US3146996A

US3146996A - Vibratory machine suspension

Info

Publication number: US3146996A
Application number: US225420A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank J Irving
Original assignee: Irving Co
Current assignee: Irving Co
Priority date: 1962-09-21
Filing date: 1962-09-21
Publication date: 1964-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1981-09-01

Description

Sept. 1, 1964 F. J. IRVING VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 21, 1962 IN V EN TOR.

BY W 64/4/41- Se t. 1, 1964 F. J. IRVING 3,146,996

VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION Filed Sept. 21, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 1, 1964 F. J. IRVING VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 21, 1962 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,146,996 VIBRATQRY MACHINE SUPENSEN Frank J. Irving, Glenavon, Caiifi, assignor to The llrving Company, Mnltnomah (fonnty, Greg, a corporation of Uregon Filed Sept. 21, 1952, Ser. No. 225,420 15 Ciaims. (0. 259-1) This invention relates to vibratory machines and more particularly to improvements in the support or suspension of the vibratory parts.

The invention may be applied in apparatus for molding cementitious articles, such as panels, slabs and similar members. Such articles have high utility as materials of construction and in related fields. The articles may be molded in the apparatus, using any kind of cement and, by way of example, the articles may be blocks or slabs molded from pumice. This is a volcanic ash adapted to being molded in slabs. In molding the slabs, the material is mixed with water and poured or otherwise placed in the mold. It has been common in the prior art to vibrate the mold for purposes of solidifying the mix by compacting it together and forcing the water out.

This application is a continuation in part of the earlier application, Serial No. 833,035, filed August 11, 1959, now abandoned.

In addition to molding apparatus, the invention may be adapted to other types of vibratory machines, more particularly vibrating finishing machines. These machines comprise, basically, a bowl or moat which contains the work pieces to be finished and the commercial abrasive media or compounds which act upon the Work piece to finish it by means of vibration. Any part or piece may be finished, which after being fabricated has a flashing, for example, which it is desired to remove and reduce the part to a smooth, polished finish. It has been found that this invention is ideally adapted to this application. The preferred form of the invention as disclosed herein is its adaptation in a vibratory finishing machine.

The machine of this invention provides improvements whereby the vibratory unit is floated in a manner whereby only the unit itself is vibrated without other parts of the machine, such as frame structure, etc. The vibratory unit is floated on pneumatic-tired wheels underneath it. The wheels are mounted on roller bearings so that the unit may be said to be resiliently mounted and free to vibrate virtually without friction. The sides of the unit are preferably held in accurate alignment by rollers. The invention is primarily adapted to vibratory machinery in which the vibration is linear. Preferably, also, the linear vibratory movements are controlled by engagement of the unit with the pneumatic-tired wheels.

By adjusting the pressures in the pneumatic tires at one end of the mold the character of the vibration can be very nicely adjusted as to amplitude and intensity so as to produce optimum results. It has been found that by so doing, extraordinarily high quality molded panels and slabs can be produced, having superior quality and strength capable of withstanding considerably higher p.s.i. stresses. It has also been found that when the invention is adapted in a vibratory finishing machine such machine is very effective and produces highly satisfactory finished work.

A very significant advantage of the invention, which has been demonstrated from adaptations of it, is that the machine requires practically no maintenance due to the fact of the vibratory member or unit resting on rubber tires rather than being supported or suspended by "ice way of springs. The machine is also substantially less expensive than machines wherein the vibratory unit rests on or is suspended by way of springs. Where a spring suspension is used, frequent replacement of the spring is required and there is very substantial maintenance. The particular manner of support of the vibratory unit of this invention, particularly where the vibration is linear, makes possible a desired control of the frequency mode and amplitude of vibration whereby optimum results can be secured. As pointed out above, in vibratory finishing machines it has been found that deburring operations can be accomplished with extraordinary efiectiveness. The commercial abrasives used may be abrasives of different sizes or meshes which when placed in the hopper or moat effect the deburring action when it is vibrated.

