WO2007030111A2

WO2007030111A2 - Interlock cylinder

Info

Publication number: WO2007030111A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/031828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank C. Pusateri
Original assignee: Hardwood Line Manufacturing Company
Priority date: 2005-09-08
Filing date: 2005-09-08
Publication date: 2007-03-15
Also published as: WO2007030111A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure and method for a knockdown barrel assembly. The barrel includes a male barrel section and a female barrel section. Male barrel section includes an end plate with type-1 and type-2 grooves, as well as panels with interlocking lips and mating profiles. Female barrel section includes an end plate with type-1 and type-2 grooves, as well as panels with interlocking lips and mating profiles. When assembled, the panels of male barrel section interlock with the panels of female barrel section to form a knockdown barrel assembly.

Description

INTERLOCK CYLINDER TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to plastic barrels, and in particular to a design for a barrel having side panels and end plates that can be uniquely assembled to provide a more efficient way of shipping and assembling electroplating barrels.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of polygonal shaped barrels, and particularly hexagonal shaped barrels, are often used in electroplating. Conventionally, an assembled barrel includes an access point on one side of the barrel for placing and removing the particular material to be electroplated. The electroplating process generally involves submerging the barrel into a bath of electroplating solution, and then running electric current through the barrel as it rotates about an axis.

Barrels are generally assembled by connecting the barrel side panels to the end plates. In the prior art there are the end plates of the barrel that are grooved to form U-shaped grooves, and the side panels are permanently affixed or mounted onto the U-shaped grooves by means of adhesives, welding and/or bolting. This assembled barrel is then shipped to the end user.

Preferably, a barrel assembly by the end user provides for lower shipping costs, faster maintenance times, and simplifies the replacement of damaged parts. Generally, these barrels are assembled by connecting side panels to the barrel's end plates. The side panels are attached to the end plates by fastening means of adhesives or fastening screws.

However, the use of adhesives, bolts, or fasteners for securing the side panels to the end plates requires that more parts be shipped. Additionally, the end user takes valuable time and effort to incorporate these adhesives, bolts, and/or fastening screws into the assembly of the barrel. Furthermore, when side panels or head plates are damaged, their replacement is hindered by the use of adhesives, bolts, or fastening screws. The improved barrel design addresses these problems in the art by not requiring adhesives, bolts, or fasteners to secure the barrel side panels to the barrel end plates. Moreover, the improved barrel design provides for a simplified method to assemble a barrel in the field by minimizing the time needed to assemble and replace parts of the barrel. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A male barrel section of a barrel that may be used for the purposes of electroplating comprising a male end plate having an interior surface; at least one type-1 receiving groove which is located on the interior surface of the male end plate, the type-1 receiving groove has a first end and a second end, also the type-1 receiving groove has an interlocking lip; at least one male panel which includes at least one longitudinal edge, a type-1 end, and a type-2 end, where the type-1 end has a channel lip that hingedly engages with the interlocking lip of a type-1 receiving groove; at least one type-2 receiving groove, which is located on the interior surface of the male end plate and includes a first end and a second end; the first end of type-1 receiving grooves adjoins the second end of type-2 receiving grooves, while the first end of type-2 receiving grooves adjoins the second end of type-1 receiving grooves to form a polygon with interior angles; the male panel has a mating profile that extends along the longitudinal edges of the male panel for purposes of engaging a female barrel section.

It is preferable that a female barrel section comprises a female end plate having an interior surface; at least one type-1 receiving groove that is located on the interior surface of the female end plate, the type-1 receiving groove has a first end and a second end; also, the type-1 receiving groove has an interlocking Hp; at least one female panel which includes at least one longitudinal edge, a type-1 end, and a type-2 end, where the type-1 end has a channel lip that hingedly engages with the interlocking lip of type-1 receiving groove; at least one type-2 receiving groove which is located on the interior surface of the female end plate, and includes a first end and a second end; the first end of type-1 receiving grooves adjoins the second end of type-2 receiving grooves, and the first end of type-2 receiving grooves adjoins the second end of type-1 receiving grooves to form a polygon with interior angles; the female panel has a female mating groove extending along the longitudinal edges of the female panel to couple with the male panel mating profile; the female barrel section joins with the male barrel section by coupling the female mating grooves and the male mating profiles, where the type-2 ends of the female and male panels removably engage with the opposing type-2 receiving grooves on the female and male end plates to form a barrel. A method for assembling metal finishing barrel for efficiently shipping components in a knockdown fashion having a male and a female barrel section in accordance with the present invention comprising the steps of positioning at least one male panel with a channel groove at a sufficient angle to hinge to an interlocking lip located on a type-1 receiving groove on a male end plate; rotating the male panel substantially perpendicular to the male end plate where the channel groove engages with the type-1 receiving groove; positioning at least one female panel with a channel groove at a sufficient angle to hinge to an interlocking lip located on type-1 receiving groove on a female end plate; rotating the female panel substantially perpendicular to the female end plate where the channel groove engages with the type-1 receiving groove; aligning at least one male mating profile located on the longitudinal edge of the male panel with at least one female mating groove located on the longitudinal edge of the female panel, such that the male end plate and the female end plate are substantially parallel; sliding the male panels longitudinally along the female panels, where type-2 ends of the male and female panels engage a plurality of type-2 receiving grooves to form a barrel.

