Modular chuting
AssigneeModular Automation, Inc.
InventorJohn T. Leinenger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong is disclosed. The chute of the present invention includes a U-shaped cross-section having a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and an open top. A joining device is provided for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a continuous member. Wear members are disclosed that are selectively secured to the walls of the chute to reduce friction and wear from parts moving along the chute.
Claims8
In a modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong comprising:
- a chute having a U-shaped cross-section including a bottom wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, a pair of opposed side walls with an inside surface and an outside surface, and an open top;
- a joining means for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a liquid tight continuous member;
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute;
- means for aligning said plurality of chutes;
- and
- an adhesive for securing said plurality of chutes one to another;
- the improvement wherein said joining means comprises:
- a pair of opposed grooves formed in the opposed side walls disposed longitudinally along the side wall outside surface;
- a U-shaped coupling member comprising a coupling bottom wall and a pair of opposed upright walls integral with the coupling bottom wall, said upright walls including an upper edge, a bead snugly engageable with said opposed grooves formed along the upper edge;
- and
- whereby a pair of chutes with abutting ends are secured at the abutting ends to form a continuous member with said coupling member abutting said outside surfaces of said chute bottom wall and opposed side walls.
In a modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong comprising:
- a chute having a U-shaped cross-section including a bottom wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, a pair of opposed side walls with an inside surface and an outside surface, and an open top;
- a joining means for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a liquid tight continuous member;
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute;
- means for aligning said plurality of chutes;
- and
- an adhesive for securing said plurality of chutes one to another;
- the improvement wherein said joining means comprises:
- said plurality of chutes having abutting and aligned ends;
- a pair of aligned non piercing grooves formed in and longitudinally along the side wall outside surface;
- and
- a longitudinal bead extending between chutes snugly engaging each of the aligned pairs of grooves, and adhesive placed along the abutting ends and bead to form a continuous member.
In a modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong comprising:
- a chute having a U-shaped cross-section including a bottom wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, a pair of opposed side walls with an inside surface and an outside surface, and an open top;
- a joining means for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a liquid tight continuous member;
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute;
- means for aligning said plurality of chutes;
- and
- an adhesive for securing said plurality of chutes one to another;
- the improvement wherein said
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute comprises:
- a dovetail groove formed longitudinally along an inside surface;
- a wear-resistant member having a first end with a complementary form to engage the dovetail and an inward projecting rod integral with the first end, a roller bearing rotatingly supported by said rod;
- and
- wherein the roller bearing supports the workpiece for movement along said chute.
In a modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong comprising:
- a chute having a U-shaped cross-section including a bottom wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, a pair of opposed side walls with an inside surface and an outside surface, and an open top;
- a joining means for abutting and securing a plurality of chutes into a liquid tight continuous member;
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute;
- means for aligning said plurality of chutes;
- and
- an adhesive for securing said plurality of chutes one to another;
- the improvement wherein said
- means for securing a wear-resistant member to the walls of the chute comprises:
- a dovetail groove formed in said side walls longitudinally along an inside surface;
- a bearing support having a dovetail end snugly engaging the dovetail groove, and a rod end;
- a roller bearing having a bore slidingly engaging said rod end and rotatingly supported by said rod end;
- and
- a groove formed at an inside end of said rod end, and a retaining means snugly engaging said groove to retain said roller bearing.
In a modular chute for passing a workpiece therealong comprising a chute having a U-shaped cross-section including a bottom wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, a pair of opposed side walls and an open top, a joining means for securing a plurality of successive chutes into a continuous member, means for securing a wear resistant member to the pair of opposed side walls, the improvement wherein said means for securing a wear resistant member to the opposed side walls comprises:
- a recess formed longitudinally along an inside surface of said opposed side walls, each recess including a downward extending finger and an upward extending finger;
- and
- a flat plate member snugly retained between said downward extending finger and upward extending finger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.