Turnover mechanism of a conveyor system of a blast wheel machine
AssigneeWheelabrator Group, Inc.
InventorsShawn McBride, David Allen Hannusch, Ronald F C Wright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A turnover mechanism is configured to receive and flip over parts delivered by an in-feed conveyor to an out-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism includes a frame and a gripper assembly coupled to the frame. The gripper assembly is configured to secure and move a part having one surface treated from the in-feed conveyor. The turnover mechanism further includes a flipper assembly coupled to the frame, the flipper assembly being configured to rotate and deliver the part to the out-feed conveyor with an opposite surface of the part exposed for treatment.
Claims14
A turnover mechanism is configured to receive and flip over parts, the turnover mechanism comprising:
- an in-feed conveyor configured to transport a component part having two surfaces, a treated surface that faces upwardly on the -infeed conveyor and an untreated surface that faces downwardly on the in-feed conveyor;
- a frame positioned proximate the in-feed conveyor;
- a gripper assembly coupled to the frame, the gripper assembly being configured to secure and move the component part from the in-feed conveyor;
- a flipper assembly coupled to the frame, the flipper assembly being configured to receive the component part from the gripper assembly and to rotate and deliver the component part in a position in which the untreated surface faces upwardly and the treated surface faces downwardly;
- and
- an out-feed conveyor configured to receive the component part from the flipper assembly and to transport the component part away from the flipper assembly, the in-feed conveyor being elevated relative to the out-feed conveyor,
- wherein an end portion of the in-feed conveyor and a beginning portion of the out-feed conveyor are substantially aligned with one another,
- wherein the gripper assembly includes a carriage device coupled to the frame and a gripper head coupled to the carriage device, and
- wherein the gripper head includes a pair of gripper fingers configured to grab and secure the part, the gripper fingers being manipulated to move toward one another to secure the part in between the gripper fingers and to move away from one another when releasing the part from the gripper fingers.
A method of turning over a part requiring treatment of both sides of the part, the method comprising:
- moving a part along an in-feed conveyor to a turnover mechanism, the part having a first, upwardly facing surface treated and a second, downwardly facing surface untreated;
- removing the part from the in-feed conveyor;
- placing the part on an arm of a flipper assembly of the turnover mechanism;
- rotating the part 180 degrees;
- and
- placing the part on an out-feed conveyor with the second surface of the part facing upwardly,
- wherein the in-feed conveyor is elevated relative to the out-feed conveyor,
- wherein an end portion of the in-feed conveyor and a beginning portion of the out-feed conveyor are substantially aligned with one another,
- wherein removing the part from the in-feed conveyor and placing the part on the arm of the flipper assembly includes securing the part with a gripper assembly,
- wherein the gripper assembly includes a carriage device coupled to the frame and a gripper head coupled to the carriage device, and
- wherein the gripper head includes a pair of gripper fingers configured to grab and secure the part, the gripper fingers being manipulated to move toward one another to secure the part in between the gripper fingers and to move away from one another when releasing the part from the gripper fingers.
A method of turning over a part requiring treatment of both sides of the part, the method comprising:
- moving a part along an in-feed conveyor to a turnover mechanism, the part having a first, upwardly facing surface treated and a second, downwardly facing surface untreated;
- removing the part from the in-feed conveyor;
- placing the part on an arm of a flipper assembly of the turnover mechanism;
- securing the part on the arm of the flipper assembly;
- rotating the part 180 degrees;
- and
- placing the part on an out-feed conveyor with the second surface of the part facing upwardly,
- wherein the in-feed conveyor is elevated relative to the out-feed conveyor,
- wherein an end portion of the in-feed conveyor and a beginning portion of the out-feed conveyor are substantially aligned with one another,
- wherein the flipper assembly includes a yoke rotatably coupled to a rotational drive, the rotational drive being mounted on the frame, the yoke being positioned adjacent the in-feed conveyor and configured to receive the part from the flipper assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.