Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6740851
-
Patent Number
6,740,851
-
Date Filed
Friday, September 27, 200221 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 25, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 219 421
- 222 1465
- 222 180
- 248 678
- 248 680
- 248 681
- 248 34604
- 248 3465
-
International Classifications
- F16M100
- F16M900
- F16M1100
- F27B1400
-
Abstract
A device for removably attaching a dispensing unit of a hot melt adhesive system to a support surface. The device generally includes a mounting plate having a mounting surface that is capable of being secured to a support surface, one or more engaging members, and one or more coupling members. The engaging and coupling members may be flanges extending outwardly from the mounting surface. The engaging and coupling members are arranged about the mounting surface for securing a base of the dispensing unit to the mounting plate after the device is secured to the support surface. The dispensing unit includes securing members that releasably couple with the engaging members to provide a secure interconnection with the mounting plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hot melt adhesives are dispensed by dispensing systems having one or more dispensing guns coupled by heated hoses to a melter, which is sometimes referred to as a dispensing unit. The melter may include a tank for melting the hot melt adhesive, a manifold having multiple distribution outlets for coupling with a heated hose, and a pump for transferring the hot melt adhesive from the tank through the manifold. Adhesive material is supplied to the tank in solid or semi-solid form, where it is melted and heated by a heater to a desired temperature.
Conventional dispensing units for hot melt adhesive dispensing systems, as described above, are typically mounted to a structural member, such as a planar table top of a bench or a frame of the machine with which the dispensing system is associated. The dispensing unit usually has a base and may include downwardly-extending supports, such as flanges, feet or legs, that project from the underside of the base. The supports may be affixed to the table top or frame. The table top or frame required that holes be machined in the table top or frame that coincided with the positions of clearance holes in the support. After the dispensing unit is positioned such that the clearance holes are aligned with the holes in the table top or frame, bolts or other fasteners are used to finish the mounting procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Once a mounting device is mounted to a support surface, the dispensing unit is mounted to the mounting device. According to the principles of the invention and in one embodiment, the mounting device includes a mounting plate configured to be mounted to the support surface. The mounting plate includes a first edge and a second edge spaced longitudinally from the first edge. The mounting plate further includes at least one coupling member adjacent to the edge and at least one engaging member adjacent to the first edge. The engaging member and coupling member cooperate to secure the hot melt adhesive dispensing unit with the mounting plate so that the base portion has a contacting relationship with the mounting plate. The engaging member is releasably engageable by the corresponding securing element for selectively securing the hot melt dispensing unit against movement relative to the mounting plate and the support surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, the mounting device has a mounting plate with a planar surface and a pair of spaced-apart side flanges extending outwardly from the planar surface. The mounting plate is configured to be mounted to the support surface. The side flanges have a spaced relationship sufficient to receive therebetween the dispensing unit on the planar surface. The base of the dispensing unit is then releasably securable with the side flanges.
The invention is further directed to a method for releasably attaching a dispensing unit to a support surface. The method may include detachably fastening a mounting plate to the support surface and subsequently securing the dispensing unit to the mounting plate so that the dispensing unit is secured against movement relative to the mounting plate.
The elimination of conventional support features may operate to reduce the effective height of the dispensing unit. This may result in the dispensing unit being more compact. In one embodiment, the sub-base of the invention simplifies installation of a dispensing unit because the sub-base can be easily manipulated for attachment to the support surface and, thereafter, the bulkier and heavier dispensing unit is coupled with the sub-base.
These and other advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain details of the preferred embodiments.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a sub-base for a dispensing unit of a hot melt adhesive system incorporating the principles of the invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view illustrating the sub-base of the invention with the dispensing unit removed;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 2
in which the dispensing unit is mounted to the sub-base of the invention;
FIG. 4
is a cross-section view taken generally along lines
4
—
4
in
FIG. 3
in which latch assemblies coupling the dispensing unit with the sub-base are unlatched;
FIG. 5
is a cross-section view similar to
FIG. 4
in which latch assemblies coupling the dispensing unit with the sub-base are latched; and
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sub-base incorporating the principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is directed to mounting devices for mounting a dispensing unit or melter to a support surface. Although the invention will be described next in connection with certain embodiments, the invention is not limited to practice in any one specific type of dispensing unit.
With reference to FIG.
