US3073069A

US3073069A - Finishing machine with controlled return of finishing media

Info

Publication number: US3073069A
Application number: US174836A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gunther W Balz
Original assignee: Roto Finish Co Inc
Current assignee: Roto Finish Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-02-21
Filing date: 1962-02-21
Publication date: 1963-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-15
Also published as: FR1350913A

Description

G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 FINISHING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLED RETURN OF FINISHING MEDIA Filed Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. -yawn/1? PM 5442 BY WWW ATTORNEY G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 FINISHING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLED RETURN OF FINISHING MEDIA File l Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 61/77/5/3 14/. 5442 ATTOR/VEA F\GURE 4 United States Patent 3,073,069 FINISHING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLED RETURN OF FINISHING MEDIA Gunther W. 3232, Kalamazoo, MiclL, assignor to Roto- Finish Company, Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 174,836 17 Claims. (Cl. 51-7) The present invention relates to finishing machines and is more particularly concerned with a finishing machine, wherein the surfaces of secured or fixtured parts may be finished by the application of alternating waves of energy to finishing media in contact therewith, having means for controlled return of finishing media to an abrading chamber thereof. This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior-filed copending applications Serial No. 102,018, filed April 10, 1961, and 142,701, filed October 3, 1961.

The practice of finishing parts by vibrating together with any one or more of various finishing media is now well established in the art. Certain types of finishing operations require that the part or parts being finished,

for maximum or optimum results, be secured or fixtured' rather than randomly vibrated in contact with abrading materials. This may be due to size of the part, frangibility of the part, or other considerations. In certain existing finishing machines, therefore, a rack is provided for detachably mounting the part or parts to be finished in an abrading chamber. After the part is suspended, finishing media is introduced into the chamber and employed for the finishing operation. If the finishing material is present in the abrading chamber prior to suspending the unfinished part therein, difiiculties are encountered in displacing the finishing material, i.e., it must be pushed aside or removed and replaced so as to allow introduction of the part or parts. These difiiculties are magnified as the size and complexity of the part or parts increase.

In the past, such diificulties have been eliminated by suspending the unfinished part or parts in the abrading chamber before inserting finishing material thereinto.

Essentially, this requires removal of finishing material from the abrading chamber upon completion of each abrading cycle. The finishing material may, for example, be discharged into a hopper and, after another unfinished part is suspended in the abrading chamber, the hopper lifted by an overhead crane and tipped to discharge the finishing material into the abrading chamber. Unfortunately, in many plants, a crane is not always readily available, and much time is thus wasted. a hoist is specifically provided for lifting and tipping of such a hopper, but such special equipment and/or labor is expensive and unduly increases the cost of operation.

When smaller parts are mounted to a rack, the difficulties of inserting the parts in the finishing medium may sometimes be partially avoided by independently vibrating the rack. If the parts are frangible, however, care must be exercised to avoid fracture thereof. In general. all previous methods and means of coping with the problem have been equally unsatisfactory.

It would be desirable to have available a finishing device whereby the problem of intermittent removal and replacement of finishing material could be avoided, as by con-' trol of the return of finishing material from a storage chamber to the abrading chamber until the unfinished part or parts have been suspended in the abrading chamber. This type of finishing machine would have an advantage over prior machines in that no finishing media would have to be displaced or removed in inserting the part to be finished and in that no crane or hoist would be necessary for removal and replacement of the finishing material. Moreover, independent vibratory motors se- In some plants,

ice

cured to the rack for facilitating insertion of small parts into the finishing medium would be eliminated. After the unfinished'part or parts were suspended in the abrading chamber, it would only be necessary to start the machine, whereupon the finishing material in the storage chamber would'be transferred to the abrading chamber. Such a finishing machine would obviouslyeliminate expensive capital equipment and reduce the cost of labor and time involved in the surface finishing of fixtured or mounted parts.

The present invention is, therefore, primarily concerned with a finishing machine in which one or more unfinished parts may be suspended in an abrading chamber and finished without any of the problems usually associated with displacement of finishing media or loading and unloading of finishing material into and out of the machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved finishing machine having means for controlled returned of finishing material to the abrading chamber thereof and whereby certain disadvantages of prior machines areavoided.

Another object is to provide a finishing machine in which the finishing material fiows back into the abrading chamber when the machine is energized for abrading, but not before.

