Metal working – Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for... – Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2002-10-29
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Plural diverse manufacturing apparatus including means for...
Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation...
C029S709000, C029S243500, C029S711000, C029S281400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06470562
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an automated screening machine that automatically adjusts for different size window screen frames, and automatically clamps the window screen frame from the interior perimeter of the window screen frame to prevent bowing of the window screen frame. More particularly, the screening machine automatically inserts the spline and the screen into the spline groove on all four sides in one continuous cycle without turning of the window screen frame, such that one continuous piece of spline is inserted in the entire perimeter of the window screen frame, and the machine automatically trims the excess screen material from the window screen frame and the screen roll.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Standard window screens for homes, offices, trailers, RV's and the like include a rectangular screen frame which consists of an aluminum or steel frame having a fiber mesh screen material made of nylon, metal, fiberglass, or plastic being held in place with flexible spline material made of rubber or soft plastic. The screen material is placed over the screen frame and the spline material is rolled into the grooved channel on the screen frame which tightly secures the screen mesh material to the screen frame. The prior practice for securing the spline material and fabric mesh screen to a screen frame included a rolling procedure or a spline-positioning procedure in which a small hand-held roller or a semi-automatic, but manually-operated, window screen assembly were used to accomplish the aforementioned task. These tools and devices for window screen assembly still require manual dexterity and physical strength in which to operate these appliances.
The use of this type of a manual tool or a semi-automatic manual device makes it difficult for prolonged production runs, as some of the operators developed arm-related medical injuries, such as tendinitis, which resulted in lost production time, lost wages and increased cost of goods manufactured.
Prior art automated window screen assembly devices for securing the spline material and the fabric mesh screen to a screen frame have complex clamping mechanisms which require the device to assure parallelism of the frame members. In addition, these automated devices have complex spline-loading and feeding mechanisms, such that the spline feed assembly and spline head assembly had to move at the same speed to apply spline to the screen frame correctly. Spline loading is complicated and the spline path followed is tortuous, as the spline feed assembly is powered. The spline feeding mechanisms of these automated devices have a round spline wheel for inserting the spline material into the spline grooved channel. This was not done effectively as the spline did not get pushed completely into the square corner. Further, these devices do not automatically detect frame size; so the operator had to know the exact size of the frame and program the frame size into the machine's computer component via a keyboard. In operation with many different sizes, this is very time-consuming and this step added to the cost of manufacture.
The existing automatic window screen devices have other ineffective operational steps where the screen material was cut from the screen roll only when the screen was completely splined which added to the cost of manufacture. In summary, the existing automatic window screen assembly devices are overly complex, bulky, and ineffective in operation which increase the cost of manufacture.
There remains a need for an automated window screening assembly machine that will automatically adjust for different size window screen frames, and will automatically clamp the window screen frame from the interior perimeter of the window screen frame to prevent bowing of the window screen frame. Additionally, the screening machine should automatically insert the spline and the screen material into the spline groove on all four sides in one uninterrupted cycle without turning of the window screen frame, such that one continuous piece of spline is inserted in the entire perimeter of the window screen frame, and the machine should automatically trim the excess screen material from the window screen frame and the screen roll. Further, the automated window screening assembly machine should be of simple design for ease of manufacturing, which will increase productivity and lower the cost of manufacture of a window screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Window screen assembly apparatus of various designs, structures, styles ad materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,429 to Londono is directed to a hand tool for installing a pliable spline in a screen frame. The tool includes a front roller having a convex edge for pushing the screen into the channel of a screen frame, and a back roller having a concave edge for pushing the spline material into the channel over the screen.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,052,093 and 5,127,143 to Urlacher are directed to apparatus for inserting a flexible spline into a screen frame. The apparatus includes a carriage which is slidably mounted along one edge of a horizontal tabletop. The carriage includes a roller mounted on a bracket assembly which may be raised or pivoted between an upper inoperative position and a lower operative position With the carriage in the proper inoperative position, a screen frame is placed against the edge of the table and the screen material is positioned over the frame. The carriage is then moved to one end of the frame and lowered into the operative position, whereby the edge of the roller forces the screen material and a spline into a channel in the frame. The carriage is then manually moved along the length of the frame to the opposite end, whereupon it is moved to the inoperative position, the screen frame is rotated 90 degrees, and the carriage is again lowered into its operative position to push the spline and screen material into the channel in the end of the frame. The procedure is repeated for the remaining two sides of the screen frame. Excess screen material is manually removed with a knife blade, and the spline is also cut manually with a knife blade after the screen has been completed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,739 to Kautt is directed to an automated machine for fitting and cutting the seals of a window. The apparatus includes a carriage which is mounted on a gantry for movement in two directions in a horizontal plane. A manipulator head is mounted to the carriage via a vertical shaft for rotation among four positions oriented at 90 degrees to one another. One unit of the manipulator head includes a seal fitting roller and a guide roller, as well as a device for cutting the seal at the desired length. The other unit of the manipulator head includes a suction chamber which is pivotally mounted thereto, the suction chamber serving to hold the seal after it is cut, to bend it and to press it against the surface of the window frame. Each unit is independently moveable by a rack and pinion system. The First unit in a lowered position applies the seal to the window frame and, after a certain length of travel of the manipulator head, the second unit is lowered into contact with the already deposited seal. As the manipulator head nears the end of its travel, the first unit is raised and the cutting device is actuated to cut the seal which is then held against the suction chambers of both units. Subsequently, the suction chamber of the second unit is pivoted downwardly to press the cut end of the seal against the window frame. The entire manipulator head is then rotated 90 degrees and the procedure is repeated.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,753,897 to Conrad discloses a device for assembling framed screens. According to this reference, the apparatus consists of a rectangular support surface having vertically moveable floating carriers that are disposed along the perimeter thereof. A spline 84 is positioned in the channel between the vertically moveable carriers and a piece of screening cut to the proper size is then placed on the s
Simone Albert A.
Simone Lisa
Ezra Sutton
Hong John C.
Hughes S. Thomas
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