WO2011100093A1 - Collapsible boom for chopper and wetout fiber reinforced plastic applications - Google Patents

Abstract

Pivotably affixed to mast 12 at pivot 14 is boom arm 16. Pivotably attached to the distal end of boom arm 16 is extended arm 18 at swivel joint 20. Gusset 22 helps stabilize boom 24. The pivot points and components allow the operator to successfully fold the boom 24 into itself. The assembly 10 is held in position by two pins 26 and 28, which are inserted into the pivot points 30 and 32 located near the top of the boom arm 16 and along the gusset 22. A sleeve 34 slides over the gusset pivot point to add another level of strength and stability to the joint.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE BOOM FOR CHOPPER AND WETOUT FIBER REINFORCED

PLASTIC APPLICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of US Application serial number 61/296,763, filed January 20, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Prior art FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) product utilizes a boom and mast assembly for chopper and wetout applications. The mast is approximately T tall, and the boom extends 12' in the horizontal direction. Due to the large envelope created by a 7' x 12' assembly, the boom and mast are shipped separately from the cart to which they are mounted requiring assembly by the customer. Due to the 12' height of the mast and the presence of a cumbersome swivel joint, such product requires more than one person to assemble.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention creates a collapsible boom for quick assembly and knock down and is designed for use on with chopper/wetout systems for open mold proportioning as well as closed mold applications. The instant invention discloses a collapsible boom assembly, which allows for a completed assembly to be shipped straight from manufacturing. Figure 2 shows the pivot points and components required to successfully fold the boom into itself. The assembly is held in place by two pins, which are inserted into the pivot points located near the top of the boom and along the gusset. A sleeve slides over the gusset pivot point to add another level of strength and stability to the joint.

To collapse the boom, first the sleeve is pushed upward, exposing the gusset joint. Next the pin located at the gusset pivot point is pulled, allowing the joint to pivot. Next the pin located on the boom pivot point is pulled, allowing the boom to fold down. The pinned clevises located on either end of the gusset allow the center gusset joint to pivot upward; similarly, the boom joint pivots downward. The boom is then folded into itself, and the swivel joint allows the extended arm to fold into the assembly.

This construction is easily stored by the customer during downtime, reducing the storage footprint. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a fully assembled boom assembly of the instant invention. Figure 2 shows points out the components allowing collapse of the boom assembly of the instant invention.

Figure 3 shows a collapsed boom assembly.

Figure 4 shows an actual system utilizing the boom assembly of the instant invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The instant invention discloses a collapsible boom assembly 10, which allows for a completed assembly 10 to be shipped straight from manufacturing. Figure 1 shows the main components of assembly 10. The main mast 12 may be fixed to a cart, a wall or a floor. Pivotably affixed to mast 12 at pivot 14 is the proximal end of boom arm 16. Pivotably attached to the distal end of boom arm 16 is extended arm 18 at swivel joint 20. Gusset 22 helps stabilize boom 24.

Figure 2 shows the pivot points and components required to successfully fold the boom 24 into itself. The assembly 10 is held in position by two pins 26 and 28, which are inserted into the pivot points 30 and 32 located near the top of the boom arm 16 and along the gusset 22. A sleeve 34 slides over the gusset pivot point to add another level of strength and stability to the joint.

To collapse the boom, first the sleeve 34 is pushed upward, exposing the gusset joint. Next the pin 28 located at the gusset pivot point 32 is pulled, allowing the joint to pivot. Next the pin 26 located on the boom pivot point 30 is pulled, allowing the boom 24 to fold down. The pinned clevises located on either end of the gusset allow the center gusset joint to pivot upward; similarly, the boom joint pivots downward. The boom is then folded into itself, and the swivel joint allows the extended arm to fold into the assembly.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the boom assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible boom assembly for use in FRP spraying, said assembly comprising: a mast; a boom arm having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being pivotably attached to said mast; an extended arm pivotably attached to said boom arm distal end; and a foldable gusset extending between said mast and said boom arm wherein said gusset mat be folded to enable said boom arm to pivot into a storage position generally parallel to said mast and whereby said extended arm may be pivoted to be generally parallel to and adjacent to said boom arm.

2. The collapsible boom assembly of claim 1 further comprising a slideable sleeve on said gusset and slideable between an operating position locking said gusset into a linear element and a storage position enabling folding.