U.S. patent application number 10/483102 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for automatic loading extractor.
Invention is credited to Duffy, Gregory J., Thomas Jr, Ronald J..
Application Number | 20050076454 10/483102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34421474 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duffy, Gregory J. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Automatic loading extractor
Abstract
The present invention provides an industrial extractor (10)
comprising a chassis (12) to which a cylindrical drum (14) is
rotatably mounted. A pair of sliding doors (24, 26) are
incorporated into the drum's (14) cylindrical structure thereby
providing access to the drum (14) through its periphery. To load
the extractor (10) with laundry, the sliding doors (24, 26) am
actuated to provide an opening at the top of the drum (14). The
doors (24, 26) are actuated via in interconnected series of levers
(36, 38), plates (28, 30) and linkages (48, 50). The laundry is
then dropped from a conveyor or chute into the drum (14) without
having to tilt or pivot the drum (14). Once loaded, the doors (24,
26) are automatically closed and a locking assembly (60) engages
the door (24, 26) to prevent them from inadvertently opening. Once
the items are laundered and the drum (14) stops rotating, the drum
(14) is pivotally rotated in a forward direction such that its axis
(x) of rotation extends diagonally as opposed to horizontally. An
unloading door (18) positioned on the front of the extractor (10)
is then automatically opened and the items are permitted to fall
out of the drum (14) via gravity and manual assistance. Once
emptied, the drum (14) is pivotally rotated back to its operating
position where it may then be re-loaded and run through another
cleaning cycle.
Inventors: |
Duffy, Gregory J.;
(Baldwinsville, NY) ; Thomas Jr, Ronald J.;
(Jamesville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANCOCK & ESTABROOK, LLP
1500 MONY TOWER I
PO BOX 4976
SYRACUSE
NY
13221-4976
US
|
Family ID: |
34421474 |
Appl. No.: |
10/483102 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
February 14, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US02/05249 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ; 68/196;
68/23R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 95/00 20130101;
D06F 37/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/158 ;
068/023.00R; 068/196 |
International
Class: |
D06F 035/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An industrial extractor, comprising: a. a chassis; b. a drum
interconnected to said chassis for rotation about a first
longitudinal axis; and c. a door for providing access to said drum,
extending in a first plane that is parallel to said first
longitudinal axis.
2. The industrial extractor of claim 1, further comprising means
for moving said door between open and closed positions.
3. The industrial extractor of claim 2, wherein said means for
moving said door comprises: a. a first plate attached to said door
and extending in a second plane that is perpendicular to said first
plane in which said door extends; b. a first rod extending along a
second longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first
longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, and attached at
said first end to said first plate and extending perpendicularly
outward therefrom; c. a lever attached to said second end of said
first rod; and d. means for pivotally moving said lever about said
second longitudinal axis.
4. The industrial extractor of claim 3, wherein said means for
pivotally moving said lever comprises: a. a second plate extending
in a third plane that is parallel to said second plane; b. a second
rod extending along a third longitudinal axis and interconnecting
said second plate to said lever; c. first and second knobs attached
to said second plate and extending perpendicularly outward
therefrom and positioned in straddling relation to said lever; d. a
piston and cylinder member, said cylinder being selectively,
longitudinally movable along a fourth longitudinal axis and
interconnected to said second plate, whereby said selective
longitudinal movement of said cylinder effects rotational movement
of said second plate about said third longitudinal axis, thereby
causing either of said first and second knobs to engage and rotate
said lever about said second longitudinal axis, thereby effecting
rotation of said first rod about its second longitudinal axis and
movement of said door in a corresponding rotational direction.
5. The industrial extractor of claim 1, further comprising means
for locking said door in a closed position.
6. The industrial extractor of claim 5, wherein said means for
locking said door comprise: a. a pin extending along a second
longitudinal axis that is parallel to said first longitudinal axis,
and selectively moveable into and out of engagement with said door;
and b. a piston and cylinder member interconnected to said pin and
being selectively actuable to move said pin into and out of
engagement with said door.
7. A method for loading an industrial extractor having a chassis
and a drum that is rotatable about a first longitudinal axis,
comprising the steps of: a. positioning said extractor in its
operating position, wherein said first longitudinal axis extends
horizontally; b. opening a first door in a plane that extends
parallel to said first longitudinal axis; and c. dropping items to
be laundered through the opening created by the opening of said
door.
Description
BACKGROUND OF TH INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to industrial
washers and dryers, and more particularly to the loading structure
and process for such washers and dryers.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Industrial washers or extractors are large machines used in
industrial operations that have a need for frequent washing of
large quantities of clothes, linens, or other fabrics, such as a
hotel. The extractors generally comprise a chassis to which a
rotating drum is mounted. The drum is generally on the magnitude of
65 inches in diameter, and the extractor units are about 88 inches
wide, 95 inches deep, and 105 inches high, and weigh on the
magnitude of 21,000 pounds. Thus, these units require a large
amount of square footage for operation.