The machine is further improved in one form thereof, in that the vibrating mechanism is attached or attaches to the mold during vibrating by way of a vacuum or suction holding means which readily adapts itself to releasing the mold when it is to be moved off the machine.

The primary object of the invention is to improve vibratory machines of the type referred to in the foregoing from the standpoint of their effectiveness for their purpose, from the standpoint of maintenance, from the standpoint of economy, and from other standpoints made more clear hereinafter. A more specific object is to accomplish these purposes by improving the support or suspension of the vibratory unit.

Another object is to accomplish the purposes of the invention by providing the particular suspension means referred to generally in the foregoing.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved molding apparatus of the character described for quickly and economically producing concrete slabs, panels and similar structural members of improved strength, size, shape and appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved molding apparatus comprising a unit which is floated by way of being supported on pneumatic-tired wheels and is controlled in its linear movements by pneumatic-tired wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as in the foregoing having the purpose of minimizing the power required for vibration and reducing or eliminating vibratory effects tending to damage, deteriorate or destroy the machine.

Another object is to provide an improved finishing machine having the invention adapted therein, wherein the same pneumatic-tired wheels are used to restrain linear movements as to float the unit.

Another object is to provide a machine as in the foregoing having an improved unloading arrangement and an easily-removable hopper or moat.

Further objects and numerous advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed drawings and specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. '3 is a view showing the vibrating mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket used with the mold;

FIG. 5 is a view partly in section of another form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the unit in an unloading position;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the removable hopper or moat.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine of FIGS. 14 comprises a base having uprights as shown at 11 supporting frame 13. Numeral designates a rectangular mold in which cementitious material is molded and vibrated. The mold 15 has a bottom and side walls and end walls, the two end walls being rigidly attached to the bottom and the side walls being hinged to the bottom to facilitate removal of the molded slab after it has set. The frame 13 is rectangular, as shown in FIG. 2.

The mold 15 is floated on four pairs or sets of wheels having pneumatic tires, as designated at 16 and 17. These wheels are on transverse shafts, as shown at 18, so that they are positioned underneath the mold 15. The shafts are journaled in bearings supported by the platform or frame 13. The inner pairs are more closely spaced as shown.

Similar pairs of pneumatic-tired wheels are provided at the ends of the mold for engaging directly with the ends. These pairs of wheels are designated as 21 and 22 and similarly are on transverse shafts. Wheels 21 are on shaft 23 supported by brackets as shown at 25 extending from frame 13.

Wheels 22 are on a shaft 27 having bearings and a support 29; one end of this assembly is hinged at 28 so that these wheels can be rotated around the hinge out of the way of the end of the mold so that it can be moved oif the machine onto a platform or table 30 having an upper bed with rollers mounted in it so that the mold can be rolled oif onto this structure for curing. The assembly 29 is held by hook 32.

The mold 15 is accurately held at the sides by rollers as shown at 34 in FIG. 2. These rollers are on vertical axles 35 extending upwardly from the side members of the frame 13 and they engage the sides 36 of the mold 15 which, as stated, are hinged to the bottom of the mold. When the mold is in position on the machine, the rollers 34 hold the sides in, that is, upright, so that the mold is held accurately in longitudinal alignment while it is vibrated.

When the mold is moved ofi the machine, as described, the brackets, as shown at 37 in FIG. 4, are placed across the top of it to hold the side walls upright until the cementitious material has set. Three of the brackets 37 may be used, for example, being put on in order as the mold moves off the machine.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows the mechanism for vibrating the mold. This mechanism includes a vacuum or suction block 40 having cavities 41 therein. The cavity or cavities are surrounded by a resilient sealing member 42 which seals against the bottom of the mold 15. The cavities are separated by the members 43 which have flat planed upper surfaces which engage the bottom of the mold.

Numeral 45 designates a channel in the block 40 having a nipple 46 to which a source of vacuum is connected to produce the necessary suction or vacuum in the vibrating and holding member 40.

Underneath the member 40 are attached journal bearings as shown at 49, supporting a transverse shaft 50 on which is mounted a pulley 52. The pulley 52 is driven by a V-belt 53 from a motor 56 having a pulley 57. The motor 56 is mounted, as shown, to the under side of the frame 13.

