Surface preparation device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6533648
  • Patent Number
    6,533,648
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 19, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 18, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Eley; Timothy V.
    • Nguyen; Dung Van
    Agents
    • Brunton; J. E.
Abstract
A production type surface finishing apparatus for finishing the surfaces of workpieces such as cabinet doors and the like which include a plurality of relatively large, very lightweight finishing platens that are simultaneously movable in both a reciprocal and an orbital-like motion. The platen is moved in a reciprocal motion by a first motion-imparting mechanism and is simultaneously moved in a high-frequency, orbit-like motion by a second motion-imparting mechanism that includes shafts which are rotated at relatively high rates of speed. The shafts, and the motors which drive them, are mounted on platforms which are reciprocally movable relative to the main frame of the device. Connected to the rotating shafts by specially designed elastomeric sleeve-like members or yieldably deformable connector bands are specially configured, ring-like members. The rings are, in turn, connected to the platen assemblies by novel shaft and bearing assemblies.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to surface preparation. More particularly, the invention concerns an improved surface preparation apparatus for forming a very fine surface on wooden workpieces such as cabinet doors and the like.




2. Discussion of the Prior Art




A number of different kinds of handheld as well as volume production type machines for preparing surfaces of various types of workpieces have been suggested in the past. These machines typically use a sanding belt entrained around a sanding platen. The major drawback of many of these machines is that they often leave unsightly cross-grain scratch patterns in the surface of the workpiece. Frequently hand sanders such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,010 issued to Dicke are used to remove the unacceptable cross-scratches. However, this process is very labor intensive, time consuming and expensive. Further, hand sanding generally fails to produce a uniform surface particularly on relatively large surfaces, such as cabinet doors.




In an attempt to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of prior art sanding processes, various designs of production type apparatus having one or more oscillating sanding heads have been proposed. One such apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,794 issued to Haney. The Haney patient describes a dual orbiting sanding apparatus that includes a frame a conveyor, first and second stepped drive shafts that support a brace and cause the brace to move in a first orbit. The apparatus further includes second and third stepped drive shafts that are supported by the brace and are connected to the platen to move the platen in a second orbit.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,100 issued to Peyches discloses a machine for grinding or polishing glass. More particularly, the patent describes a polisher wherein a slurry or suspension containing the abrasive grit is continuously fed into the machine as the work travels through the machine. While the machine produces a circular motion combined with a slow reciprocating motion, these motions are induced by totally different types of mechanisms from those of the apparatus of the present invention.




A German Patent No. 27 40 696 issued to Meyer concerns a grinder or polisher for grinding tombstones. The Meyer apparatus includes a bridge on which a grinding head is mounted. The grinding head powers a rotating disk grinder. In operation, the grinding head along with the disk grinder must traverse the entire face of a tombstone in order for polishing operation to be accomplished.




The present invention comprises an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in copending U.S. Ser. No. 09/166,710 filed Oct. 5, 1998. Because of the pertinence of this application, U. S. Ser. No. 09/166,710 is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.




In most of the prior art orbital sanders, the orbital, or oscillatory movement of the platen is accomplished using some type of stepped shaft or crank mechanism. Generally speaking in such devices, the higher the rate of rotation of the drive shafts, the better will be the performance of the sander. However, as the speeds of rotation increase bearing wear, including wear on bearings attached to the platen, can become excessive resulting in frequent bearing failure to mitigate against excessive platen bearing wear, the platen size of the sander must, of necessity, be kept small thereby limiting the effectiveness of the machine for use in high volume production processes. Stated another way, as the orbiting platen becomes larger and heavier, the size of the off-set bearing must be increased to withstand the tremendous forces created on the bearing as the platen orbits.




As will be better understood from the description that follows, the apparatus of the present invention uniquely overcomes the mechanical limitations inherent in prior art devices which embody crank or stepped shaft type drive mechanisms to obtain orbital movement of the platen by providing a highly novel orbit generating mechanism to produce a controlled orbital movement to the platen.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface preparing apparatus having a lightweight platen that simultaneously moves in both a high-speed orbital motion and a lower speed reciprocal motion in a manner that produces an extremely fine finish on the workpiece as the workpiece moves beneath the platen.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which the platen is of a unique laminate construction having a very lightweight foam core so that the platen can be made sufficiently large to make the apparatus attractive for use in large-scale industrial processing operations.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described in the preceding paragraph in which a novel abrasive carrying assembly is releasably connected to the lightweight platen of the apparatus by vacuum means. A sandpaper sheet is receivably affixed to the lower surface of the abrasive carrying assembly and when used up can be quickly and easily replaced with a new sheet thereby significantly reducing down time.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which the orbit generating means for generating the orbital motion of the platen is coupled with the rotating shaft of the drive means of the apparatus by a novel elastomeric coupling mechanism.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph in which the orbit generating means further includes a novel orbit inducing ring-like member that is uniquely affixed to the elastomeric coupling mechanism.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as the described in which the workpiece is carried past the platen assembly by a fully automatic conveyor system.




Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which includes the advantages set forth in the preceding paragraphs and is also economical to construct, is easy to use by relatively unskilled operators, is very reliable in use, is of a simple design and requires minimum maintenance and offers a very long, useful life.