[0005] The drums are designed to rotate about a horizontally
extending axis, and include a door which extends in a vertical
plane when the unit is in its operating position. The units are
typically loaded and unloaded through this door. To load the units,
the drum is generally pivoted rearwardly via pneumatic or hydraulic
pistons and cylinders such that the door is facing upwardly. A
conveyor, chute, or other loading device is then actuated to drop
the clothes (or other fabrics to be washed) through the upwardly
facing opening. The door is then automatically closed and locked,
and the unit pivoted back to its operating position.
[0006] To unload a unit, it is pivoted via the pneumatic/hydraulic
pistons and cylinders to a position in which the door is facing
downwardly. A basket or other container is positioned beneath the
door which is then opened, thereby permitting the clothes (or other
fabrics) to fall out of the drum via gravity and into the
container. Once emptied, the unit is pivoted back to its operating
position.
[0007] Due to the large size of these units and the fact that they
must be pivoted both in a forward and a rearward direction to be
loaded and unloaded, respectively, they must be mounted in a space
that provides enough room for this full range of motion. In
addition, the processing time for a load of laundry is increased as
a consequence of the unit having to go through its pivoting
operations in order to be loaded and unloaded. Moreover, many
industrial operations do not have sufficient space for a suitable
extractor to operate. Therefore, the operation must either
implement a smaller extractor or contract with a service provider
for the washing services.
[0008] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0009] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the
present invention to provide an industrial extractor that uses a
minimal amount of space to operate.
[0010] It is a further object and advantage of the present
invention to provide an industrial extractor that decreases
processing time.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with the forgoing objects and advantages, the
present invention provides an industrial extractor comprising a
chassis to which a cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted. A pair of
sliding doors are incorporated into the drum's cylindrical wall
structure, thereby providing access to the drum through its
periphery. To load the extractor with laundry, the sliding doors
are actuated to provide an opening at the top of the drum. The
laundry is then dropped from a conveyor or chute into the drum
without having to tilt or pivot the drum.
[0013] To actuate the doors, a series of levers and linkages are
employed. Each door includes a plate fixedly mounted thereto and
extending perpendicularly downward therefrom. A rod fixedly extends
between the door's plate and a first lever positioned outside the
drum. The first lever is pivotally movable about an axis that
extends through an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly
comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement
wherein the end of the piston is fixedly attached to one end of a
second lever. The opposite end of the second lever is fixedly
secured to an intermediate plate which moves in response to
actuation of the piston. Second and third rods are attached to the
intermediate plate and move therewith. The second and third rods
are positioned on opposite side of the first lever and one of them
engages the first lever when the second plate is moved via the
piston and cylinder arrangement. The first lever, in turn, pivots
about its axis in response to the movement transferred thereto
through the second or third rod (and associated actuating
assembly). The pivotal motion of the first lever is then translated
to the doors, thereby either opening or closing the doors to the
drum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic loading
extractor;
[0016] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of select portions
thereof;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanisms for
controlling movement of the loading doors;
[0018] FIG. 3 is another perspective view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 4 is another perspective view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the loading door locking
assembly;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 an
industrial extractor (laundry machine) designated generally by
reference numeral 10. Extractor 10 generally comprises a rigid
chassis (or framework) 12, a drum housing 14 (in which a drum, not
shown, is concentrically mounted) mounted to chassis 12 for
permitting rotation of the drum about its longitudinal,
horizontally extending axis X-X, a loading door assembly,
designated generally by reference numeral 16, for providing access
to the interior of drum 14 and extending in a plane that is
parallel to longitudinal axis X-X, an unloading door 18 mounted to
the front of drum 14 and extending in a plane that is transverse to
longitudinal axis X-X, a housing 20 for the drum movement control
apparatus (that will be disclosed in greater detail hereinafter)
positioned adjacent the rear of drum 14, and an electric control
panel 22 for controlling operation of extractor 10 mounted to
chassis 12.
[0025] The present invention is predominantly focused on the
structure and method that permits drum 14 to be loaded without
having to be pivoted. To accomplish this function, extractor 10 is
provided with a pair of doors 24, 26 slidably incorporated into the
cylindrical wall of the drum mounted within drum housing 14. Doors
24 and 26 extend in planes that are parallel to longitudinal axis
X-X, and are slidably movable toward and away from one another
about an axis that extends coincident with or parallel to
longitudinal axis X-X. A series of plates, rods, and levers, that
will be described in greater detail hereinafter, ultimately powered
by a motor (not shown) provide the actuating means for doors 24,
26. It should be understood that the present invention could work
with only a single door, as opposed to the preferred embodiment
using a pair of doors.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, plates 24, 26 each include an
essentially triangularly shaped plate 28, 30, respectively,
attached to their rear edges and extending perpendicularly
downwardly therefrom. Plates 28, 30 extend in a common plane that
is spaced from and essentially parallel to unloading door 18.