It is preferable for the method with the male side panels and the female side panels to include at least one lock recess on the mating profiles, and then locking recesses align to form a recess pocket when the electroplating barrel is assembled, to comprise the step of locking male and female side panels when a locking key is inserted in the recess pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the male barrel section and the female barrel section.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of a male end plate. FIG. 3 is a view of the inside of a female end plate.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the male end plate and the female end plate taken along the lines 4 — 4 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 respectively. FIG. 5 is a side view of the interior surface of the male panel. FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of the longitudinal edge of the male panel.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the female panel.

FIG. 8 is a top view of two male panels connected to the female panel along the longitudinal edges of the each panel.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of the male or female panel slideably and rotatably engaging with the male or female end plate.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of the male panel rotated for engagement with the male or female end plate.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of the male panel and the female panel fully engaged with the female end plate and male end plate, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the male barrel section aligned with the female barrel section.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the male barrel section fully coupled with the female barrel section. FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate male panel embodiment of the present invention having a lock recess.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternate female panel embodiment of the present invention having a lock recess shown by phantom lines.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of male and female barrel section embodiments of the present invention forming a recess pocket to accept the locking means. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a barrel 10 is assembled in accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1. The design of barrel IO preferably includes a male barrel section 6 and a female barrel section 8. Male barrel section 6 includes a male end plate 12 and at least one male panel 18 hingedly interconnected and extending longitudinally from male end plate 12. Female barrel section 8 includes a female end plate 16 and at least one female panel 19 hingedly interconnected and extending longitudinally from female end plate 16. In order to attach male barrel section 6 with female barrel section 8, male panels 18 include male mating profiles 24 while female panels 19 include female mating grooves 25. When barrel 10 is assembled, male panels 18 slidably interconnect with female panels 19, such that male and female panels 18, 19 span longitudinally between male end plate 12 and female end plate 16. Barrel 10 can be assembled in a knock down fashion without welds, heat, screws, glue or any similarly known conventional method, as shown in FIG. 1. The above mentioned parts are preferably constructed of a chemically inert durable plastic that is impact resistant.

FIG. 2 shows male end plate 12. The interior surface 11 of male end plate

12 includes a plurality of type-1 receiving grooves 13 and a plurality of type-2 receiving grooves 14. Type-1 receiving grooves 13 include a first end 26 and second end 27. Likewise, type-2 receiving grooves 14 include a first end 28 and a second end 29. First end 26 of type-1 receiving grooves 13 adjoin second end 29 of type-2 receiving grooves 14 to form a groove configuration. Furthermore, first end 28 of type-2 receiving grooves 14 adjoin second end 27 of type-1 receiving grooves

13 to form a substantially polygonal contiguous groove structure 30. Preferably, type-1 receiving grooves 13 and type-2 receiving grooves 14 form a hexagonal groove structure. Alternatively, type-1 receiving grooves 13 and type-2 receiving grooves 14 can form a quadrilateral, octagonal, decagonal, or any sufficient groove structure to form a barrel.