It is another object to provide a finishing machine embodying a closure member 'for preventing finishing material from returning to the abrading chamber while one or more unfinished parts are being suspended therein.

A further object is to provide a finishing machine in which the operator can mount a rack supporting an unfinished part or parts for finishing without interference from finishing material retained in said finishing machine.

It is a still further object to provide an improved finishing machine in which the housing may be rotated or vibrated for redepositing finishing material in the abrading chamber after an unfinished part or parts are suspended therein.

Still another object resides in provision of an improved finishing machine wherein friction between the finishing media and the inclined wall of a storage chamber therefor prevents the finishing media from flowing into the abrading chamber until the machine is energized, whereupon vibrations impa-rted to the storage chamber move the mass of finishing material into the abrading chamber.

An additional object resides in provision of such an improved finishing machine which embodies means for controlled return of finishing material to the abrading chamber thereof as a part of a normal abrading cycle.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art and still other advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

' To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, being indicative, however, of but several of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The presentinvention, then, broadly comprises a finishing machine with means for controlled return of finishing media, which is of particular value in finishing the surfaces of a large unfinished part or a plurality of smaller parts which are suspended in an abrading chamber of the finishing machine, as by a rack.

In the device of the present invention, a storage chamber or compartment is integrally secured to the abrading chamber, and both chambers are rotatable as a unit from one position to another for transferring finishing material from one chamber to the other. To prevent the flow of finishing material from the storage chamber into the abrading chamber until the unfinished part or parts are 3 suspended therein a novel combination of parts is employed. Tothis end, the storage chamber is selectively oriented with respect to the abrading chamber or alternatively, retainer means are associated with the storage chamber. When the finishing machine is energized for finishing, vibrations developed by a vibratory motor operatively associated therewith for finishing purposes also imparts motionito finishing material in the storage chamber-and effects flow thereof into the abrading chamber. Alternatively, the storage chamber and the abrading chamber'are rotated through an angle to effect flow of finishing material into the abraclingchamber with the assistance of gravity as well as the vibrations imparted thereto, or the retainer meansis opened to allow flow of finishing mate rial from the storage chamber into the abrading chamber. In any event, the fin'ishingmaterial' does not return- .to theabrading compartment until its presence is there desired. During the remainder of the finishing cycle, the

vibratory motor continues to impart vibrations to the finishing material, and to the unfinished part or parts as well when the rack supporting the part or parts is secured to the abrading chamber. At the end of the finishing cycle, the storage and ab'rading chambers are angularly rotated as a unit, usually before the part is removed and frequently before vibrations are discontinued, from an abrading position to a transfer position for purposes of transferring finishing material from theabrading chamber to the storage chamber and shaking finishing material from the mounted part. When the unit is rotated back to the abradingposition, due to the construction of the device, the finishing material does not flow back into the abrading chamber but rather remains in the storage chamtical frame members 15 and 17, and 16 and 18, respectively. To support rotary mechanism 40, cross member 25 is welded to the top portions of

vertical frame members

26 and 21. .Each of the vertical frame members and cross members comprises a pair o'fchannel iron beams welded together. The securing together of the base plate 12, the rails 13 and 14, vertical frame members 15, 16, 17, 18, 2 0 and 21, and'the cross members 23, 24 and 25 by welding or other suitable means, completes the stationary portion of frame 11.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a plurality of coiled helical springs 26 are employed for isolating the orbital vibrations of the housing 60 from frame 11. Springs 26 are suitably disposed between lower cross member 23 and upper cross member 27, and between lower cross member 24 and upper cross member 28. Suitable cup-shaped members 29 are secured to the top sides of lower cross members 23 I and 24 and to the bottom sides of upper cross-members ber... The finished part or parts may then'be removed from the abrading chamber and another part or'parts suspended therein, prior to return of finishing mediaand commencement of a subsequent finishing cycle.

For'a better, understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in .whicliall theparts are numbered and the same numbers are used torefer to corresponding parts throughout, and wherein: i r y FIGURE l-is an isometric view of a finishing machine embodying the presentfinve'ntion;

W FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken on line lI-II of FIGURE l.to show in detail the construction of the storage and abrading chambers;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section similar to FIGURE 2 showing another embodiment of the present invention;

. FIGURE v4 is a .front elevational view. showing still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on line V-V of FIGURE 4.

