US3893266A

US3893266A - Apparatus for unloading workstock from vibratory finishing machines

Info

Publication number: US3893266A
Application number: US447966A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon H Anderson; Richard T Atherton
Original assignee: King Seeley Thermos Co
Current assignee: King Seeley Thermos Co
Priority date: 1971-12-20
Filing date: 1974-03-04
Publication date: 1975-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-08

Abstract

In combination with a vibratory finishing machine comprising a generally cylindrical finishing container including inner and outer side walls defining a generally circular finishing chamber therebetween adapted to receive finishing media and work pieces to be finished, means defining an unloading area for the container and closure means normally closing the area but being removable during an unloading cycle to permit work pieces to be removed from the compartment, and means for imparting vibratory movement to the container, whereby the finishing media and work pieces move around the compartment; a work piece unloading apparatus for removing the work pieces from the container and including a weir extending generally transversely of the compartment between the inner and outer walls thereof and adapted to cause the media and work pieces to be moved from a normal finishing level toward an elevated level as the same pass over the weir, and separating means disposed above the normal finishing level and adapted to receive the media and the workpieces passing over the weir and thereafter convey the work pieces toward the unloading area and permit the media to return to the finishing level.

Description

United States Patent [191 Anderson et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING WORKSTOCK FROM VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINES [75] Inventors: Gordon H. Anderson; Richard T.

Atherton, both of Albert Lea, Minn.

King-Seeley Thermos Co., Ann Arbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 447,966

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 210,026, Dec. 20, 1971,

[73] Assignee:

Primary ExaminerHarold D. Whitehead Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [4 1 July 8,1975

[57] ABSTRACT In combination with a vibratory finishing machine comprising a generally cylindrical finishing container including inner and outer side walls defining a generally circular finishing chamber therebetween adapted to receive finishing media and work pieces to be finished, means defining an unloading area for the container and closure means normally closing the area but being removable during an unloading cycle to permit work pieces to be removed from the compartment, and means for imparting vibratory movement to the container, whereby the finishing media and work pieces move around the compartment; 21 work piece unloading apparatus for removing the work pieces from the container and including a weir extending generally transversely of the compartment between the inner and outer walls thereof and adapted to cause the media and work pieces to be moved from a normal finishing level toward an elevated level as the same pass over the weir, and separating means disposed above the normal finishing level and adapted to receive the media and the workpieces passing over the weir and thereafter convey the work pieces toward the unloading area and permit the media to return to the finishing level.

39 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] L 1975 SHEET APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING WORKSTOCK FROM VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINES This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 210,026, filed Dec. 20, 1971 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to vibratory finishing, grinding, polishing and deburring machines of the type which generally comprise an annular or toroidal finishing chamber or bowl which is partially filled with a mass of work pieces and finishing media and which is caused to vibrate in a predetermined manner in order to finish" or deburr the work pieces. Such finishing machines are generally shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,088; 3,266,739; 3,268,177 and 3,161,993.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for removing or unloading the finished work parts from the finishing chambers of the aforesaid type of vibratory finishing machines in a manner so as to minimize the amount of manual handling which is required. Heretofore, the separation of the finished work pieces from the media and removal of the work pieces from the compartment has been accomplished by two generally accepted methods. In one method, the parts and media are conveyed in a generally vertical plane by various types of devices, whereby the work pieces and media are deposited on a machine mounted screen for separation purposes. resulting in the media dropping downwardly into a special chamber adjacent the finishing chamber for re-introduction into the finishing vessel after the separation cycle. In the second method, the configuration of the finishing compartment is such that the handling of the work pieces and media is in a generally horizontal fashion with the finishing compartment having a spiral or circular ramp arrangement adapted to convey the work pieces and media to a sufficient elevation to make possible installation of a work piece-from-media separation facility.

neither of the aforementioned methods has been found to be a completely satisfactory way of handling or removing work pieces from circular or bowl type finishing machines due to the many difficulties involved in applying or installing such work piece removing apparatus, and the present invention is intended to overcome such shortcomings of prior known and used work piece removal arrangements. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a novel apparatus for removing or unloading the work pieces from a toroidal or circular bowl type vibratory finishing apparatus, with the particular apparatus being especially adapted to be conveniently installed and removed from the finishing bowl without requiring any expensive conversion, or other relatively complex manufacturing operations on the finishing machine. The apparatus essentially consists of a movably mounted weir or darn assembly which is adapted to extend transversely of the finishing compartment and cooperate with a foraminous separating element or screen which is disposed downstream from the weir. In operation of the machine, the mixture of media and work pieces proceeds in a generally circular direction around the finishing compartment until the same reaches the weir, at which time the mixture moves upwardly along the weir and over the upper edge thereof and subsequently falls upon the upper surface of the screen or separating element. The vibratory movement imparted to the compartment causes the work pieces to be conveyed along REFERENCE TO PERTINENT PRIOR ART The following patents disclose subject matter closely related to the applicant's invention:

3,466,815 Balz 3,514,907 Strorn 3,553,900 McKibben Re. 27,084 Balz 3,100,088 Podmore et all 3,148,483 VanFossen et al 3,266,739 McKibben 3,400,495 Balz SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to vibratory finishing machines and, more particularly, to a new and improved apparatus for separating finished work pieces from a finishing media and for thereafter conveying the work pieces to a discharge area.

