Abrading – Machine – Rotary tool
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2001-02-13
Rose, Robert A. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Machine
Rotary tool
C451S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186875
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The invention relates to the field of abrading solid, generally spherical objects, particularly bowling balls, to an essentially perfectly spherical shape. More specifically, such abrasion is affected by rotation of opposed concave abrasion blocks which receive and support said bowling ball. As the abrasive blocks are rotated by motors, the asymmetrical ball is frictionally moved and abraded by the sanding disks.
2. Related Art.
Bowling balls are invariably worn and damaged in the course of normal use and transport. In use, balls are first skidded upon their release until friction against the lane imparts a rolling motion. Finger holes drilled into the balls compel the ball to land and be abraded in the same location with a resultant flat spot which increases over time and use. Also with time and use, lane oil impregnates into, and accumulates upon, the ball and adversely effects its performance. In the course of travel and storage, other damage such as chips and dents typically occurs with attendant deterioration of ball performance. Thus, balls require resurfacing and rerounding from time to time to maintain good performance.
Related art of this category is embodied in machines comprised of three essential elements: (1) a plurality of concave sanding blocks; (2) a motor or motors to rotate the sanding blocks; and (3) support structure for the preceding elements. Additional or less typical components include mechanical adjustments, electrical controls, slurry systems, and pneumatic cleaning devices.
Regarding the first element, some form of concave sanding blocks is usual, but not universal, to the field of ball abrading devices. U.S. Pat. No. 2,405,344 to Cloutier discloses a configuration of six “bowl-shaped members” with a “flexible abrasive” surface. U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,578 to Mushkin discloses an opposed pair of grinding heads, each with “a cup-like cylindrical shell” and a replaceable “abrasive conical interior element”. A “Sphere Lapping Machine and Method” described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,884 to Thompson discloses lapping by “a plurality of hollow laps”. U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,448 to Akahane discloses three concave “polishing dishes or lopping cups”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,896 to Haus et al. discloses three “cone-shaped abrading cups”, each having an “annular abrading area”. Not abrading by way of concave sanding blocks is the “Bowling Ball Resurfacing Machine” described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,164 to Albin et al. which, instead, “rotates a sanding disc”.
Regarding motors for rotating the concave abrasion blocks, various configuration are disclosed in the related art. Cloutier discloses a single motor connected by a belt to an elliptical gear which imparts “reciprocation and rotation” to the bottom one of the six “bowl-shaped members”. Similarly, Mushkin and Thompson each drive only one shaft and concave abrasion block, imparting all motion to the ball through that single propulsion. Haus, in the reference of which Applicant is aware that is most like the subject invention, discloses a separate drive motor for each of those three abrasion cups.
Regarding support structures of related art, each of the inventions referenced here is configured to accommodate its particular method and components. Of some relevance to the subject invention are the flushing systems set forth in certain references. Mushkin discloses pneumatic nozzles for moving swarf out of the abrasion areas. Thompson discloses a motor-agitated slurry basin which causes “slurry to be splashed upwardly against the under surface of the sphere”. Haus discloses a “funnel shaped container” for dripping a limited amount of “lubricating liquid such as water”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a machine for lapping bowling balls and, thus, rerounding, smoothing, and cleaning the balls. The machine is comprised of three concave abrasion blocks and drive motors, hinged mounting brackets attached to an adjustable support table, a catch basin with filter to separate suspended solids from liquids, and a pump and fluid delivery tube to deliver flushing and/or cleaning liquids. The abrasion blocks are comprised of resilient concave blocks with abrasive sanding disks. When a bowling ball (or other sphere) is received within, and supported by, the independently-turning abrasion blocks, the asymmetrical “high” areas of the ball are frictionally moved and abraded by the sanding disks until such areas are removed and the ball is essentially perfectly spherical. Additionally, chips and dents and pollutants such as accumulated lane oil are removed or much reduced.
The advantages of the subject invention over related art include: (1) a much improved design and configuration of the motor mount brackets (and, therefore, the motors and abrasion blocks) and means for their adjustment; (2) an effective flushing and/or slurry system with means for delivery to the ball and abrasion blocks and for collection and recirculation; and (3) an integrated support structure to accommodate the aforementioned improvements. As a result, essentially perfect roundness is achieved faster because the improved flushing system removes cuttings and keeps the abrasive sanding disks clean. It also keeps swarf from becoming airborne and conducts particles to a sump for filtration and removal. The method for receiving and holding the ball is improved and maintains the ball in productive motion without the oversight of an attendant. These advantages translate directly to savings of time and labor. Also, the improved motor mount adjustment (opening and closing) mechanism and flushing/slurry system allow unattended or minimally-attended operation of the machine.
As will be later presented in greater detail, an integrated, two-part support structure is the structural basis for securing and adjusting the motor mounts (and, hence, the motors, contour abrasion blocks, and bowling ball). This innovative structure is comprised of an under part(, the basin, an over part, the table, and both basin and table are pivotally connected at or near their central axes and preferably further attached by a screw-crank means for adjustment of their relative position. The motor mounts are pivotally attached to the basin; the mounts are slidably supported by respective ramps made part of the table. By moving the crank, the basin and table are made to move relative to each other with resultant adjustment of the motor mounts. This method has been shown to provide sure positioning, that is, sure opening and closing, of the components, both during the surfacing process and for sphere loading and unloading from the machine.
The basin and table structure also accommodates the enhanced flushing and slurry system. The basin accumulates fluids to a sump in which are contained a pump for recirculation and may or may not contain a filter. Collection is facilitated by broad motor mount brackets which tend to catch the fluids and direct them to the basin. The brackets also protect the motors. Spokes of the table further accommodate fluid collection. The capacity to deliver a relative large volume, as well as a variety of fluids and slurry, is an important innovation.
The machine may be used for different surfacing/polishing applications, such as lapidary work. Different spheres, such as different balls or gemstones, may be accommodated by adjustment of the motor mounts and/or by use of variously-sized cutting heads/abrasion blocks and motor shafts lengths. Larger, heavier spheres may require scaling up of the size of the invented machine, and addition of heavy duty gear motors of varying torque and rpm.
REFERENCES:
patent: 0828894 (1906-08-01), Martin
patent: 2405344 (1946-08-01), Cloutier
patent: 3024578 (1962-03-01), Mushkin
patent: 3110987 (1963-11-01), Arneson
patent: 3167884 (1965-02-01), Thompson
patent: 3609918 (1971-10-01), Hillman
patent: 3961448 (1976-06-01), Akahane
patent: 3971164 (1976-07-01), Albin et al.
patent: 5299394 (1994-04-01), Surdacki
patent: 5484329 (1996-01-01), Engelbrekston
patent: 5613896 (1997-03-01),
Cook Larry A.
Solomon Gary
Pedersen Barbara S.
Pedersen Ken J.
Rose Robert A.
LandOfFree
Bowling ball surfacing machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bowling ball surfacing machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bowling ball surfacing machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559261