7 by frame 11.

Considering first frame 11, and specifically the stationary portion thereof, a base plate 12 is mounted on a supporting surface and provided with a pair of I-beams or 27 and 28 for supporting the coiled helical springs 26. Various other types of resilient members may be employed for isolating the vibrations of housing 60 from frame 11. In the illustrated arrangement, the housing is resiliently supported by a plurality of coiled helical springs and thereby supported for substantial free movement in space.

For rotatably supporting the housing 60, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, a pair of

spindles

30 and 31 or shaft ends are secured to housing 60. More specifically, cylindrical members 32 are secured to end

plates

33 and 34 of the housing by suitable means, and the

spindles

30 and 31 aresuitably'secured to cylindrical members 32.

Spindles

30 and 31 are journaled in bearings 35 secured in bearing support members-36 which are suitably mounted to

upper cross members

27 and 28.

Considering in more detail the rotary mechanism, generally designated at 40 in FIGURE 1, it comprises suitable means for angularly rotating or repositioning the housing, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 41. The connections to cylinder 41 are not shown since they are conventional. The lower end of cylinder 41 is appropriately secured by pin 43 to tab 44 rigidly secured to the inner side of vertical frame member 20. Extending from the upper end of the cylinder is a piston rod 45 having its outer, end secured to lug 46 which is pivotally secured to' one end of crank arm 47 by pin 48. The other end of crank arm 47 is rigidly secured to shaft 49 by means of key 50. Shaft 49 is journaled in a pair of bearings 51 secured in bearing support members 52 which rails 13 and 14 welded thereto in spaced parallel relation- I ship. Vertical'frame members 15, 16 (not shown), 17 and 18 are welded at their respective end portions to base plate 12, and to rails 13 and 14. More specifically, the

7 lower portions of frame members 15 and 16 are welded to rail 13, and the lower portions of frame members 17 and 18 are welded to rail 14. Two additionalvertical members 2% and 21 are welded at their lower end portions are mounted in spaced parallel relationship on the top of cross member 25. A slot 55 is provided in cross member 25 intermediate the bearing support members so that crank arm 47-disposed in slot 55 may freely rotate through an angle therein. A flexible coupling 59 connects shafts 31 and 43 in order to isolate the vibrations of the housing from the rotary mechanism 40.

The cylinder 41 for rotating the housing 60 can be energized electrically by a conventional not shown elec-' trical control panel, or the cylinder can be operated manually. When cylinder 41 is energized, the piston rod 45 is forced outwardly to rotate crank arm 47 which rotates shaft 49, coupling 59, and spindle 31, thereby rotating the housing from one position to another. The cylinder is operated in reverse for rotating the housing back to its original position.

A vibration generating means, such as a vibratory motor 56 is fixedly secured to housing 60 by means of a motor mounting bracket 57 and suitable bolts and nuts; The connections to the vibratory motor 56 are not shown since they are conventional. The motor may comprise any power means including an electric as well as a fluid motor. For example, the motor may be of the rotary type, the vibratory type, the hydraulic or pneumatic type, or a prime mover. If the motor is of the rotatory type, conventional eccentric weights are mounted to the shaft for generating orbital vibrations which are imparted to the housing 60. Greatest efliciency of the orbital vibrations is achieved by disposing the vibratory motor 56 with respect to the housing so each alternating wave of energy moves the mass of finishing material therein in a substantially orbital motion normal to the rotational axis of the housing 60 or normal to a longitudinal axis of the housing. Satisfactory orbital vibrations may also be imparted to the housing so long as a major component of each alternating wave of energy is normal to the longitudinal axis thereof.

By imparting orbital vibrations to the housing, the mass of finishing material surrounding a large unfinished part or smaller parts suspended in an abrading chamber of the housing moves in an orbital motion from the front to the rear thereof or vice versa. These orbital vibrations or alternating waves of energy substantially increase the action between the finishing material and the surface of the part to be finished, much more than if the finishing material and parts were tumbled. Moreover, .as will be discussed further, the same alternating waves of energy are employed in accordance with one form of the invention for'moving or shaking finishing material from the storage chamber into the abrading chamber.

