Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine includes a supporting frame, a processing tub, and a tub vibrating mechanism interposed between the frame and the tub. Workpieces and finishing media are introduced into the tub for processing, are vibrated to effect a finishing action, and are discharged from the tub through a discharge opening. The discharge opening is selectively opened and closed by a door structure which is not mounted on the tub for vibratory movement therewith as is conventional, but which is, instead, supported independently of the tub so that the tub vibrates relative to the door during finishing operations. The door is biased toward its closed position and is provided with a power-operated mechanism for moving it toward its open position. In the event of power failure, the biased door will move toward its closed position to prevent workpieces and finishing media from emptying from the tub.

Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine has a bowl structure supported by elastomeric mounts, and a drive system for vibrating the bowl structure about a node point located along a vertical center axis of the bowl structure. Each of the elastomeric mounts has one portion secured to the bowl structure, and another portion secured to a base structure. The one and another portions define an axis of each mount. The mounts are located in a horizontal plane in which the node point lies and are arranged such that their axes intersect the center axis above the node point. The intersection point lies near or at the center of mass of a loaded bowl structure. The bowl structure includes a replaceable liner of simpler construction than prior replaceable liners. An adjustable eccentric weight assembly permits the gyratory characteristics of the bowl structure to be changed to meet different operating requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for ductlessly distributing and circulating heated air from a gas-fired heater to heat large volumes of air in industrial facilities and the like includes an upstanding structure which defines a vertically extending chamber. Openings are provided in lower and upper portions of the structure and communicate the chamber with lower and upper strata of ambient air. A blower assembly is housed within the structure intermediate the lower and upper openings. A gas-fired heater is carried by the structure externally of the chamber. Heated air from the gas-fired heater unit discharges into the chamber at a location between the lower and upper openings and combines with air being circulated by the blower in an upwardly directed flow through the chamber. The lower and upper openings are arranged such that air from the lower strata is drawn toward the lower openings, and such that air discharging from the upper openings into the upper strata moves outwardly toward the walls of the room.

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.

Abstract: A system for unloading finished workpieces from a bowl-type vibratory finishing machine utilizes a structure defining a channel overlying a portion of the bowl, and a removable ramp member which is insertable into and removable from the bowl for selectively directing finishing media and finished workpieces from the bowl into the channel. The channel is provided with a screen through which media entering the channel will fall back into the bowl and across which finished workpieces entering the channel will pass for discharge. The ramp member is of novel, foldable construction to facilitate its insertion into and removal from the bowl. In preferred practice, the floor of the bowl is provided with a mound-shaped formation having a substantially horizontally extending top surface. The ramp member has an upper end region which is engageable with the channel-defining structure and a lower end region which is engageable with the mound-shaped formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for ductlessly circulating large volumes of air in industrial facilities and the like includes an upstanding structure which defines a vertically extending chamber. Openings are provided in lower and upper portions of the structure and communicate the chamber with lower and upper strata of ambient air. A blower assembly is housed within the structure intermediate the lower and upper openings. In operation, the apparatus is positioned substantially centrally in a room, and the blower assembly is energized to move air upwardly through the chamber. The lower and upper openings are arranged such that air from the lower strata is drawn substantially radially toward the lower openings, and such that air discharging from the upper openings into the upper strata moves substantially radially outwardly toward walls of the room.

Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine has a bowl structure supported by shear-loaded elastomeric mounts, and a drive system for vibrating the bowl structure about a node or null point located along a vertical center axis of the bowl structure. Each of the elastomeric mounts has one portion secured to the bowl structure, and another portion secured to a base structure. The one and another portions define an axis of each mount, and the mounts are arranged such that their axes intersect the center axis at the node or null point. The bowl structure is provided with a resilient liner assembly formed from clamped-together, individually replaceable, resilient liner components. A discharge opening is provided in the bottom of one of the liner components and is selectively closed by either a solid plug or a plug having openings formed therethrough to continually drain liquids and strain fines from the chamber defined by the liner assembly.

Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine has a bowl structure supported by shear-loaded elastomeric mounts, and a drive system for vibrating the bowl structure about a node or null point located along a vertical center axis of the bowl structure. Each of the elastomeric mounts has one portion secured to the bowl structure, and another portion secured to a base structure. The one and another portions define an axis of each mount. Certain of the mounts are arranged such that their axes intersect the center axis above the node or null point. Others of the mounts are arranged such that their axes intersect the center axis below the node or null point. Mounts arranged as described stabilize the location of the node or null point and thereby render the machine less sensitive to variations in bowl loading.

Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine has an elongated tub including a longitudinally extending wall closed at opposite ends. A discharge passage is provided through one of the tub ends and communicates with a discharge spout having an inclined U-shaped terminal edge. A flexible closure is draped over the discharge spout and engages the terminal edge to retain workpieces and media in the tub. An adjustable weight arrangement is provided on the closure for selectively controlling the closing force operative between the closure and the terminal edge. Workpieces and media in the discharge spout bear against the closure and bias the closure in an opening direction. When the opening force imposed by the workpieces and media exceeds the closing force applied by the weight arrangement, the closure opens to discharge workpieces and media from the tub.

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.

Abstract: A finishing machine is provided with a closure which is movable to selectively open or restrict a discharge opening for selectively discharging or retaining materials in the tub of the machine. A pneumatic bellows moves the closure toward a discharge restricting position when supplied with pressurized air. The pressure of the air supplied to the bellows is monitored, and if it exceeds a predetermined magnitude before the closure reaches a discharge restricting position indicating that an object has been trapped by the closure, the movement of the closure is stopped, reversed, and reinitiated to release the object and subsequently move the closure to a discharge restricting position.

Abstract: A precision finishing machine characterized by orbital movement of bulk finishing media comprising supporting structure; a centrally disposed receptacle resiliently mounted on the supporting structure; a plurality of shaft-supported eccentrics mounted on opposing sides of said centrally disposed receptacle at substantially the level of the center of mass of the receptacle and its load, the longitudinal axes of said shaft-supported eccentrics paralleling one of the horizontal axes of the receptacle; flexible couplings connected to the eccentrics; and, connected to the couplings, a drive system including power means and auxiliary means for positioning, adjusting the position of, and controlling the power means.