U.S. patent number RE34,882 [Application Number 07/884,647] was granted by the patent office on 1995-03-21 for apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Machinefabriek Meyn, B.V.. Invention is credited to Cornelis Meyn.
United States Patent |
RE34,882 |
Meyn |
March 21, 1995 |
Apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an
object moving along a rectilinear trajectory
Abstract
An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to
an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can
be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has
at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel
journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface
extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the
cylindrical rod.
Inventors: |
Meyn; Cornelis (Oostzaan,
NL) |
Assignee: |
Machinefabriek Meyn, B.V.
(Oostzaan, NL)
|
Family
ID: |
19856655 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/884,647 |
Filed: |
May 14, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
497862 |
Mar 22, 1990 |
05074823 |
Dec 24, 1991 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
452/117;
74/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A22C
21/06 (20130101); F16H 25/12 (20130101); F16H
25/2261 (20130101); Y10T 74/18568 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A22C
21/06 (20060101); A22C 21/00 (20060101); F16H
25/12 (20060101); F16H 25/00 (20060101); A22C
021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;452/106,117,35,179
;74/89,25 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0162154 |
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Nov 1985 |
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EP |
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0235821 |
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Sep 1987 |
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EP |
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2603940 |
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Mar 1988 |
|
FR |
|
7501521 |
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Aug 1976 |
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NL |
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7607089 |
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Jan 1978 |
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NL |
|
7700233 |
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Jul 1978 |
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NL |
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7801712 |
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Aug 1979 |
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NL |
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Primary Examiner: Little; Willis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning
Claims
We claim:
1. Apparatus for guiding an object for rotational and rectilinear
movement, comprising:
(a) an elongated slide block having an elongated cylindrical
opening extending through said slide block;
(b) a rigid guide rod extending through said cylindrical opening,
having at least one flattened surface extending along the surface
of a first section of said guide rod parallel to the longitudinal
axis of said guide rod and at an angle to said longitudinal axis
along a second section of said guide rod;
(c) bearing means to support said slide block for rectilinear
movement along said guide rod and for rotational movement about
said guide rod; and
(d) means on said slide block for supporting at least one guide
wheel for rolling contact with said flattened surface on said guide
rod, whereby rectilinear movement of said slide block along said
guide rod will cause said slide block to move in a rectilinear path
along said first section of said guide rod and in a rotational and
rectilinear path along said second section of said guide rod.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide rod has
two symmetrically disposed flattened surfaces and said slide block
has means for supporting two guide wheels for rolling contact with
said flattened surfaces.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said two flattened
surfaces are disposed diametrically opposite to each other.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide wheel axis
lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said
guide rod at a right angle.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide wheel axis
lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of said
guide rod at an acute angle.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means on said
slide block for supporting said guide wheel comprises an opening
transverse of said elongated cylindrical opening and said guide
wheel is supported within said transverse opening.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said slide block has
means for supporting a mandril for removing the craw of slaughtered
poultry. .Iadd.
8. An elongated slide block for use in an apparatus for guiding an
object for rotational and rectilinear movement, wherein a rigid
guide rod may extend through said slide block and has at least one
flattened surface extending along the surface of a first section of
said guide rod parallel to the longitudinal axis of said guide rod
and at an angle to the longitudinal axis along a second section of
said guide rod, wherein said elongated slide block comprises:
an elongated cylindrical opening extending through said elongated
slide block;
at least one guide wheel supported on said slide block for rolling
contact with said flattened surface on said guide rod, said wheel
supported on said slide block so as to rotate about an axis which
is substantially perpendicular to an axis through said elongated
cylindrical opening;
means for rotational engagement with a drive mechanism, said
rotational engagement means supported by said slide block so that
said slide block can travel in a rectilinear path along said first
section of said guide rod and along said second section of said
guide rod said rotational engagement means rotates said slide block
with respect to said drive mechanism; and
means for supporting a mandrill for removing the craw of
slaughtered poultry. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. Apparatus for guiding an
object for rotational and rectilinear movement, comprising:
(a) an elongated slide block having an elongated cylindrical
opening extending through said slide block;
(b) a rigid guide rod extending through said cylindrical opening,
said guide rod defining a first section having at least one
flattened surface extending along the surface thereof parallel to
the longitudinal axis of said guide rod, and a spiralling surface
along a second section of said guide rod;
(c) bearing means to support said slide block for rectilinear
movement along said guide rod and for rotational movement about
said guide rod; and
(d) means on said slide block for supporting at least one guide
wheel for rolling contact with said flattened surface and said
spiralling surface on said guide rod, whereby rectilinear movement
of said slide block along said guide rod will cause said slide
block to move in a rectilinear path along said first section of
said guide rod and in a rotational and rectilinear path along said
second section of said guide rod. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. Apparatus as
set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide rod has two symmetrically
disposed flattened surfaces and two symmetrically disposed
spiralling surfaces and said slide block has means for supporting
two guide wheels for rolling contact with said flattened and
spiralling surfaces. .Iadd.11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10,
wherein said two flattened surfaces and said two spiralling
surfaces are disposed diametrically opposite to each other.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal
axis of said guide rod at a right angle.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said
guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the longitudinal
axis of said guide rod at an acute angle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14.
