Patent Grant
10989185
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protective cover device for a pair of eccentrically driven pushrods used to actuate a high-volume double diaphragm pump.
B. Prior Art
It is common for a high-volume double diaphragm pump, hereinafter referred to as the pump, to provide a pair of eccentrically driven pushrods to actuate the diaphragm. Typically, each pushrod of the pair of eccentrically driven pushrods is attached at one end to a rotating cam and a high-volume diaphragm at the other. Prior art teaches of providing a cabinet that fully encloses the entire pump. However, fully enclosing the entire pump can inhibit access to various parts and components of the pump that often require routine maintenance. Furthermore, retrofitting existing pumps with protective covers for eccentric pushrods is not possible without modification of the configuration of the pump's parts and components to accommodate the protective cover device.
Currently, unenclosed pumps leave the pair of eccentrically driven pushrods exposed while the pump is in use. Such exposure of the pushrods while the pump is in use creates the risk of significant physical harm to one or more operators working in the general vicinity of the pump.
The unique and novel exemplary embodiment for the eccentric pushrod cover device disclosed herein provides a solution that protects the operator from the eccentric pushrod during operation of an unenclosed pump, thereby increasing operator safety at jobsites, without inhibiting access to other parts and components of the pump. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment for the eccentric pushrod cover device also allows the operator to efficiently access areas shielded by the eccentric pushrod cover device by leveraging its modular design such that select elements can be detached without requiring detachment of the entire eccentric pushrod cover device.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an eccentric pushrod cover device for a high-volume double diaphragm pump.
The eccentric pushrod cover device, hereinafter referred to as the pushrod cover, mitigates the risk of injury of an operator during operation of the high-volume double diaphragm pump, hereinafter referred to as the pump, by shielding the eccentrically driven pushrods. The pushrod cover is comprised of a plurality of components that enable it to be retrofitted onto existing pumps as well as implemented into the manufacture of new pumps. Furthermore, the device's modularity allows for easy intermittent access to the pushrods and adjacent parts when needed.
The pushrod cover provides a mounting plate, saddle plate, and face plate. The saddle plate is comprised of three sides that include a top side, first side, and second side. The saddle plate additionally provides a plurality of saddle plate through holes on all three of its sides. The mounting plate provides a profile that allows it to be installed directly to a gearbox of the pump without requiring the dismantling or modification of any of the pump's parts or components. The mounting plate and face plate each respectively provide a plurality of flanges that are concealed beneath the saddle plate when the saddle plate is installed. The plurality of flanges provides a plurality of through holes that align with through holes provided by the saddle plate, thereby allowing the saddle plate to attach to the mounting plate and the face plate.
The face plate provides elliptical shaped slotted cutouts that allow the pushrod and its connection to the eccentric to be visible when the pushrod cover is installed. Additionally, the elliptical slotted cutouts provided by the face plate allow for sufficient air flow to dissipate heat generated by the gearbox and pushrod during operation.
A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an eccentric pushrod cover device 5 for a pair of eccentrically driven pushrods 15 each used to actuate a high-volume diaphragm 16 within a high-volume double diaphragm pump, hereinafter referred to as the pump. The eccentric pushrod cover device 5, hereinafter referred to as the pushrod cover 5, comprises a pair of inverted basket-shaped assemblies that each further comprise a mounting plate 20, a saddle plate 25, and a face plate 30, as shown in
The mounting plate 20 is attached directly to the gearbox 10 using a plurality of gearbox fasteners 11. The pushrod cover 5 is designed to accommodate the existing configuration of the pushrod 15 and the gearbox 10. As such, each mounting plate 20 provides an arch-shaped profile. Each mounting plate 20 comprises a plurality of mounting plate through holes 21 that are aligned with a plurality of fastener holes provided by the sides of the gearbox 10 that each mounting plate 20 attach to, as shown in
The saddle plate 25 is comprised of a top plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, and a second side plate 25c. The saddle plate 25 provides first plurality of saddle plate through holes 22a and a second plurality of saddle plate through holes 23a, as shown in
The flat profile of the top plate 25a provides a secure surface to which a worker could stand or place items on while the pump 5 is not in operation. This is useful for maintenance as well as attaching and detaching a hook to the lifting bail. However, it is anticipated that the top plate 25a may be sloped or curved.
The integral attachment of the first side plate 25b and second side plate 25c respectively to the top plate 25a increases the stiffness of the saddle plate 25 as well as overall stability of the pushrod cover 5. The first side plate 25b and second side plate 25c each provide a notch at the bottom corner that is nearest to the gearbox 10 as shown in
The face plate 30 provides a plurality of face plate flanges that comprise a face plate top flange 30a, a face plate first side flange 30b, and a face plate second side flange 30c, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment of eccentric pushrod cover device 5 it is preferable that the saddle plate 25 overlap the mounting plate flanges 20a, 20b, 20c as well as the face plate flanges 30a, 30b, 30c. The modular assembly of the pushrod cover 5, and particularly the face plate 30, allows for quick access to the pushrod 15 as well as adjacent parts of the pump that are shielded by the pushrod cover 5. It is also anticipated that the plurality of slotted cutouts 31 provided by the face plate 30 allow for additional pump accessories to be retrofitted onto the face plate 30.
While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3124078 | Hardy | Mar 1964 | A |
| 3364870 | Quatredeniers | Jan 1968 | A |
| 5044902 | Malbec | Sep 1991 | A |
| D391579 | Myers | Mar 1998 | S |
| 8454324 | Grapes | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 9121400 | Myers | Sep 2015 | B1 |