Attached to the bearings 49 are a pair of horizontal plates 59 engageable by another pair of pneumatic-tired wheels 62 on a transverse shaft 63. The transverse shaft 63 is mounted on the end of lever arms, as shown at 65, pivoted or fulcrumed at 66 on arms or brackets 67 extending down from the frame 13, as shown.

The arms 65, or one of them, are attached to a stem 70 connected to a hydraulic piston 71 in a hydraulic cylinder 72 to which hydraulic pressure may be admitted under control through pipe 73.

Movements of the hydraulic piston 71 actuate the arms 65 to shift the shaft 63 vertically and, correspondingly, the pneumatic-tired wheels 62 which engage the plates 59. In this manner the vacuum or suction-holding means 40 is lifted toward and away from the bottom of the mold for attachment thereto by suction. When the member 40 is pushed up against the bottom of the mold and when the suction is applied, it holds the mold and the mold is vibrated with the vibratory mechanism. The shaft 50 is an eccentric shaft which, when it is rotated, causes vibratory movement. Preferably, a pair of the blocks 40 is provided, as shown in FIG. 2, and they may be provided with side ribs or shoulders engageable with ribs on the frame 13 to limit downward movement.

The foregoing describes the structure and operational characteristics of this form of the invention. This form of the invention has been reduced to practice in a particular size and it has been found that it produces slabs, as described, of superior quality, strength and appearance. In operation the mold, as shown, moves against the pneumatic-tired wheels at the right end and vibrates against them. A particular feature of the invention is that the pressure in these tires can be readily varied to control the vibration, that is, the amplitude and intensity of the vibration. It has been found that very satisfactory slabs can be produced with a pressure of 20 to 25 pounds per square inch in these pneumatic tires, the wheels used having been commercially-available pneumatic-tired wheelbarrow wheels. It has been found that the nature of the vibration with different pressures in the tires can be observed visibly and can be sensed by feeling the vibration of the mold with the fingers. By thus observing the vibration and adjusting the pressure, it has been found that very highly satisfactory results can be achieved.

FIGS. 5-9 of the drawings show another form of the invention wherein it is adapted in a vibratory finishing machine. This machine comprises a frame designated generally at 80. This frame comprises A

frame structures

81 and 82 at the ends, having

braces

85 and 86 extending therebetween. Additional braces are provided which extend longitudinally, as indicated at 89 and 91, which are bolted to the A frames. The machine may be held firm or rigid on a base by means of adjustable holding mem bers, as designated at 93 and 94.

The vibratory unit of this form of the invention is mounted on pneumatic-tired wheels for linear vibratory movement, and the linear vibratory movements are restrained or controlled by the same pneumatic-tired wheels. The vibratory unit vibrates with respect to a generally rectangular frame, which is designated by the numeral 97. This frame has flat upper surfaces, as shown at 98, and a rectangular opening 166, as may be seen in FIG. 7. It also has a downwardly extending side flange forming a skirt as designated at 101 in FIG. 6. This frame is mounted on trunnions so that the entire frame may be rotated between the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The trunnions comprise axles, as shown, for example, at 103 in FIG. 5, suitably mounted in mounting members on opposite sides of the flange or skirt 101. The end of this axle, as shown at 104, is journaled in a bearing mounted at the apex of the A frame 81. A similar trunnion mounting is provided at the other side of the frame 97 journaled in a bearing mounted at the apex of the A frame 82.

The vibratory unit or assembly is designated generally by the numeral 110. It comprises a plate 111 having a flat upper surface and downwardly extending lateral parts as designated at 112 and 113. The plate 111 supports the bowl or moat 116 in which the finishing operation is carried out. Preferably, the moat is of the shape shown being curved or arcuate at the lower part. It has a rubber lining 117 within it, as may be seen in FIG. 5, and as pointed out in the foregoing the parts to be finished are placed in it to be vibrated along with the abrasive media or compounds. The moat may be attached to the plate 111 by bolts, as shown as 120, or it may be attached in the manner as shown in FIG. 9 and as will be described.