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vibratory finishing machine.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for unloading finished work pieces from a vibratory finishing machine.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus in which the work pieces and finishing media are subjected to vibration not only to effect finishing of the work pieces, but also to cause the mass of the work pieces and finishing media to be translated in both a linear and orbital path by means of the vibration, whereby the separation of the work pieces and media is effected in a separation zone after completion of a suitable finishing operation, and whereby the separated media is returned by means of gravity to the finishing zone simultaneously to the finished work pieces being conveyed to an unloading area.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for separating and unloading finished work pieces from a vibratory finishing machine which is of a relatively simple design and is inexpensive to construct, operate, and maintain.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for separating and unloading finished work pieces from a vibratory finishing machine which includes a weir or darn member which is selectively movable from an installation position to an operative position and thereafter movable from the operative position to a removal position by means of the mass of workstock finishing media and- /or work pieces contained therein progressing around a generally circular work piece finishing chamber.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunc tion with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a vibratory finishing machine having the new and improved work piece separating and unloading apparatus of the present invention in operative association therewith;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the finishing chamber or bowl of the apparatus shown in FIG. I having the work piece separating and unloading apparatus of the present invention operatively installed therein;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of the work piece finishing bowl of the machine shown in FIG. 1 and the work piece separating and unloading apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a vibratory finishing machine 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is generally designated by the numeral l0 and is shown as comprising a generally horizontally disposed lower base or support structure 12 upon which a generally toroidal finishing chamber or bowl 14 is mounted. The bowl 14 may be and preferably is provided with an interior lining of a suitable wear resistant material such as polyurethane, generally designated by the numeral 16. The bowl 14 is adapted to be supported for vibratory movement upon a column- Iike structure 13 projecting upwardly from the base structure 12 by means of a plurality of suitable helical coil springs, generally designated by the numeral 18. As is well known in the art, the machine is provided with suitable controls which, when properly actuated, complete an electrical circuit to an electrically energized drive motor which is adapted to impart vibratory movement to the bowl 14. Generally speaking, the machine 10 is adapted to be charged or supplied with a multiplicity of work pieces W which are to be finished by a finishing media M; the bowl 14 being provided with a mass of such finishing media M which is intended to act upon the work pieces W in a manner so as to effect a finishing, i.e. deburring, or other finishing operation thereon. The vibratory movement which is imparted to the bowl 14 is intended to move the mixture of finishing media M and work pieces W in a generally orbital path with the bowl 14, which vibratory motion also causes the finishing mixture to travel or progress along a generally circular path around the interior of the bowl 14. During the course of the finishing operation, the orbiting motion produces relative movement between the work pieces W and the finishing media M to effect the desired finishing thereof. The term finishing media or material, as used herein, is intended to include loose, comminuted, grannular or particulate finishing material of the type which is presently employed in a trade. Although certain liquid finishing materials may be used in conjunction with the solid finishing materials, these are considered to be ancillary for the purposes of the present invention which in most cases employs at least some solid finishing media. Moreover, the term finishing media or material, as used herein, pertains to all such finishing materials which may be used to effect an abrading, polishing or other finishing operation on the associated work pieces, as will be understood by those in the art.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the vibratory finishing machine 10 is provided with a novel separating and unloading apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 22, which is adapted to function in selectively removing and conveying the finished work pieces away from the machine 10 at the completion of a finishing operation and permit the return of the finishing media M back to the interior of the bown 14 for subsequent finishing operations. Generally speaking, the apparatus 22 comprises a weir or dam assembly 24 which is adapted to assume an operative position extending generally transversely of the direction of movement of the mixture of the media M and workpieces W around the bowl 14 and cause a predetermined elevating or raising of such mixture from a normal finishing zone, designated in FIG. 4 by the indicia F to an elevated separating zone, designated in FIG. 4 by the indica S, where such mixture is separated, with the finished workpieces W being conveyed away from the machine 10 and the media M being returned to the bowl 14. In addition to the weir assembly 24, the unloading apparatus 22 of the present invention comprises a separating assembly, generally designated by the numeral 26, which is intended to achieve the afore mentioned separation of the workpieces W from the media M after the same pass over the weir assembly 24 and through the separating zone 5,, the separating assembly 26 extending between the downstream side of the weir assembly 24 and a discharge area, generally designated by the numeral 28, which is formed in the bowl l4 and defines a generally rectangular-shaped discharge opening 30 through which the finished workpieces are conveyed by the separating assembly 26. As will hereinafter be described in detail, the discharge opening 30 is provided with a closure member or door 32 which is disposed in a position closing the opening 30 during a normal finishing cycle, but which is adapted to be removed during an unloading cycle to permit the conveying of the workpieces W away from the machine 10. Briefly, in operation of the workpiece separating and unloading apparatus 22, at such time as a finishing operation has been completed, the weir and separating

assemblies

24 and 26, respectively, are inserted into the bowl 14 whereby the weir assembly 24 causes the mixture of the work pieces W and finishing media M to move upwardly from the finishing zone F, to the separating zone 8,, whereupon the mixture falls downwardly upon the upper surface of the separating assembly 26. As the mixture falls downwardly upon the upper surface of the assembly 26, the media will be caused to drop downwardly therethrough back into the interior of the bowl 14, while the vibratory movement of the bowl 14 will cause concomitant vibratory movement of the separating assembly 26 which in turn causes the work pieces W to proceed along the upper surface of the assembly 26 towards the discharge opening 30, as will hereinafter be described.

