Conveyors – chutes – skids – guides – and ways – Skidways
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-07-03
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways
Skidways
C193S00200R, C108S065000, C108S098000, C248S223410, C248S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253898
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
In the machine tool trade, such as computer numerical controlled machining (CNC machining), the work pieces and work piece holding devices, i.e., vices, are manually loaded and unloaded onto the work table of the machine tool. Machine operators commonly load and unload work pieces or holding devices, which may weigh up to 200 pounds, several times in a normal workday without assistance. Machine tools in general are poorly designed to ease the loading and unloading of auxiliary equipment and tooling. Typically, a machine tool operation cell is located inside an enclosure, which forces the operator to lean into and over the enclosure opening when loading or unloading work pieces and holding devices. Machine operators can suffer strains, back injuries, hernias, or other similar injuries while loading heavy and awkward tooling or work pieces onto the machine tool's work table. Moreover, machine operators can drop the heavy and awkward tooling or work pieces during loading, resulting in damage to the machine tool as well as the tooling or work piece.
Thus, there is a need for a device that will easily and conveniently assist a machine operator in the safe loading and unloading of work pieces and auxiliary equipment.
SUMMARY
A cantilever loading plank is used for loading and unloading equipment onto a machine tool table. The equipment loading plank includes a flat rectangular shaped body with an upper loading surface and a supporting bottom surface and a leg at one end of the loading plank. The leg extends downward from the plank and is inserted into one of the T-shaped slots that are conventionally found on machine tool tables. The leg has a front face and a lower face that may converge such that the leg can be wedged into the T-slot when the loading plank is seated on the machine tool table parallel to the upper surface of the machine tool table. A foot that extends from the end of the leg assists in holding the leg in the T-shaped slot. When the foot and leg are inserted into a slot in the machine tool table, a portion of the bottom supporting surface rests on the top surface of the machine tool table.
The loading plank may also include guide grooves in the top loading surface to provide tracks for keys or other protuberances on the item being loaded. The guide grooves prevent undesirable or accidental slippage of the item while an item is slid along the top loading surface of the loading plank. The loading plank may be corrugated, which decreases the material and therefore the cost of the loading plank while maintaining the strength of the loading plank so that it may support heavy items with a minimal amount of bending. The corrugation may also form the guide grooves.
The loading plank is easily and conveniently mounted onto a machine tool table by tilting the loading plank with respect to the surface of a machine tool table and inserting the foot and leg into a T-slot groove. The loading plank is then untilted so that a portion of the supporting bottom surface rests on the machine tool table. When mounted on the machine tool table, the loading plank protrudes outward from the machine tool table into the machine operator work zone. Advantageously, the operator can manually load heavy items onto the loading surface of the loading plank while practicing safe lifting methods, i.e., lifting with the legs, not the back, and holding the item close to the body. Thus, there is less likelihood of injury to the operator or accidentally dropping the item, resulting in damage to the machine tool table or the item. Of course, if desired the item may also be lifted and placed on the loading plank with forklifts, automated lifts or cranes. The item can then be easily and safely slid along the top loading surface of the loading plank and onto the machine tool table. Once the item is positioned on the machine tool table, the loading plank is easily disengaged from the table.
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Deuble Mark A.
Ellis Christopher P.
Halbert Michael J.
Ogonowsky Brian D.
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
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