Patent Application
20060178103
Meat skinning machines are well known in the art and are either installed as part of a conveyor system or used as an open top skinner. The ability to adjust the height of the meat skinning machine is desired either to align the skinning machine with compatible pieces or to change the height to accommodate the height of the operator.
Fixed height skinning machines do not always achieve the most ergonomic working conditions which is generally at about the elbow height of the operator. This may lead to both physical and mental stress for the operator. Further, these fixed skinning machines are not adjustable to accommodate for operator fatigue during a shift. Also, fixed skinning machines are not adaptable to various conveyor layouts which results in costly, time consuming, and labor intensive layout changes.
Some attempts have been made to overcome these problems such as mounting the skinning machine to the ceiling, raising the entire machine up and down, or raising and lowering the surface that the operator stands on. These devices are difficult to operate and often, because of the nuisance, operators will tolerate an undesirable height or will find a box or similar device to stand on. This creates the potential for injury which according to OSHA is one of the leading causes of injury. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art.
Therefore, the principal objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine where the height of the machine is easy to adjust.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine that allows for optimal ergonomic conditions.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine with a height adjustment assembly having few parts.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages, will become apparent from the specification and claims.
A meat skinning machine mounted on legs having a height adjustment assembly to raise and lower the skinning machine in relation to the legs.
The skinning machine has a primary cabinet 16 that houses the skinning assembly (not shown). Extending below the primary cabinet is a sub cabinet 18 that contains the height adjustment assembly 20 and receives the legs 12 through openings in the bottom of the sub cabinet. One skilled in the art could appreciate that the primary cabinet 16 and the subcabinet 18 could be combined to form a single housing for the skinning assembly and the height adjustment assembly 20. While the height adjustment assembly 20 can take many forms, preferred is an elongated pinion 22 that is mounted to the interior of the sub cabinet 18 and engages racks 24 mounted on the legs 12. Mounted on the pinion 22 is a radially extending gear 26. The gear 26 is positioned to engage a shaft 28 that extends outwardly through the sub cabinet 18 and is connected to a crank shaft 30.
In operation, the height of the skinning machine 10 is adjusted by rotating the crank shaft 30 in a first direction which in turn rotates the shaft 28 in the same direction. The shaft 28 engages and rotates the worm gear 26 which in turn rotates the pinion 22. As the pinion 22 rotates and engages the rack 24, the sub cabinet 18 and in turn the primary cabinet of the skinning machine 10 is raised. By rotating the crank shaft 30 in an opposite direction, the skinning machine is lowered in a similar manner. In the alternative, the skinning machine can be raised and lowered with a powered source (not shown).
Accordingly, disclosed is a height adjusting assembly for a skinning machine that easily raises and lowers the skinning machine to adjust to the height of the operator or other compatible devices. Thus, at least the stated objectives have been met.
