U.S. patent application number 11/127434 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for roller press.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ellison Educational Equipment, Inc.. Invention is credited to Corcoran, Kevin L., Graff, Marty.
Application Number | 20050253324 11/127434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34971362 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050253324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corcoran, Kevin L. ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Roller press
Abstract
A portable roller press can be configured with a suction base to
stabilize the press during operation. The suction base can allow
for the roller press to remain stationary when feeding cutting or
embossing dies or templates through the rollers. Substantially the
entire bottom surface of the roller press can correspond to the
suction base. The suction base can be configured to be generally
rectangular or generally oval or circular. The spacing between the
roller can be maintained to a desired tolerance that is based on a
working height of corresponding cutting or embossing dies or
templates. A crankshaft distinct from a roller shaft can be used to
transfer rotational forces to the rollers.
Inventors: |
Corcoran, Kevin L.; (Mission
Viejo, CA) ; Graff, Marty; (Lake Elsinore,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
Ellison Educational Equipment,
Inc.
Lake Forest
CA
|
Family ID: |
34971362 |
Appl. No.: |
11/127434 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60570165 |
May 11, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2402/411 20130101;
B65H 2404/144 20130101; B65H 5/06 20130101; B65H 2403/42 20130101;
B65H 2403/941 20130101; B26F 1/40 20130101; B26F 1/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/015 |
International
Class: |
B65H 005/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A roller press comprising: a frame; a crankshaft supported by
the frame and configured to receive a first rotational force; a
first roller supported by the frame and having a first roller shaft
coupled to the crankshaft and configured to rotate based on a
rotation of the crankshaft; a second roller supported by the frame
and having a second roller shaft coupled to the first roller shaft
and configured to rotate synchronized to the rotation of the first
roller; and a suction base coupled to the frame and configured to
stabilize the roller press by applying a partial vacuum on at least
a portion of the suction base.
2. The roller press of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises: an
upper frame portion having a plurality of holes positioned to align
the locations of the crankshaft, first roller and second roller;
and a lower frame portion configured to interlock with the top
frame portion, and having a plurality of holes configured to align
with the plurality of holes in the upper frame portion when the
upper frame portion is interlocked with the lower frame
portion.
3. The roller press of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to
position the first roller substantially a predetermined distance
from the second roller, the predetermined distance based on a
working height of an associated template.
4. The roller press of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to
locate the axis of the first and second rollers within a tolerance
varying less than approximately 0.010 inch.
5. The roller press of claim 1, further comprising: a pinion gear
with gear teeth positioned on the crankshaft; and a drive gear with
gear teeth positioned on the first roller shaft and coupled to the
pinion gear, the drive gear having at least four times the number
of gear teeth of the pinion gear.
6. The roller press of claim 1, further comprising: a drive gear
positioned on the first roller shaft and configured to rotate based
on the rotation of the crankshaft; a first roller gear positioned
on the first roller shaft; and a second roller gear positioned on
the second roller shaft coupled to the first roller gear, and
configured to rotate in a substantially opposite direction of the
first roller gear.
7. The roller press of claim 1, further comprising a feed surface
configured to align a work piece with a space between the first and
second rollers.
8. The roller press of claim 1, further comprising a cover
configured to substantially cover the crankshaft and first and
second rollers, the cover having at least one opening substantially
aligned with a working area between the first and second
rollers.
9. The roller press of claim 1, wherein the suction base comprises:
at least one resilient material covering at least a portion of a
bottom of the suction base; and a lever coupled to the resilient
material and configured to displace a portion of the resilient
material so as to produce a partial vacuum beneath the suction
base.
10. The roller press of claim 9, wherein the resilient material
substantially covers all of a substantially rectangular bottom of
the suction base.
11. The roller press of claim 9, wherein the resilient material
substantially covers all of a substantially oval bottom of the
suction base.