Preferably and as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the housing 60 comprises an abrading chamber 61 and a storage chamber 71 partially opposed thereto. The abrading chamber 61 is defined by a semi-cylindrical bottom 62,

portions'of end plates

33 and 34, and forward and

rear walls

63 and 64 extending upwardly which are extensions of the semi-cylindrical bottom 62. The

end plates

33 and 34 are secured to the sides of semi-cylindrical bottom 62 and walls 63 and 64.by welding orthe like.

The storage chamber 71 is also provided with a semi- I cylindrical top 72, portions of

end plates

33 and 34, and

forward and

rear walls

73 and 74 which are extensions of v the semi-cylindrical top 72. The sides of semi-cylindrical top 72 and

walls

73 and 74 are also secured by welding or the like to the end plates.

Rear walls

64 and 74 are suitably secured together at their juncture 65.

An opening 75 having a detachable cover plate 76 secured thereover is optionally provided in the central top portion of the semi-cylindrical top 72 for removing finishing material from the storage chamber when the housing is rotated to the transfer position. A foramiuous member 77 is optionally disposed in the cover plate 76 for removing fines, scraps, or burrs from finishing material by selective passage therethrough when the housing is rotated to or in the transfer position.

In one of the preferred forms of the invention, as shown in FIGURE 2, when the housing is in the abrading position of rotation, the angle of upwardly inclined rear wall 74 of storage chamber 71 with respect to a horizontal plane is critical. When the upward inclination of wall 74 is small, the mass of finishing material disposed in the storage chamber 71 will not flow into the abrading chamber since static friction between the mass of finishing material and the inner surface of wall 74 overcomes the gravitational force and static equilibrium thereof is maintained.

The maximum angle of inclination between the wall 74 and the horizontal plane, at which slipping impends, has been found to be about forty-five degrees for most materials and is called the angle of repose. If the wall forms a greater angle with the horizontal plane, the finishing material will slide down wall 74 into abrading chamber 61 by the force of gravity alone. Since the angle of repose represents the angle of inclination for impending slipping, finishing material disposed on the inner surface of wall 74 inclined at any greater angle will slide down, whereas finishing material disposed on the inner surface of wall 74 inclined at any smaller angle will remain at rest unless acted upon as by vibrations of the motor 56.

It is known that the laws of friction for lubricated surfaces differ from those for dry surfaces. For instance, friction is practically independent of the nature of the surfaces and of the normal pressure as long as a film of lubricant lies between the surfaces. Temperature also effects friction, even between lubricated surfaces. It is obvious, therefore, that the angle of repose is not only dependent upon the coefficient of friction between the mass of finishing material and the surface of the wall 74 and upon the coeificient of friction between the various chips of finishing material itself, but also upon the temperature and moisture or fluid content of the finishing material. The'inner surface of wall 74 of storage chamber 71, which is in contact with the finishing material, may also be roughened or lined with a material or coating 75 so as to provide a higher coefficient of friction with regard to the finishing material for increasing the angle of repose.

Depending upon the exact operating conditions and materials finished and/or employed as finishing media, the wall 74 may be inclined at an angle from only a few degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. An angle of about 30 degrees appears optimum for most purposes. However, smaller angles are frequently employed, as when storage of larger amounts of finishing material in the storage chamber, while the housing 60 is in the abrading position (as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings), is desired.

When the unfinished part or parts 80 are suitably mounted in the abrading chamber 6.1, as by rack 81, the vibratory motor 56 is energized and the alternating waves of energy thus imparted to wall 74 of the storage chamber 71 move the mass of finishing material down wall 74 toward the opening of the storage chamber and into abrading chamber 61. In essence. the vibratory motor shakes the mass of finishing material from the storage chamber 71 into the abrading chamber. Moreover, as motion is imparted to the mass of finishing material in the storage chamber, the friction between the mass and the inner surface of the wall 74 decreases somewhat since kinetic friction is generally less than static friction. Thus the finishing material rapidly slides down the inner surface of wall 74 and is thus transferred back into abrading chamber 61.