FIG. 3 shows female end plate 16. The interior surface 17 of female end plate 16 includes a plurality of type-1 receiving grooves 13 and a plurality of type-2 receiving grooves 14. Type-1 receiving groove 13 includes a first end 26 and second end 27. Likewise, type-2 receiving groove 14 includes a first end 28 and a second end 29. First end 26 of type- 1 receiving grooves 13 adjoin second end 29 of type-2 receiving grooves 14 to form a groove configuration. Furthermore, first end 28 of type-2 receiving groove 14 adjoin second end 27 of type- 1 receiving groove 13 to substantially form a polygon with contiguous groove structure 30. Preferably, type-1 receiving grooves 13 and type-2 receiving grooves 14 form a hexagonal groove structure. Alternatively, type-1 receiving grooves 13 and type-2 receiving grooves 14 can form a quadrilateral, octagonal, decagonal, or any sufficient groove structure to form a barrel.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of end plates 12, 16, taken along plane 4-4 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Type-1 receiving grooves 13 on both male and female end plates 12, 16 include an interlocking lip 15. The cross- sectional dimensions of type-1 receiving grooves 13 are grooved for receiving and hingedly engaging the end portion of male and female panels 18, 19, as shown in FIG. 1. Type-1 receiving grooves 13 can be formed in any polygonal or circular shaped groove structure for receiving the edge portion of male panel 18 and female panel 19. The cross-sectional dimensions of type-2 receiving grooves 14 of both male and female end plates 12, 16 approximate the cross-sectional dimensions of male panel 18 and female panel 19. Preferably, type-2 receiving grooves 14 are substantially U-shaped in structure. Alternatively, type-2 receiving grooves 14 can be any polygonal-shaped groove structure for receiving and associating with male panel 18 and female panel 19, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows male panel 18. Male panel 18 includes a type-1 end 21, a type-2 end 22, and at least one longitudinal edge 23. Preferably, male panel 18 is substantially rectangular in shape; however, male panel 18 can be any polygonal shape suitable for interlocking male end plate 12. Longitudinal edges 23 includes a male mating profile 24, extending along each longitudinal edge 23 of male panel 18. Type-1 end 21 of male panel 18 includes a channel lip 20 and a channel edge 32. Channel edge 32 is located on the top portion of channel lip 20. The cross- sectional dimensions of channel lip 20 approximate the cross-sectional dimensions of type-1 receiving groove 13, as shown in FIG. 4; such that at channel edge 32, channel lip 20 hingedly engages with interlocking Hp 15 of type-1 receiving groove 13, as shown in FIG. 4 and 9. Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimensions of type- 2 end 22 of male panel 18 approximates the cross-sectional dimensions of type-2 receiving groove 14 of female end plate 16, as seen in FIG. 4; such that type-2 end 22 removably associates with type-2 receiving grooves 14, as shown in FIG. 4 and 11. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of channel lip 20. Channel lip 20 may have any desired profile that conforms to interlocking lip 15 in order to form a hinged interconnection. The profile of channel lip 20 facilitates the rotation of male panel 18 about interlocking Hp 15. Furthermore, channel lip 20 engages male panel 18 with type-1 receiving groove 13, when male panel 18 is rotated to a substantially perpendicular position relative to male end plate 12, as shown hereafter in FIG. 9 and 10.

Referring now to FIG. 7, female panel 19 includes a type-1 end 21, a type-2 end 22, and at least one longitudinal edge 23. Preferably, female panel 19 is substantially rectangular in shape; however, female panel 19 can be any polygonal shape suitable for engaging female end plate 16. Longitudinal edge 23 includes a female mating groove 25 extending along each longitudinal edge of female panel 19. Type-1 end 21 of female panel 19 includes a channel lip 20 and a channel edge 32. Channel edge 32 is located on the top portion of channel lip 20. The cross- sectional dimensions of channel lip 20 approximate the cross-sectional dimensions of type-1 receiving groove 13, such that at channel edge 32, channel lip 20 hingedly associates with interlocking lip 15, as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the cross- sectional dimensions of type-2 end 22 of female panel 19 approximates the cross- sectional dimensions of type-2 receiving grooves 14 of male end plate 12, such that the type-2 end 22 removably associates with type-2 receiving grooves 14, as shown in FIG. 4 and 11.

In one embodiment, FIG. 8 shows the interaction of male mating profile 24 with female mating groove 25. Male mating profile 24 and female mating groove 25 may have any desired configuration that enables male mating profile 24 to conform with female mating groove 25, such that the male panel 18 longitudinally slides together with female panel 19.