12. A roller press comprising: a frame; a crankshaft supported by
the frame and configured to receive a first rotational force; a
pinion gear positioned near a first end of the crankshaft; a first
roller supported by the frame and having a first roller shaft; a
drive gear positioned on the first roller shaft and coupled pinion
gear to rotate the first roller shaft based on a rotation of the
crankshaft; a first roller gear positioned on the first roller
shaft; a second roller supported by the frame and having a second
roller shaft; a second roller gear positioned on the second roller
shaft and coupled to the first roller gear and configured to rotate
synchronized to the rotation of the first roller; and a suction
base coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the roller
press by applying a partial vacuum on at least a portion of the
suction base.
13. The roller press of claim 12, wherein the first roller gear is
positioned on the first roller shaft substantially opposite the
drive gear.
14. The roller press of claim 12, wherein the drive gear is
configured to rotate completely at least four times for each
complete rotation of the drive gear.
15. The roller press of claim 12, wherein the suction base
comprises a substantially rectangular suction base.
16. The roller press of claim 12, wherein the suction base
comprises a substantially oval suction base.
17. The roller press of claim 12, wherein the suction base
comprises: a resilient material; and a lever coupled to the
resilient material and configured to displace a portion of the
resilient material so as to produce a partial vacuum beneath a
portion of the suction base.
18. The roller press of claim 17 wherein the suction base further
comprises a shaft arm coupled to the lever and the resilient
material, the shaft arm configured to deflect the portion of the
resilient material when the shaft arm is rotated.
19. A method of rolling material in a roller press, the method
comprising: stabilizing a roller press to a surface using a partial
vacuum; rotating a crankshaft of the roller press; and supplying a
working material to a working area of the roller press.
20. A method of manufacturing the roller press of claim 1, the
method comprising: locating the crankshaft in the frame; locating
the first roller in the frame so as to couple the first roller
shaft to the crankshaft; locating the second roller in the so as to
couple the second roller shaft to the first roller shaft; and
coupling the frame to the suction base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/570,165, filed May 11, 2004, entitled ROLLER
PRESS; which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] A roller press and, more particularly, a roller press with
means to stabilize the roller press to a substantially flat
surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Dies and sheet cutting presses are used to cut various
patterns out of sheet materials. The presses are designed to apply
uniform pressure to a die through a series of rollers to cut
through a sheet or a plurality of sheets simultaneously. The
resulting shapes are a result of the die that is inserted into the
rollers in the roller press which applies pressure to the die and
the material to be cut from.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] A portable roller press can be configured with a suction
base to stabilize the press during operation. The suction base can
allow for the roller press to remain stationary when feeding
cutting or embossing dies or templates through the rollers.
Substantially the entire bottom surface of the roller press can
correspond to the suction base. The suction base can be configured
to be generally rectangular or generally oval or circular. The
spacing between the roller can be maintained to a desired tolerance
that is based on a working height of corresponding cutting or
embossing dies or templates. A crankshaft distinct from an axis of
any the rollers can be used to transfer rotational forces to the
rollers. A pinion gear on an end of the crankshaft can be used to
drive a drive gear positioned on one end of a roller shaft. The
ratio of teeth on the drive gear relative to the pinion gear can be
designed to reduce the rotational force needed to feed the cutting
or embossing dies or templates through the rollers.
[0005] An embodiment of the disclosure includes a roller press
including a frame, a crankshaft supported by the frame and
configured to receive a first rotational force, a first roller
supported by the frame and having a first roller shaft coupled to
the crankshaft and configured to rotate based on a rotation of the
crankshaft, a second roller supported by the frame and having a
second roller shaft coupled to the first roller shaft and
configured to rotate synchronized to the rotation of the first
roller, and a suction base coupled to the frame and configured to
stabilize the roller press by applying a partial vacuum on at least
a portion of the suction base.
[0006] An embodiment of the disclosure includes a roller press
including a frame, a crankshaft supported by the frame and
configured to receive a first rotational force, a pinion gear
positioned near a first end of the crankshaft, a first roller
supported by the frame and having a first roller shaft, a drive
gear positioned on the first roller shaft and coupled pinion gear
to rotate the first roller shaft based on a rotation of the
crankshaft, a first roller gear positioned on the first roller
shaft, a second roller supported by the frame and having a second
roller shaft, a second roller gear positioned on the second roller
shaft and coupled to the first roller gear and configured to rotate
synchronized to the rotation of the first roller, and a suction
base coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the roller
press by applying a partial vacuum on at least a portion of the
suction base.