1
and in accordance with the principles of the invention, a sub-base
10
configured to releasably couple with a melter or hot melt adhesive dispensing unit
12
(
FIG. 2
) includes a generally rectangular mounting plate
14
having an edge
15
and an opposite edge
19
spaced with a longitudinal relationship relative to edge
15
. Provided adjacent to edge
15
of the mounting plate
14
is a transversely-spaced pair of engaging members or flanges
16
,
18
. Provided adjacent to edge
19
of the mounting plate
14
is a pair of coupling members or flanges
20
,
22
that have a transversely-spaced relationship. Each of the flanges
16
,
18
,
20
,
22
is raised above a generally planar upper surface
24
of the sub-base
10
and projects generally toward edge
15
. Typically, the sub-base
10
is formed from a sheet of any suitable material, such as a cold rolled steel, in which the flanges
16
,
18
,
20
,
22
are provided by, for example, a punching operation. Sub-base
10
may alternatively be constructed from a mounting plate
14
formed from a thermoplastic or thermoset resin with flanges
16
,
18
,
20
,
22
made from a metal and molded into the mounting plate
14
. The set of flanges
16
,
18
,
20
,
22
is configured for releasably or detachably coupling the sub-base
10
with the dispensing unit
12
.
Dispensing unit
12
may be any suitable dispensing unit or melter operative to provide a flow of viscous liquid, such as hot melt adhesive. Hot melt dispensing units suitable for use in the invention include the Series 3000 melters available commercially from Nordson Corporation (Westlake, Ohio). In addition, hot melt adhesive dispensing units suitable for use in the invention are disclosed in, for example, commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,384 (Reifenberger et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,315 (Reifenberger et al.), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The rectangular mounting plate
14
includes a pair of disk-shaped openings
26
,
28
through which, for example, cables for electrical service or cables from a controller can be routed to the dispensing unit
12
. The openings
26
,
28
permit the cables to be readily accessible for coupling with the dispensing unit
12
(
FIG. 2
) during the mounting sequence that secures the unit
12
with the sub-base
10
. The openings
26
,
28
may be provided with conventional strain release mechanisms (not shown). Routing the cables through the openings
26
,
28
also facilitates replacement of a malfunctioning dispensing unit
12
with a functioning dispensing unit
12
. This is especially important if the cables are routed to the openings
26
,
28
through rigid conduit because the conduit does not have to be disconnected to change the dispensing units
12
.
With continued reference to
FIG. 1
, a plurality of, for example, four mounting holes
30
,
31
,
32
,
33
extend through the rectangular mounting plate
14
between a lower surface
34
(
FIG. 4
) and an upper surface
24
. Each of the mounting holes
30
-
33
, illustrated as clearance holes, is dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of fasteners
36
for securing the sub-base
10
to the support surface
38
, which may be a planar table top. The mounting holes
30
-
33
are arranged in a pattern that provides reliable securement, such as being provided adjacent to the corners of the mounting plate
14
. Provided in the support surface
38
are complementary mounting holes
40
,
41
,
42
,
43
arranged to be registered in vertical alignment with mounting holes
30
-
33
. Preferably, the machining operation forming mounting holes
30
-
33
also forms mounting holes
40
-
43
for simplifying the mounting procedure.
With reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the dispensing unit
12
includes a chassis
44
having a base portion
46
configured to be removably coupled or otherwise interconnected with the sub-base
10
after the sub-base
10
is secured to the support surface
38
. Specifically, the dispensing unit
12
is moved vertically, in the general direction of arrow
48
, so as to rest in an unsecured position at least partially contacting the upper surface
24
of the rectangular mounting plate
14
. The dispensing unit
12
is then moved rearwardly, in the general direction of arrow
49
, to position the dispensing unit
12
in a securable position, as shown in FIG.
3
.
With continued reference to
FIGS. 2
,
4
and
5
, flanges
20
,
22
generally have a similar construction so that the following discussion of flange
22
is equally applicable to flange
20
. Flange
22
includes a vertical leg
50
joined by an angled bend with the rectangular mounting plate
14
, a forwardly-extending horizontal leg
52
joined by an angled bend with the vertical leg
50
, and an inclined free end
54
depending upwardly at an acute angle from the horizontal leg
52
. The vertical leg
50
extends outwardly from the plane of the upper surface
24
at approximately a right angle. The horizontal leg
52
is substantially orthogonal to the vertical leg
50
and, therefore, lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the upper surface
24
. In one embodiment, the inclined free end
54
is inclined at an angle of about 45° relative to the horizontal leg
52
.