To assemble barrel 10, male barrel section 6 and female barrel section 8 can be assembled independently. In order to assemble male barrel section 6, male panels 18 are connected to male end plate 12. Referring to FIG. 9, male panel 18 is held at an appropriate position to male end plate 12, so it can be inserted into type-1 receiving groove 13. Thereafter, male side panel 18 acts as a lever and rotates about interlocking lip 15 of type-1 receiving groove 13. In FIG. 10, once channel lip 20 substantially engages type-1 groove 13, male panel 18 extends longitudinally out of and substantially perpendicular to, male end plate 12. Female barrel section 8 is assembled in a similar fashion to male barrel section 6, using female panel 19, channel lip 20, type-1 receiving grooves 13, and female end plate 16, as shown in FIG. 9 & 10. FIG. 12 illustrates when the male and female panels 18, 19 are hingedly associated with male and female end plates 12, 16, respectively. Once male barrel section 6 and female barrel section 8 have been assembled, male mating profiles 24 of each male panel 18 can be aligned and coupled with female mating grooves 25 of each female panel 19. Consequently, male barrel section 6 slidably interconnects into female barrel section 8, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 13, barrel 10 can be fully assembled when male barrel section 6 is entirely inserted into female barrel section 8. As such, type-2 ends 22 of female panels 19 abut the bottom of type-2 receiving grooves 14 of male end plate 12, so that they are seated tightly, as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, type-2 ends 22 of male panels 18 abut the bottom of type-2 receiving grooves 14 of female end plate 16, so that they are seated tightly, as shown in FIG. 11.

Barrel 10 provides an improved method for assembly of a barrel. This embodiment can be shipped more efficiently and at a lower cost and field assembled because the components of barrel 10 can be shipped in flat pieces that can be assembled quickly by end users, without holding screws, fasteners, or adhesives.

Alternative embodiments of male and female panels 18 and 19 are shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16. hi FIG. 14, there is shown a view of the exterior surface of a male panel 18, having at least one male lock recess 40 located on each male mating profile 24. In FIG. 15, there is shown a view of the exterior surface of female panel 19, having at least one female lock recess 44 located on each female mating groove 25. It should be appreciated that barrel 10 is operational with or without locking means 42.

Referring to FIG. 16, lock recess 40 of male panel 18 and lock recess 44 of female panel 19 are located along male mating profiles 24 and female mating grooves 25, respectively. When male barrel section 6 and female barrel section 8 are completely coupled, each male lock recess 40 is aligned with each corresponding female lock recess 44 to form a recess pocket 41, such that a locking means 42 can be inserted. Preferably, locking means 42 is a key that approximates the dimensions and the configuration of recess pocket 41, and can be inserted into recess pocket 41 in order to prevent barrel section 6 and barrel section 8 from sliding longitudinally apart. Alternative, locking means 42 may or may not be used for barrel assembly.

Any of these preferred embodiments allow for quick replacement of parts. If male panel 18 is worn and in need of replacement, it can be removed and interchanged with a replacement male panel by sliding male panel 18 apart, longitudinally from female panel 19 along male mating profiles 24 and female mating grooves 25 respectively. Thereafter, once male barrel section 6 is separated from female barrel section 8, a new male side panel 18 can be installed, by performing the method described above for assembly of barrel 10. In one embodiment of the invention, male end plate 12 and female end plate

16 have circular center openings 52 and 56, as shown in FIG. 13, in order to facilitate the mounting of the barrel onto a suspension and drive mechanism for use in a conventional plating tank (not shown). Male end plate 12 affixes to a gear plate (not shown). This gear plate is driven by an intermediate gear which facilitates the rotation of the barrel during the electroplating process (not shown). Furthermore, as is conventional with barrel plating, such as of the types of metal finishing barrel 10 may be submerged in the plating tank that is filled with an electrolyte solution. Upon being submerged, barrel 10 is filled via perforations in male and female panels 18, 19, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,895, herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the barrel 10 can be used in a variety of coating, storing, or finishing methods known in the art. Additionally, a method is provided for assembling barrel 10 for efficiently shipping components in an unassembled fashion by using a male and a female barrel section 6, 8. By positioning male panel 18 with channel lip 20 at a sufficient angle to hinge to interlocking lip 15 located on type-1 receiving groove 13 on male end plate 12, the male panel 18 can be rotated substantially perpendicular to male end plate 12 where channel lip 20 interlocks with type-1 receiving groove 13. Then, channel lip 20 on female panel 19 is positioned at a sufficient angle to hinge to an interlocking lip 15 on type-1 receiving groove 13 on female end plate 16. Consequently, female panel 19 is rotated substantially perpendicular to female end plate 16 where channel groove 20 interlocks with type-1 receiving groove 13.

Next, the mating profile 24 located on longitudinal edge 23 of male panel 18 is aligned with female mating groove 25 located on longitudinal edge 23 of female panel 19, where male and female end plates 12, 16 are substantially parallel. Finally, male panels 18 slide longitudinally along female panels 19 where type-2 ends 22 of male and female panels 18, 19 engage type-2 receiving grooves 14 of respective female and male end plates 12, 16 to form the barrel 10.

