillated manually with the aid of the handle 59 so that the media flows through the openings 56 and returns by gravity to the chamber 25. The separation of the media from the parts may also be obtained by moving the screen member 55 to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the screen member contacts the upper edge of the vibrating container 20 so that the container vibrates the screen member 55.

As illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2, the lever frame 60 also supports the screen member 55 for movement to a discharge position laterally outboard of the container 20 so that after the media is separated from the parts and the media falls back into the chamber 25, the batch of parts may be delivered to a receving bin or conveyor. In the discharge position of the screen member, the screen member is manually tilted so that the parts may be discharged by dumping the parts from the screen member. The above operation is then repeated until all of the treated parts have been removed from the container.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6 which show another embodiment of the invention, a tub or container 75 is constructed substantially the same as the container 20 and is supported for oscillatory vibration by a pair of end spring beams 76 in the same manner as described above in connection with the spring beam 30. The spring beams 76 are mounted on a base frame 80 and support the container 75 for oscillation which is produced by a pair of opposing electromagnets 82 located on opposite sides of an armature 83 rigidly secured to the container 75 by a pair of end plates 84. The electromagnets 82 are supported by the base 80.

A scoop-like separating screen member includes a frame 92 which consists of a pair of parallel end plates 93 and an intermediate plate which are rigidly connected by a cross-tube 96, a bottom cross bar 97, a nose bar 98 and an angle member 99. A set of curved generally semi-cylindrical sc een elements are mounted on the frame 92 and are located between the center plate 94 and the end plates 93. Each of the screen elements 105 is formed of perforated sheet metal so that it has holes or openings of predetermined diameter corresponding to the relative sizes of the parts being treated and the treated media.

The screen members 105 have forward or leading edges which seat under the nose bar 98 of the frame 92. The opposite edge of each of the screen elements 105, includes a pair of spaced tabs 103 which snap fit into corresponding slots formed within the tube 96. Thus each of the screen elements 105 may be removed from the frame 92 by slightly springing the screen element to retract the tabs 108 from the corresponding slots within the tube 96, after which the screen element will lift from the frame 92.

A pair of aligned shaft members 110 and 111 project from opposite ends of the tube 96 and are rotatably supported by corresponding bearings 114 which are secured to corresponding brackets 116. As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 116 on the left end of the container 75, is mounted on a frame extension member 118 which is rigidly secured to the main frame 80. The bearing bracket 116 on the right end of the container 75, is supported by an angle bracket 119 which is secured to the opposite end of the main frame 80. Thus the shaft members 110 and 111 support the screen member 90 for rotatable or pivotal movement on the axis of the support tube 96 which is located laterally outboard of the container 75 as shown in FIG. 5.

A gear reducing unit 125 is mounted on the frame extension 118 and is driven by a reversible electric motor 126. The reducing unit 125 includes an output shaft 127 which is connected to the shaft 110 by a semiflexible coupling 128. The shaft 111 projects beyond its corresponding support bearing 114 and carries a set of cams 131 which are positioned to actuate a corresponding set of limit switches 132 which are connected to control the reversible motor 126.

The operation of the scoop like screen member 90, is illustrated in FIG. 5. After a load of parts and media have been vibrated for a time sufficient to treat the parts, the motor 126 is energized to lower the separating screen member 90 downwardly into the container 75 so that the screen elements 105 are located within the orbital path of the load of parts and media. After a batch of parts collect within the screen elements while the media orbits through the holes 106, the motor 126 is reversed so that the separating screen member 90 is moved to an upper retracted position (shown in full lines) above the orbital path of the load within the container. As a result of the rigid support of the screen elements 105 by the frame 92 and the shaft members 110 and 111, some vibration'is transferred to the separating screen elements so that the media collected with the batch of parts in the screen elements 105, is separated from the parts and falls through the openings 106 back into the container 75. To help the media pass through the screen elements 105 and to wash the media, a spray of water may be directed against the parts and media from a nozzle 140 (FIG. 5).

