Chain finishing system
AssigneeRampe Research
InventorJohn F. Rampe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Surfaces of an elongated, flexible substrate such as chain are finished by supporting successive loops of the substrate with lower portions of the loops depending into the receptacle of a vibratory finishing machine. Finishing media in the receptacle surrounds lower portions of the loops and imparts a finishing action to substrate surfaces as the receptacle is vibrated. Continuous finishing of an endless substrate is effected by feeding the substrate along a path defined by the successive loops.
Claims15
A method of finishing surface portions of an elongated, flexible substrate formed from a multiplicity of loosely interconnected links, comprising the steps of:
- a. supporting at least one loop of the substrate such that lower portions of the loop depend into a quantity of finishing media contained in a vibratory finishing machine receptacle, with the loop being of sufficient length to let lower portions of the loop lie loosely on the bottom surface of the receptacle whereby adjacent links can move freely relative to each other;
- b. vibrating the receptacle to impart a finishing action to its contents;
- and
- c. feeding successive segments of the substrate along a path of travel defined by the loop to effect surface finishing of such segments.
An apparatus for finishing surface portions of an elongated, flexible substate, comprising:
- a. vibratory finishing means including a receptacle and a drive system for vibrating the receptacle to impart a finishing action to contents including finishing media within the receptacle;
- b. support means for supporting at least one loop of an elongated, flexible substrate formed from a multiplicity of loosely interconnected links such that lower portions of the loop depend into a quantity of finishing media contained in the finishing means receptacle, with the loop being of sufficient length to let lower portions of the loop lie loosely on the bottom surface of the receptacle whereby adjacent links can move freely relative to each other;
- and
- c. feeding means for feeding successive segments of the substrate along a path of travel defined by the loop to effect surface finishing of such segments.
An apparatus for surface finishing a substantially endless length of chain, comprising:
- a. vibratory finishing means including a receptacle and a drive system for vibrating the receptacle to impart a finishing action to receptacle contents including finishing media;
- b. pulley means rotatably supported at a location above the level of receptacle contents for supporting a plurality of side-by-side sequentially interconnected loops of chain with lower portions of the loops depending into the receptacle contents and being of sufficient length to let lower portions of the loop lie loosely on the bottom surface of the receptacle whereby adjacent links can move freely relative to each other;
- c. guide means extending substantially centrally through the receptacle and loosely through lower portions of the chain loops to assist in maintaining a predetermined orientation of the lower loop portions in the receptacle;
- and,
- d. feeding means drivingly connected to the pulley means for rotating the pulley means to feed successive segments of the chain along a path of travel defined by the sequentially interconnected loops.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.