[0007] An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of rolling
material in a roller press, including stabilizing a roller press to
a surface using a partial vacuum, rotating a crankshaft of the
roller press, and supplying a working material to a working area of
the roller press.
[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of
manufacturing a roller press, including locating the crankshaft in
the frame, locating the first roller in the frame so as to couple
the first roller shaft to the crankshaft, locating the second
roller in the so as to couple the second roller shaft to the first
roller shaft, and coupling the frame to the suction base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The features, objects, and advantages of embodiments of the
disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description
set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in
which like elements bear like reference numerals.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a roller press.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a roller
press.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a roller
press.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates aside view of an embodiment of a roller
press.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a roller
press.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an inner gear mechanism
of a roller press.
[0016] FIG. 6A illustrates a schematic representation of roller
direction and force applied by an embodiment of a roller press.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates views of an embodiment of a frame and
rollers of a roller press.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
suction base.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a phantom view of the embodiment of the
suction base.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a phantom side view of the embodiment of
the suction base.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a phantom front view of the embodiment
of the suction base.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment
of the suction base.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a phantom top view of the suction
base.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates views of an embodiment of a lever used
with the suction base.
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates views of an embodiment of a shaft arm
used with the suction base.
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates views of an embodiment of a base for use
with the suction base.
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates sectional view of the embodiment of the
suction base.
[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of a roller.
[0029] FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of a roller.
[0030] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a crank handle.
[0031] FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a crankshaft.
[0032] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a bottom frame
portion.
[0033] FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a top frame
portion.
[0034] FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a thrust spacer.
[0035] FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of a thrust spacer.
[0036] FIGS. 26A-B illustrate isometric and side views of a roller
frame and roller portion of an embodiment of a roller press.
[0037] FIGS. 27A-C illustrate views of an embodiment of a cutting
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a roller press 10 according to the
present disclosure, wherein the roller press 10 may be secured to a
flat working surface by use of a suction base 12, as further
described below. The roller press 10 as described herein may be
utilized with any cutting or embossing dies or templates, and also
may be utilized with what is known as thin dies or chemically
etched dies which may have a width of approximately two and a half
inches.
[0039] As also shown in FIG. 1, the press 10 includes a crank
handle 14 which can be used to apply force to the rollers, as
further described below. The press 10 further includes a cover 16
which covers the gears and other internal workings of the press.
The press 10 also includes a feed surface 18 which is located on
each side of a working area 20. The working area 20 is defined by
the space between the rollers, as will be further described below.
The feed surface 18 provides a resting surface for a die or
embossing template, or the like that is fed into the working area
20. Positioning a feed surface 18 on each side of the working area
20 allows material to be supported on both the input side and
output sides of the press 10. Additionally, positioning a feed
surface 18 on each side of the working area 20 allows material,
such as a die or embossing template, to be fed into the press 10
from either side.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the press 10 as disclosed
herein, and further illustrates a suction lever 22 which is
operated by the user to activate and deactivate the suction base
12. The suction lever 22 can be rotated to substantially deform a
portion of the suction base 12, thereby creating a low pressure
area under the suction base 12 when the suction base is positioned
on a relatively flat surface. The working area 20 is further
illustrated in FIG. 2, to be the area where the die with shuttle or
embossing template or the like is inserted into while the crank
handle 14 is rotated by the user.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the press of the present
disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a righthand side view of the press 10 of
the present disclosure. Likewise, FIG. 5 illustrates a left side
view of the press 10 of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates the inner gear mechanism of the press 10,
wherein the gears and rollers are supported by a frame illustrated
by 24. The frame supports a top roller 25 and a bottom roller 27.
