Removable high velocity blast cabinet vestibule

Abstract

Provided is an easily entrance vestibule configured to be quickly and easily installed on a conventional blasting machine, wherein the entrance vestibule includes an entrance channel configured to allow work-pieces to enter the blasting machine for blasting operations. The entrance vestibule is configured to create an airflow through the entrance channel to urge particulate from escaping the blasting machine through the entrance channel. The entrance vestibule is further configured to allow for quick and easy removal of the vestibule from the blasting machine at the conclusion of the blasting operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An entrance vestibule for use with an abrasive blasting machine for blasting a work-piece with particulate, the abrasive blasting machine having a housing defining an inner blasting chamber and a housing opening in communication with the inner blasting chamber, the abrasive blasting machine having a vacuum device which creates a negative pressure within the inner blasting chamber during operation of the abrasive blasting device, the entrance vestibule comprising:
 a base plate having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a base plate opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, the base plate being configured to be detachably engageable with the housing to substantially cover the housing opening; and   an extension member connected to the base plate and having a first end and a second end to define an extension member length therebetween, the extension member defining an entrance channel extending from the first end to the second end and aligned with the base plate opening to allow for passage of a work-piece into the inner blasting chamber through the entrance channel and base plate opening;   wherein the entrance channel is configured to allow ambient air to enter the inner blasting chamber through the entrance channel, the extension member defining a length sufficient to maintain the negative pressure within the inner chamber to mitigate escape of the particulate through the entrance channel during operation of the abrasive blasting machine.   
     
     
         2 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate is configured to be engageable with the housing to define a fluid tight seal therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate is configured to be pivotally engageable with the housing to be pivotal between an open position and a closed position, the base plate substantially covering the housing opening when the base plate is in the closed position and the housing opening being substantially uncovered by the base plate when the base plate is in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , further comprising pin hinges connected to the base plate, the pin hinges configured to be pivotally engageable with the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the extension member are on opposing sides of the base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , further comprising a support track connected to the extension member, the support track including a rail defining a groove configured to support the work-piece. 
     
     
         7 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , wherein the support track includes a track roller disposed within the groove and configured to facilitate translation of the work-piece along the support track. 
     
     
         8 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of bristles extending at least partially across the entrance channel in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         9 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch connected to the base plate and moveable between a locked configuration, wherein the latch engages with the housing to mitigate pivotal movement of the base plate relative to the housing, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the latch is disengaged from the housing to allow pivotal movement of the base plate relative to the housing. 
     
     
         10 . An entrance vestibule kit for use with an abrasive blasting machine for blasting a work-piece with particulate, the abrasive blasting machine having a housing defining an inner blasting chamber and a housing opening in communication with the inner blasting chamber, the abrasive blasting machine having a primary fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vacuum device in fluid communication with the fluid outlet to creates a negative pressure within the inner blasting chamber during operation of the abrasive blasting device, the entrance vestibule comprising:
 an entrance vestibule comprising:
 a base plate having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a base plate opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, the base plate being configured to be engageable with the housing to substantially cover the housing opening; and 
 an extension member connected to the base plate and having a first end and a second end to define an extension member length therebetween, the extension member defining an entrance channel extending from the first end to the second end and aligned with the base plate opening to allow for passage of a work-piece into the inner blasting chamber through the entrance channel and base plate opening; 
 wherein the entrance channel is configured to allow ambient air to enter the inner blasting chamber through the entrance channel, the extension member defining a length sufficient to maintain the negative pressure within the inner chamber to mitigate escape of the particulate through the entrance channel during operation of the abrasive blasting machine; and 
   a block-off plate positionable within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, the block-off plate being moveable relative to the fluid outlet to control the fluid flow through the fluid outlet to modify the negative pressure within the interior compartment.   
     
     
         11 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , wherein the base plate is configured to be engageable with the housing to define a fluid tight seal therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , wherein the base plate is configured to be pivotally engageable with the housing to be pivotal between an open position and a closed position, the base plate substantially covering the housing opening when the base plate is in the closed position and the housing opening being substantially uncovered by the base plate when the base plate is in the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , further comprising pin hinges connected to the base plate, the pin hinges configured to be pivotally engageable with the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , wherein the first end and the second end of the extension member are on opposing sides of the base plate. 
     
     
         15 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , further comprising a support track connected to the extension member, the support track including a rail defining a groove configured to support the work-piece. 
     
     
         16 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , wherein the support track includes a track roller disposed within the groove and configured to facilitate translation of the work-piece along the support track. 
     
     
         17 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of bristles extending at least partially across the entrance channel in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         18 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 10 , further comprising a latch connected to the base plate and moveable between a locked configuration, wherein the latch engages with the housing to mitigate pivotal movement of the base plate relative to the housing, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the latch is disengaged from the housing to allow pivotal movement of the base plate relative to the housing. 
     
     
         19 . An entrance vestibule for use with an abrasive blasting machine for blasting a work-piece with particulate, the abrasive blasting machine having a housing defining an inner blasting chamber and a housing opening in communication with the inner blasting chamber, the abrasive blasting machine having a vacuum device which creates a negative pressure within the inner blasting chamber during operation of the abrasive blasting device, the entrance vestibule comprising:
 a base plate having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a base plate opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, the base plate being configured to be engageable with the housing to substantially cover the housing opening; and   an extension member connected to the base plate and having a first end and a second end to define an extension member length therebetween, the extension member defining an entrance channel extending from the first end to the second end and aligned with the base plate opening to allow for passage of a work-piece into the inner blasting chamber through the entrance channel and base plate opening.   
     
     
         20 . The entrance vestibule of  claim 19 , wherein the base plate is configured to be engageable with the housing to define a fluid tight seal therebetween.