To effect a more rapid separation of the media from the collected batch of parts, the separating screen member 90 may be brought into contact with a member connected to the oscillating container 75. Thus referring to FIG. 6, a rigid plate member 135 is secured to the container 75 by a double spring hinge 136 which is constructed similar to a dual spring hinge for a double swinging door. The dual hinge 136 is mounted on the upper flange of the container 75, and the plate member 135 projects inwardly into the path of the separating screen member 90. Thus when the screen mem ber 90 is rotated to its elevated retracted position above the orbiting load within the container 75, the outer edge of the screen member contacts the plate member 135 (FIG. 6) so that the vibration of the container is transferred directly to the screen unit 90.

After the treating media is separated from the batch of parts within the screen member 90, the motor 126 is again energized to rotate the screen unit to a discharge or dumping position, as shown by the upper dotted lines in FIG. 5, outboard of the container 75 so that the treated parts are discharged into a suitable bin or receiving conveyor. As also shown in FIG. 5 by the lower dotted lines, the screen member 90 may also be rotated to an inactive lower position outboard of the container 75. In a normal automatic cycle, however, the motor 126 is reversed by the control switches 132 to rotate the screen member 90 clockwise (FIG. 5) back to its lower collecting position within the orbital path of the load of parts and media. within the container 75, causing the screen member 90 to collect another portion of the load. As the screen member 90 is lowered down into the container 75, the plate member 135 pivots downwardly against the bias: of the double spring hinge 136 to permit the screen member to pass.

From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that a vibratory machine incorporating a screen member constructed and supported in accordance with the invention, provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the

screen member

55 or 90 may be lowered into the lower portion of the container so that the screen member is quickly filled with a portion of the load. The holes within the screen member, permit the treating media to continue orbiting while a batch of parts are collected within the screen member. The lever frame 60 or the power operated unit then provides for elevating the screen member to a retracted position above the load within the container chamber to provide for separating the parts from the media.

As also mentioned above, the screen member support provides for moving the screen member into con tacting relation either directly with the vibrating container 20 or with the spring loaded bar on the container 75 to transfer vibration to the screen member, and also provides for moving the screen member to an outboard discharge or dumping position. Thus by using the

pivotable screen member

55 or 90, successive batches of treated parts may be quickly and conveniently separated and removed from the vibratory container. Furthermore, a parts separating and removing device constructed in accordance with the invention is inexpensive in construction and may be easily installed or removed from a vibratory machine or moved to an inoperative position where it does not interfere with supplying a load of parts and media to the container. In addition, the hook shaped upper end portions of the arms 58 or the snap-in screen elements 105, provide for conveniently interchanging screen members with different size openings according to the relative sizes of the parts and media forming the load. Furthermore, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6 provides for automatically separating successive ill'LLJlZES of treated parts from the treating media simply by controlling the motor 126 with a timer circuit including the switches 132.

It is also within the scope of the invention to mount an elongated permanent magnet or electromagnet on the upper edge of the screen member so that ferrous parts collected within the screen member are attracted to the magnet to aid in separating the parts from the media when the screen member is elevated to its retracted separating position. The screen member would preferably be constructed of a non-ferrous material so that the screen member itself would not be magnetized and parts would not be prevented from sliding freely on the screen member during separation.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitutes preferred embodiments of the invention and are illustrated for use with a rectangular type tub or container, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. For example, the configuration of the apparatus of the invention may be varied for use with a circular type tub or container. Furthermore, as mentioned above, either of the

screen members

55 or 90 may be supported by a portable frame system which is independent of the frame supporting the vibratory container, for example, as disclosed in Isaacson copending application Ser. No. 48,114, filed June 22, 1970.

What is claimed is:

l. Vibratory apparatus comprising a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect rotational movement of the load within said chamber, a screen member adapted to be received within said chamber for collecting a batch portion of the load, means defining a plurality of openings within said screen member and being of sufficient size for the media to pass therethrough, means supporting said screen member for movement between a collecting position within the path of the load in said chamber and a retracted elevated position above the path of the load within said chamber, and means for separating the media from the parts on said screen member in its elevated position and to provide for return of the media through said openings to said chamber.

2. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said screen member has a curved scoop-like configuration, and said supporting means is effective to provide pivotal movement of said screen member between said collecting and said elevated positions.

3. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber has a generally rectangular top opening, said screen member being elongated and extending longitudinally of said chamber and having a length less than the length of said chamber, and said supporting means is effective to provide for pivotal movement of said screen member on a longitudinally extending axis between said collecting and said elevated positions.

4. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting means is effective to provide for movement of said screen member to a discharge position laterally outboard of said container.

5. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said screen member is movable to a position in contacting relation with means on said container to cause vibration of said screen member and separation of the media from the parts by said power operated means vibrating said container.

6. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a set of parallel spaced arms connected to said screen member and projecting upwardly therefrom, an L-shaped lever frame, means connecting one end of said lever frame to said frame supporting said container for pivotable movement of said lever frame on a first axis, and means connecting said set of arms to said lever frame for pivotal movement of said screen member relative to said lever frame on a second axis extending parallel to said first axis.

7. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means connecting said set of arms to said lever frame include means defining hooks within the upper end portions of said set of arms to provide for conveniently removing and replacing said screen member with another said screen member having openings of a different size. 8. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said connecting means forming said second pivot axis, comprise a rod connected to said lever frame, and a handle member connecting said set of arms and spaced below said rod.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including vibrating means associated with said screen member to aid in separating the parts from the media.

10. Apparatus adapted to be used with a vibratory machine including a vibratory container defining a chamber for receiving a load of parts and media, said apparatus comprising a scoop-like screen member adapted to fit within said chamber for collecting a batch portion of the load, means defining a plurality of openings within said screen member and being of sufficient size for the media to pass therethrough, means supporting said screen member for movement between a collecting position within the path of the load in said chamber and a retracted elevated position above said path, and means for separating media from the parts on said screen member in said retracted position to provide for return of the media through said openings to said chamber.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said supporting means comprise a shaft member secured to said screen member, means supporting said shaft member for rotation to effect pivoting of said screen member between said collecting position and said retracted elevated position, and means for rotating said shaft member.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said screen member is rotatable on the axis of said shaft member to a discharge position outboard of said chamber to effect dumping of a batch of treated parts.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said rotating means comprise a reversible power driving unit connected to said shaft member, and means for controlling said motor.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said screen member comprises a plurality of generally U- shaped screen elements disposed in end to end relation,

a frame mounted on said shaft member and supporting said screen elements, and means for releasably securing said screen elements to said frame.

on said container and projecting into the path of said screen member for transmitting vibrations from said container to said screen member.

2 3 3 UNITED s'nrrzes PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 774,888 Dated November 27 1973 Inventofls) Max Isaacsorr It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 11, line 1, cancel 9" and insert 10 Claim 16, line 1, cancel "9" and insert l0 Signed and sealed this 23r y of April 97 (SEAL) Attest:

ED /W 11D M.FLETGHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. Vibratory apparatus comprising a frame, a container defining a chamber adapted to receive a load of media and parts to be vibrated, means mounted on said frame and supporting said container for vibration, power operated means for vibrating said container with sufficient force to effect rotational movement of the load within said chamber, a screen member adapted to be received within said chamber for collecting a batch portion of the load, means defining a plurality of openings within said screen member and being of suffIcient size for the media to pass therethrough, means supporting said screen member for movement between a collecting position within the path of the load in said chamber and a retracted elevated position above the path of the load within said chamber, and means for separating the media from the parts on said screen member in its elevated position and to provide for return of the media through said openings to said chamber.

7. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means connecting said set of arms to said lever frame include means defining hooks within the upper end portions of said set of arms to provide for conveniently removing and replacing said screen member with another said screen member having openings of a different size.

8. Vibratory apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said connecting means forming said second pivot axis, comprise a rod connected to said lever frame, and a handle member connecting said set of arms and spaced below said rod.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said screen member comprises a plurality of generally U-shaped screen elements disposed in end to end relation, a frame mounted on said shaft member and supporting said screen elements, and means for releasably securing said screen elements to said frame.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said shaft member is located laterally outboard from said chamber.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said separating means comprise a spring bias member mounted on said container and projecting into the path of said screen member for transmitting vibrations from said container to said screen member.