Still another object of the invention is to provide a surface preparing apparatus which is very fast and produces an extremely fine, high-quality surface on relatively large workpieces such as cabinet doors.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIGS. 1A and 1B

, when considered together, comprise a side-elevation view of one form of the surface preparation device of the present invention.





FIGS. 2A and 2B

, when considered together, comprise a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of one of the four surface finishing subassemblies of the invention.





FIG. 3

is a generally diagrammatic, top plan view of the four surface finishing subassemblies of the apparatus of the invention illustrating the direction of movement of the platens of the subsystems.





FIGS. 4A and 4B

, when considered together, comprise an enlarged side-elevational view of the four finishing subassemblies of the invention partly broken away to show internal construction.





FIGS. 5A and 5B

, when considered together, comprise a view taken along lines


5





5


of

FIGS. 4A and 4B

.





FIGS. 6A and 6B

, when considered together, comprise a view taken along lines


6





6


of FIG.


4


B.





FIG. 7

is a generally perspective, fragmentary view of one of the crank shafts of the apparatus shown in

FIG. 6B

for inducing a reciprocal motion to the platen.





FIG. 8

is a top plan view of the crank shaft shown in FIG.


7


.





FIGS. 9A and 9B

, when considered together, comprise an enlarged, side-elevational view of the apparatus of the invention taken along lines


9





9


of FIG.


6


B.





FIG. 10

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


10





10


of FIG.


6


B.





FIG. 11

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


11





11


of FIG.


6


B.





FIG. 12

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


12





12


of FIG.


6


A.





FIG. 13

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


13





13


of FIG.


6


A.





FIG. 14

is an enlarged, generally perspective exploded view of one form of the vibratory motion imparting means of the apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 15

is an enlarged view taken along lines


15





15


of FIG.


13


.





FIG. 16

is a generally diagrammatic top plan view illustrating the vibratory movement produced as a result of rotation of the apertured ring shown in FIG.


15


.





FIGS. 17A and 17B

comprise an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


17





17


of FIG.


12


.





FIG. 18

comprises a view taken along lines


18





18


of

FIGS. 17A and 17B

.





FIG. 19

is an enlarged, fragmentary side-elevational, cross-sectional view of a portion of one of the platen assemblies of the apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 20

is a greatly enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of the platen assembly of the apparatus of the invention showing the manner in which the sandpaper is affixed to the platen.





FIG. 21

s a generally perspective, fragmentary top view of a portion of one form of the platen and assemblies of the invention.





FIG. 22

is a generally perspective illustrative view illustrating the degrees of movement of the sanding platen of the invention.





FIG. 23

is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the area designated in

FIG. 19

as


23





23


.





FIGS. 24A and 24B

when considered together, comprise a view similar to

FIGS. 6A and 6B

showing an alternate form of the apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 25

is a generally perspective, fragmentary view of a portion of the alternate form of the apparatus shown in

FIGS. 24A and 24B

showing an alternate type of interface means.





FIGS. 26A and 26B

when considered together comprise a generally perspective, exploded view of the alternate form of the vibratory motion imparting means of the apparatus of the invention.





FIG. 27

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


27





27


of FIG.


24


A.





FIG. 28

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


28





28


of FIG.


24


A.





FIG. 29

is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines


29





29


of FIG.


28


.





FIG. 30

is a cross-sectional view taken along lines


30





30


of FIG.


29


.





FIG. 31

is a cross-sectional view taken along lines


31





31


of FIG.


30


.





FIG. 32

is a cross-sectional view taken along lines


32





32


of FIG.


30


.





FIG. 33

is a generally diagrammatic, fragmentary top view illustrating the offset of the spindle rotation axis in the apparatus of one form of the invention.





FIG. 34

is an enlarged, generally perspective view of an alternate form of the vibratory motion imparting means of the invention.





FIG. 35

is an enlarged top plan view of the alternate form of vibratory motion imparting means shown in

FIG. 34

, partly broken away to show internal construction.





FIG. 36

is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines


36





36


of FIG.


35


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to the drawings and particularly to

FIGS. 1A

,


1


B,


2


A and


2


B, the apparatus of one form of the surface preparing apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral


30


. The apparatus here comprises a stationary main frame


32


having transversely spaced-apart, generally horizontally extending mounting surfaces


34


(FIG.


2


A). Connected to main frame


32


is a vacuum type conveyer subsystem


35


which includes a perforated endless conveyer belt


36


. Belt


36


travels around rollers


38


provided at either end of the mainframe which rollers are driven in a conventional manner by an electric motor or other suitable drive means. In a manner presently to be described, belt


36


functions to transport the workpieces “W” (

FIGS. 1A

,


1


B and


2


) through the machine at a uniform rate. The vacuum type conveyor subsystem is of standard design and of a character well known to those skilled in the art.




The surface preparing apparatus itself includes four longitudinally spaced finishing subsystems


42


,


44


,


46


, and


48


(FIGS.


1


A and


1


B), each of which is of substantially identical construction. This being the case, the description of the construction of the first finishing subsystem


42


should be constructed as also describing the identical subsystems


44


,


46


, and


48


.




