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AssigneeMorrison Berkshire, Inc.
InventorsKenneth A. Egnaczak, Edward C. Kirchner, Robert P. Langdon
Estimating the term…
A system is disclosed for attaching in a needling apparatus, such as a needle loom, tacker and the like, a plurality of needle boards to a plurality of needle beams in alignment therewith. A plurality of needle boards having upwardly extending attachment members are supported on a plurality of needle board carts which are movable into the needling apparatus to a position underling one of the needle beams for attachment thereto. The carts are supported by the stripper plate as they move through the needle zone. Each of the carts includes a locator member for alignment of the needle board therewith when supported on the cart. The carts and support needle boards are raised for engagement with the needle beam by operation of the stripper plate. The needle beams include a support plate having a plurality of openings for receiving therethrough the attachment members of a corresponding needle board, thereby aligning the needle board at a predetermined position to the needle beam. A clamp plate assembly overlying the support plate is movable between a first position for engaging the attachment members extending through the openings and a second position for releasing the attachment members. An actuating device positioned between the clamp plate and a portion of the needle beam is operative for drawing the needle boards against the support plate for attachment thereto in predetermined alignment.
A cart for supporting a needle board for installation and removal in a needling apparatus, said cart comprising a frame supportable for movement within said needling apparatus, a locator member attached to said frame, said locator member releasably engaging a portion of said needle board for aligning said needle board with said frame when supported thereon.
A cart supporting a needle board for installation in a needling apparatus, said cart comprising a frame having spaced apart sidewalls, a plurality of wheel assemblies attached to said sidewalls, each of said wheel assemblies having a first axle rotationally supporting a wheel and a second axle rotationally supporting another wheel, said first and second axles arranged transverse to each other, a plate extending upwardly from said frame, having an elongated opening communicating with an enlarged opening, and a needle board supported on said wheel assemblies, said needle board having at least one pin received within said elongated opening as said pin passes through said enlarged opening when positioning said needle board on said frame.
A needle beam for releasably securing a needle board thereto in a needling apparatus, said needle beam comprising a support plate for engaging a needle board, said needle board having a plurality of attachment members extending therefrom, said support plate having a plurality of openings for receiving said attachment members thereby aligning said needle board at a predetermined position to said needle beam, a clamp plate overlying said support plate moveable between a first position for engaging said attachment members extending through said support plate and a second position for releasing said attachment members, and an actuating device arranged between said clamp plate and said support plate, whereby actuation of said device draws said needle board against said support plate for securement thereto in alignment with said needle beam.
In a needling apparatus having a needle beam for releasable securing thereto a needle board, wherein the improvement comprises said needle board including a plurality of spaced apart attachment members extending upwardly therefrom, each of said attachment members having an engagement portion, and said needle beam comprising a support plate having a plurality of openings for respectively receiving one of said attachment members thereby aligning said needle board with said needle beam at a predetermined position, a clamp plate overlying said support plate moveable between a first position for engaging said engagement portions of said attachment members when extending through said openings in said support plate and a second position for disengaging from said engagement portions of said attachment members to allow withdrawal of said attachment members from said openings to allow removal of said needle board, and an inflatable bladder arranged between said clamp plate and said support plate of said needle beam opposing said needle board, whereby expansion of said bladder draws said needle board against said support plate for securement thereto in alignment with said needle beam.
A system for attaching in a needle zone a plurality of needle boards to a plurality of needle beams in alignment therewith, said system comprising a plurality of needle boards each having a plurality of attachment members extending therefrom;
A method for replacing a plurality of needle boards in a needle zone including a plurality of needle beams each having a support plate provided with a plurality of openings and a clamp plate assembly associated therewith, said method comprising providing a plurality of needle boards having a plurality of attachment members extending therefrom, supporting said needle boards on a corresponding needle board cart, advancing a plurality of said needle board carts with said needle boards supported thereon in end to end relationship into said needle zone underlying said needle beams, passing said attachment members through said openings in said support plate of said needle beam, activating said clamp plate assembly to engage said attachment members extending through said support plate on an underlying needle board, and securing said needle boards to said needle beams.
A method for replacing a needle board in a needle zone including a needle beam having a support plate provided with a plurality of openings, said method comprising providing a needle board having a plurality of attachment members and a pin extending therefrom, providing a needle board cart having an opening, supporting said needle board on said cart with said pin received within said opening, positioning said needle board supported by said cart underlying said needle beam, passing said attachment members through said openings in said support plate of said needle beam, engaging said attachment members extending through said support plate for supporting said needle board by said needle beam independent of said cart, and securing said needle board to said needle beam.
A method for replacing a plurality of needle boards in a needle zone including a plurality of needle beams each having a support plate and a clamp plate assembly associated therewith having a plurality of attachment members extending therefrom, said method comprising providing a plurality of needle boards having a plurality of openings, supporting said needle boards on a corresponding needle board cart, advancing a plurality of said needle board carts with said needle boards supported thereon in end to end relationship into said needle zone underlying said needle beams, passing said attachment members through said openings in said needle boards, activating said clamp plate assembly to engage said attachment members extending through said openings on an underlying needle board, and securing said needle boards to said needle beams.
A needle beam for releasably securing a needle board thereto in a needling apparatus, said needle beam comprising a support plate for engaging a needle board, a clamp plate overlying said support plate having a plurality of attachment members extending therefrom, said needle board having a plurality of openings for receiving said attachment members thereby aligning said needle board at a predetermined position to said needle beam, said clamp plate moveable between a first position for engaging said attachment members extending through said needle board and a second position for releasing said attachment members, and an actuating device arranged between said clamp plate and said support plate, whereby actuation of said device draws said needle board against said support plate for securement thereto in alignment with said needle beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.