Referring now in detail to the construction and operation of the weir assembly 24, as best seen in the exploded assembly view shown in FIG. 5, the assembly 24 comprises a generally flat or planar weir member 34 which is formed with a generally linear or straight lower edge 36 and with a generally arcuate outer edge 38 that conforms generally to the inner periphery of the bowl 14. The weir member 34 is preferably, although not necessarily, fabricated of urethane or other suitable resilient material having a rigid core constructed, for example, of steel. With this construction, any finishing media M which may tend to become lodged between the periphery of the member 24 and the inner periphery of the bowl 14 will, by virtue of the vibratory action of the bowl 14, work its way between the edge of the member 24 and the periphery of the bowl l4 and thus not become lodged therebetween. The dimensions of the weir member 34 are such that the same will extend entirely across the path of travel of the workpiecemedia mixture moving around the bowl 14; the height of the member 34 being such that the member 34 will cause the aforesaid mixture to move upwardly from the finishing zone F, to the separating zone 8,, with the re sult that the upper edge of the member 34 is disposed somewhat above the upper surface of the finishing zone F, as shown in FIG. 4. The radially inner end of the member 34 is adapted for pivotal mounting about a generally vertically extending axis in a manner such that the member 34 may be inserted into the bowl 14 in the dotted line position 1 in FIG. 3 and be pivoted to the operative position II and subsequently be pivoted to the dotted line position III in FIG. 3. As will be described in connection with the overall operation of the machine 10, the aforesaid pivotal movement is necessary due to the concave configuration of the outer side wall of the bowl 14. That is, the member 34 is adapted to be inserted into the bowl 14 at a position tangent to the inner side wall thereof, as indicated by the position I; thereafter, the member 34 is intended to be pivoted to the operative position wherein member 34 extends entirely across the path of movement of the mixture within the bowl 14. At such time as it is desired to effect removal of the member 14, the same is pivoted to the position III wherein the same is again disposed tangent to the inner wall of the bowl 14.

The aforesaid pivotal mounting of the member 34 is preferably achieved by means of a telescopic attachment means generally designated by the numeral 40, by which the inner end of the member 34 may be telescopically engaged with means provided interiorally of the bowl 14 in order to provide for convenient insertion and removal thereof. The telescopic attachment means 40 is preferably, although not necessarily, provided by a generally split sleeve member 42 that is fixedly secured, as by welding or the like, to the radially inner end of the member 34. The sleeve 42 is provided with an elongated, generally vertically disposed bore which is adapted to telescopically or nestingly receive a generally vertically extending post or shaft 44 that is fixedly secured within the bowl 14, as best seen in FIG. 5. With this arrangement, member 34 may be conveniently telescopically mounted upon the post 44 for the above described pivotal movement.

In order to operatively secure the member 34 in position I] in FIG. 3 during an unloading operation, the assembly 24 is provided with an elongated positioning lever, generally designated by the numeral 46. The lever 46 is pivotably mounted at an intermediate portion thereof upon the upper end of the split sleeve member 42 by means of a generally bifurcated clevis 48 and pivot pin 49, lever 46 having a handle portion 50 projecting radially outwardly toward the outer side of the bowl 14 from the clevis 48 and also having an inner end portion 52 extending radially inwardly from the clevis 48. The inner end portion 52 of the lever 46 is adapted to be selectively engaged with a generally upwardly extending stop member 54 which is fixedly secured to the upper surface of a central dome member 55 that is disposed Within the bowl 14 and defines the radially inner side wall 56 of the path of movement of the work piecemedia mixture therein.

In operation of the weir assembly 24, the member 34 is initially oriented in position I in FIG. 3 wherein the same is tangent to the outer periphery of the dome 55, with the sleeve member 42 being generally vertically aligned with the vertically extending post 44. Thereafter, the member 34 is biased downwardly in a manner such that the sleeve member 42 telescopically engages the post 44 and the bottom of the member 34 is submerged into the mixture of work pieces W and media M. By virtue of the movement of the mixture, as indicated by the arrow 57 in FIG. 3, the mixture itself will cause the member 34 to be pivotably biased about a generally vertically extending axis defined by the post 44 from position I wherein the member extends radially outwardly from the inner side wall 56 to an outer side wall 58 of the bowl 14. In this latter position, the inner end portion 52 of the positioning lever 46 is adapted to engage the stop member 54, thereby positively securing the member 34 in the operative position II, after which time an unloading operation may be initiated. At the end of the unloading operation when it is desired to effect removal of the assembly 24, the handle portion 50 of the lever 46 may be pivoted downwardly, thereby effecting disengagement of the inner end portion 52 from the stop member 54. When this is done, the aforesaid movement of the mixture in the direction of the arrow 57 in FIG. 3 will cause the entire assembly 24 to be pivotably biased from position II to position III where the member 34 is again generally tangent to the surface 56 of the dome 55, thereby permitting the operator to apply an upwardly directed force to the member 34 to effect disengagement of the sleeve member 42 from the post 44. It may be noted that one or more washer elements, generally designated 59, may be mounted on the pivot pin 49 at a position interjacent the lever 46 and the adjacent portion of the clevis 48 in order to assure proper orientation of the assembly 24 within the bowl l4 and thus compensate for any minor manufacturing deviations of tolerances in the construction of either the assembly 24 or the machine 10.

