Tumbler-type finishing machine

Abstract

A heavy duty, large capacity, tiltable axis, tumbler-type finishing machine has a drum with an open end and a closed end. The drum is caged within and journaled by a supporting framework. A shaft journaled by a thrust bearing supports the drum in the vicinity of its closed end. A plurality of rollers arranged about the periphery of the open end support the drum in the vicinity of its open end. A shock absorbing drum rotation drive system is provided for rotating the drum relative to the framework about a rotation axis. An upstanding main frame cages and pivotally supports the drum support framework for movement about a pivot axis. A drum pivoting drive system is provided for moving the drum support framework relative to the upstanding frame about the pivot axis. The drum and its supporting framework may be pivoted through a full 360 degree arc for orienting the drum in an upwardly facing attitude for loading, in any selected inclined or horizontal attitude for finishing, and in a downwardly facing attitude for unloading. A removable cover is provided for selectively closing the open end of the drum. A novel hand-operated cover locking mechanism releasably secures the cover on the drum. A hand-operated cover removal and support system is provided for removing the cover from the drum and supporting the cover at a location to one side of the drum. The drum support framework and the cover removal and support system are designed to facilitate removal of a drum having a worn lining and installation of a relined drum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.