Shutter apparatus, curing lamp housing incorporating same, and method of shutter replacement
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorsJustin Register, Mark Tausch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shutter apparatus for a curing lamp housing is provided. The shutter apparatus may be pulled out of the housing along ribs. The ribs slide with respect to recesses formed in rails of the shutter apparatus. When the shutter apparatus is pulled out of the housing, easy access to fasteners holding the shutters onto drive and pivot shafts enables the shutters to be readily replaced. A method detailing such replacement is also provided. A drive mechanism enables the shutters to be opened and closed in unison.
Claims53
A shutter apparatus for a curing lamp housing, the apparatus comprising:
- a shutter having a reflective surface and an attachment surface;
- a drive shaft connected to the shutter along the attachment surface by at least one fastener;
- and
- a drive mechanism adapted to cause the shutter to rotate between an open position and a closed position,
- wherein the at least one fastener passes through the drive shaft in a direction which is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and wherein the at least one fastener passes through the attachment surface.
A shutter apparatus for a curing lamp housing, the apparatus comprising:
- first and second shutters, each having a reflective surface and an attachment surface;
- a first drive shaft connected to the first shutter along the attachment surface thereof by at least one fastener, the at least one fastener passing through the first drive shaft and the attachment surface in a direction which is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the first drive shaft;
- a second drive shaft connected to the second shutter along the attachment surface thereof by at least one fastener, the at least one fastener passing through the second drive shaft and the attachment surface in a direction which is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the second drive shaft;
- and
- a drive mechanism adapted to cause the shutters to rotate substantially in unison between an open position and a closed position.
A curing lamp apparatus comprising:
- a light source adapted to radiate light;
- and
- a shutter apparatus adapted to trap a substantial portion of the light radiated by the light source, the shutter apparatus comprising:
- a first shutter having a reflective surface and an attachment surface;
- a first drive shaft connected to the first shutter along the attachment surface by at least one fastener, the at least one fastener passing through the first drive shaft and the attachment surface in a direction which is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the first drive shaft;
- a drive mechanism;
- and
- a first shaft connector having two boss portions, wherein a first of the boss portions is connected to the first drive shaft and is adapted to rotate in a pivot housing so that the first shutter will rotate, and wherein a second of the boss portions is connected to the drive mechanism.
A method of replacing shutters in a curing lamp housing, the method comprising the steps of:
- removing a used shutter apparatus at least partially out of a curing lamp housing, the used shutter apparatus comprising at least one used shutter and a drive mechanism adapted to rotate said used shutter between an open position in which light emitted by a light source in the curing lamp housing is radiated out of the housing and a closed position in which the light emitted by the light source is substantially contained within the shutter apparatus;
- removing at least one fastener connecting the used shutter to a drive shaft, wherein the at least one fastener passes through the drive shaft in a direction which is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft;
- replacing the used shutter with a new shutter;
- fastening the new shutter to the drive shaft by means of the at least one fastener to create a new shutter apparatus;
- and
- returning the new shutter apparatus into the curing lamp housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.