The above has been provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention of this application which is defined in the claims below. Accordingly, the description is provided for the purposes of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A male barrel section of a barrel that may be used for the purposes of electroplating comprising: a male end plate having an interior surface; at least one type-1 receiving groove being located on said interior surface of said male end plate, said type-1 receiving groove having a first end and a second end; said type-1 receiving groove having an interlocking lip; at least one male panel having at least one longitudinal edge, a type-1 end, and a type-2 end, wherein a channel lip at said type-1 end hingedly engages with said interlocking lip of said type-1 receiving groove; at least one type-2 receiving groove located on said interior surface of said male end plate, said type-2 receiving groove including a first end and a second end; said first end of said type-1 receiving grooves adjoining said second end of said type-2 receiving grooves, and said first end of said type-2 receiving grooves adjoining said second end of said type-1 receiving grooves to form a polygon with interior angles; said male panel having a mating profile extending along said longitudinal edges of said male panel, for purposes of engaging a female barrel section.

2. The male barrel section in accordance with claim 1, wherein said female barrel section for a barrel comprises: a female end plate having an interior surface; at least one type-1 receiving groove being located on said interior surface of said female end plate, wherein said type-1 receiving groove having a first end and a second end; said type-1 receiving groove having an interlocking lip; at least one female panel having at least one longitudinal edge, a type-1 end, and a type-2 end, wherein a channel lip at said type-1 end hingedly engages with said interlocking lip of said type- 1 receiving groove; at least one type-2 receiving groove located on said interior surface of said female end plate, said type-2 receiving groove including a first end and a second end; said first end of said tyρe-1 receiving grooves adjoining said second end of said type-2 receiving grooves, and said first end of said type-2 receiving grooves adjoining said second end of said type-1 receiving groove to form a polygon with interior angles; said female panel having a female mating groove extending along said longitudinal edges of said female panel to couple with said mating profile of said male panel; said female barrel section joined with said male barrel section by coupling said female mating grooves and said male mating profiles, where said type-2 ends of said female and male panels removably associate with opposing said type-2 receiving grooves on said female and male end plates to form a barrel.

3. The barrel according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of said type-1 receiving grooves approximate the cross-sectional dimensions of said channel lip.

4. The barrel according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of said type-2 receiving grooves approximate the cross-sectional dimensions of said type-2 end of said male and female panels.

5. The barrel according to claim 4, wherein said type-1 receiving grooves and said type-2 receiving grooves form a substantially polygonal groove structure.

6. The barrel according to claim 5, wherein there is at least an equal number of female and male panels.

7. The barrel according to claim 6, wherein said female and male panels are perforated to permit the passage of a bath solution into said barrel.

8. The barrel according to claim 7, wherein at least one said female panel is a door panel having a means for inserting and removing objects from said interior of said barrel.

9. The barrel according to claim 8, wherein said female and male side panels and said female and male end plates are made of a chemically inert durable plastic material.

10. The barrel according to claim 9, wherein said male mating profile includes at least one male lock recess; said female mating groove includes at least one female lock recess to form a recess pocket with said male lock recess; a locking means inserted into said recess pocket.

11. A method for assembling a finishing barrel including components having a male and a female barrel section in accordance with claim 2, comprising the steps of: positioning at least one male panel with a channel groove at a sufficient angle to hinge to an interlocking lip located on a type-1 receiving groove on a male end plate; rotating said male panel substantially perpendicular to said male end plate where said channel groove interlocks with said type-1 receiving groove; positioning at least one female panel with a channel groove at a sufficient angle to hinge to an interlocking lip located on a type-1 receiving groove on a female end plate; rotating said female panel substantially perpendicular to said female end plate where said channel groove interlocks with said type-1 receiving groove; aligning at least one mating profile located on the longitudinal edge of said male panel with at least one mating groove located on the longitudinal edge of said female panel, whereby said male and female end plates are substantially parallel; sliding said male panels longitudinally along said female panels, whereby type-2 ends of said male and female panels engage a plurality of type-2 receiving grooves to form an assembled barrel.

12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the male side panels and female side panels includes at least one lock recess on said mating profiles and said locking recesses align to form a recess pocket when metal finishing barrel is assembled comprising; locking said male and female side panels with a locking means inserted in said recess pocket.