Flanges
16
,
18
generally have a similar construction so that the following discussion of flange
18
is equally applicable to flange
16
. Flange
18
includes a relatively-short vertical leg
56
joined by an angled bend with mounting plate
14
, a forwardly-extending horizontal leg
58
joined by an angled bend with the vertical leg
56
, and a vertical leg
60
joined by an angled bend with the horizontal leg
58
. The vertical leg
56
extends outwardly from the plane of the upper surface
24
at approximately a right angle. The horizontal leg
58
is substantially orthogonal to the vertical leg
56
and, therefore, lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the upper surface
24
. The vertical leg
60
extends outwardly perpendicular to the horizontal leg
58
and substantially parallel to the vertical leg
56
.
With reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, the base portion
46
of chassis
44
includes a vertical wall
66
, a lip
64
projecting inwardly from vertical wall
66
, a vertical wall
70
opposite to vertical wall
66
, and a lip
68
projecting inwardly from vertical wall
70
. A portion of lip
64
is captured beneath the horizontal leg
58
of each of the flanges
16
,
18
at least when the dispensing unit
12
is in the secured and securable positions. Each of the flanges
16
,
18
is positioned in one of a pair of notches
59
formed in lip
64
, of which one side edge of one of the notches
59
is shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. The vertical wall
70
includes a pair of slotted openings
72
, of which one slotted opening
72
is shown, spaced with a transverse relationship to coincide with the transverse spacing between the flanges
20
,
22
so that flanges
20
,
22
may be coupled with lip
68
. The inclined free ends
54
of flanges
20
,
22
operate as guides for the lip
68
as the chassis
44
is moved from the unsecured position to the securable position. Respective portions of the lip
68
are secured between the horizontal leg
52
of each flange
20
,
22
and the upper surface
24
of the rectangular mounting plate
14
.
The engagement between each of the flanges
20
,
22
and the corresponding one of slotted openings
72
and between each of the flanges
16
,
18
and the side edges of the corresponding one of notches
59
limit side-to-side movement of chassis
44
. The vertical legs
56
of flanges
16
,
18
and the vertical legs
50
of flanges
20
,
22
also operate as stops contacting vertical walls
66
,
70
, respectively, to limit rearward movement of the chassis
44
in the securable and secured positions. To that end, the vertical leg
60
of each of the flanges
16
,
18
is positioned, when the dispensing unit
12
is in the securable position, for being engaged by a corresponding one of a spaced-apart pair of securing members
76
,
78
, of which securing member
78
is visible in
FIGS. 4 and 5
, to provide the secured position.
With reference to
FIGS. 2
,
4
and
5
, the securing members
76
,
78
may be any device capable of coupling and, typically, detachably or releasably coupling with, or otherwise engaging, the flanges
16
,
18
when the dispensing unit
12
is in the securable position. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing members
76
,
78
have a similar construction so that the following discussion of securing member
78
is equally applicable to securing member
76
. Securing member
78
is operative, along with securing member
76
, for providing the secured position of the dispensing unit
12
following positioning in the securable position, such as by moving the chassis
44
from the securable position (
FIG. 4
) to the secured position (FIG.
5
). Securing member
78
includes a support bracket
80
attached to the wall
66
of the base portion
46
, a spring-biased shaft
82
rotatably coupled with the support bracket
80
, and a pawl or latching finger
84
attached to the shaft
82
. An end portion of the shaft
82
extends through the wall
66
to a position in which a head
85
of the shaft
82
is accessible from the exterior of the chassis
44
. A suitably-shaped tool is engaged with a toolhead recess in the head
85
for angularly rotating or turning the shaft
82
.
The securing members
76
,
78
are individually actuated by rotation to perform two sequential functions to provide the secured position of the dispensing unit
12
. The shaft
82
is rotated through an arc to swing the latching finger
84
first into a position behind the vertical leg
60
of the flange
18
, which operates as a keeper. Continued rotation of the shaft
82
then draws the latching finger
84
towards the vertical wall
66
such that the engagement between the vertical leg
60
and latching finger
84
moves the chassis
44
toward the edge
15
of the sub-base
10
. The procedure is reversed to return the chassis
44
to the securable position. In the securable and unsecured positions, the latching finger
84
has an angular position that provides a non-contacting relationship with the corresponding one of the flanges
16
,
18
so that the dispensing unit
12
is movable between the securable and unsecured positions.