Turning particularly to

FIGS. 2A and 2B

, it can be seen that finishing subsystem


42


is supported by a fixed subframe


50


, which is mounted on mainframe


32


. Subframe


50


includes oppositely disposed, transversely spaced, generally vertically extending support columns


52


and


54


which are connected to the previously identified mounting surfaces


34


. Subframe


50


also includes a generally horizontally extending support beam


56


which spans columns


52


and


54


(see also FIGS.


6


A and


6


B).




Subframe


50


supports a first motion-imparting means or reciprocating means, which imparts a transverse reciprocating movement to a transversely extending support platform


57


to which a platen assembly to is connected in a highly novel manner (see

FIGS. 2A

,


6


A, and


6


B). Referring particularly to

FIGS. 2B and 6B

, the first motion-imparting means includes a crank shaft


62


which is controllably rotated by an electric motor


64


within spaced-apart bearings


66


and


68


which are connected to subframe


50


in the manner best seen in


6


B of the drawings. Motor


64


drives shaft


62


via a driven sheave


63


which is connected to shaft


62


and a drive belt


63




a


(FIG.


2


B). Interconnecting shaft


62


which platform


57


is connector member shown here as an arm


70


having first and second ends


70




a


and


70




b


. First end


70




a


is connected to the upper, radially off-set end


62




a


of shaft


62


by a bearing


72


, while end


70




b


is connected to platform


57


by a shaft


74


and bearing assembly


75


.




Connected to platform


57


are four spaced-apart bearing assemblies


76


which are adapted to slide along a pair of spaced apart guide rods


78


which span subframe


50


(FIGS.


6


A and


6


B). More particularly, as shown in

FIGS. 6A and 6B

, guide rods


78


are connected proximate their ends to columns


52


and


54


of subframe


50


. With the construction described in the preceding paragraphs, reciprocal movement of platform


57


, along with a novel platen assembly


80


, which is connected to platform


57


, along with a novel platen assembly


80


, which is connected to platform


57


, is accomplished by the first motion imparting means of the character described.




Also connected to platform


57


, is the important second motion-imparting means, or orbit generators


82


and


84


of the invention for moving the platen assembly in a orbital-like motion.




Referring next to

FIGS. 13

,


14


, and


15


, each of the orbit generators


82


and


84


of this important second motion-imparting means can be seen to comprise a rotating shaft


86


and novel interface means for interconnecting shaft


86


with an aperture ring


118


. As best seen by referring to

FIG. 14

, ring


118


includes a peripheral portions


90




a


having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores


119


, the purpose of which will presently be described.




The novel interface means of the invention comprises a generally annular shaped, hollow sleeve-like elastomeric member


94


which is disposed between rotating shaft


86


and plate


90


in a manner best seen in FIG.


13


. Member


94


is interconnected with shaft


86


by a first connector means and is interconnected with plate


90


by a novel second connector means. First connector means here comprises a first connector block


98


that is threadably connected to shaft


86


connector block


98


is, in turn, connected to a second connector block


102


which, is connected to a connector plate


104


by means of elongated threaded connectors


106


(FIG.


14


). Connector plate


104


is connected to a collar-like portion


94




a


formed on member


94


by means of a clamping ring


108


.




As previously mentioned, the second connector means of the invention functions to interconnect annular shaped sleeve


94


with plate


90


. As best seen in

FIG. 13

, this second connector means here comprises a connector plate


110


which is interconnected with elastomeric member


94


by a clamping ring


113


which clamps a lower collar-like portion


94




b


of member


94


against plate


110


. A second connector plate


114


is also interconnected with plate


90


by means of threaded connectors


116


. Interconnected with plate


90


and extending downwardly therefrom is an apertured ring-like member


118


. Member


118


, that is connected with plate


90


by threaded connectors


120


which are received within bores


92


. As shown in

FIG. 15

, apertured ring


118


has first and second peripheral portions


118




a


and


118




b


. Importantly portion


118




a


has a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores


119


, the purpose of which will presently be described.




Operably associated with apertured ring


18


and forming a part of the second motion-imparting means of the invention, is a third connector means for operably interconnecting plate


90


with platen assembly


80


. This third connector means comprises a threaded shaft


122


and a nut


124


which functions to connect plate


90


to rotating shaft


122


in the manner shown in FIG.


13


. As also indicated in

FIG. 13

, shaft


122


is provided proximate its lower extremity with a generally cylindrically shaped head portion


122




a


. Head portion


122




a


is journaled within first bearing means, which, in turn, is mounted within a housing


128


which comprises a cup-like body portion


128




a


that extends into the core of platen assembly


80


. Body portion


128




a


includes a flange


128




b


that is connected to the upper surface of platen surface of platen assembly


80


. A cover


128




c


is connected to flange


128




b


by connectors


129


and functions to retain bearing


130


of the first bearing means within cup-like body


128




a.