The vibrating unit or assembly is floated on four rubbertired wheels as shown at 121, 122, 123 and 124.

Wheels

121 and 122 are on an axle 129 and

wheels

123 and 124 are on an axle 130. These axles are supported at the ends by pairs of depending support members or brackets as shown, for example, at 132 and 133 in FIG. 5, depending from the under sides of the frame 97 which is made of a material of suitable gauge or thickness.

The vibrating unit is guided in its linear vibratory movements also by four guide rollers, one of which may be seen at 135 in FIG. 5, the positions of the others being designated as 136, 137 and 138 in FIG. 7. These rollers are on axles mounted from and positioned normally to inner parts of the frame 97 as may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7.

The eccentric shaft which produces the vibration of the vibratory unit is designated at 145 in FIG. 6. This shaft is journaled in two pillow-blocks 146 and 147 having base portions, one of which is shown at 148 attached by bolts to the underside of the plate 111 of the vibratory unit 110. Preferably, the

rollers

135, 136, 137 and 138 are positioned so that they bear against the blocks, such as shown at 148 in FIG. 5.

The shaft 145 is generally cylindrical but it has one flat side and against this flat side are attached a group of series of metal strips as shown at 152, so that the weight is not centered, that is, the shaft is eccentric and will vibrate the assembly when it is rotated. On the shaft 145 is a drive pulley 154 having grooves for

belts

155 and 156 which also pass over a pulley 157 on the shaft 160 of a drive motor 161.

The motor 161 is adjustably mounted on a platform suspended by means of a cradle underneath the frame 97. This cradle comprises the

frame members

165 and 166 having the shape shown in FIG. 6, and the ends of these members being attached to the depending flanges or skirts of the frame 97 by bolts as shown at 168. The motor 161 is attached to a platform 176 by bolts, this platform having side members 171 and 172. A shaft 173 extends through these side members and is journaled in the

frame members

165 and 166 so that the motor platform is adjustably mounted. An upright, such as shown at 175, extends upwardly from each of the

frame members

165 and 166, these uprights being grooved at their upper ends to receive the shaft 130 and to provide additional support.

Numeral 177 designates a control box for the motor 161 connected to it by cable 178.

Numeral 180 designates a bracket on the A frame 81, and to the end of its arm there is pivoted a latching lever 181 having a square shoulder 182 engageable with a pin 183 on the side of frame 97. When the handle 181 is latched over the pin 183 the frame 97 is held from being rotated on its trunnions. When this lever is unlatched the frame may be rotated for unloading or dumping the moat as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred manner of mounting or attaching the moat. On its bottom there is secured a wedge-shaped member 190 which cooperates with two

wedge members

191 and 192 having oppositely slanted faces. The wedge 191 may be secured by a bolt 193 and the wedge 192 may be held by a suitable type of quick clamp 195 so that the wedge 192 can be quickly clamped and released for quickly clamping and releasing the moat. This has the outstanding advantage that several moats can be used and as soon as the processing in one is completed it can be removed from the vibrating unit and another loaded one immediately attached thereto. Clamp 195 has an eccentric portion which engages plate 111 when it is turned to clamp member 190.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will readily understand and observe the nature of the operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 5-9. The suspension, as in the previous embodiment, uses no springs. The vibratory unit floats on pneumatic-tired wheels which also control and restrain the movement by way of the depending

members

112 and 113. The mechanism is nicely balanced about the trunnion mountings so that it can be very easily tilted to the position shown in FIG. 8. The eccentric member may easily be adjusted as respects the amount of eccentric weight to modify the vibration. The motor platform may hang suspended by gravity to keep the belts taut.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that the forms of the invention described in detail herein achieve and accomplish all of the objects as stated in the foregoing, as well as having the advantages enumerated.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The invention is to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to be vibrated, the improvement comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotary members positioned to floatingly support the said means directly on the inflatable parts of said members, means to linearly vibrate the said means on the said rotary members, the weight of said first means being supported entirely by said rotary members, and said first means being free from physical restraining connections to non-vibrating parts.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a movable suction member adapted to be attached to a portion of the said first means and said vibrating means being carried by said suction member.

