Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Housing – Pivotally mounted housing supported for movement between...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-06-05
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Housing
Pivotally mounted housing supported for movement between...
C464S170000, C074S609000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241618
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to guards for rotating machinery and more specifically to an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be modified to accommodate different shaft heights and lengths.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A problem frequently encountered with shielding rotating shafts is the lack of a universal guard which may be adapted to cover a variety of rotating shaft set-ups. Most guards are custom made specifically for a particular piece of machinery. Building custom guards is both time consuming and expensive, since a maintenance worker must use many hours to fabricate the guard and then install it. Further, many guards once installed are not easily removable. Guards must be periodically removed to replace a coupler, clutch, or to provide maintenance to a machine.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be modified to fit different machine set-ups and which provides efficient access for maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be modified to fit different machine set-ups and which provides efficient access for maintenance.
According to the present invention, an adjustable rotating shaft guard includes a first guard half, and a second guard half. The first and second guard halves are attached to some type of base, such as a pedestal, a foundation, or a machine. The pedestals are preferably available in various heights. The first and second guard halves are retained by the base such that they contact each other to fully cover a rotating shaft or coupler. A half sleeve preferably extends outward from at least one end of the first and second guard halves. Preferably, the top of each guard half is fastened to each other. The first and second guard halves are preferably fabricated from a high impact plastic. The bottom area of the first and second guard halves preferably have a plurality of cutting lines which provide a reference for sawing to a specific height. The half sleeves also have a plurality of cutting lines which provide a reference for sawing to a specific length.
In a second embodiment, an adjustable rotating shaft guard includes a first sleeve guard half, a second sleeve guard half and two sets of two end cap halves. A flange extends outward from each side of the first and second sleeve guard halves. The flanges of the first and second sleeve halves are fastened to each other. Each pair of end cap halves are attached to each end of the first and second sleeve guard halves. One or both ends of the first and second sleeve halves may be supported by an adjustable leg set. One or both ends of the first and second sleeve guard halves may be supported by a mounting plate. The first sleeve guard half, the second sleeve guard half, and the pair of end cap halves are preferably fabricated from a high impact plastic. The ends of the first and second sleeve guard halves preferably have a plurality of cutting lines which provide a reference for sawing to a specific length.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be adjusted to different lengths and heights to accommodate different machine setups.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which is fabricated of a high impact plastic.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be fastened to existing machinery without requiring a pedestal.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be efficiently removed for maintenance purposes.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
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Binda Greg
Browne Lynne H.
Ersler Donald J.
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