Securing members
76
,
78
may be, for example, any compression, pull-up or draw latch assembly capable of releasably coupling or securing the sub-base
10
and the dispensing unit
12
. Exemplary compression latch assemblies suitable for use in the invention are available commercially, for example, from Southco, Inc. (Concordville, Pa.). It is contemplated by an alternative embodiment of the invention that the sub-base
10
may be equipped with one securing member and that the base portion
46
of chassis
44
may include a single engaging member configured to couple with the securing member. In addition, it is contemplated by the invention that the sub-base
10
, in an alternative embodiment, may include a single coupling member.
In use, the sub-base
10
is positioned relative to the support surface
38
such that the lower surface
34
of mounting plate
24
has a contacting relationship with support surface
38
. After a suitable location is selected, the mounting holes
30
-
33
are registered with mounting holes
40
-
43
and fasteners
36
are used to attach the mounting plate
24
to support surface
38
. The mounting holes
30
-
33
may be formed at the point of attachment and, in addition, the mounting holes
40
-
43
in the mounting plate
24
may be formed by the machining operation forming holes
30
-
33
. To establish the securable position, the chassis
44
of dispensing unit
12
is moved so that the base portion
46
contacts with upper surface
24
and the lip
68
is secured with the flanges
20
,
22
and the lip is secured with the flanges
16
,
18
. The latch assemblies
76
,
78
are individually actuated to engage flanges
16
,
18
for moving the chassis
44
of the dispensing unit
12
from the securable position to the secured position.
With reference to FIG.
6
and in an alternative embodiment of the invention, a detachable sub-base
10
′ consists of a substantially rectangular mounting plate
90
and an opposed pair of substantially parallel flanges
92
,
94
depending or projecting outwardly at an angle from opposite side edges of the rectangular mounting plate
90
. Typically, each of the flanges
92
,
94
is substantially orthogonal to an upper planar surface
96
of the mounting plate
90
, although the invention is not so limited. Flanges
92
,
94
are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to receive a dispensing unit
12
′ that is similar to dispensing unit
12
(FIGS.
3
and
4
). It is contemplated by the invention that the flanges
92
,
94
may project outwardly from the mounting plate
90
from locations other than the opposite side edges so long as dispensing unit
12
is positionable between flanges
92
,
94
. The mounting plate
90
and flanges
92
,
94
are typically formed as a single-piece structure by conventional metalworking techniques such that each of the flanges
92
,
94
is smoothly joined by a radiused or curved bend with the mounting plate
90
. Alternatively, the flanges
92
,
94
may be separate components assembled with the mounting plate
90
to construct the sub-base
10
′.
The sub-base
10
′ may be mounted to another piece of equipment, which may include a pair of parallel, spaced-apart frame members
98
,
100
with a plurality of conventional fasteners
102
. To that end, a plurality of, for example, four mounting holes
104
,
105
,
106
,
107
is provided in the rectangular mounting plate
90
with a pattern of locations suitable for coupling the sub-base
10
′ with the frame members
98
,
100
. Typically, the mounting holes
104
-
107
are provided in the mounting plate
90
immediately before plate
90
is mounted to the frame members
98
,
100
. A plurality of complementary mounting holes
108
,
109
,
110
,
111
are provided in the frame members
98
,
100
and, typically, are formed concurrently with the mounting holes
104
-
107
in the mounting plate
90
such that mounting holes
108
-
111
are registered with mounting holes
104
-
107
. The pattern of mounting holes
104
-
107
in the mounting plate
90
may be tailored to conform to the relative arrangement and positioning of the frame members
98
,
100
. The complementary mounting holes
108
-
111
may be either throughholes or threaded holes. It is contemplated by the invention that the sub-base
10
′ could be mounted to a planar table or bench top rather than the illustrated frame members
98
,
100
.
Flange
92
further includes a spaced-apart pair of mounting holes
112
,
113
and flange
94
further includes a spaced-apart pair of mounting holes
114
,
115
used to couple the dispensing unit
12
′ with the sub-base
10
′. The dispensing unit
12
′ includes complementary mounting holes
116
-
119
that are positioned so as to register with the mounting holes
112
-
115
in the flanges
92
,
94
when the dispensing unit
12
′ is positioned in the space between the flanges
92
,
94
and in a contacting relationship with upper surface
96
. Conventional fasteners
120
are provided for coupling the dispensing unit
12
′ with the sub-base
10
′.