With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, rotation of shaft


86


by motor


88


will impart rotation to plate


90


and to apertured ring


118


which is attached thereto. Rotation of plate


90


will impart rotation to shaft


122


, the head portion


122




a


of which is rotatably supported within bearing


130


. Because ring member


118


is formed of a relatively heavy material, such as a brass or bronze, the plurality of holes formed in peripheral portion


118




a


causes a substantial vibratory motion as plate


90


and an apertured ring


118


are rapidly rotated. This vibratory motion is transmitted to bearing


130


and to platen assembly


80


causing a novel circular, orbit-like motion to be imparted to the platen assembly. In a manner presently to be described, this orbit-like motion coupled with the reciprocal motion of the platen assembly performs a superior finishing operation on the material residing beneath the platen with which the platen is in engagement. As apertured ring


118


rapidly rotates and vibrates due to the uneven weight distribution caused by bores


119


, elastomeric sleeve


94


of the interfacing means will also uniquely vibrate in a circular, orbit-like motion as indicated by guide arrows


133


of FIG.


13


. Sleeve


94


functions to transfer rotary motion from shaft


86


to the vibratory mechanism and also to isolate shaft


86


from vibration.




Turning once again to

FIGS. 2A

,


6


A and


6


B, it is to be noted that the transversely spaced apart second motion imparting means or orbital generators


82


and


84


are of the identical construction as described in the preceding paragraphs. Disposed intermediate orbital generators


82


and


84


is an electric motor


88


which comprises the means for rotating shafts


86


of both of the orbital generators which shafts are rotatably connected to platform


57


by bearing assemblies


89


. More particularly, shaft


86


of the right generator as viewed in

FIG. 2A

carries a first sheave


132


which is connected to sheave


134


of motor


88


by a drive belt


136


. A second upper sheave


138


is also mounted on shaft


84


and is interconnected with a sheave


140


mounted on shaft


84




b


of the left-hand orbital generator assembly by a belt


139


. With this construction, motor


88


will simultaneously rotate shafts


84




a


and


84




b


of the adjacent orbital generators


82


and


84


causing an orbital motion to be imparted to platen assemblage


80


. At the same time, the first motion imparting means will import a reciprocal motion to the platen assembly.




As previously mentioned, the surface preparing apparatus of the invention includes four longitudinally spaced surface finishing subsystems, each of which is substantially identical to surface finishing subsystem


42


. As shown in

FIGS. 1A and 1B

, the four surface finishing subsystems


42


,


44


,


46


and


48


are disposed above the conveyor belt


36


of the vacuum type conveyor system of the invention and are longitudinally spaced along the length thereof. Each of these finishing subsystems includes a platen assembly


80


, a first motion imparting means for imparting reciprocal motion to the platen assembly and a second motion imparting means for imparting an orbit-like motion to the platen system.




As best seen in

FIG. 1B

, finishing subsystems


42


and


44


are in the back-to-back relationship. Similarly, as shown in

FIG. 1A

finishing systems


46


and


48


are in a back-to-back relationship (see also FIGS.


4


A and


4


B). With this construction, a common motor


64


of the first motion imparting means can drive the reciprocating arms


70




a


and


70




b


(

FIG. 5A

) to impart reciprocal motion to back-to-back platforms


57




a


and


57




b


and to the platen assemblies


80




a


and


80




b


associated therewith. More particularly, rotation of shaft


62


of subsystem


44


is accomplished by means of a sheave


145


which is connected to shaft


62


of subsystem


42


and by a drive belt


147


which interconnects sheave


145


with a sheave


149


, which, in turn, is connected to shaft


62


of subsystem


44


(see also

FIGS. 2B

,


9


A and


9


B). In similar fashion, motor


64




a


(

FIG. 5B

) imparts reciprocal motion to both reciprocating arms


70




c


and


70




d


of finishing subsystems


46


and


48






Considering next the novel construction of platen assembly


80


of the apparatus of the invention, the assembly here comprises an upper layer, or upper structural skin


154


, and a spaced-apart lower layer of structural skin


156


. Disposed intermediate skins


154


and


156


is a lightweight structural foam core


156


. Skins


154


and


156


are specially constructed with each being made up of at least three separate layers of thin carbon fiber sheet material


156




a


,


156




b


and


156




c


which are laid up at 90 degrees with respect to one another (see FIG.


23


). It is to be understood that more than three layers can be laid up at 90 degrees if desired for certain production operations. Each of the five layers is preimpregnated with an epoxy resin and, after impregnation exhibits a thickness of approximately 0.008 inch. After lay-up of the sheet material, the structural skin assemblages thus formed heated to a temperature of between about 275 degrees and about 325 degrees Fahrenheit. While being maintained at this elevated temperature, the assembly is next placed in a press and is subjected to a pressure of on the order of 1000 pounds per square inch.




After layers


154


and


156


are suitably formed in the manner described in the preceding paragraphs, they are bonded to a very lightweight structural foam core


158


. This bonding step is accomplished at a temperature of between about 65 degrees and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit using a suitable acrylic structural adhesive. During bonding the assemblage is placed in a press and placed under a pressure of approximately 500 pounds per square inch for a time period of approximately two hours.




The carbon fiber material used in the formation of skin


154


and


156


is readily commercially available from sources such as Newport Adhesives of Newport Beach, Calif. Similarly, the structural foam used to construct core


158


is readily commercially available from sources such a Composite Structures Technology of Tehachapi, Calif. The acrylic structural adhesive used to bond layers


154


and


156


to core


150


is readily commercially available from sources such as Click Bond, Inc. of Carson City, Nev.