Referring now in detail to the construction and operation of the separating assembly 26, as best shown in FIG. 5, the assembly 26 comprises an elongated, generally horizontally disposed screen element, generally designated by the numeral 60. The term screen," as used herein, comprises a structure having openings or perforations for classification of parts and finishing media, for example, a grate or screen of any type having wires or rods either parallel or at an angle to one another and defining interstices which are of a size such that the media M may fall downwardly therethrough but which are small enough to prevent the work pieces W from falling therethrough. thus effecting separation of the media M from the work pieces W. The screen element 60 is adapted to extend generally horizontally from the downstream side of the weir assembly 24 when the same is disposed in the operative position II, to the discharge area 28, as best seen in FIG. 3. More particularly, the screen element 60 is mounted on a support frame 61 provided with a generally upstanding flange 62 at the end thereof adjacent the member 34, with the opposite end of the frame 61 being provided with a discharge chute or tray 64 which is adapted to :xtend through the discharge opening 30, as best seen n FIG. 2. Additionally, the frame 61 comprises a pair )f

upstanding side walls

66 and 68, the former of which s adapted to extend arcuately from a position generally angent to the inner side wall 56 of the bowl 14 to a position adjacent the discharge opening 30. The side wall 58, like the wall 66, is of a generally arcuate configura- :ion and extends along the outer side wall 58 of the aowl 14 from a position adjacent the weir assembly 24 to a position adjacent the side of the discharge opening 30 opposite the side wall 66. It may be noted that the screen element 60 is preferably removably secured to the frame 61 so that different screen elements 60 may be interchanged in accordance with the size of the work pieces W which are being finished by the machine I0. Thus, when relatively large work pieces are being used, screen elements 60 having fairly large intricacies would be utilized with the frame 61, whereas a screen element 60 having somewhat smaller intricacies would be used when smaller work pieces are being finished, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It will also be noted that the screen element 60 may be fabricated of different materials, such as woven wire mesh in the case when smaller intricacies are desired or, alternatively, the element 60 may be fabricated of a flat plate having a multiplicity of somewhat larger apertures formed therein through which the media M may drop downwardly during an unloading operation. In any case, the screen element 60, as well as the frame 61, is preferably coated with a suitable resilient material such as neopreme, urethane or other suitable material which will minimize damage to the work pieces W as they are unloaded. As best seen in FIG. 5, the outer ends of the

side walls

66, 68 are provided with a pair of generally horizontally disposed

support flanges

70 and 72, respectively, Additionally, the inner ends of the

walls

66, 68, are provided with similar generally horizontally disposed

flange sections

73, 74. When the entire separating assembly 26 is operatively mounted within the bown 14, the flange sections 70-74 are adapted to be operatively engaged by means of a plurality of compression clamp assemblies, generally designated by the numeral 76. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the assemblies 76 comprises a support bracket 78 which is operatively secured by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like to a generally horizontally disposed upper edge 80 of the bowl 14. As best seen in FIG. 5, the assembly 76 associated with the flange section 73 is secured to the surface 56 of the dome 55. Each of the support brackets 78 is adapted to pivotably support a lever arm 82 that is pivotable to effect clamping engagement of a clamping element 84 with the associated flange sections 7074, thereby clampingly securing these flange sections, and hence the entire as sembly 26 in the operative position shown, for example, in FIG. 2. It will be noted and best shown in FIG. 4, that the

side walls

66, 68 of the assembly 26 are dimensioned such that when the assembly 26 is operatively positioned within the bowl 14, the screen element 60 extends generally horizontally at a position spaced somewhat above the finishing zone F, and somewhat below the separating zone 8,. With this arrangement, as the mixture of workpieces W and media M pass through the separating zone S, and fall downwardly upon the upper surface of the screen element 60, the media M will be permitted to fall downwardly through the interstices thereof, while the work pieces W will be conveyed along the upper surface thereof.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the discharge opening 30 is of a generally rectangular configuration and comprises a pair of vertically disposed side edges 86 and 88 and a generally horizontally disposed bottom edge 90. The closure member or door 32 is of a complementary configuration and is adapted to be received within the opening 30 and thereby effect closure of the opening 30 so as to prevent the egress of the work piece-media mixture during a finishing operation. It will be noted that the bottom or lower edge 90 of the opening 30 is disposed somewhat above the upper level of the finishing zone F, so that the media dropping downwardly through the screen elements 60 into the zone F, will not have a tendency to pass through the opening 30 during an unloading cycle.

The closure door 32 is provided with a pair of generally horizontally extending opposed flange portions 92 and 94 which are similar in construction and configuration to the

flange portions

70, 72 of the assembly 26. The flange portions 92, 94 are adapted to be operatively associated with the pair of compression clamp assemblies 76 located adjacent the opposite sides of the opening 30 so that said assemblies 76 may be properly actuated so as to positively clampingly secure the closure door 32 in its closed position during a finishing operation. Thus, the aforesaid pair of assemblies 76 function to not only clampingly secure the door 32 in place during such a finishing operation, but are also operable to clampingly secure the separating assembly 26 in its operative position during an unloading cycle. The periphery of the discharge opening 30 is preferably provided with a recess or groove, best illustrated in FIG. 5 and designated by the numeral 95, which is adapted for engagement with complementary shaped embossed ridge (not shown) formed around the outer periphery of the closure door 32, with the groove 95 and associated ridge cooperating to permit the door 32 to slide downwardly into the opening 30 and be positively secured and oriented therein during a normal finishing operation.

