Material or article handling – Article reorienting device – Article inverting means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-22
2003-04-01
Matecki, Kathy (Department: 3654)
Material or article handling
Article reorienting device
Article inverting means
C414S759000, C414S774000, C414S775000, C414S768000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06540472
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to work support systems. In particular, this invention relates to a work support system which assists in the inversion of a broad workpiece such as a table top or desk top.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the manufacture of tables, desks and other types of furniture having a broad work surface, the work surface is typically finished separately before assembly of the furniture. For example, in the case of a boardroom table or desk, the table top or desk top may comprise a core of particle board or similarly inexpensive supporting material, finished with an aesthetically appealing veneer adhered to the top face and around the edges of the core.
In order to properly finish such a workpiece the veneer must be applied to the top face, and the work surface must then be inverted to properly finish the edges and the bottom face of the workpiece. In the case of a solid wood table top, desk top or the like, the top face of the work surface must be finished by sanding, staining and/or lacquering, and then the work surface must be inverted for finishing the bottom face and the edges.
Due to its weight and bulk, the inversion of a large workpiece is difficult and can require the coordinated efforts of a number of workers. It is difficult to ensure that all workers are cooperating efficiently in this process, and in cases where less than the optimal number of workers are available to invert the workpiece there is a tendency for the workers present to attempt to invert the workpiece anyway, to maximize productivity. In either case injury to a worker during the inverting process is a serious risk. If the workpiece is mishandled or accidentally dropped during the inverting process, injury to the workers and/or damage to the workpiece itself may result.
It would accordingly be advantageous to provide a work support capable of supporting a broad workpiece for finishing, which assists in the inversion of the workpiece so that initially unexposed surfaces of the workpiece can be finished without the workpiece having to be manually lifted off of the work support and thereby risking damage to the workpiece and/or injury to the workers.
The present invention provides a work support which assists in the inversion of a large workpiece. The work support according to the invention comprises a stand having a supporting frame and a top frame. The top frame is provided with an intermediate hinge along an intermediate portion and an end hinge along at least one end, so as to be collapsible, and the leg of the supporting frame is hinged along the opposite end. Thus, after exposed surfaces of the workpiece are finished, the workpiece can be moved to one side of the intermediate hinge and the top frame can be collapsed, lowering the center of gravity of the workpiece and standing it partially on edge. One or two workers can then easily shift the workpiece over to the other side of the top frame, with the edge of the workpiece supported by the collapsed top frame. When the top frame is raised back to a horizontal position the work surface is in an inverted condition, exposing any unfinished surfaces for finishing.
In the preferred embodiment the top frame is provided with a smooth work surface on each side of the intermediate hinge and a flexible membrane overlaying the intermediate hinge, to prevent damage to the workpiece. When the top frame is collapsed the membrane curls upwardly and forms a cushion which supports the edge of the workpiece, and thus assists in the inversion process. Also, in the preferred embodiment the collapsing and raising of the top frame is assisted by an actuator, such as a pneumatic piston.
The present invention thus provides a work support system, comprising a supporting frame having at each end a leg for supporting a top frame, the top frame having a hinge at an intermediate portion of the top frame and being hinged to the supporting frame at a first end of the supporting frame, the supporting frame having a hinge at a second end opposite the first end whereby at least a portion of the leg at the second end can collapse into the supporting frame, wherein the top frame is supported in a substantially planar condition and can be collapsed along the intermediate hinge to lower an edge of a workpiece into the supporting frame for inversion of the workpiece about the lowered edge.
In further aspects of the work support system of the invention: the work support system comprises an actuator for collapsing and raising the top frame; the actuator comprises a pneumatic piston; a work surface is affixed to the top frame; a flexible member is affixed to the top frame overlying the hinge to protect the workpiece; the flexible member curls when the top frame is collapses, forming a cushion for supporting the lowered edge of the workpiece; the top frame is hinged to the supporting frame at the second end; the work surface comprises a delivering frame and a receiving frame each respectively hingedly affixed to the top frame on opposite sides of the hinge at the intermediate portion of the top frame, wherein the delivering frame and the receiving frame can be pivoted away from the top frame to raise and lower the workpiece; the receiving frame can be pivoted to a position just before a vertical position and the delivering frame can be pivoted to a position just past the vertical position to deliver the workpiece to the receiving frame; the delivering frame and the receiving frame are pivoted by respective actuators anchored to the supporting frame; and/or the actuators comprise pneumatic cylinders.
The present invention further provides a method of inverting a workpiece supported on a work support comprising a supporting frame having legs for supporting a top frame, the top frame having a hinge at an intermediate portion of the top frame and being hinged to the supporting frame at a first end of the supporting frame, the supporting frame having a hinge at a second end opposite the first end of the supporting frame whereby at least a portion of each leg at the opposite end can collapse into the supporting frame, comprising the steps of a with the top frame supported in a substantially planar condition, positioning the workpiece on one side of the intermediate hinge, b. collapsing the top frame along the intermediate hinge to lower an edge of a workpiece into the supporting frame, c. toggling the workpiece about the lowered edge to the other side of the intermediate hinge, and d. raising the top frame to the substantially planar condition.
Further aspects of the method of the invention, in which a receiving frame and a delivering frame are respectively hingedly affixed to the top frame on opposite sides of the hinge at the intermediate portion of the top frame, comprise in step c. the substeps of: i. pivoting the receiving frame away from the top frame to a position just before a vertical position, ii. pivoting the delivering frame away from the top frame to a position just past the vertical position, to deliver the workpiece to the receiving frame, and iii. pivoting the receiving frame back to the top frame; and/or delivering the workpiece to the delivering frame using a conveyor.
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Dimock Stratton Clarizio
Eisen Mark B.
Kim Sang
Matecki Kathy
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