With this arrangement, the finishing cycle may begin as soon as the unfinished part or parts are suspended in the abrading chamber without inconvenience and without employment of additional capital equipment for re moving and then redepositing the finishing material in the abrading chamber between finishing cycles. It is apparent that the vibratory motor 56 and the angle of the rear Wall 74 control the return of finishing material to the abrading chamber.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, the housing 165 is of the same general construction as described. for the embodiments of FIGURES 1 and 2. In this embodiment, however, storage chamber 171 is orientated with respect to abrading chamber 161 so.rear Wall 174 of the storage chamber 171 is inclined downwardly from the horizontal plane when the housing is in the abrading position. In other words, the major plane of wall 174 forms an angle of less than degrees with a plane substantially bisecting the abrading chamber. In such embodiment the storage chamber may be smaller than the storage chamber shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings and still retain the same amount of finishing material. After the unfinished part or parts 180 are mounted in abrading chamber 161, the finishing cycle may begin upon energizing vibratory motor 156, and by simultaneously rotating the housing through a clockwise angle as viewed in FIGURE 3. The angle of rotation may be sufiicient to cause dumping of all the finishing material into the abrading chamber 161 by the force of gravity or, alternatively, the housing can be rotated until the wall 174 is upwardly inclined only a few degrees above the horizontal plane, whereupon alternating waves of energy imparted by the vibratory motor 156 may be utilized to move the mass of finishing material into abrading chamber 16L After a predetermined period during which all of the finishing material has been redeposited in the abrading chamber, the housing 160 may berotatedback to the abrading position as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, and left in such position until the surfaces of the unfinished part or parts have the desired finish. When the finishing cycle is completeythe housing 160 isrotated to the transfer position, and the finishing material in abrading chamber 161 is again transferred into storage chamber 171. The housing 160 is then rotated back to the abrading position, finished part or parts 180 removed from the abrading chamber 161, and another unfinished part or parts suspended in the abrading chamber for repeating the cycle.

With the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the rear wall .174 can and may optionally be positioned so as to be downwardly inclined, i.e., to form a greater anglewith the horizontal plane, by not rotating' the housing 160 completely back to the abrading position. That is, after the finishing material has been transferred to the storage chamber, the housing may be rotated to an intermediateposition sufiicient-to preclude the fiow'of finishing material into the abrading chamber but still sufficient to enable an operator to remove'the part orparts therefrom.

The embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is of the same general construction as described for the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2. In this embodiment, however, a bafile 285 is disposed in the storage chamber 271 of the housing 260 for preventing return of finished material to the abrading chamber 261 when the housing is in abrading position. Usually -such finishing material contains-or is mixed with a fluid or dry. chemical reagent necessary or desirable for finishing the surface of unfinished parts. When housing 260 is rotated to the transfer position, the finishing material flows over the end of baffle 285 and into storage chamber 271. A gate, door,

or the like serves as a closure member286 and is disposed over opening 287 provided in bafiie 285 for preventing the finishing material from flowing back to the abrading chamber upon return of the housing to abrading position. A solenoid 288'mounted to the housing 260 is employed for opening and closing the closure member 286.. The electrical connections from the solenoid to a conventional control panel are not shown since they are well known in the art- An armature 289 of the solenoid 238 isconnected to one end of a lever arm 2% pivoted at fulcrum 291. The other end of the lever arm 2% is connected to a' tongue 292 extending from the closure member 286. A spring 293 biases member286 in the closedposition when the solenoid is not'energized. Risers 294 and 2% are disposed in the storage chamber for directing finishing material into opening 287.

After an unfinished part 230 i suspended in abrading chamber 261,the' finishing cycle is started by energizing the vibratory motor. Simultaneously, the solenoid 288 is energizedto' move the closure member 286 away from opening 287. Finishing material then flows from storage chamber 271 into abrading chamber 261 by the force of gravity. and'the alternating waves of energy imparted thereto by the vibratory motor. The solenoid 288 may be deenergized after a predetermined period for returning the closure member 287'to its initial biased position, or the solenoid 288 may be deenergized just prior to rotation of housing 260 to the transfer position for transferring the finishing material from the abrading chamber 261 into the storage chamber 271. Alternatively, the closure member236 can be manually or otherwise actuated.

In operation, one or more parts to be finished are detachably secured to a rack for supporting the parts in the abrading chamber. The rack may be detachably mounted to the housing or to the walls of the abrading chamber, or therack may be mounted independently of the housing,

e.g., to a frame secured to a supporting surface so the part or parts to be finished are suspended in the abrading chamber Without being supported by the housing. Initially, the finishing material is emptied fromsuitable con tainers and deposited into the abrading chamber. The vibratory motor is then energized for imparting alternating Waves of energy to the housing for moving the finishing media in a substantially orbital motion, which action finishes the surfaces of the unfinished part'or parts. If the rack is mounted to the housing, the unfinished part secured thereto also moves in an orbital motion.