It may be noted that for certain types of installation, it may be desirable to provide a mixture retaining member, best illustrated in FIG. 5 and generally designated by the numeral 96, along the portion of the bowl 14 directly upstream from the normal operative position of the weir assembly 24. The retaining member 96 may comprise a generally arcuate shaped baffle or the like which extends upwardly from the upper edge 80 of the bowl l4 and is operatively secured thereto by means of suitable support brackets or the like 98 and 100, the retaining member 96 thereby serving to prevent any inadvertent overflow of the work piece-media mixture as the same piles upwardly or accumulates at the upstream side of the weir assembly 24 when the mixture is traversing from the finishing zone F, upwardly to the separating zone 8,. It will be appreciated, of course, that various alternative means may be utilized for preventing such overflow and that for certain types of installations no retaining member will be necessary. In addition, it may be noted that the bowl I4 may be provided with a suitable media discharge assembly, generally designated by the numeral 102. The assembly 102 may be of any well known construction and be provided with a suitable removable closure door or the like which may be selectively opened and closed to provide for the discharge of the media M whenever it is desired to effect a cleaning of the bowl 14 or replacement of the media M utilized therein.

Assuming that the bowl 14 contains a mixture of work pieces W and media M and that the closure door 32 is clampingly secured in a position blocking flow of the aforesaid mixture through the discharge opening 30, and further assuming that the machine is energized to effect vibratory movement of the work piecemedia mixture within the bowl l4 and thus movement thereof in the direction of the arrow 57 in FIG. 3 around the interior of the bowl l4, operation of the work piece unloading and separating apparatus 22 of the present invention is initiated by vertically orienting the sleeve member 42 of the assembly 24 with the post 44 and thereafter biasing the member 34 downwardly at position I in FIG. 3. Such downward movement of the member 34 is easily achieved due to the vibratory movement of the work piece-media mixture. At such time as the lower end of the member 34 is juxtapositioned the bottom of the bowl 14, the member 34 will be pivoted by the forward movement of the finishing machine from position i to the operative position ii in FIG. 3, at which time the inner end portion 52 of the positioning lever 46 will engage the stop member 54. With weir member 34 now in place, operation of the machine 10 is continued until the mass of media and work pieces builds up adjacent the upstream side of the member 34. At this time, the machine 10 is shut off and the closure door 32 may be removed and the separating assembly 26 may be operatively installed in the position shown in FIG. 3, as hereinabove described. The machine 10 is then turned on to again effect vibratory movement of the bowl l4, whereupon the mixture of work pieces W and media M will flow upwardly over the upper edge of the weir member 34 into the separating zone S, in FIG. 4 and said mixture will thereafter drop downwardly onto the upper surface of the screen element 60. When this occurs, the media will drop through the interstices in the screen element 60, and the vibratory movement imparted to the screen element 60 due to vibratory motion of the bowl 14 will cause the work pieces W to be moved along or across the upper surface of the screen 60 toward the discharge chute 64, from where the work pieces may transfer to an associated conveyor, pallet box or the like. After all of the work pieces W have been discharged, the machine 10 is again de-energized and the separating assembly 26 is removed and the discharge opening 30 is again closed by properly installing the door 32. Thereafter, the machine 10 is again energized and the handle portion 50 of the positioning lever 46 is biased downwardly to release the inner end portion 52 from the stop member 54. When this is done, the movement of the media M within the bowl 14 will cause the weir member 34 to be pivotably biased from position ll to position [II in H6. 3, whereby the weir member 34 may be easily lifted out of the mass media M, thereby preparing the machine 10 for the next successive finishing cycle or operation.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment ofthe invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated. it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

l. A vibratory finishing machine comprising,

a container including inner and outer side walls defining a generally circular finishing compartment therebetween adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished,

means defining an unloading area for said container and closure means normally closing said area but being movable during an unloading cycle to permit workpieces to be removed from said compartment,

means for imparting vibratory movement to said container, whereby said finishing media and workpieces move around said compartment,

unloading means for removing said workpieces from said container,

said unloading means including weir means extending transversely of said compartment between said inner and outer walls and adapted to cause said media and said workpieces to be moved from a first level toward an elevated level as the same passes over said weir,

said weir being pivotably mounted within said chamber and movable therein about a generally vertically extending axis located adjacent one of said side walls between a first position disposed generally tangent to said one side wall and a second position extending generally transversely of said compartment, and

separating means adapted to receive said media and said workpieces passing over said weir and thereafter convey said workpieces toward said unloading area and permit said media to drop downwardly therethrough into said compartment.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes support means adjacent one of said side walls for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation between said inner and outer side walls.