In use, the sub-base
10
′ is positioned relative to the frame members
98
,
100
, or other support surface, such that a bottom surface or underside of the mounting plate
90
has a contacting relationship with the frame members
98
,
100
. After a suitable location is selected, the mounting holes
104
-
107
are created in the mounting plate
90
. The mounting holes
108
-
111
in the frame members
98
,
100
are typically formed concurrently with mounting holes
104
-
107
. Fasteners
102
are received in the mounting holes
104
-
107
,
108
-
111
and are used to mechanically secure the sub-base
10
′ with frame members
98
,
100
. The dispensing unit
12
′ is moved to a position in the open space between the flanges
92
,
94
and into a contacting relationship with the upper surface
96
such that the mounting holes
116
-
119
are registered with the mounting holes
112
-
115
in the flanges
92
,
94
. Fasteners
120
are used to couple the sub-base
10
′ and dispensing unit
12
′.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
- 1. A device for securing a hot melt adhesive dispensing unit to a support surface, the hot melt adhesive dispensing unit having a base portion with at least one securing element, said device comprising:a mounting plate configured to be mounted to the support surface, said mounting plate having a first edge and a second edge spaced longitudinally from said first edge; at least one coupling member adjacent to said first edge; and at least one engaging member adjacent to said second edge, said at least one engaging member and said at least one coupling member cooperating to secure the hot melt adhesive dispensing unit with said mounting plate so that the base portion has a contacting relationship with said mounting plate, said at least one engaging member being releasably engageable by the at least one securing element for selectively securing the hot melt dispensing unit against movement relative to said mounting plate.
- 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting plate includes a generally planar surface extending between said first and said second edges, said planar surface contacting the base portion, and said at least one coupling member comprises a flange projecting outwardly from said planar surface and away from the support surface when said mounting plate is mounted to the support surface.
- 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said flange includes a horizontal leg extending substantially parallel to said planar surface, said horizontal leg being operative to capture the base portion between said horizontal leg and said planar surface.
- 4. The device of claim 2 wherein said flange further includes an inclined lip angled away from said planar surface at an acute angle, said inclined lip operating to guide the portion of the base portion between said horizontal leg and said planar surface when the hot melt adhesive dispensing unit is coupled with said mounting plate.
- 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one engaging member includes a keeper capable of being engaged by the securing member of the hot melt dispensing unit.
- 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting plate includes a generally planar surface positioned between said first and said second edges, and said at least one engaging member comprises a flange projecting outwardly from said planar surface and away from the support surface when said mounting plate is mounted to the support surface.
- 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said flange includes a horizontal leg extending substantially parallel to said planar surface, said horizontal leg operating to capture the base portion between said horizontal leg and said planar surface.
- 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting plate includes a plurality of mounting holes arranged in a pattern capable of being registered with a complementary pattern of mounting holes provided in the support surface.
- 9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a dispensing unit operative to provide a flow of hot melt adhesive, said dispensing unit having a base portion with at least one securing member configured for releasable engagement with said at least one engaging member.
- 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said at least one engaging member includes a keeper capable of being engaged by said at least one securing member.
- 11. The device of claim 9 wherein said at least one securing members are selected from the group consisting of compression latches, pull-up latches, and draw latch assemblies.
- 12. A device for mounting a dispensing unit to a support surface, the dispensing unit having a base portion, said device comprising:a mounting plate having a planar surface and a pair of spaced-apart flanges extending outwardly from said planar surface, said mounting plate configured to be mounted to the support surface, said flanges having a spaced relationship sufficient to receive therebetween the dispensing unit on said planar surface, and said flanges being releasably securable with the base portion of the dispensing unit.
- 13. The device of claim 12 wherein said flanges are substantially perpendicular to said planar surface.
- 14. The device of claim 12 wherein said mounting plate includes a plurality of mounting holes arranged in a pattern for registering with a complementary pattern of mounting holes provided in the support surface.
- 15. The device of claim 12 further comprising a dispensing unit operative to provide a flow of hot melt adhesive, said dispensing unit having a base portion configured to be releasably secured with the flanges.
- 16. A method for attaching a dispensing unit for heated liquids to a support surface, comprising:fastening a mounting plate to the support surface; and subsequently securing the dispensing unit releasably with the mounting plate so that the dispensing unit is fixed against movement relative to the mounting plate.
- 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the fastening step includes:forming a plurality of first mounting holes in the mounting plate; and forming a plurality of second mounting holes in the support surface in locations capable of being registered with the first mounting holes for securing the mounting plate to the support surface.
- 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of first mounting holes is formed by the same forming operation as the plurality of second mounting holes.
- 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the mounting plate is detachably fastened to the support surface.
US Referenced Citations (16)