After the surface of the part is finished, the vibratory motor may be.deenergized,and theparts' rack or finished part first removed from the abrading chamber. This is necessary in case the part is mounted independently of the housing. Where not independentlymounted, the transfer of finishing material may be eifected first and the part or rack then detached. In either event, the manually or automatically energized rotary mechanism rotates the housing from the abrading position to the transfer position for transferring the finishing material from the abrading chamber to the storage chamber. The vibratory motor is preferably energized'during' the transfer to shake all of the finishing material out of the finishedpart and assist rapid emptying of finishing material from the abrading chamber. If a baffle is interposed between theabrading chamber and the storage chamber, the finishing material flows over the end of the baffle and into the storage chamber during transfer.

When transfer of finishing material into the storage chamber is complete, the vibratory motor is deenergized 4 and the rotary mechanism manually or automatically energized in reverse to rotate the housing, generally back to the abrading position. The mass'of finishing material 7 remains in the storage chamber'du'e to the friction between v(See FIGURE 3),

the mass and the inner surfaces ofthe upwardly inclined rearwall of the storage chamben or due to the orientation of the storage chamber with respect to the abrading chamber where the rear wall is downwardly inclined from the horizontal plane, or due to thebaflle interposed between the storage chamber and the abrading chamber. The rack and attached finished part or parts are then removed from the housing, if this has not been effected prior to rotation of the housing, and another rackwith another unfinished part or parts secured thereto is located in the abrading chamber. No difiiculties are encountered in positioning the part in the abrading chamber since all or most all of the finishing material is still in the storage chamber. In any event, the necessary amount for avoidance ofany problem is transferred to the storage chamber.

The vibratory motor is then energized and the alternating waves of energy imparted to the housing, including the abrading chamber and the rear wall of the storage chamber, move the mass of finishing material down the rear wall of the storage chamber and into the abrading chamber where the finishing material moves in substantially orbital motion for finishing the surface-of the unfinished part or parts suspended therein. The vibrations effectively shake the finishing material down the rear wall of the storage chamber into the abrading chamber.

If the storage chamber is so oriented with respect to the abrading chamber, when the housing is generally in the abrading position, that the rear wall of the storage chamber is inclined downwardly from the horizontal plane the housing is rotated forwardly through a small angle, that is, in a direction opposite to the direction for transfer of finishing material into the storage chamber. Simultaneously the vibratory motor is energized for redepositing finishing material in the abrading chamber. When all of the finishing material is in the abrading chamber, the housing may be rotated back to the abrading position.

In the embodiment comprising a baffie for preventing return of finishing material to the abrading chamber, the.

the abrading chamber. When a solenoid is employed to effect this movement, it is preferred that the solenoid be energized simultaneously with the vibratory motor for automatic operation of the finishing machine. The 010 sure member may also be manually operated. The closure member may moreover be pivotally mounted, or movably mounted as in a guillotine type of closure. Further, baffie itself may be moved or pivoted from either or both ends to allow the finishing material to flow back into the abrading chamber, if desired.

It is seen that a novel finishing machine is thus pro-- vided for the finishing of secured or fixtured metal,

plastic, wood, or like parts, which enables the controlled transfer of finishing material used in the operation into and out of the abrading chamber thereof and which thereby eliminates many of theproblems previously attendant upon the finishing of such type parts.

It is to be understood that the term finishing material is used generically herein to designate materials used to impart all types of finishes including those finishes acquired with abrading material as well as with polishing material and that polishing is as usual one species of finishing.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. It is, therefore, desired and intended that the several embodiments herein specifically set forth be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and drawings to indicate the scope of the invention, which is to be understood as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of unfinished parts comprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and unfinished parts, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamher, said storage chamber including a rear wall upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle between zero and forty-five degrees but not greater than an angle of repose for maintaining static equilibrium of finishing material therein when said abrading chamber is in an abrading position, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to said storage chamber for transferring finishing material to said abrading chamber from said storage chamber and to said abrading chamber for finishing unfinished parts therein, and means for rotating said chambers from the abrading position to a transfer position for transferring finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

2. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished part comprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and the unfinished part, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, a rear wall of said storage chamber upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle less than an angle of repose for controlling sliding of finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abrading chamber is in an abrading position, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to the rear wall of said storage chamber for shaking finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abrading chamber for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and means for rotating said chambers for transfer of finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

3. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished part comprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and the unfinished part, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, a rear wall of said storage chamber upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle less than an angle of repose for'controlling sliding of finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abrading chamber is in an abrading position, means associated with the inner surface of said rear wall of said storage chamber for increasing the coeflicient of friction as to the finishing material, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to the rear wall of said storage chamber for shaking finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abrading chamber for substantially finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and means for rotating said chambers for transfer of finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

4. In a finishing machine for finishing the surface of a relatively large unfinished part, the combination of an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a rack mounted in said abrading chamber for supporting the unfinished part therein, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber and including a rear wall upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle less than an angle of repose for controlling sliding of finishing material into said abrading chamber when said abrading chamber is in an abrading position, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to said rear wall of said storage chamber for shaking the finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abrading chamber for moving the finishing material in substantially orbital motion therein for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and means driv- 'ingly connected to said chambers for rotation thereof for transferring finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

5. In a finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished part, the combination of an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a rack associated with said abrading chamber for supporting the unfinished part therein, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening for receiving finishing material from said abrading chamber, an upwardly inclined rear wall of said storage chamber disposed at an angle less than an angle of repose for maintaining static equilibrium of the finishing material therein when said abrading chamber is in an abrading position, means associated with the inner surface of the rear wall of said storage chamber for increasing the coefficient of friction between said wall and the finishing material, vibratory means for imparting a vibratory motion to the rear wall of said storage chamber for shaking the finishing material into said abrading chamber and to said abrading chamber for finishing the surface of the unfinished part, and means drivingly connected to said chambers for rotation thereof for transfer of finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber.

6. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material from said abrading chamber, said storage chamber including a rear wall having its major plane disposed at an angle of less than ninety degrees to a plane substantially bisecting said abrading chamber, vibratory means for imparting vibrations to said abrading chamber for finishing the surface of an unfinished part therein, and means for rotating said abrading chamber for transferring finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber and from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber.

7. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber secured to said abrading chamber and provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material from said abrading chamber, said storage chamber including a downwardly inclined rear Wall disposed atan angle of less than ninety degrees to a vertical plane when said abrading chamber is in abrading position, vibratory means for imparting alternating waves of energy to said abrading chamber for moving the finishing material in an orbital motion forfinishing the. surface of anunfinished part therein, and means for rotating said abrading chamber for transferring finishing material from said abradingchamber to said storage chamber and from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber.

8. A finishing machine comprising an abrading chamber provided With an opening adapted to receive finishing.

material, a rack associated with said, abrading chamber for supporting an unfinished part therein, a storage chamher secured to said abrading chamber and provided with parting alternating waves of energy to said abrading chamber for moving the finishing material in an orbital motion for finishing the surface .of theunfinished part therein, and means. for rotating said abrading chamber for transferring finishing material from said abrading chamber to said storage chamber and from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber.

9. In a finishing machine, the combination of a housing mounted forsubstantial free movement in space and for rotation ona substantially horizontal axis, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with an opening for receiving finishing material and an unfinished part, a storage chamber in said housing provided with an opening for receiving finishing'material from said abrading chamber, means for controlling the return of finishing material from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber, vi-

' bratory means for imparting vibrations to said housing for moving the finishing material in said abrading chamber for finishing of a part therein, and means operatively connected to said housing for rotation thereof from one position to another.

, -10. A finishing machine comprising a frame, a housing journaled for rotation on said frame about a substantially horizontal axis. and rotatable to a transfer position and to an abrading position, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with an opening for'receiving finishing material, means for suspending an unfinished part in said abrading chamber, a storage chamber in said housing for storing finishing material, means for controlling the return of finishing material from said storage chamber to 'said abrading chamber, vibratory means for imparting vibrations to said housing for moving the finishing material in said abrading chamber for finishing of 'a part therein, and means operatively connected to said housing for rotation thereof to the transfer position and to the abrading position. p

11. A finishing machine comprising a housing mounted for rotationon a substantially horizontal axis, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and a part to be finished, a storage chamber in said housing provided with an opening adaptedto receive finishing material from said abrading chamber when said housing is rotated to a transfer position, a baflle interposed between said, abrading chamber and said storage chamber for controlling the return of finishing material tosaid abrading chamber, said bafile being provided with an opening for passage of finishing material, a closure member movably mounted over said opening in said baffle for controlling the return of-finishing material, vibratory means for imparting vibrations to said housing for moving the finishing material in said abrading chamber for finishing of the part therein, and

means for rotating said housing to the transfer position and to an abrading position.

