US3794053A

US3794053A - Cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3794053A
Application number: US00190062A
Authority: US
Inventors: O Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-10-18
Filing date: 1971-10-18
Publication date: 1974-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-26

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is disclosed herein having a tank for holding a solvent solution and a lid for covering the tank. An agitating mechanism is carried on the lid including a vertically movable hook for detachably supporting a basket adapted to hold parts for cleaning. The agitating mechanism includes a pneumatic operated piston and cylinder assemblage for actuating the hook in an up-and-down manner.

Description

I nited States Patent 1 1 1111 3,794 053 Jones Feb. 26, 1974 CLEANING APPARATUS 3,064,629 11/1962 Story 134/141 x [76] Inventor: Otho Jones, 1438 W. l32rd St.,

Q Q QQLQQZQQ Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge [22] F1 d Oct 18 1971 Attorney, Agent, or FirmRoger A. Marrs [21] Appl. No.: 190,062 [57] ABSTRACT A cleaning apparatus is disclosed herein having a tank 8 134/141 i i Q 3i for holding a solvent solution and a lid for covering g 156 162 the tank. An agitating mechanism is carried on the lid 0 including a vertically movable hook for detachably supporting a basket adapted to hold parts for cleaning. [56] References Cited The agitating mechanism includes a pneumatic oper- UNITED STATES PATENTS ated piston and cylinder assemblage for actuating the 1,481,550 1/1924 Hall 134/141 UX hook in an up-and-down manner. 3,044,089 7/1962 'Boynton... 134/156 X 3,269,397 8/1966 Woods 134/141 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEBZE'QH 3,794,053

C/O/VES INVENTOR.

BY I

CLEANING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to de-greasing or cleaning devices and more particularly to a novel cleaning apparatus capable of agitation dirty and soiled parts in a solvent solution employing a pneumatically operated piston motor.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, conventional cleaning devices have been developed which clean and de-grease by subjecting the parts to a spray or dousing with a suitable solvent cleaner. Also, it has been customary to use a variety of rags, wire pads or the like to assist the solvent in performing its cleaning function. Some attempts have been made to provide cleaning tanks and containers for permitting gentle agitation of the part in a quantity of solvent in order to effect cleaning. In this regard, mechanisms have been provided for spraying the solvent onto the parts or for agitating the solvent around the parts while the parts'are in a fixed location. The solvent is generally a liquid bath into which the parts are submerged and the solvent is propelled in a circular fashion around the parts to remove foreign matter and grease therefrom. Elaborate straining devices are generally employed so that the solvent may be filtered for reuse and the accumulation of grease and foreign matter may be removed.

Difficulties have been encountered when employing conventional de-greasing or cleaning devices which stem largely from the fact that they are very expensive, require complex mechanisms for transporting and circulating the solvent and occupy a substantial area so as to be awkward and cumbersome. Additionally, conventional solvent cleaning devices generally require an open sink into which the'dirty parts are placed and require a jet spout for discharging'a pressurized stream of solvent into the sink and around the parts. Obviously, problems are encountered with splattering and splashing of the solvent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the difficulties and problems encountered with prior art cleaning devices are Obviated by the present invention which provides a novel cleansing apparatus having a tank for holding a quantity of solvent solution into which a basket loaded with parts intended to be cleaned is submerged. The basket is downwardly supported by a vertically movable hook. Means for moving the hook are carried on the lid of the tank so that vertical agitation of the parts is produced. The moving mechanism is a pneumatically operated cylinder and valve assemblage which when operated will repeatedly provide the necessary vertical movementor continued agitation to insure thorough cleansing of the parts.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleansing apparatus for degreasing dirty parts that is under the control of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleansing apparatus which is economical to produce and that may be operated by non-technical personnel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleansing apparatus that employs a pneumatic motor for agitating parts to be cleaned in a vertical motion when submerged in a solvent solution.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pneumatic motor for agitating parts in a solvent solution wherein the motor employs a piston and cylinder assemblage. as well as a novel exhaust system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleaning device wherein a part to be cleaned may be loaded into a basket and wherein the basket is agitated in a solvent solutionto clean the parts by means of a pneumatic motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel cleansing apparatus of 'the prsent invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the cleansing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 thereof; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pneumatic motor employed in the cleansing apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the cleansing apparatus of the present invention is indicated in the general direction of arrow 10 and comprises a tank 11 having a removable lid 12 carried on the upper edge of the side wall defining the tank. Preferably, the tank includes a flanged portion 13 about its upper edge so as to mate with a corresponding flange 14 carried on the lid. The tank is employed for holding a suitable solvent solution into which dirty parts are to be submerged.