The platen assembly


80


, which is constructed in a manner described in the preceding paragraph is very light weight, yet extremely rugged and durable in operation. Because of its extreme lightweight and durability, the orbit generating means of the invention will impart a uniform and highly effective orbital motion to the platen as the orbit-generating mechanisms operate in the manner previously described.




As shown in

FIGS. 17A

,


17


B,


18


, and


19


, an elongated elastomeric O-ring


162


is attached to the lower surface of the platen assemblage so that it circumscribes an area


164


thereof in the manner best seen in

FIG. 18. A

pair of bores


166


extend in through the end portions of area


164


in a manner shown in

FIG. 18

(see also

FIGS. 17A

,


17


B and


19


). Interconnected with bores


166


is the important vacuum means of the invention for creating a vacuum between area


164


and a novel abrasive assembly generally designated by the numeral


170


.




As best seen by referring to

FIGS. 19 and 21

, abrasive assembly


170


comprises a laminate support


172


that includes a top surface


172




a


and a bottom surface


172




b


. Disposed between surface


172




a


and


172




b


is a rigid core


174


. Suitably affixed to bottom surface


172




b


of laminate support


172


, as by adhesive bonding, is a yieldably deformable pad like member


176


. Pad like member


176


is disposed between upper and lower surface panels


176




a


and


176




b


respectively, in the manner shown in FIG.


21


. Lower surface panel


176


is adapted to support an abrasive material, shown here as a planar sheet of sandpaper


172


. One edge of the sheet of sandpaper


172


is removably connected to the abrasive assembly by edge securement means here shown as a grooved member


173


(

FIG. 20

) and to surface


176




b


by a suitable adhesive which serves to securely interconnect the sandpaper with surface


176




b


, but at the same time permits removal thereof by a force exerted on the sandpaper in a direction of the arrow


173


of FIG.


21


.




The vacuum means of the present form of the invention comprises a conventional vacuum pump


175


(FIG.


19


), which is interconnected with a vacuum connector assembly


178


of the character shown in

FIG. 19

, which is, in turn, interconnected with pump


175


by an elongated conduit


181


. With the construction thus described, when the abrasive assembly is pressed into engagement with O-ring


162


and vacuum pump


175


is energized, a vacuum will be formed between area


184


of the platen assembly and the upper surface


172




a


of support assembly


174


. This vacuum will securely hold the abrasive assembly in position relative to the platen so long as vacuum pump


175


is operated.




Platen assembly


80


is interconnected with platform


57


by a plurality of A novel resilient connector means of the character best seen in FIG.


12


and there generally designated by the numeral


180


. These novel, resilient connector means, each of which is of identical construction, comprise a connector block


182


which is connected to platform


57


by threaded connectors


183


. Connected to block


182


by a threaded connector


185


is a generally horizontally extending plate-like member


186


. Member


186


is, in turn, connected to a second plate-like support


188


by a pair of threaded connectors


189


. Second support


188


is connected to platen assembly


80


by means of a pair of elastomeric sleeve like isolation members


190


. Each of the isolation members


190


includes upper and lower connector members


190




a


and


190




b


respectively. Each of these connector members include a flange portion


191


which is received within upper and lower grooves


193


formed in member


190


. Upper connector


190




a


is threadably interconnected with the lower end of shaft


189


, which lower connector


190




b


is interconnected with platen assembly


80


by means of a threaded stub connector


196


, the lower end of which is received within a counter bore


198


formed in the platen core. An acrylic adhesive


200


of the same character as used in constructing the platen assembly is poured into bore


198


so that it completely surrounds the lower end of the stub shaft and securely interconnects it with the platen core.




With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, as the platen assemblage moves in its orbital motion, elastomeric sleeve or isolation members


190


, which are formed of a suitable elastomer, such as rubber or the like, stabilize platen assembly


80


during start-up and, while sanding, the workpiece. During sanding the sleeves permit limited relative movement between platform


57


and platen assembly


80


. As best seen by referring to

FIGS. 1A and 1B

, each of the subsystems


42


,


44


,


46


and


48


includes four identical resilient connector means of the character just described. It is apparent that these novel resilient connector means function to support platen assembly


80


in a resiliently movable relationship with respect to platforms


57


of each of the subsystems


42


,


44


,


46


, and


48


of the apparatus.




In operating the apparatus of the invention, the workpiece “W”, which may be, by way of example, a cabinet door, is placed on the apertured conveyor in the manner shown in

FIG. 1B. A

vacuum is drawn by a conveyor vacuum means


100


to urge the workpiece securely against the upper surface of the conveyor belt


36


. As the workpiece moves forwardly, it passes under a limit switch assembly


205


which gauges its thickness. If the workpiece has a thickness greater than can be safely accommodated by the platen assemblies, the conveyor will automatically stop. In this regard, during the surface preparing operations, each of the platens of the sanding subsystems roll along the workpiece via sets of work engaging rollers


207


provided on the platens. When the work piece clears the limit switch assembly and moves toward the first finishing station, the motors of the first and second motion-imparting means are suitably energized. This causes the first motion-imparting means to reciprocate the platen assemblies in the manner indicated by the arrows


209


in FIG.