The crank handle 14 includes a crank shaft 29 with a bushing at the
frame on the crank handle end and a crank pinion gear 26 at the
opposite end of the frame. The crank pinion gear 26 meshes with and
rotates a top roller gear 28. The top roller gear 28 is coupled to
and rotates with the top roller 25. Likewise, at the crank handle
end of the frame, roller gear 32 rotates when the top roller 25
rotates. Likewise, a bottom roller gear 30 is meshed with and
rotates in an opposite direction than the top roller gear 32. When
bottom roller gear 30 rotates, since it is coupled to the bottom
roller 27, the bottom roller 27 rotates in a direction opposite
than the upper roller 25.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 6A, as shown in a schematic representation,
the lower or bottom roller 27 rotates in a first direction with the
top roller 25 rotating in an opposite direction, therefore
producing a force in a direction A, as shown in FIG. 6A as being
right to left. Therefore, the die, for example, would be fed
through the rollers in a right to left orientation as shown in FIG.
6A. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
rollers may rotate in both directions so that dies may be fed
through the roller press from and to both sides.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates additional front, side and top views of
the frame, the rollers, and the gears as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a separate
embodiment of the suction base 12, shown as item 34. Although the
suction base 12 is shown as substantially the entire lower surface,
such is not a requirement, and a suction base may include a
plurality of smaller suction surfaces, each operated by one or a
plurality of levers. FIG. 9 illustrates a phantom top view of the
suction base 34. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the suction
base 34, and FIG. 11 provides a front view of the suction base 34.
The suction base 34, just as the suction base 12 operate in
substantially the same manner, however the suction base 12 shown in
FIG. 1 has a rectangular configuration, while the suction base 34
as shown in FIG. 8 has a circular configuration. In any event, the
suction bases of the present disclosure operate by a lever 22 being
operated or rotated to create a suction of the bottom surface of
the suction base relative to a flat surface that the press 10, with
the suction base is resting on.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 12, a cross-sectional view of the suction
base 34 includes the handle 22, a resilient or rubber base material
34, and a housing 36. Internal of the housing 36 is a cam 38 that
is connected to the rubber base 34 via a U-shaped bracket 40 that
is secured to the internal surface of the rubber base 34. The cam
38 rotates when the handle 22 is rotated at one end and rotates
through a coupling 42 opposite of the handle end. Therefore, when
the lever is rotated, and the cam 38 is rotated, pressure is
applied to the rubber base 34 via the U-shaped bracket 40, creating
a partial vacuum or low pressure area between the rubber base 34
and the flat surface adjacent to the rubber base 34 that the press
10 is resting upon. When it is desired to remove the press from the
flat surface that the press is resting upon, the user rotates the
handle 22 so as to eliminate the partial vacuum created between the
deformable rubber base 34 and the flat surface that the press is
resting upon.
[0048] FIG. 14 illustrates manufacturing drawings for the lever,
handle, or knob utilized with the suction base.
[0049] FIG. 15 illustrates manufacturing drawings for the cam, or
shaft arm 38 according to the present disclosure. The shaft arm 38
couples the suction lever 22 to the resilient material of the
suction base such that the rotation of the suction lever is coupled
through the shaft arm 38 to at least a portion of the resilient
material to deform the material thereby creating a low pressure
area when the suction base is placed on a substantially flat
surface.
[0050] FIG. 16 illustrates manufacturing drawings for the suction
base 36 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 17 illustrates
the rubber surface 34, otherwise known as a suction cup housing as
disclosed herein.
[0051] FIG. 18 illustrates detailed drawings for the top roller
25.
[0052] FIG. 19 illustrates the bottom roller 27.
[0053] FIG. 20 illustrates the handle utilized with the crank
handle 14.
[0054] FIG. 21 illustrates the crank shaft 29 according to the
present disclosure. FIGS. 22, 23, 24, and 25 illustrate the
components that comprise the frame 24 shown in FIG. 6. Providing
further detail, FIG. 22 illustrates the bottom portion of the
frame, FIG. 23 illustrates the top portion of the frame, in which
the bottom frame and the top frame interlock with each other so
that the holes are aligned for the crank shaft and for the rollers.