Secured on the top of the lid 12, there is provided a pneumatic motor 15 which is supplied with a source of pressurized air via a hose 16 and a shut-off valve 17.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the tank 11 is preferably filled with a solvent 18 approximately one-third filled and that the pneumatic motor 15 is preferably coaxially disposed with respect to the lid 12 and the tank 11. The motor 15 is secured to the lid by means of securement

bolts

20 and 21. A hook 22 downwardly depends from the motor and is slidably related to the motor housing and the lid 12 so that the hook may be permitted rectilinear movement in the tank. The hook 22 is located within the solvent solution 18 and is employed for holding a basket 23 in the solution. The basket 23 includes a hanger 24 for placement over the hook in detachable relationship therewith. The basket 23 also includes a bottom 25 for supporting the plurality of dirty parts, such as greasy metal engine parts and the side wall of the basket is preferably composed of a wide wire mesh construction so as to permit flowthrough of the solvent solution. The bottom is preferably composed of a similar mesh so that dirt particles and other foreign matter will readily pass through the bottom and sidewall of the basket during the cleansing procedure. The dirt and foreign matter will pass through the solution and rest on the bottom of the tank. Movement of the basket 23 is in an up-and-down relationship with respect to the tank in the direction of the double arrows indicated by numeral 26. This up-and-down movement is created by the rectilinear vertical movement of the hook 22 as operated by the, pneumatic motor 15.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the pneumatic motor includes a body housing 30 having a cylinder 31 in which a piston 32 slidably moves. The piston 32 includes a bearing portion 33 and the extreme end of hook 22 is secured to one end of the piston by means .of a lock-nut 34. The shank of hook 22 slidably moves through a bearing 35 carried at the base of housing 30.-The opposite end of the piston 32 from its end connected to hook 22 includes a guide portion 36 for coaxially relating an expansion spring 37 to the piston. The piston further includes a shaft 38 about which the spring 37 is disposed and that terminates in a stop member 40. the shank 38 of the piston is slidably carried through a bearing 41 secured to the end of housing 32 opposite to its end carrying bearing 35. An exhaust port 42 is formed in the top of housing 30 to permit the expulsion of air from cylinder 31 as the piston moves upwardly in the cylinder. A port 43 is provided for controllably expelling air from cylinder 31 when the piston moves downwardly when biased by the expanding force of spring 37.

A bore 44 is provided in housing 30 that is parallel to the cylinder 31 and this latter bore is occupied by a rod 45 having a stop portion 46 located at one end exteriorly of the housing 30.

Rod 45 is slidably disposed within the bore 44 and it is to be noted that the lower end of bore 44 is slightly reduced so as to permit slidable engagement of the lower end of rod 45 with the reduced diameter portion of the bore 44. The extreme lower end of rod 45 never leaves the reduced diameter portion of the bore 44 and the lower end of the rod is illustrated in dotted lines by numeral 47 to indicate the uppermost position of the rod in bore 44. Reduced portion 50 is formed in rod 45 so as to permit air from valve 17 to be introduced past the rod 45 into the cylinder 31 via a port 51. it is also to be noticed that housing 30 is provided with an exhaust port 52 for exhausting air during the downstroke of piston 31. Also, stop element 46 is disposed under stop member 40 carried on shank 38 of the piston 32.

In actual operation, the source of pressurized air is introduced to the motor 15 by turning the valve 17 to its on position. At this time, the pressurized air is introduced into the chamber around reduced portion 15 of rod 45 and the air is introduced below the piston in cylinder 31 via input port 51. The presence of pressurward movement when the top of stop member 40 engages with the uppen'nost stop element 56 carried on the extreme end of the rod 45. Upward movement of both the piston and the rod is arrested when spring 37 is fully compressed. At this time, the force of the spring initiates movement of the piston in a downward direction through cylinder 31 and the underside of stop member 40 engages with the intermediate stop element 46 as indicated in broken lines by numeral 57. This engagement will effect the return of rod 45 through the bore 44.