3


. As the platen assemblies are reciprocating, the second motion-imparting means causes shafts


86


to be rotated at a relatively high speed which, in turn, rotates rings


118


. Because rings


118


are apertured in the manner shown in

FIG. 15

, they will create a high frequency, generally circular orbital-like motion (

FIG. 16

) which will be imparted directly to the platens via the elastomeric annular shaped members


94


. As shown in

FIGS. 1A

,


4


A,


10


and


11


, vacuum ducts


215


span each finishing station at a location adjacent each sanding platen and function to capture and appropriately exhaust the saw dust formed during the finishing operations.




As previously mentioned, the platens are connected to the support platform


57


of the apparatus by the elastomeric sleeves or isolation members


190


, thereby allowing the platen to float along the workpiece. The amplitude of the orbital motion caused by the second motion imparting means, varies depending on the configuration of the rings


118


and the speed of rotation of shafts


86


. This simultaneous reciprocal and orbital motion of the sanding platen assemblies


80


produces a very fine surface on the workpiece which is markedly superior to the surfaces produced using traditional mechanisms.




Referring next to

FIGS. 24A

,


24


B and


25


an alternate form of the invention is there shown. This alternate form is similar in many respects to that shown in

FIGS. 1 through 23

and like numbers are used in

FIGS. 24 through 29

to identify like components. The primary difference between this latest embodiment of the invention and that earlier described resides in the provision of a slightly different type of vibratory motion imparting means, the character of which will presently be described.




As shown in

FIGS. 24A and 24B

, the apparatus here comprises a stationary main frame


32


of the character previously described having transversely space-apart, generally horizontally extending mounting surfaces


34


(FIG.


2


A). Connected to main frame


32


is a vacuum type conveyer subsystem


35


which functions in the same manner as earlier discussed and includes a perforated endless conveyer belt


36


. As before, belt


36


functions to transport the workpieces “W” (

FIG. 25

) through the machine at a uniform rate.




The surface preparing apparatus itself of this latest form of the invention also includes four longitudinally spaced finishing subsystems , each of which is of substantially identical construction. This being the case, the description of the construction of the first finishing subsystem shown in

FIGS. 24A

,


24


B and


25


and generally designated by the numeral


222


should be construed as also describing the remaining identical three subsystems that are not shown in these FIG. drawings.




As before, finishing subsystem


222


is supported by a fixed subframe


50


, which is mounted on mainframe


32


. Subframe


50


includes oppositely disposed, transversely spaced, generally vertically extending support columns


52


and


54


which are connected to the previously identified mounting surfaces


34


. Subframe


50


also includes a generally horizontally extending support beam


56


which spans columns


52


and


54


.




Subframe


50


supports a first motion-imparting means or reciprocating means, which imparts a transverse reciprocating movement to a transversely extending support platform


57


to which a platen assembly is connected. As in the earlier described embodiment, the first motion-imparting means includes a crank shaft


62


which is controllably rotated by an electric motor


64


within spaced-apart bearings


66


and


68


which are connected to subframe


50


in the manner best seen in


24


B. Motor


64


drives shaft


62


via a driven sheave


63


which is connected to shaft


62


and to a drive belt


63




a


(FIG.


24


B). Interconnecting shaft


62


with platform


57


is connector member shown here as an arm


70


having first and second ends


70




a


and


70




b


. First end


70




a


is connected to the upper, radially off-set end


62




a


of shaft


62


by a bearing


72


, while end


70




b


is connected to platform


57


by a shaft


74


and bearing assembly


75


.




Connected to platform


57


are four spaced-apart bearing assemblies


76


which are adapted, in the manner previously described, to slide along a pair of spaced apart guide rods


78


which span subframe


50


. With this construction, reciprocal movement of platform


57


, along with a novel platen assembly


80


, which is connected to platform


57


, is accomplished by the first motion imparting means of the character described.




Also connected to platform


57


, is the important second motion-imparting means, of this latest form of the invention for moving the platen assembly in an orbital-like motion. As before this second motion-imparting means comprises orbit generators, here identified as


224


and


226


, which are similar to the previously described orbit generators


82


and


84


. Each of the orbit generators


224


and


226


comprise a rotating shaft


230


and novel interface means for interconnecting shaft


230


with a ring assembly


232


. Ring assembly


232


here includes a base plate


234


(

FIG. 26A

) and a ring


236


having peripheral portions


236




a


and


236




b


(FIG.


26


B).




The novel interface means of this latest form of the invention, rather than comprising shaped, hollow sleeve-like elastomeric members


94


, here comprises a novel flexible connector band


240


, which is disposed between rotating shaft


230


and plate


234


in a manner best seen in FIG.


24


. As best seen in

FIG. 26A

, connector band


240


comprises a yieldable deformable, endless belt-like member that is connected with shaft


230


by a first connector means and is interconnected with plate


234


by a second connector means. As indicated in

FIG. 26A

, connector member


240


has a top wall


240




a


, a bottom wall


240




b


and curved sidewalls


240




c


that are connected with walls


240




a


and


240




b


. The first connector means here comprises a connector ring


242


that is threadably connected to shaft


230


and a connector disk


244


that is connected to ring


242


and also to the top wall


240




a


of connector band


240


by means of threaded connectors


245


(FIG.