12. A finishing machine comprising a housing mounted for substantial free movementin space and for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis, an abrading chamber in said housing provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material, a storage chamber in said housing provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material from said abrading chamber when said housing is rotated to a transfer position, a baffle interposed between said abrading chamber and said storage chamber for controlling the return of finishing material to said abrading chamber when said housing is rotated to an abrading position, said bafiie being provided with an opening for passage offinishing material, a closure member movably mounted over said opening in said bafiie for controlling the return of finishing material from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber, means operatively connected to said closure member for opening and closing said member, vibratory means for imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing for moving the finishing materialin an orbital motion, and means for rotating said housing to the transfer position and to the abrading position. 7

13. A finishing machine for finishing the surfaceof an unfinished pant comprising a frame, a housing journaled for rotation on said frame about a substantially horizontal axis and rotatable to a transfer position and to an abrading position, an abrading chamber in said housing prowhen said housing is rotated to the transfer position,.

' means for controlling the redeposit of finishing material from said storage chamber in said abrading chamber when said housing isrotated back to the abrading position to allow replacement of the part secured to said rack without interference by finishing material, vibratory means for imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing for moving the finishing material for finishing of a part mounted therein, and means operatively connected to said housing for rotation thereof to the transfer position and to the abrading position.

14. In a finishing machine, the combination comprising a housing having an abrading chamber and a storage chamber, vibratory means for imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing, and means for rotating said housing from an abrading position to a transfer position, the improvement which comprises means for controlling the return of finishing material from said storage chamber to said abrading chamber whereby the finishing material remains in static equilibrium in said storage chamher when said housing is rotated to the abrading position permitting an unfinished part to be suspended in said abrading chamber Without interference by finishing material therein.

15. A finishing machine for finishing the surface of an unfinished part comprising a housing mounted for substantial free movement in space and provided with an abrading chamber and a storage chamber, vibratory means for imparting alternating Waves of energy to said housing for moving finishing material therein for finishing 'in from the abrading chamber to the storage chamber,

said storage chamber including a wall, the coefiicient of friction between the wall and finishing material being sufficient to maintain the finishing material in static equilibrium in said storage chamber when the housing is rotated back to the abrading position, and vibratory means for imparting alternating waves of energy to said housing for shaking the finishing material into the abrading chamber after an unfinished part is suspended therein.

17. A finishing machine as claimed in claim 16 including means on the surface of said wall of said storage chamber for increasing the eoefficient of friction betwee the saidwall of said storage chamber and said finishing material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,427 Ransohofi Mar. 27, 1956 2,933,8 6i Bintzler Apr. 26, 1960 2,973,606 Brandt Mar. 7, 1961 Brandt Aug. 29, 1961

Claims

1. A FINISHING MACHINE FOR FINISHING THE SURFACE OF UNFINISHED PARTS COMPRISING AN ABRADING CHAMBER PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FINISHING MATERIAL AND UNFINISHED PARTS, A STORAGE CHAMBER SECURED TO SAID ABRADING CHAMBER AND PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING FINISHING MATERIAL FROM SAID ABRADING CHAMBER, SAID STORAGE CHAMBER INCLUDING A REAR WALL UPWARDLY INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO A HORIZONTAL PLANE AT AN ANGLE BETWEEN ZERO AND FORTY-FIVE DEGREES BUT NOT GREATER THAN AN ANGLE OF REPOSE FOR MAINTAINING STATIC EQUILIBRIUM OF FINISHING MATERIAL THEREIN WHEN SAID ABRADING CHAMBER IS IN AN ABRADING POSITION, VIBRATORY MEANS FOR IMPARTING A VIBRATORY MOTION TO SAID STORAGE CHAMBER