Finishing apparatus having gyrational and rotational motion-producing components

Abstract

A vibratory finishing machine having a fixed frame and a floating support resiliently mounted thereon, a finishing chamber mounted on the floating support, a gyratory motion-producing assembly affixed to the support eccentrically mounted on a shaft and a motor operatively coupled thereto. The finishing chamber is divided into two parts, one part rotatively mounted and having at least an inner vertical wall, and a stationary portion affixed to the floating support. A second motor is mounted in fixed relationship with the floating support and operatively coupled to rotate the rotatably-mounted portion of the chamber. The rotational or centrifugal rotation of the rotatably-mounted portion of the chamber provides greatly improved finishing efficiency of the apparatus. Additionally, the gyrational motion of the chamber produced by the first motor and accompanying eccentric weights may be used to provide automatic discharge of the parts, and may also be used for finishing parts operated either by itself or in combination with the centrifugal rotation produced by rotating the rotatable portion of the chamber.

I claim: 
     
       1. A vibratory machine useful for finishing the surfaces of a part with finishing material comprising: 1. a gyratory motion-producing assembly comprising: a. a housing,   b. eccentric weight means mounted for rotational movement about a vertical axis fixed with respect to said housing, and   c. a motor mounted and operatively arranged to rotate said eccentric weight means,     2. means resiliently supporting said assembly for gyratory motion,   3. a substantially horizontally oriented curvilinear finishing chamber operatively mounted for gyration with said gyratory motion-producing assembly, comprising: a. a first annular member mounted with respect to said housing (1a),   b. a second annular member coaxially mounted with respect to said first annular member, one of said first and second annular members arranged to rotate about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the other, and   c. an annular sealing member mounted on one of said annular members and sealingly engaging the other of said annular members, and     4. a rotational motion-producing assembly fixedly mounted with respect to said housing (1a) comprising: a. rotatable support means mounted to rotate about a vertical axis,   b. a motor mounted to rotate said rotatable support means, the rotatable one of said annular members being mounted on said rotatable support means, whereby said annular member may be rotated with respect to the other of said annular members, and     5. means for separating said part from said finishing material and discharging said part.   
     
     
       2. A vibratory machine according to claim 1, wherein said first annular member and said second annular member have at least one vertical wall. 
     
     
       3. A vibratory machine according to claim 2, wherein said vertical wall is an inner wall. 
     
     
       4. A vibratory machine according to claim 3, wherein said vertical wall additionally has attached thereto at least a partial arcuate bottom. 
     
     
       5. A vibratory machine according to claim 3, wherein said inner wall additionally has an arcuate bottom and a partial outer vertical wall connected thereto. 
     
     
       6. A vibratory machine according to claim 5, wherein said first annular member is an outer vertical wall. 
     
     
       7. A vibratory machine according to claim 6, wherein said outer vertical wall has a convolute lip to prevent parts and finishing material from leaving said chamber during rotation of said second annular member. 
     
     
       8. A vibratory machine according to claim 5, wherein said sealing member is affixed to said second annular member and sealingly engages first annular member. 
     
     
       9. A vibratory machine according to claim 5, wherein said sealing member is affixed to said first annular member and sealingly engages said second annular member. 
     
     
       10. A vibratory machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and second annular members are substantially equal complementary members each having a vertical wall and a partial bottom, the edges of the bottoms of said annular members being in overlapping relationship. 
     
     
       11. A finishing machine according to claim 10, wherein the overlapping bottom portions each have a sealing member affixed thereto and sealingly engage the other member. 
     
     
       12. A finishing machine according to claim 1, wherein said sealing member is formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       13. A finishing machine according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is formed of rubber. 
     
     
       14. A finishing machine according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is formed of neoprene. 
     
     
       15. A finishing machine according to claim 1, having retrieval means for retrieving parts from said finishing chamber. 
     
     
       16. A finishing machine according to claim 15, wherein said retrieval means is arranged to be inserted into said finishing chamber and comrises a ramp, a finishing material separating foraminous member, and a discharge chute. 
     
     
       17. A finishing machine according to claim 15, wherein solenoid means is provided for inserting and retracting said retrieval means. 
     
     
       18. A finishing machine according to claim 17, wherein a portion of said ramp is formed of a resilient material to facilitate insertion into and withdrawal from said finishing chamber. 
     
     
       19. A finishing machine according to claim 15, wherein a hydraulic cylinder means is provided for inserting and retracting said retrieval means. .Iadd. 
     
     
       20.  A vibratory machine useful for finishing the surfaces of a part with finishing material comprising: 1. a gyratory motion-producing assembly comprising: a. a housing,   b. eccentric weight means mounted for rotational movement about a vertical axis fixed with respect to said housing, and   c. a motor mounted and operatively arranged to rotate said eccentric weight means,     2. means resiliently supporting said assembly for gyratory motion,   3. a substantially horizontally oriented curvilinear finishing chamber operatively mounted for gyration with said gyratory motion-producing assembly, comprising: a. a first annular member mounted with respect to said housing (1a),   b. a second annular member coaxially mounted with respect to said first annular member, one of said first and second annular members arranged to rotate about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the other, and     4. a rotational motion-producing assembly fixedly mounted with respect to said housing (1a) comprising: a. rotatable support means mounted to rotate about a vertical axis,   b. a motor mounted to rotate said rotatable support means, the rotatable one of said annular members being mounted on said rotatable support means, whereby said annular member may be rotated with respect to the other of said annular members, and     5. means for separating said part from said finishing material and discharging said part..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A vibratory machine according to claim 20, wherein said first annular member and said second annular member have at least one vertical wall..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A vibratory machine according to claim 21, wherein said vertical wall is an inner wall..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A vibratory machine according to claim 22, wherein said vertical wall additionally has attached thereto at least a partial arcuate bottom..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A vibratory machine according to claim 22, wherein said inner wall additionally has an arcuate bottom and a partial outer vertical wall connected thereto..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A vibratory machine according to claim 24, wherein said first annular member is an outer vertical wall. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A vibratory machine according to claim 25, wherein said outer vertical wall has a convolute lip to prevent parts and finishing material from leaving said chamber   
     
     
        during rotation of said second annular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  A vibratory machine according to claim 20, wherein said first and second annular members are substantially equal complementary members each having a vertical wall and a partial bottom, the edges of the bottoms of said annular members being in overlapping relationship..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A finishing machine according to claim 20, having retrieval means for retrieving parts from said finishing chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A finishing machine according to claim 28, wherein said retrieval means is arranged to be inserted into said finishing chamber and comprises a ramp, a finishing material separating foraminous member, and a discharge chute..Iaddend..Iadd.30. A finishing machine according to claim 28, wherein solenoid means is provided for inserting and retracting said retrieval means..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A finishing machine according to claim 30, wherein a portion of said ramp is formed of a resilient material to facilitate insertion into and withdrawal from said finishing chamber..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A finishing machine according to claim 28, wherein a hydraulic cylinder means is provided for inserting and 
     
     
        retracting said retrieval means..Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  Apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least the inner annular member rotates..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. Apparatus of claim 33 wherein the finishing chamber has a bottom, which bottom rotates. .Iaddend.