30


). As indicated in

FIG. 30

, connector ring


236


is connected to base plate


234


by means of threaded connectors


247


.




The second connector means of the invention, which functions to interconnect connector band


240


with base plate


234


, here comprises a generally rectangular connector plate


250


which is interconnected with connector band


240


and with base plate


234


by means of threaded connectors


251


(FIG.


30


).




Operably associated with ring


236


and also forming a part of the second motion-imparting means of the invention, is a third connector means for operably interconnecting ring assembly


232


with platen assembly


80


. This third connector means comprises a threaded stub shaft


254


which is threadably received within a threaded bore


255


formed in mounting plate


234


. A locking nut


256


is threadably connected to the top of shaft


254


in the manner best seen in FIG.


30


. As also indicated in

FIG. 30

, stub shaft


254


is provided proximate its lower extremity with a generally cylindrically shaped head portion


254




a


. Head portion


254




a


is journaled within a bearing


258


which, in turn, is mounted within a housing


260


that is connected to platen assembly


80


by threaded connectors


261


.




It is very important to note that, as shown in

FIGS. 26A and 31

, while ring assembly


232


has an axial center line CL-


1


that passes through a center point “CP”, the axial center line CL-


2


of the threaded bore


255


formed in base plate


234


is off set from the center point by a distance “X”. Stated another way, threaded bore


255


formed in base plate


234


is not coaxially aligned with center “CP” of the base plate, but rather is offset therefrom by the distance “X” (FIG.


30


). More particularly, as shown in

FIG. 30

, distances D-


1


and D-


2


are equal, but the center line


230




a


of shaft


230


is off set in the manner depicted. Distance “X” can be between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and ¼ inch, but an offset of about {fraction (3/16)} inch is preferred.




With the construction described in the preceding paragraph, rotation of shaft


230


about its axis


230




a


by motor


88


will impart rotation to ring assembly


232


via connector band


240


. Rotation of ring assembly


232


will, of course, impart rotation to stub shaft


254


that is connected thereto and also to the head portion


254




a


which is rotatably supported within bearing


260


. However, because the axis of threaded bore


255


is radially offset from the true center point “CP” of the ring assembly


232


, a substantial vibratory motion will result as the ring assembly is rapidly rotated. This vibratory motion is transmitted to bearing


258


and also to platen assembly


80


causing a novel circular, orbit-like motion to be imparted to the platen assembly. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, this orbit-like motion coupled with the reciprocal motion of the platen assembly performs a superior finishing operation on the material residing beneath the platen with which the platen is in engagement. Because of the offset of threaded bore


255


, as ring assembly


232


rapidly rotates, it will travel in a path diagrammatically depicted in

FIG. 31

causing the platen assembly to vibrate in a orbit-like motion as indicated by the letters A, B, and C of FIG.


31


. The flexible connector bands


240


of the apparatus function in a highly novel manner to transfer rotary motion from shaft


230


to the vibratory mechanism and also uniquely function to isolate shaft


230


from vibration.




As was the case in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, motor


88


is disposed intermediate orbital generators


224


and


226


. As previously mentioned electric motor


88


, which comprises the means for rotating shafts


230


of both of the orbital generators which shafts are rotatably connected to platform


57


by bearing assemblies


89


.




As previously mentioned, the surface preparing apparatus of the invention includes four longitudinally spaced surface finishing subsystems, each of which is substantially identical to surface finishing subsystem


222


. These four surface finishing subsystems are disposed above the conveyor belt


36


of the vacuum type conveyor system of the invention and are longitudinally spaced along the length thereof. Each of these finishing subsystems includes a platen assembly


80


.




The platen assembly


80


of this latest form of the apparatus of the invention, is substantially identical to that earlier described.




Platen assembly


80


is interconnected with platform


57


in the same manner as previously described by a plurality of novel resilient connector means of the character best seen in FIG.


25


and there generally designated by the numeral


180


. These novel, resilient connector means, each of which is of identical construction, and their manner of interconnection with the platen, has been described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 1 through 23

.




In operating the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, the workpiece “W”, which may be, by way of example, a cabinet door, is placed on the apertured conveyor in the manner shown in FIG.


25


. As before, during the surface preparation operations, each of the platens of the sanding subsystem roll along the workpiece via sets of work engaging rollers


207


provided on the platens




Turning to

FIGS. 34

,


35


, and


36


, still another form of the vibrating motion imparting means of the invention is there shown. This latest form of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown in

FIGS. 24 through 33

and like numerals are used to identify like components. However, in the form of the invention shown in

FIGS. 34-36

, the threaded bore formed in the ring assembly, rather than being offset is rotated coaxially aligned with the center point of the ring assembly. Accordingly, the vibratory motion is achieved by making the first and second segments of the ring portion of the ring assembly of different weights. This, of course, was the same technique used to obtain the vibratory motion in the embodiment of the invention shown in

FIGS. 1 through 23

. Thusly, the basic difference between this latest form of the invention and the first described form of the invention resides in the provision of the novel connector band


240


which is identical to that described in connection with

FIGS. 24 through 33

.