At one end of the frame, as shown in FIG. 6, is a thrust spacer
with closed holes, as shown in FIG. 25 illustrated as item 44 in
FIG. 25 and item 44 in FIG. 6. At the opposite side internally of
the frame and partially shown in FIG. 6 is the thrust spacer with
open holes illustrated as 46 both in FIG. 24 and in FIG. 6. The
thrust spacer with the open holes allows the spacer to be removed
from the assembled roller assembly to disassemble same.
[0055] FIG. 26A shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the
upper roller 25 and the lower roller 27 positioned within a frame
24. The frame can be formed of a substantially rigid material, such
as zinc, aluminum, or magnesium. Of course, the frame 24 may be
manufactured of some other substantially rigid material that
maintains the relationship of the top roller 25 to the bottom
roller 27 and does not substantially deform under operation. Thus,
the frame material may also include plastic, steel, and the like.
The frame can be, for example, die cast, machined, or otherwise
formed.
[0056] FIG. 26B shows a front view of the roller assembly and shows
the working height maintained between the upper roller 25 and the
lower roller 27. The distance between the roller 25 and 27 can be
determined, in part, based on the working height of the material
that is to be passed through the rollers 25 and 27. The distance
between the rollers 25 and 27 can be configured to allow a chemical
etched cutting die to penetrate the material into a corresponding
cutting pad by an amount that is greater than 0.015 inch and
advantageously approximately 0.050 inch. A smaller amount of
penetration may not allow complete cutting of the material, while a
larger penetration may require an undue amount of force to pass the
material through the rollers.
[0057] For example, the distance between the rollers 25 and 27 can
be maintained to within a tolerance of less than approximately
0.010 inch when using a cutting die that uses a chemical etched
die. The total distance between the outside diameters of the top
roller 25 and bottom roller 27 can be maintained to approximately
0.317.+-.0.005 inch when an associated cutting assembly has a
working height of approximately 0.325 inch, not including the
material being worked. This can correspond to a distance of
approximately 0.907 inches between the rotating axis of the top
roller 25 and the rotating axis of the bottom roller 27.
[0058] FIG. 26B shows a front view of the roller assembly and
illustrates the relationship between the pinion gear 26 and drive
gear 28 positioned substantially on one end of the rollers 25 and
27 or the roller shafts on which the rollers can be mounted. The
top roller gear 32 and bottom roller gear 30 can be positioned on
substantially the opposite side of the rollers 25 and 27. The
pinion gear 26 can have gear teeth that engage with complementary
gear teeth on the drive gear 28. The relationship between the ratio
of the teeth on the drive gear 28 relative to the number of teeth
on the pinion gear 26 can be adjusted based in part on the desired
torque multiplication. For example, for a hand driven roller press,
the ratio of the teeth on the drive gear 28 to the pinion gear 26
can be approximately 5:1 and is typically greater than about 4:1.
The ratio can be reduced if the length of the crank handle is
increased, and may be further increased if the length of the drive
handle is decreased. However, the dimensions of the frame generally
limit the range of gear ratios.
[0059] FIG. 27A-C illustrates an embodiment of a shuttle that can
be used with the roller press. The shuttle can include an upper
sheet 112 and a lower sheet 114. The sheets 112 and 114 may be made
of a polycarbonate, nylon, or other polymer material that may
include a conformable cutting pad which allows the transfer of
force from the rollers through to the die 110 and the sheet
material to be cut from, shown in the side view of FIG. 27B as a
piece of paper 120. The shuttle, which comprises the die 110 and
the two polymer sheets 112 and 114 are fed into the working area
between the rollers by feeding the shuttle into the rollers via the
feed surface areas. The crank handle can be rotated and the rollers
work in cooperation with each other to feed the shuttle from one
side of the press to the other side of the press, while applying
pressure to the shuttle.
[0060] Although the disclosure has been described by way of example
and with reference to particular embodiments thereof it is to be
appreciated that improvements or modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as
set out in the claims.
* * * * *