Abrading – Work holder – Vacuum
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-01
2001-10-30
Eley, Timothy V. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Work holder
Vacuum
C451S028000, C180S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309289
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a material handling apparatus and method, in particular a material handling apparatus and method utilizing a thin fluid film to produce a near frictionless surface for easily positioning and finishing foundry castings. The present invention further relates to a material handling apparatus and method utilizing a vacuum lock device to serve as an anchor for securing foundry castings or other work pieces to a work surface during finishing stages. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and method of protecting the components of the vacuum lock device from damage or interference with positioning of the material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Parts made by various casting techniques have some form of excess material, which must be removed from the object during finishing. In many instances it is often desirable to perform additional machining on cast pieces during the finishing process. In the finishing of metal parts in particular, the work objects are often very heavy, making it difficult to position these items without mechanical assistance. Even with mechanical assistance, it is often difficult to accurately position a work piece in proper relation to grinders, cutting wheels, drill presses, or other machining tools. Once positioned, work pieces must be secured in place during machining. Worker fatigue and injury can result from the worker attempting to position heavy work pieces during materials finishing processes. Workers may also be injured when they attempt to secure work pieces in place during machining. Improving the ease and speed of work piece aligmnent, providing greater tooling accuracy, improving worker safety, and improving equipment reliability are still possible and desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a material handling apparatus and method that combines ease of movement, alignment, and securement of heavy work pieces during materials finishing processes. Each of these characteristics enhances worker safety by reducing exposure to hazards associated with handling materials during finishing processes.
Ease of movement is achieved by the injection of a pressurized fluid through the flotation pad of the present invention. Injection of the pressurized fluid produces a thin fluid film surface between the flotation pads of the present invention and a table surface at a finishing process station. The thin fluid film provides a nearly frictionless bearing surface, which permits the easy movement of even the heaviest work pieces.
Ease of alignment is achieved by the flotation pad's ability to translate the work piece throughout the horizontal plane defined by the finishing process table. In addition, the flotation pad permits rotation of the work piece about a vertical axis relative to the float pad.
Once a work piece is positioned, a vacuum source may be applied to the flotation pad. The vacuum source removes the thin fluid film surface from between the flotation pad and the finishing process table surface, thereby removing the frictionless surface. Additionally, to achieve a substantially stronger bond, a seal on the lower surface of the flotation pad mates with the finishing station table surface forming a vacuum lock between the flotation pad and the finishing station table surface.
While the seal on the lower surface of the flotation pad permits the vacuum lock features described in the proceeding paragraph, the seal is subject to damage or may interfere with the nearly frictionless movement of the work piece if the seal is not adequately raised from the table surface when the flotation pad is pressurized. These problems are avoided by the sliding engagement of a flotation pad disk within the flotation pad skirt during pressurization and vacuum cycles. During pressurization, the flotation pad disk extends beyond the lower face of the seal, which in combination with the thin film surface, provides the clearance necessary to avoid seal contact with the table surface. When a vacuum is applied to the flotation pad, the flotation pad disk is drawn into the flotation pad skirt, permitting formation of the vacuum lock.
Thus, in addition to positioning a work piece in an infinite number of orientations, the present invention also provides for rapidly securing the work piece in any of the previously mentioned orientations, while protecting the seal from damage or interference with work piece positioning.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2938590 (1960-05-01), Barnett
patent: 3253665 (1966-05-01), Schienle
Dugger Ben A.
Jenkins Thomas Leon
Burr & Forman LLP
Eley Timothy V.
Nguyen Dung Van
Veal Robert J.
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