Shafts 32, 34 extend along longitudinal axes that are parallel to
longitudinal axis X-X and are securely attached to plates 28, 30,
respectively, adjacent their vertices, and extend perpendicularly
rearwardly therefrom. The opposing ends of shafts 32, 34 are
securely attached to the end of levers 36, 38, respectively, from
which they extend perpendicularly forward. Levers 36, 38 are
selectively pivotal about the longitudinal axes which extend
through shafts 32, 34, thereby providing the rotational force that
is transferred to doors 24, 26 through shafts 32, 34, and plates
28, 30, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
[0027] A pair of piston and cylinder members 40, 42 are
interconnected to plates 44, 46, respectively, by links 48, 50,
respectively. One end of links 48, 50 attach to the ends of the
pistons and their opposite ends attach to knobs 51, 53 which
interconnect the links to plates 46, 48. Plates 44, 46 each include
a pair of rods 52, 54 and 56, 58, respectively, extending
perpendicularly forward therefrom. Rods 52, 54 and 56, 58 extend in
straddling relation to the terminal end of levers 36, 38,
respectively (the end opposite to which shafts 32, 34 are
attached). Upon actuation of piston and cylinder members 40, 42,
the pistons will retract into or project outward from the
cylinders, thereby causing links 48, 50 to ultimately translate
rotational motion to plates 44, 46, respectively, in either a
clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
[0028] The rotational motion experienced by plates 44, 46 in
reaction to the actuation of piston and cylinder members 40, 42
causes rod sets 52, 54 and 56, 58 to correspondingly move, and rod
52 or 54 and rod 56 or 58 will engage levers 36 and 38,
respectively. The engagement of levers 36 and 38 caused by rods 52
or 54 and 56 or 58, respectively, causes levers 36 and 38 to rotate
about the longitudinal axis of shafts 32 and 34, respectively. Due
to the secure interconnection of levers 36 and 38 to plates 28 and
30, respectively, by shafts 32 and 34, and the secure connection
between plates 28 and 30 to doors 24 and 26, the movement that
began with actuation of piston and cylinder members 40 and 42 is
ultimately translated to doors 24 and 26, respectively, causing
them to slide toward or away from one another.
[0029] After being filled with items to be laundered, doors 24 and
26 must be locked in their closed positions in order to prevent
their inadvertent opening during the cleaning process. A locking
assembly, designated generally by reference numeral 60, is
electrically actuated to lock doors 24 and 26 in their closed
positions prior to beginning the cleaning process. Locking assembly
60 generally comprises pins 62, 64 that engage pin catch bushings
63, 65, respectively, that extend into and are mounted to openings
formed through plates 28, 30, respectively, plates 66, 68 to which
pins 62, 64 are securely connected via nuts 67, 69, respectively; a
piston and cylinder member 71, and a plate 70 attached to the end
of the piston and positioned to engage and effect movement of pins
62 and 64 along their respective longitudinal axes in response to
the retraction or extension of the piston into and out of the
cylinder. Pins 62 and 64 are actually situated within front and
rear bushing pairs, 73, 75 and 77, 79, respectively, and are biased
towards pin catch bushings 63, 65 by springs 81, 83, respectively,
which are also captive within the front and rear bushing pairs 73,
75 and 77, 79, respectively. Because the entire locling door
assembly 60 rotates with the drum during its operation, it is
important that the parts accurately align. To assist in the
accurate alignment of parts, a pair of guide rods 85 and 87 are
connected to plates 28 and 30, respectively, and guide the sliding
movement of plates 66 and 68, respectively.
[0030] To effect its locking operation, piston and cylinder member
71 receives an electrical signal originating from electric control
panel 22, thereby actuating the piston to extend outward from the
cylinder. Plate 70 engages rear bushings 75 and 79, which in turn
force pins 62 and 64 into engagement with pin catch bushings 63 and
65 (and hence with plates 28 and 30), respectively, which prevent
the doors from separating.
[0031] To effect an unlocking operation and permit doors 24 and 26
to open, an electric signal is sent to piston and cylinder member
69 to retract the piston into the cylinder. This draws plate 70
rearwardly and it engages plates 66 and 68 and correspondingly
pulls them rearwardly. Plates 66 and 68, in turn, draw pins 62 and
64 out of engagement with pin catch bushings 63 and 65 (and hence,
plates 28 and 30). Doors 24 and 26 are then free to open.
[0032] In operation, extractor 10 is positioned in its operating
position with unloading door extending in a vertical plane and
longitudinal axis X-X extending horizontally. Locking assembly 60
is actuated to unlock doors 24 and 26. An electrical signal is then
sent from control panel 22 to piston and cylinder members 40 and 42
actuating the pistons to retract towards the cylinders. The
retraction of these pistons ultimately translates to the rotational
motion needed to slide doors 24 and 26 away from one another in
accordance with the teachings described hereinabove. Items to be
laundered are then dropped via a conveyor, chute or other
conventional mechanism into drum 14 through the opening created by
doors 24 and 26. Once loaded with items, electric control panel 20
causes an electrical signal to be sent to piston and cylinder
members 40 and 42, ultimately effecting the closure of doors 24 and
26. Locking assembly 60 then receives an electrical signal to lock
doors 24 and 26, and the washing cycle begins in the conventional
manner. Once the washing cycle is complete, drum 14 is pivoted
forward and unloading door 18 is opened, thereby permitting the
laundered items to fall freely out of drum 14. This unloading
operation is conventional. Once emptied drum 14 may then be pivoted
back to its operating position.
* * * * *