3. The invention as set forth in claim I wherein said weir is pivotably mounted for movement about a generally vertical axis located adjacent one of said side walls.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes support means adjacent said inner wall for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said inner side wall and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position generally perpendicular to said inner side wall so as to extend generally radially of said compartment between said inner and outer side walls.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 which includes means for limiting pivotable movement of said weir about said axis.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for limiting pivotal movement of said weir includes releasable locking means for lockingly securing said weir in a position extending generally radially of said compartment. said locking means being releasable to permit pivotal movement of said weir to a position extending generally tangent of said inner side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said support means includes telescopically engageable means on said weir and within said compartment for supporting said weir for said pivotal movement.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said telescopically engageable means comprises a male member fixedly mounted adjacent said inner side wall of said compartment and a female member on the radially inner end of said weir, said male and female members being adapted for telescopic engagement for operatively supporting said weir within said compartment.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted within said compartment. whereby said weir may be inserted into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said inner side wall and may thereafter be pivotably biased about a generally vertical axis to a position extending perpendicular of said inner side wall and may be thereafter pivotably biased about said vertical axis to a second position extending generally tangent to said inner side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment.

ll. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes a release lever for releasably securing said weir in said position extending generally perpendicular of said inner side wall compartment.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes a release lever pivotably mounted on said weir, said release lever being selectively engageable with a fixed portion of said container adjacent said inner wall to releasably secure said weir in said position extending generally perpendicular of said inner side wall, said lever being actuatable to a position disengaged from said fixed portion to permit said weir to be pivotably biased to a position extending generally tangent of said inner side wall permitting removal of said weir from said compartment.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loading area of said compartment includes a discharge opening through which workpieces may be removed from said container.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing said discharge open ing.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member at a position closing said discharge opening, said securing means being actuatable in order to permit removal of said closure member whereby work pieces may be discharged from said compartment through said opening.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said securing means is operable to detachably secure said separating means in an operative position extending generally horizontally between said weir and said unloading area.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said separating element comprises a generally horizontally disposed imperforate member having a multiplicity of interstices sufficiently large to permit said media to be returned to said compartment but small enough to prevent workpieces from dropping downwardly therethrough.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 which includes support frame means extending between said weir means and said discharge area for supporting said imperforate member and for guiding workpieces mov ing along the upper side of said member toward said discharge area.

19. The invention as set forth in claim I wherein said separating element comprises a generally horizontally extending screen and guide means extending along the downstream side of said screen between said inner side wall and the downstream side of said discharge area to guide workpieces toward said discharge area as the same traverse said screen.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 19 wherein said separating element comprises a removably mounted frame and an interchangeable screen member on said frame, said frame including a pair of spaced upstanding wall portions extending along the opposite side thereof, and securing means for detachably securing said frame at a position extending between the downstream side of said weir and said discharge area.

21. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing machine including a container defining a generally circular finishing compartment having radially inner and outer walls and an unloading area adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished,

said apparatus including a generally vertically oriented weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the compartment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses around said compartment, and

support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means on the machine providing a vertically oriented pivotal axis located adjacent one of the walls and means on said weir detachably engageable with said last mentioned means for permitting said weir to pivot about said axis whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said one wall of said compartment and is pivotable approximately about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartmentv 22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation. said support means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to one wall of said compartment and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment.

23. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said unloading area defines a discharge opening in said container and which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for clos ing said opening, and which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member to said container.

24. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes guide means extending between said weir and said unloading area for guiding workpieces moving along the upper side of said separating element toward said area.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted within said compart ment, whereby said weir may be inserted into said compartment in a position generally tangent to one side wall of said compartment and may thereafter be pivotably biased about a generally vertical axis to a first position extending perpendicular to said one side wall and may be thereafter pivotably biased about said vertical axis to a second position extending generally tangent to said one side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment, which includes a release lever for releasably securing said weir in said position extending generally perpendicular of said one side wall, said release lever being selectively engageable with a fixed portion of said container to releasably secure said weir in said first position and being actuatable to a position disengaged from said fixed portion to permit said weir to be pivotably biased to said second position, which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing a discharge opening in said container, and which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member at a position closing said discharge opening.

26. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to the inner side wall of said compartment and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position generally perpendicular to said inner side wall so as to extend generally radially of said compartment, and wherein said separating element comprises a general horizontally extending screen and guide means extending along the downstream side of said screen between said inner side wall and the downstream side of said unloading area to guide workpieces toward said area as the same traverse said screen.

27. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing a discharge opening said container, which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member in a position closing said opening, said securing means being actuatable in order to permit removable of said closure member whereby workpieces may be discharged from said compartment through said opening, and wherein said separating element comprises a general horizontally extending screen and frame means extending between the downstream side of said weir and said discharge area to communicate workpieces toward said discharge area.

28. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes a support means adjacent the inner wall of said compartment for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said inner wall and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position generally perpendicular to said inner wall so as to extend generally radially of said compartment, which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing a discharge opening therein, which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member in a position closing said discharge opening with said securing means being actuatable in order to permit removal of said closure member whereby workpieces may be discharged from said compartment through said opening, and which includes guide means extending between said inner wall and said discharge area for guiding workpieces toward said opening.

29. A vibratory finishing machine comprising,

a container including generally concentrically oriented circular inner and outer side wall sections, one of said side wall sections having a portion thereof projecting toward the other of said side walls and defining therewith an annular finishing compartment adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished,

a discharge are formed in said outer side wall section and removable closure means normally closing said area,

means for imparting vibratory movement to said container, whereby said media and workpieces move around said compartment and said media performs a finishing operation on said workpieces.

a weir arranged upstream of said discharge area and extending generally transversely of said compartment between said inner and outer side wall sections,

means adjacent one end of said weir defining a vertical axis for removably supporting the same in a generally vertical orientation and providing for swinging movement thereof about said axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a first position generally tangent said inner side wall and is movable to and from a second position wherein the end of said weir opposite said last mentioned means is located beneath said projecting wall portion, and

a generally horizontally disposed separating element removably mounted between the downstream side of said weir and said discharge area and guide means cooperable with said element for directing workpieces passing over said weir and onto said element toward said discharge area.