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means on said slide
block for supporting said guide wheel comprises an opening
transverse of said elongated cylindrical opening and said guide
wheel is supported within said transverse opening. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said slide
block has means for supporting a mandrill for removing the craw of
slaughtered poultry. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for imparting a simultaneous
rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear
trajectory, with a straight guide. This apparatus comprises a
partially spiral guide trajectory and a slide that is positioned
around the guide, that is movable to and from relative thereto. The
slide is provided with a follower which engages the guide
trajectory for rotating the slide about the guide in the region of
the spiral guide trajectory.
A known apparatus of the type referred to above, is often used in
machines that perform a special operation. An example of such a
machine is an apparatus for removing the craw of slaughtered
poultry. In such an apparatus a mandril with projections is moved
through the abdominal cavity and the neck of the slaughtered
poultry to remove the craw. During at least part of its motion the
mandril rotates about its own axis to optimize its function.
Therefore, the mandril simultaneously carries out a rectilinear
movement along its central axis as well as a rotational movement
about the central axis.
For achieving this rotational movement of the mandril, which is
connected to the slide, the guide is provided with at least a
partially spiral groove which engages a pin attached to the slide.
If the slide is moved along the guide the pin will, first run
through a straight groove section such that the slide will not
rotate. After reaching the spiral groove section however, the slide
will, apart from its rectilinear movement, also carry out a
rotational movement.
A disadvantage of the known apparatus is that the cooperation
between the pin and the groove results in a high friction and,
therefore, leads to excessive wear of the respective parts.
Moreover, the high friction requires a high driving power of the
apparatus and, thus, heavy and expensive motors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the
type referred to above in which the above mentioned disadvantages
are removed in simple but, nevertheless, effective way.
The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that
the guide comprises a substantially cylindrical rod, whereas the
guide trajectory is defined by a flattening of the rod and wherein
the follower means consists of a guide wheel journaled in the slide
and engaging the flattening of the cylindrical rod.
The guide wheel, journaled in the slide, carries out a rolling
motion over the flattening of the cylindrical rod, as a result of
which the resulting friction is low. The cooperation between the
flattening and the guide wheel, however, enables the slide to
obtain the desired rotational movement.
According to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to
the invention, the cylindrical rod is provided with two flattened
surfaces with two corresponding guide wheels journaled in the
slide. This embodiment is still further optimized if the two
flattened surfaces are positioned diametrically opposite each
other. In this way the forces acting on the slide are symmetrical
so that the resulting friction, and, therefore, the wear, are still
further decreased.
In a simple embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention
the guide wheel axis lies in a plane which intersects the
longitudinal axis of the cylindrical rod at a right angle. This
embodiment is characterized by a simple constructive design which
reduces the costs of the apparatus. It is possible, however, for
the guide wheel axis plane to intersect the longitudinal axis of
the cylindrical rod at an acute angle. Among others, this angle can
be dependent on the chosen pitch of the spiral guide trajectory. By
an adequate choice of this angle, one may obtain the cooperation
between the flattened surface of the cylindrical rod and the guide
wheel engaging it, as advantageous as possible, in a region of the
straight guide trajectory section as well as at the region of the
spiral guide trajectory section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated further by means of
the drawings, in which an embodiment of the apparatus according to
the invention is illustrated.