.3. The apparatus of claim 1, including rotary resilient means restraining the said first means in directions transverse to the vertical, said rotary resilient means being positioned to directly engage the first means whereby the first means vibrates thereagainst, means including a Vac uum member adapted to be secured to the first means and released therefrom by adjustment of the vacuum, and adjustable means for moving the said vacuum member toward and away from the first means, the means to vibrate being carried by the vacuum member.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, including inflatable resilient rotary members positioned to control linear vibratory movements of the first means.

5. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said vibratory means comprises a unit having a member positioned to rest on the rotary inflatable members and having parts positioned to engage the said rotary inflatable members upon transverse linear movement of the said unit.

6. A combination as in claim 5, including a frame having said vibratory unit mounted therein and means providing trunnion mountings for said frame whereby the frame and unit may be tilted on said trunnion mountings.

7. A combination as in claim 6, including drive means for the means to vibrate supported by said frame.

8. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said means to vibrate comprises eccentric means including a shaft having a flat on one side thereof and having laminations attached to said fiat.

9. A combination as in claim 1 wherein the vibratory means includes a hopper for material to be processed and attachment means for removably securing the hopper to the vibratory means, said attachment means comprising a member engageable with the hopper and a quick acting clamp for holding the hopper and adapted for quick mounting and release.

10. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to be vibrated, means comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotary members, said first means having a fiat surface positioned to rest floatingly on the resilient rotary members whereby to be in a position to floatingly vibrate linearly parallel to said surface with the weight of said first means carried by said rotary members, and means to linearly Vibrate the said first means on said resilient rotary members.

11. A machine as in claim 10 including additional infiatable resilient rotary members positioned so that peripheries of said additional rotary members engage ends of said first means whereby to control linear vibratory movements of the first means.

12. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to be vibrated, means comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotary members, said first means having a fiat surface positioned to rest floatingly on said rotary members, means to linearly vibrate the said first means on said rotary members parallel to said surface with the weight of said first means carried entirely by said rotary members, said first means having depending restraining means positioned to engage side parts of the peripheries of said resilient rotary members whereby to control linear vibratory movement of the said first means, said depending restraining means being the sole restraint to vibratory movement of the first means.

13. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to be vibrated, said means comprising a hopper, means comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotary members, said first means including a platform positioned to fioatingly rest on said rotary members, a frame carrying said rotary members with the said platform and hopper floatingly resting thereon, support means including trunnion mountings for said frame whereby the frame and hopper may be tilted about the axis of the trunnions and means for imparting linear vibration to the said platform and hopper.

14. A machine as in claim 13 wherein said platform has downwardly depending portions engageable with peripheral parts of the sides of said rotary members whereby to limit the linear vibratory movement of the said platform and hopper.

15. A machine as in claim 13 wherein the vibrating means is carried by the said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,677 Hagemeyer Dec. 7, 1937 2,259,942 Stroud Oct. 21, 1941 2,298,074 Straub Oct. 6, 1942 2,671,260 Jessen et a1. Mar. 9, 1954 2,697,357 Wettlavfer Dec. 21, 1954 2,850,116 Spaetgens Sept. 2, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 63,285 France Mar. 30, 1955 521,410 Great Britain May 21, 1940 1,073,324 France Mar. 17, 1954

Claims

1. IN A VIBRATING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING MATERIAL TO BE VIBRATED, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INFLATABLE RESILIENT ROTARY MEMBERS POSITIONED TO FLOATINGLY SUPPORT THE SAID MEANS DIRECTLY ON THE INFLATABLE PARTS OF SAID MEMBERS, TO LINEARLY VIBRATE THE SAID MEANS ON THE SAID ROTARY MEMBERS, THE WEIGHT OF SAID FIRST MEANS BEING SUPPORTED ENTIRELY BY SAID ROTARY MEMBERS, AND SAID FIRST MEANS BEING FREE FROM PHYSICAL RESTRAINING CONNECTIONS TO NON-VIBRATING PARTS.