Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using solid work treating agents
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2001-09-11
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using solid work treating agents
C015S097300, C015SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287388
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body prior to spraying thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for removing dust particles from top surfaces and first and second side surfaces a vehicle body prior to paint spraying thereof.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
To obtain quality paining of exterior surfaces of a vehicle body, dust, lint and other particulate contaminants must be removed from the body surfaces just prior to painting these surfaces. Previously, dust, lint and other particles have been removed by machines with various brushes and manually wiping with a tacky cloth the portions of the body missed by the brushes or by manually wiping the entire body with tacky cloths. These prior approaches are costly, not uniform and typically leave a significant amount of dust on the body.
More particularly, in the painting industry, it is necessary to tack off a vehicle body prior to painting of the vehicle body. Tacking off generally refers to the process of passing a vehicle body through an assembly, including a plurality of feather dusters. The feather dusters generally comprise a plurality of feathers, such as ostrich feathers, mounted on a rotatable hub. As the vehicle body passes through the assembly, the rotating feathers contact the vehicle body surface. The wiping action of the feathers against the vehicle body creates an electrostatic charge on the feathers. The charged feathers attract dust from the vehicle body. A shroud assembly is mounted over the feather dusters. Within the shroud assembly is an ionic discharge unit which continually discharges the dust from the feathers. A vacuum assembly within the shroud assembly removes the dust from within the shroud assembly. Problems arise when the vehicle bodies present nonplanar surfaces and depressions of varying widths. Specifically, vehicle bodies, such as flat-bed truck bodies, have planar surfaces on the hood and roof of the cab, but further include recessed portions of decreased width within the cargo-carrying area of the body. Complex and expensive machines have been devised which can tack off the hood and roof of the cab with one duster while using alternative means for tacking off the bed of the cargo-carrying area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing dust particles from top surfaces and first and second side surfaces of a vehicle body prior to spraying thereof. The apparatus includes a frame, the frame having a first support member and a second support member which is disposed spaced and parallel relative to the first support member. The support members define therebetween an opening for the passage therethrough of the vehicle body. A first rail is rigidly secured to and extends angularly relative to the first support member. A second rail is rigidly secured to the second support member and is disposed parallel and spaced relative to the first rail. A first roller assembly extends between the rails, the first roller assembly including an axle having a first and a second end. The first end of the axle is slidably supported by the first rail and the second end of the axle is slidably supported by the second rail. A first roller is disposed coaxially relative to the axle for rotation about the axle. The arrangement is such that in use of the apparatus, when the vehicle body passes through the opening, the first roller accommodates the vehicle body so that the first and second ends of the axle slide relative to the first and second rails respectively. Also, a first tack cloth cover extends circumferentially around the first roller such that when the vehicle body passes through the opening, the first tack cloth cover contacts the top surface of the vehicle body for removing the dust particles therefrom.
A second roller assembly is disposed adjacent to the first side surface of the vehicle body. The second roller assembly includes a second roller and a second tack cloth cover which extends circumferentially around the second roller such that when the vehicle body passes through the opening, the second tack cloth cover contacts the first side surfaces of the vehicle body for removing the dust particles therefrom.
A third roller assembly is disposed adjacent to the second side surfaces of the vehicle body. The third roller assembly includes a third roller and a third tack cloth cover extends circumferentially around the third roller such that when the vehicle body passes through the opening, the third tack cloth cover contacts the second side surfaces of the vehicle body for removing the dust particles therefrom.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention the first support member is disposed substantially vertically and a cross member extends between the support members, the arrangement being such that the cross member and the support members define therebetween the opening.
Moreover, the first rail is disposed angularly within a range 20 to 40 degrees relative to the first support member so that when the vehicle body passes through the opening, the first roller smoothly rides upon the top surface of the vehicle body and follows a contour of the vehicle body as the axle is slidably supported between the rails.
Also, the axle is disposed substantially horizontally so that movement of the first roller within the opening is permitted.
Furthermore, the axle is of rectangular cross sectional configuration and the first roller includes a plurality of disc shaped segments, each of the segments defining a hole for receiving therethrough the axle.
Additionally, each of the segments further includes a collar which extends coaxially through the segment and which is rigidly secured thereto, the collar cooperating with the axle such that when the axle is controllably rotated, the segments of the first roller are rotated. The arrangement is such that as the vehicle body progresses through the opening, the first tack cloth cover which surrounds the first roller is rotated so that as dust particles are removed by the first tack cloth cover, the first tack cloth cover is progressively renewed.
Also, the second roller assembly further includes a support arm which includes a first and a second rod, the first rod having a proximal and a distal end. The second rod also has a proximal and a distal end. The proximal ends of the rods are spaced relative to each other, the first rod rotating about a vertical axis. The distal ends of the rods are rotatably secured to the second roller, the rods being disposed parallel relative to each other such that regardless of movement of the second roller relative to the vehicle body, the second roller rotates about an axis disposed parallel to the vertical axis.
Additionally, the third roller assembly further includes a support beam which includes a first and a second arm, the first arm having a proximal and a distal end. The second arm also has a proximal and a distal end, the proximal ends of the arms being spaced relative to each other. The first arm rotates about a vertical axis, the distal ends of the arms being rotatably secured to the third roller. The arms are disposed relative to each other such that regardless of movement of the third roller relative to the vehicle body, the third roller rotates about an axis which is disposed parallel to the vertical axis.
Moreover, the second and third roller assemblies are disposed downstream relative to the first roller assembly.
Also, drive means are provided for rotatably driving each of the roller assemblies and control means are connected to the drive means for controlling rotation of each of the roller assemblies.
The present invention also includes a method for removing dust particles from top surfaces and first and second side surfaces of a vehicle body prior to spraying thereof. The method includes the steps of passing the vehicle body through an opening defined by support members.
The method also includes the step of guiding a first roller assembly s
Archer David J.
Chin Randall E.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for removing dust particles from a vehicle body... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532060