During the upward stroke of piston 32, air within the upper chamber or portion of cylinder 31 is expelled through port 42. During the downstroke. air contained within the lower portion or chamber of cylinder 31 is expelled through both

ports

43 and 52. During the upward stroke of piston 32 the reduced portion 50 of rod 45 will pass or gate with the orifice 58 supplying pressurized air to the motor and will effectively cut off the supply so that the spring 37 will initiate the downstroke of the piston. Once the reduced portion 50 has gated or opened orifice 58, an upward stroke or'cycle of piston 32 is again initiated.

Therefore, it can be seen that by the use of the present invention a reciprocal movement is provided to book 22 causing the basket 23 to move in a continuous up-and-down agitating motion so that the solvent 18 thoroughly cleans exposed surfaces of the parts carried in the basket. The device is economical to manufacture and may be used by non-technical persons since all splashing or splattering of solvent is avoided. Once the parts have been thoroughly subjected to agitation and soaking in the solvent solution the lid 12 may be removed and the basket 23 taken off of hook 22 whereafter the parts may be removed from the basket.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A cleaning apparatus for agitating a plurality of dirty parts in a solvent solution comprising:

a tank for holding said solvent solution;

a lid removably carried on said tank enclosing said solvent solution;

a pneumatic motor secured to said lid;

a hook slidably carried on said lid and operable in response to said motor to reciprocate in said solvent solution;

a basket detachably carried on said hook for carrying said plurality of parts;

said pneumatic motor comprises:

a housing formed with a cylindrical chamber or bore movably mounting a piston;

resilient means operating between one end of said piston and one end of said housing normally biasing said piston downwardly;

said hook secured to said piston so as to follow its movement;

means operably coupling a source of pressurized air to said cylindrical chamber for selectively supplying air thereto to forcibly urge said piston against the bias of said resilient means;

said last means includes a second bore in said housing parallel to said first cylindrical bore;

a rod slidably disposed in said second bore;

a supply port in said housing interconnecting said first and second bores; and

said rod having a reduced diameter portion intercommunicating said source of pressurized air with said first bore via said supply port.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including:

a shank fixed to said piston and slidably disposed on said housing;

a stop member carried on the end of said shank exteriorly of said housing;

said rod having a pair of spaced apart stop elements exteriorly of said housing;

said stop member interposed between said pair of stop elements so as to raise and lower said rod in unison with movement of said piston.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including:

ports in said housing for expelling air from said first bore to permit reciprocal movement of said piston therein.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including:

bearings carried on said housing for slidably carrying said shank and said hook.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said rod has a first position to supply air to said first bore and a second position to close off the supply of air.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for agitating a plurality of dirty parts in a solvent solution comprising: a tank for holding said solvent solution; a lid removably carried on said tank enclosing said solvent solution; a pneumatic motor secured to said lid; a hook slidably carried on said lid and operable in response to said motor to reciprocate in said solvent solution; a basket detachably carried on said hook for carrying said plurality of parts; said pneumatic motor comprises: a housing formed with a cylindrical chamber or bore movably mounting a piston; resilient means operating between one end of said piston and one end of said housing normally biasing said piston downwardly; said hook secured to said piston so as to follow its movement; means operably coupling a source of pressurized air to said cylindrical chamber for selectively supplying air thereto to forcibly urge said piston against the bias of said resilient means; said last means includes a second bore in said housing parallel to said first cylindrical bore; a rod slidably disposed in said second bore; a supply port in said housing interconnecting said first and second bores; and said rod having a reduced diameter portion intercommunicating said source of pressurized air with said first bore via said supply port.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including: a shank fixed to said piston and slidably disposed on said housing; a stop member carried on the end of said shank exteriorly of said housing; said rod having a pair of spaced apart stop elements exteriorly of said housing; said stop member interposed between said pair of stop elements so as to raise and lower said rod in unison with movement of said piston.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including: ports in said housing for expelling air from said first bore to permit reciprocal movement of said piston therein.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including: bearings carried on said housing for slidably carrying said shank and said hook.