Referring particularly to

FIG. 34

, the ring assembly, which is there identified by the numeral


265


, comprises a base plate


267


and a ring


269


that is connected thereto by suitable connectors


271


. In this instance, the center point “CP” of the ring assembly


265


is coaxially aligned with the axial centerline of both shaft


230


and stub shaft


254


which is connected thereto in the manner previously described. However, as was the case with ring


118




b


of the first embodiment of the invention, the first segment


271




a


of ring


271


is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced drilled bores


273


while second segment


271




b


is not (FIG.


35


). This, of course, makes segment


271




a


lighter than segment


271




b


so that, upon rapid rotation of ring assembly


265


by shaft


230


and via connector band


240


vibration will occur in the same manner as in the first form of the invention and will be transmitted to the platen in the manner earlier described.




Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A surface preparing apparatus including a platen, said apparatus comprising:(a) motion-imparting means operably associated with said platen for imparting an orbit-like motion thereto, said motion-imparting means comprising a ring assembly having an axial center line and including a base and a ring connected to said base, said ring having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion; and (b) rotation-imparting means for imparting rotation to said ring assembly comprising: (i) a rotating shaft having an axial center line; and (ii) interface means for interconnecting said rotating shaft with said ring assembly comprising a yieldably deformable connector band disposed between said shaft and said ring assembly.
  • 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said connector band comprises an endless band having an upper wall, a lower wall and spaced apart, curved end walls connected to said upper and lower walls.
  • 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said interface means further comprises a connector ring for connecting said connector band to said shaft and a connector plate for connecting said connector band to said ring assembly.
  • 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said axial center line of said rotating shaft is aligned with said axial center line of said ring assembly and in which said first segment of said ring has a weight less than said second segment.
  • 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said base of said ring assembly is provided with a threaded bore having an axial center line off set from said axial center line of said ring assembly.
  • 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a frame and motion-imparting means carried by said frame for imparting reciprocal motion to the platen.
  • 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a frame and a platform connected to said frame, said rotating shaft being mounted on said platform, said platform being interconnected with the platen by resilient connector means.
  • 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said resilient connector means comprises an elastomeric tubular member.
  • 9. A surface preparing device including a platen, said apparatus comprising:(a) a motion-imparting means operably associated with said platen for imparting an orbit-like motion thereto, said motion-imparting means comprising a ring having a first peripheral portion defining a first arcuate segment and a second peripheral portion defining a second arcuate segment, said second arcuate segment having a weight less than the weight of said first arcuate segment; and (b) rotation-imparting means for imparting rotation to said ring comprising: (i) a rotating shaft; and (ii) interface means for interconnecting said rotating shaft with said ring comprising a yieldably deformable connector band member disposed between said shaft and said ring.
  • 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including a frame and motion-imparting means carried by said frame for imparting reciprocal motion to said platen.
  • 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said connector band comprises an endless band having an upper wall, a lower wall and spaced apart, curved end walls connected to said upper and lower walls.
  • 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which said interface means further comprises a first connector assembly for connecting said connector band to said shaft and a second connector assembly for connecting said connector band to said ring.
  • 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including a frame and a platform connected to said frame, said rotating shaft being mounted on said platform, said platform being interconnected with said platen by resilient connector means.
  • 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said resilient connector means comprises an elastomeric tubular member.
  • 15. A surface preparation device including a platen assembly, said device comprising:(a) a frame; (b) a platform connected to said frame for reciprocal movement with respect thereto; (c) a motor connected to said platform; (d) a straight shaft rotatable by said motor, said straight shaft having an axis of rotation; (e) a yieldably deformable connector band connected to said straight shaft, said connector band having a top wall, a bottom wall and spaced apart side walls connected to said top and bottom walls; (f) a ring assembly connected to said connector band, said ring assembly having first and second arcuate segments and an axial center line; and (g) connector means for interconnecting said ring with said platen for imparting an orbit-like motion thereto.
  • 16. The device as defined in claim 15 in which said connector band comprises an endless band and in which said interface assembly comprises a first connector for interconnecting said bottom wall of said connector band with said ring.
  • 17. The device as defined in claim 15 in which said ring assembly is provided with a threaded bore and in which said platen assembly includes a bearing.
  • 18. The device as defined in claim 17, in which said connector means comprises a connector shaft having an end portion rotatable within said bearing, said connector shaft being threadably received within said threaded bore.
  • 19. The device as defined in claim 18 in which said threaded bore is offset from said axial centerline of said ring assembly.
  • 20. The device as defined in claim 18 in which said threaded bore is coaxially aligned with said threaded bore and in which said first arcuate segment of said ring assembly has a lesser weight than said second arcuate segment.
Parent Case Info

This is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/166,710 filed Oct. 5, 1998 U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,206.

US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
4478010 Dicke Oct 1984 A
5081794 Haney Jan 1992 A
6200206 Drees Mar 2002 B1
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/166710 Oct 1998 US
Child 09/741630 US