30. The invention as set forth in claim 29 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted within said compartment, whereby said weir may be inserted into said compartment in a position generally tangent to said inner side wall section and may thereafter be pivotably biased about a generally vertical axis to a first position extending perpendicular of said inner side wall section and may be thereafter pivotably biased about said vertical axis to a second position extending generally tangent to said inner side wall section to permit removal of said weir from said compartment, which includes a release lever for releasably securing said weir in said first position, said release lever being selectively engageable with a fixed portion of said container adjacent said inner wall section to releasably secure said weir in said first position, said lever being actuatable to permit said weir to move toward said second position for removal thereof from said compartment.

31. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing a discharge opening formed in said container, and which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member in a position closing said discharge opening, said securing means being actuatable in order to permit removal of said closure member whereby workpieces may be discharged from said compartment through said opening.

32. The invention as set forth in claim 29 wherein said separating element comprises a general horizontally extending screen and guide means extending along the downstream side of said screen between said inner side wall and the downstream side of said discharge irea to guide workpieces toward said discharge area as he same traverse said screen.

33. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which in- :ludes support means adjacent said inner wall section or supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientaion, said support means including means providing for aivotal movement of said weir about a generally verti- :al axis. said weir being insertable into said compartnent at a position generally tangent to said inner wall ection and being pivotable about said vertical axis to l position generally perpendicular to said inner side vall so as to extend generally radially of said compartnent between said inner and outer side wall sections.

34. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said eparating means is spaced vertically from said first finshing level.

35. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing nachine including a container defining a finishing comartment and adapted to receive finishing media and vorkpieces to be finished and cause the finished workiieces to be transferred to an unloading area.

said apparatus including a weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the comparment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses along a path within said compartment,

support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation transversely of said path,

said support means including vertically oriented telescopically engageable means on the machine and on said weir and providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby when said telescopically engageable means are engaged, said weir is adapted to be inserted into said compartment at a position generally tangent to one wall of said compartment and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment, and

a separating element removably mounted adjacent said weir and extending substantially between said weir and said unloading area,

said separating element adapted to receive said media and said workpieces passing over said weir and thereafter transfer said workpieces toward said unloading area and permit said media to drop downwardly toward said finishing zone.

36. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing machine including a container defining a generally circular finishing compartment having radially inner and outer walls and an unloading area adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished,

said apparatus including a vertical weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the compartment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses around said compartment,

support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including a generally vertically oriented shaft-like member located adjacent said radially inner wall and providing a vertical pivotal axis, means on said weir detachably engageable with said member for permitting said weir to pivot about said axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said one wall of said compartment and is pivotable approximately about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment.

37. The invention as set forth in claim 35 wherein said separating element is spaced vertically from said finishing zone.

38. The invention as set forth in claim 36 which includes a generally horizontally disposed separating element located downstream from said weir and wherein said spaced vertically from said finishing zone.

39. The invention as set forth in claim 38 wherein said separating element is spaced vertically below said finishing zone.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. I 3, 893, 266 DATED July 8, 1975 v 0 (5) Gordon H. Anderson and Richard T. Atherton It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 39, "neither" should be Neither-; Col. 2, line 31, delete "method and"; Col. 3, line 48, "with" should be within-; Col. 3, line 66, "finishing" should be quoted; Col. 4, line 9, "bown" should be --bOW'1--; Col. 4, line 28, "downstream" should be quoted; C01. 7, line 32, "neopreme" should be -neoprene-; C01. 7, line 41, "bown" should be -bowl; Col. 13, line 36, insert "in" before "said"; Col. 13, line 39, "removable" should be rernova1; Col. 14, line 8, "are" should be -area--; Col. 16, lines 35-36, delete "wherein said".

Signed and Scaled this A trest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting O/[icer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks

Claims

1. A vibratory finishing machine comprising, a container including inner and outer side walls defining a generally circular finishing compartment therebetween adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished, means defining an unloading area for said container and closure means normally closing said area but being movable during an unloading cycle to permit workpieces to be removed from said compartment, means for imparting vibratory movement to said container, whereby said finishing media and workpieces move around said compartment, unloading means for removing said workpieces from said container, said unloading means including weir means extending transversely of said compartment between said inner and outer walls and adapted to cause said media and said workpieces to be moved from a first level toward an elevated level as the same passes over said weir, said weir being pivotably mounted within said chamber and movable therein about a generally vertically extending axis located adjacent one of said side walls between a first position disposed generally tangent to said one side wall and a second position extending generally transversely of said compartment, and separating means adapted to receive said media and said workpieces passing over said weir and thereafter convey said workpieces toward said unloading area and permit said media to drop downwardly therethrough into said compartment.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted for movement about a generally vertical axis located adjacent one of said side walls.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for limiting pivotal movement of said weir includes releasable locking means for lockingly securing said weir in a position extending generally radially of said compartment, said locking means being releasable to permit pivotal movement of said weir to a position extending generally Tangent of said inner side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted within said compartment, whereby said weir may be inserted into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said inner side wall and may thereafter be pivotably biased about a generally vertical axis to a position extending perpendicular of said inner side wall and may be thereafter pivotably biased about said vertical axis to a second position extending generally tangent to said inner side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes a release lever for releasably securing said weir in said position extending generally perpendicular of said inner side wall compartment.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing said discharge opening.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member at a position closing said discharge opening, said securing means being actuatable in order to permit removal of said closure member whereby workpieces may be discharged from said compartment through said opening.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 which includes support frame means extending between said weir means and said discharge area for supporting said imperforate member and for guiding workpieces moving along the upper side of said member toward said discharge area.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said separating element comprises a generally horizontally extending screen and guide means extending along the downstream side of said screen between said inner side wall and the downstream side of said discharge area to guide workpieces toward said discharge area as the same traverse said screen.

21. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing machine including a container defining a generally circular finishing compartment having radially inner and outer walls and an unloading area adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished, said apparatus including a generally vertically oriented weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the compartment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses around said compartment, and support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means on the machine providing a vertically oriented pivotal axis located adjacent one of the walls and means on said weir detachably engageable with said last mentioned means for permitting said weir to pivot about said axis whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said one wall of said compartment and is pivotable approximately 90* about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment.

22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to one wall of said compartment and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment.

23. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said unloading area defines a discharge opening in said container and which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing said opening, and which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member to said container.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said weir is pivotably mounted within said compartment, whereby said weir may be inserted into said compartment in a position generally tangent to one side wall of said compartment and may thereafter be pivotably biased about a generally vertical axis to a first position extending perpendicular to said one side wall and may be thereafter pivotably biased about said vertical axis to a second position extending generally tangent to said one side wall to permit removal of said weir from said compartment, which includes a release lever for releasably securing said weir in said position extending generally perpendicular of said one side wall, said release lever being selectively engageable with a fixed portion of said container to releasably secure said weir in said first position and being actuatable to a position disengaged from said fixed portion to permit said weir to be pivotably biased to said second position, which includes a removable closure member detachably secured to said container for closing a discharge opening in said container, and which includes securing means for detachably securing said closure member at a position closing said discharge opening.

29. A vibratory finishing machine comprising, a container including generally concentrically oriented circular inner and outer side wall sections, one of said side wall sections having a portion thereof projecting toward the other of said side walls and defining therewith an annular finishing compartment adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished, a discharge are formed in said outer side wall section and removable closure means normally closing said area, means for imparting vibratory movement to said container, whereby said media and workpieces move around said compartment and said media performs a finishing operation on said workpieces. a weir arranged upstream of said discharge area and extending generally transversely of said compartment between said inner and outer side wall sections, means adjacent one end of said weir defining a vertical axis for removably supporting the same in a generally vertical orientation and providing for swinging movement thereof about said axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a first position generally tangent said inner side wall and is movable to and from a second position wherein the end of said weir opposite said last mentioned means is located beneath said projecting wall portion, and a generally horizontally disposed separating element removably mounted between the downstream side of said weir and said discharge area and guide means cooperable with said element for directing workpieces passing over said weir and onto said element toward said discharge area.

32. The invention as set forth in claim 29 wherein said separating element comprises a general horizontally extending screen and guide means extending along the downstream side of said screen between said inner side wall and the downstream side of said discharge area to guide workpieces toward said discharge area as the same traverse said screen.

33. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which includes support means adjacent said inner wall section for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including means providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, said weir being insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said inner wall section and being pivotable about said vertical axis to a position generally perpendicular to said inner side wall so as to extend generally radially of said compartment between said inner and outer side wall sections.

34. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said separating means is spaced vertically from said first finishing level.

35. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing machine including a container defining a finishing compartment and adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished and cause the finished workpieces to be transferred to an unloading area, said apparatus including a weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the comparment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses along a path within said compartment, support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation transversely of said path, said support means including vertically oriented telescopically engageable means on the machine and on said weir and providing for pivotal movement of said weir about a generally vertical axis, whereby when said telescopically engageable means are engaged, said weir is adapted to be inserted into said compartment at a position generally tangent to one wall of said compartment and is pivotable about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment, and a separating element removably mounted adjacent said weir and extending substantially between said weir and said unloading area, said separating element adapted to receive said media and said workpieces passing over said weir and thereafter transfer said workpieces toward said unloading area and permit said media to drop downwardly toward said finishing zone.

36. An unloading apparatus for a vibratory finishing machine including a container defining a generally circular finishing compartment having radially inner and outer walls and an unloading area adapted to receive finishing media and workpieces to be finished, said apparatus including a vertical weir adapted to be removably mounted within said compartment and cause the media and the workpieces within the compartment to be elevated from a normal finishing zone to an elevated zone as the same traverses around said compartment, support means for supporting said weir in a generally vertical orientation, said support means including a generally vertically oriented shaft-like member located adjacent said radially inner wall and providing a vertical pivotal axis, means on said weir detachably engageable with said member for permitting said weir to pivot about said axis, whereby said weir is insertable into said compartment at a position generally tangent to said one wall of said compartment and is pivotable approximately 90* about said vertical axis to a position extending generally transversely of said compartment.