Machine element or mechanism – Elements – Guard mechanisms
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-07-17
Wright, Dirk (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Elements
Guard mechanisms
C074S608000, C409S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260439
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a protective cover for an open zone of a machine tool or similar, in which there are machine moving parts within the area defined by said zone.
In particular, the cover is attached to a machining part or tool which moves along a respective operating path, preferably extending in accordance with at least two reference co-ordinates and, in particular, extending in a plane substantially parallel with the plane in which said area lies.
Such types of covers, described above, basically comprise a plurality of cover elements consisting of a set of substantially planar plates, closed together in a pack, and arranged one on top of the other in such a way that they make contact with one another. One of the plates is rigidly fixed along the edges of the machine which define the above-mentioned open zone, and acts as a support for the other plates, which slide relative to one another.
The perimetric dimensions of the fixed plate are such that it completely covers the open zone and has an opening which gives the plate the shape of a frame. The dimensions of the opening are substantially equal to the area in which the mobile tool is designed to move, defining the maximum travel possible for the tool along the two co-ordinates.
Starting with the fixed plate, the size of the remaining mobile plates decreases down to the last plate in the set, which is attached to the mobile tool. The shape of each plate is similar to that of the others and each has a respective opening, giving it a frame shape similar to that of the fixed plate. The outer and inner perimetric dimensions of a generic frame-shaped plate are similar to the outer and inner perimetric dimensions of the adjacent larger and smaller plates.
Each plate is kinematically connected to the others and its size complements that of the plates adjacent to it in such a way that, following a movement of the tool along the above-mentioned path, the plate attached to it draws behind it, in succession, the other plates, which slide over one another, keeping the area of the above-mentioned zone closed and protected during the tool operating movements. In this way, the cover allows protection of the machining tool support and drive parts extending towards the inside of the machine.
The drawing movements between the plates are transmitted by means of drive mechanisms, such as chains and corresponding toothed wheels, or four-bar linkages, with extremely complex and difficult operation, especially if the tool moves at relatively high operating speeds. Moreover, such types of mechanisms are not only costly and require long assembly times, but also make the covers heavy and too big.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention mainly relates to a cover with the characteristics described in claim 1. In particular, a protective cover is provided for a machine zone with moving parts, in which the machine comprises a frame and a machining part which can move, relative to the frame, along an operating path, preferably extending in a single plane. The protective cover consists of cover means which comprise a plurality of cover elements, including a cover element which can be connected to the machine frame, a mobile cover element connected to the machining part and, if necessary, one or more mobile intermediate cover elements, located between the fixed cover element and the mobile cover element connected to the machining part. The cover elements are arranged in order of decreasing size, extend around the edge of the machining part and are connected to the machining part in such a way that they follow the machining part operating movements, keeping the machining zone covered; there being means which support the mobile cover elements connected to the fixed cover element; wherein the support means comprise a first and a second support rod, separated by a given distance, which also constitute guide means for the movement of the mobile elements in a direction parallel with and a direction at a right angle to the rods.
The use of such support and guide rods allows the disadvantages created by the above-mentioned chains and toothed wheels and the four-bar linkages described in the prior art to be overcome, with advantages in terms of simpler construction and operation of the present cover.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6089800 (2000-07-01), Tabellini
patent: 6116830 (2000-09-01), Azema
Goldin Walter
Tabellini Giorgio
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.R.L.
Wright Dirk
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