Patent US3556837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4305344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4305344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surface processing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-14
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Granted: 1981-12-15
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Expires: 2000-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A surface processing apparatus for painting or otherwise treating variously contoured surfaces. A track includes an elongated pliant beam to which a bending apparatus is attached for the purpose of conforming it to the contour of the surface to be processed. A carriage is mounted on the track for movement along the length thereof and in turn mounts a surface processing tool. The tool is operable to process a strip of the surface adjacent the track. Apparatus is provided for moving the track incrementally along the surface, processing strips sequentially until the entire surface has been processed.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore N. Baskett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:49
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24C; B24C3/00; B24C3/02; B24C3/06; B24C3/065; B05; B05B; B05B13/00; B05B13/02; B05B13/04; B05B13/0405; B63; B63B; B63B59/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A surface processing apparatus for treating variously contoured surfaces, the apparatus comprising: (a) a track including an elongated, pliant beam; (b) bending means attached to the track to conform it to the contour of the surface to be processed; (c) a carriage mounted on the track; and (d) tool mounting means on the carriage for mounting a surface processing tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A surface processing apparatus for treating variously contoured surfaces, the apparatus comprising: (a) a track including an elongated, pliant beam; (b) bending means attached to the track to conform it to the contour of the surface to be processed; (c) a carriage mounted on the track; and (d) tool mounting means on the carriage for mounting a surface processing tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises a resilient pad attached to the face of the beam adjacent the surface to be processed for maintaining the beam spaced-apart from the surface a predetermined distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises proximity detecting means mounted on the face of the beam adjacent the surface to be processed whereby the distance between the track and the surface can be controlled accurately.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises magnets mounted on the face of the beam adjacent the surface to be processed, whereby the track may be releasably fixed to the surface to be processed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises air flotation means mounted on the face of the beam adjacent the surface to be processed, whereby the track may be supported by air pressure at a position adjacent the surface to be processed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the beam is made of pliant sheet plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises a plurality of air jets mounted along one side of the beam and operable to blow air toward the surface to be processed, thereby forming an air curtain for protecting the track from particulates and vapors from the surface processing operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bending means comprises a caliper-like clamp having a leg attached to each end of the beam, and motor means attached to and operable to apply the clamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bending means is operable to bend the beam to a substantially arcuate contour.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is of a predetermined weight and is initially configured in a downwardly opening arc, and the bending means comprises an overhead support and a plurality of flexible members extending from the support and attached to the track, whereby the track deflects under its own weight when thus supported from overhead.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bending means comprises a frame, a plurality of rods mounted movably in the frame, the rods each being flexibly attached at one end to the beam, and means to releasably hold the rods and thus the beam in a selected position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 including drive means for moving the carriage along the track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the drive means comprises a rack means disposed along the length of the track and a powered sprocket mounted on the carriage engaging the rack means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carriage mounts position detecting means for determining the position of the carriage on the track.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carriage further comprises a plurality of air jets mounted along one side thereof and operable to blow air toward the surface to be processed thereby forming a traveling air curtain for protecting the track from particulates and vapors from the surfaced processing operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface processing tool comprises a paint spraying apparatus having at least one spray nozzle located a spaced-apart distance from the track.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface processing tool comprises a sanding apparatus mounted adjacent the track.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 17 wherein the surface processing tool further comprises a second sanding apparatus mounted by the tool mounting means on the opposite side of the beam from the first sanding apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surface processing apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sanding apparatus comprises a powered rotatable drum having abrasive strips extending radially therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination with the surface processing apparatus of claim 1, a boom assembly connected to and mounting the surface processing apparatus and comprising a frame and a motor means mounted on the frame operable to orient the track to a working position adjacent the surface to be processed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The boom assembly of claim 20 further comprising means to retract the track away from the surface while maintaining the curvature of the track.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The boom assembly of claim 21 wherein the means to retract the track away from the surface comprises a sliding frame mounted on the end of the boom and mounting the bending means, and a motor means operable to reciprocate the sliding frame.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-14 | 1985-06-15 | 1985-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-14 | 1989-06-15 | 1989-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-14 | 1993-06-15 | 1993-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |