Patent Application
20060144201
The present invention relates generally to guards for rotating machinery and more particularly to an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be modified to accommodate different shaft heights and lengths.
Various machines utilize exposed rotational shafts such as the shaft between an electric motor and a pump. These rotating shafts are commonly shielded to maintain compliance with current safety standards.
Although numerous effective guard systems are currently available, most guards are custom made specifically for a particular piece of machinery. Manufacturing custom guards may be time consuming and expensive. Furthermore, many guards once installed do not provide ready access to the rotating components. Removal of the guards increases maintenance complexity and service expense.
Effective universal guard systems are also available which may be adapted to cover a variety of rotating shaft arrangements. Conventional universal guard system provides various manufacturing, assembly, installation and maintenance trade-offs.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be readily modified to fit different machines, be uncomplicated to assemble, and provide ready maintenance access.
A rotating shaft guard assembly according to the present invention includes a first guard portion and a second guard portion defined along a longitudinal axis. The guard portions are symmetrical with a semi-cylindrical portion which extends from a rectilinear portion. The first guard portion and the second guard portion are mounted together along a hinge which defines a hinge line generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
A multitude of radial cutting lines are formed about the semi-cylindrical portions to customize the longitudinal length of the guard. The rectilinear portions define a generally flat leg receipt area to which a leg selected from one of a multitude of legs is attached to customize the height of the guard.
An end cap is mountable to the semi-cylindrical portion in a press-fit manner. The end cap includes a multitude of circular steps defined about the longitudinal to essential form a stepped pyramid end. Each circular step provides a shaft exit of a predetermined diameter to customize the shaft diameter exit.
The present invention therefore provides an adjustable rotating shaft guard which may be readily modified to fit different machines, is uncomplicated to assemble, while providing ready maintenance access.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
The first guard portion 22 and the second guard portion 24 are mounted together along a hinge 26 which defines a hinge line L generally parallel to and within a common plane with the longitudinal axis A. The hinge 26 is preferably defined along a top surface of the first guard portion 22 and the second guard portion 24. The hinge 26 is defined by a multiple of hinge knuckles 28 which alternate along the first guard portion 22 and the second guard portion 24. That is, the knuckles alternate along a top edge surface of the first guard portion 22 and a second guard portion 24 such that a pin P which passes through all the knuckles 28 pivotally connect the first guard portion 22 and the second guard portion 24. The portions 22, 24 preferably fit together with gaps no greater than 0.250″ (6 mm).
A multitude of stiffening ribs 30 extend along the hinge line L outward of the hinge 26. The stiffening ribs 30 are generally transverse to the hinge line L.
A multitude of radial cutting lines 33 are preferably formed about the semi-cylindrical portion 22a, 22b 24a, 24b. The cutting lines 33 are preferably shallow depressions formed in the outer surface to provide a guide for cutting the first and second guard halves to reduce the longitudinal length along axis A for custom installations such as between the motor 12 and the pump 14 (
The rectilinear portions 22r, 24r define a generally flat leg receipt area 32. The leg receipt area 32 is defined by outer ribs 34 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A (also illustrated in
A leg 40 is selected from one of a multitude of legs 40 (
Each leg 40 is preferably of a general U-shape to fit between the outer ribs 34. A pair of slots 42 permit height adjustment of the guard assembly 20 relative the base 18. The slots 42 combined with the multitude of legs (
Each leg 40 also includes a base 40b with a multiple of mounting slots Sm. The mounting slots Sm receive fasteners F such as bolts to mount the guard assembly 20 to the base 18 (
An end cap 44 (one shown) is mountable to the semi-cylindrical portion 22a, 22b 24a, 24b. The end cap 44 preferably engages the multitude of stiffening ribs 30 in a press-fit manner (
Referring to
To install the rotating shaft guard assembly 20, a longitudinal distance between the prime mover 12 and the driven machine 14 which covers the rotating shaft assembly 16 (
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