FIG. 1 is a plane view of an embodiment of the apparatus according
to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II--II in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus represented in FIG. 1 for imparting a simultaneous
rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear
trajectory first is proved with a straight guide 1. Straight guide
1 is shaped as a cylindrical rod having two diametrically opposed
flattened surfaces 2. over at least a part of the length of the
straight guide 1 the flattened surfaces 2 extend spirally. This
part of the straight guide 1 is shown in the lowermost section of
FIG. 1. In the uppermost section of FIG. 1 the straight guide 1
doesn't have such a spiral shape. Further, it can be seen that the
spiral section of the straight guide 1 is gradually transformed
into the non-spiral shaped section.
A slide block 3 is positioned around the guide rod 1. This slide 3
is provided with an axial bore 4, having a diameter that
substantially corresponds with the maximum diameter of the straight
guide rod 1. Thus, the slide block 3 can move to and fro along the
straight guide 1 in its longitudinal direction. During a to and fro
movement of the slide 3 the central axis of the slide 3 will
constantly coincide with the central axis of the straight guide
1.
In the slide 3 two recesses 5 joining the bore 4 are formed. In
each recess 5 a guide wheel 6 is journaled in the slide 3 by means
of a pin 7. Pin 7 is fastened by means of a nut 8. Further, for
correct positioned of the guide wheel 6, a washer 9 is applied
between guide wheel 6 and the slide 3.
As appears clearly from FIG. 2 both guide wheels 6 engage the
surfaces of the flattened surfaces 2 of the straight guide 1. Guide
wheels 6 do not obstruct the to and from movement of the slide 3 in
the longitudinal direction of the straight guide 1, but obviate
that the slide 3 will, in an uncontrolled way, rotate relative to
the straight guide rod 1.
If the slide runs through the upper section of the straight guide 1
as shown in FIG. 1, where the flattened surfaces 2 do not yet have
a spiral shape, the slide 3 will only carry out a translational
movement relative to the straight guide. When the spiral section of
the straight guide rod 1 is reached the guide wheels 6 will follow
the flattened surfaces 2 so that the slide block 3 will, during its
continuing translational movement, rotate relative to the straight
guide rod 1 in correspondence with this spiral shape. Thus, in the
region of the spiral guide section the slide obtains simultaneously
a translational movement and a rotational movement.
In the shown embodiment of the apparatus the angle .alpha. at which
the transverse phase of axes 10 of the guide wheels 6 intersects
the longitudinal axis 11 of the straight guide 1 is 90.degree.. It
is possible however that this angle .alpha. is smaller than
90.degree.. Such an angle .alpha. differing from 90.degree. can
take into account the pitch angle of the spiral flattened surfaces
2 in the spiral region of the straight guide rod 1.
In operation, the slide block 3 is moved to and fro in the
longitudinal direction of the straight guide 1 by a driving
mechanism not shown. The connection between the slide 3 and such a
driving mechanism should take account for the rotation of the slide
3 occurring. In the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus this is
achieved by the provision of ball-bearings 12, 13 that enable the
rotation of the slide 3 relative to a driving mechanism connected
therewith. In a way, known per se, the driving mechanism could
comprise a curved track and a follower roll cooperating therewith.
However, still other solutions are possible.
At its lower side the slide block 3 is provided with a threaded end
14. A not illustrated processing device, that has to be driven by
the shown apparatus, can be mounted thereon. Such a processing
device can, for example, consist of a mandril having projections
for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry. By means of the
illustrated apparatus the mandril is first positioned into a body
cavity of the poultry without any rotational movement, and just
after reaching a certain depth it will also start to rotate. In
this case the mandril is at least partially hollow, such that it
can receive the section of the straight guide 1 extending beneath
the slide 3.
As mentioned before it is possible that the guide wheels 6 are
positioned at a different angle relative to the straight guide 1.
Further the possibility remains to provide only one guide wheel
instead of two guide wheels 6. In such a case, the straight guide 1
only comprises one flattened surface 2. However, in such a case
asymmetrical loads are applied to the slide 3 which generally will
lead to more friction and a faster wear.
The invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above
and can be varied widely within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *