Cover device for a supply device for a machine tool

Abstract

The cover device (1) is suitable for a device (2) for feeding bars to a machine tool, The support frame (3) is pivotally connectable to the frame structure (5) of the bar feeder (2) by a first hinge element (4). A cover element (6) is rotatably connected and connected to the support frame (3) by a second hinge element (7). The first hinge element (4) and the second hinge element (7) are arranged opposite each other on the respective longitudinal sides (L1, L2) of the support frame (3) and are configured to allow the cover device (1) to be opened naturally from both one side and the other side of the bar supply device (2). A longitudinally extending slit opening (8) is provided on the cover element (6), which is configured to allow the bars to be transferred from the external auxiliary storage to the drum (9) of the bar supply device (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover device for an apparatus for automatically feeding a bar to a machine tool such as a lathe that can be of a single-axis type or a multi-axis type.

Background Art

[0002] An apparatus for feeding a reinforcing bar is known to be used for feeding and advancing the latter to a machine tool such as a lathe.

[0003] An apparatus for supplying bars of a known type comprises a support frame to which a drum is attached, the support frame being provided with a plurality of guides for the respective bars, a pusher suitable for pushing one bar at a time rearward and advancing it to the machine tool, and other components.

[0004] The aforementioned apparatus is also known by the term supply apparatus, but has several limitations set forth above.

[0005] The first problem is the ineffective and poor covering and protection of the area around the power supply device, which generally means a danger to the operator around the device.

[0006] For example, during the operation of the supply device, waste chip elements from the bar being machined, which are accelerated by the machine, can be ejected randomly around the machining area, creating a risk of injuring the operator.

[0007] Furthermore, friction between the bars and the bar supply device, or between the various components of the device, can generate unpleasant and loud noises, which can potentially damage the operator's hearing over time. Therefore, making the operator as safe as possible through appropriate physical and acoustic protection devices is one of the main objectives of the designers of these devices.

[0008] Properly protecting the device is used not only to reduce or eliminate potential risks to the health of the operator, but also to protect the device from possible mechanical damage. More precisely, it is necessary to prevent foreign agents such as chips, dirt, dust or liquids from entering between the delicate mechanisms of the device, to ensure the correct operation of the device as reliably as possible, to prevent the risk of malfunction due to wear, and to extend the operating life as long as possible.

[0009] The current power supply device is not entirely satisfactory in terms of loading and accessibility. The operation of the supply bar on the device is rather difficult. In addition, accessing the mechanisms inside the device to check and control its correct operation, as well as for routine or special maintenance, is very complex.

[0010] Generally, bar supply devices are heavy and bulky systems that are hardly adaptable in terms of positioning within an industrial site and connection to the machine tools to which the bars are supplied. Also, once installed, if correctly adjusted, due to their large weight, known bar supply devices cannot be moved, and the movement becomes very complex. Therefore, it is necessary to make the design of the device more easily adaptable to the machine tools used during the installation step and to the space available in the shop, and to make the installation easier and less time-consuming.

[0011] Other cover devices are known from Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.

[0012] For the above reasons, there is currently a great deal of room for improvement with respect to the current bar loading devices and current protection and cover devices, especially with respect to adaptability, versatility, accessibility, effectiveness, and operator safety.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0013]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0014] An object of the present invention is to improve a current bar supply device, particularly a cover device of the supply device.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover device for a supply device for a machine tool that is easy to use, inexpensive, structurally simplified, can operate effectively under any operating conditions, and solves the aforementioned limitations of the prior art.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to improve the current protection device and cover device of a bar supply device for supplying a bar onto a machine tool, thereby reducing the risk to the health of the operator and damage to the bar supply device as much as possible.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to make the bar supply device more adaptable and effective in relation to available applications and space.

[0018] These objects of the present invention are achieved by a propulsion device according to one or more of the appended claims.

[0019] The above can be achieved by a cover device for a device for supplying a bar to a machine tool, as defined in the appended claims.

[0020] By the present invention, the above disadvantages are overcome.

[0021] In particular, the device according to the present invention has a very simple structural configuration, and by enhancing the safety level for the operator, it is possible to provide great versatility, better adaptability, and efficiency of the device.

[0022] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the appended claims and description and the appended drawings.

[0023] Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be better understood and can be carried out with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, non - limiting embodiments thereof:

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a cover device 1 attached to a lathe that can be of a single - spindle type or a multi - spindle type, for an apparatus 2 for automatically supplying bars to a machine tool.

[0026] The base structure of the cover device 1 consists of a support frame 3 formed by a first longitudinal tubular element 12, a second longitudinal tubular element 13, and a shaped transverse element 14.

[0027] The first longitudinal tubular element 12 can be rotatably connected by a first hinge element 4 to a first part of the frame structure 5 of the power supply device 2, in particular to the first longitudinal side L1.

[0028] The second longitudinal tubular element 13 is located on the second longitudinal side L2 parallel to and opposite the first side LI of the frame structure 5.

[0029] The first longitudinal tubular element 12 and the second longitudinal tubular element 13 are parallel to and spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the width of the paper - feeding device 2.

[0030] The second longitudinal tubular element 13 located on the second longitudinal side L2 is not connected to the frame structure 5, and is shaped to be placed on or removed from a second part of the frame structure 5 that is parallel and opposite to the aforementioned first part to which the first longitudinal tubular element 12 is hinged.

[0031] The shaped transverse element 14 completes the support frame 3 extending on the short side of the frame structure 5. More precisely, the shaped transverse element 14 connects the ends of the first tubular element 12 to the respective ends of the second longitudinal tubular element 13.

[0032] On the support frame 3, a cover element 6 comes to a stationary part that is rotatably connected to the second tubular element 13, and thus to the support frame 3, by a second hinge element 7.

[0033] The cover element 6 extends and is configured to completely cover above the bar supply drum 9 and the volume defined in the device 2 with the remainder inside.

[0034] It houses mechanical components. The cover element 6 configured in this way thus guarantees complete protection of the operator and the device 2.

[0035] As described above, the first hinge element 4 and the second hinge element 7 are arranged on the respective longitudinal side surfaces L1 and L2 of the support frame 3 facing each other in this way. According to this configuration, the cover device 1 can be opened on both sides of the paper feeding device 2. In other words, advantageously, in order to access the components inside the paper feeding device 2, it is possible to arbitrarily select from which side to open the cover device 1 in a desired manner..

[0036] The cover element 6 is provided with a break portion that can be appropriately distributed in a zone intended to be superimposed on the corresponding first hinge element 4 in the closed position, whereby the cover element 6 can completely cover the first longitudinal tubular element 12 without the first hinge element 4 becoming an obstacle to closing.

[0037] In total, the cover element 6 can be lifted from both sides Ll / L2 of the frame structure 5 of the device 2.

[0038] From the front and rear sides L1, only the cover element 6 (constrained to the frame 3 but not to the first longitudinal tubular element 12) can be lifted, while from the longitudinal side L2, the cover element 6 (constrained to the second longitudinal tube 13) coupled to the support frame 3 can be lifted.

[0039] The cover element 6 includes one or more protective panels and insulating panels that can be made of sheet metal, polycarbonate or other suitable materials.

[0040] To improve protection from acoustic pollution, the panel forming the cover element 6 can include several layers with acoustic insulation material interposed therebetween.

[0041] The cover element 6 can possibly be provided with one or more protections and be provided with a heat-insulating panel consisting of a transparent material or a window zone 20 so that the interior of the device 2 can be visually inspected. In this way, the operator can safely inspect the state and operation of the device 2 without having to raise the cover element 6.

[0042] On the cover element 6, a longitudinally extending slit opening 8 is obtained which is configured such that a bar can move from an external auxiliary storage to the drum 9 of the supply device 2.

[0043] To open and close the slit 8, a hinged door 10 with a handle 11 is provided on the cover element 6, facilitating the opening and closing operation of the door 10.

[0044] The slit 8 allows the bar to be introduced into the supply device while keeping the operator safe and protecting from body parts and / or noise that could accidentally fall off and be projected outside the supply device 2.

[0045] The frame structure 5 of the device 2 consists of an upper part 5A that houses the previously disclosed drum 9 and the cover device 1, and a base part 5B with legs 16.

[0046] The upper part 5A is placed on the base part 5B by means of a coupling that includes a relatively movable rail element 18 and wheels 19. By means of the coupling, the upper part 5A is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the base part 5B and is adapted to fit each other as much as possible.

[0047] There are specific mounting requirements, which adapt to the available requirements and the machine tools to be used.

[0048] The legs 16 of the frame structure 5 are, in particular, height-adjustable legs, each of which consists of two pieces 16A, 16B fixed to each other by a screw element 17, enabling adjustment of their relative fixing positions. In this way, during the assembly of the device 2, before the actual test run, it is possible to determine the actual height of the device 2 for the adjustable legs 16 and the vertical position by means of the binary system 18 and the wheel 19.

[0049] As can be seen from what has been disclosed, the cover device 1 enables access to the object described above.

[0050] In particular, according to the present invention, there is provided a cover device 1 that is highly versatile, can ensure effective protection, simplifies the supply bar to the device, and enables extremely easy access to the internal components from any side.

[0051] Furthermore, due to the specific structure of the frame, the device can be more easily adapted with respect to both height and longitudinal position.

[0052] The possibility of raising the cover device 1 by acting on its different zones improves the versatility and adaptability of the device 2 to which it is attached.

[0053] Depending on the intended use, it is possible to configure and size the device 1 in the desired way, and the material used to manufacture the device 1 can be selected as needed, provided it is suitable for the specific use for which it is intended.

[0054] Finally, modifications can be made to what is described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or additionally.

Claims

1. A cover device (1) for a bar supply device (2) that supplies a bar to a machine tool, the cover device (1) comprising: A support frame (3) that can be rotatably connected to the frame structure (5) of the bar supply device (2) by a first hinge element (4); A cover element (6) that is rotatably connected to the support frame (3) by a second hinge element (7); In a cover device (1) for a bar supply device (2) that supplies a bar to a machine tool, the first hinge element (4) and the second hinge element (7) are arranged on opposite longitudinal side surfaces (L1, L2) of the support frame (3), respectively, and are configured to enable the opening of the cover device (1) on both sides of the bar supply device (2). A slit opening (8) is provided on the cover element (6), and the cover device (1) is characterized in that it is configured to allow the passage and introduction of a bar from an external auxiliary storage unit to the drum (9) of the bar supply device (2).

2. The cover device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (6) consists of one or more protective and insulating panels.

3. The cover device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a door (10) on the cover element (6) is configured to open and close the slit opening (8) and is hinged together with a handle (11).

4. The support frame (3) includes a first longitudinal tubular element (12) connected to a first part of the frame structure (5) by the first hinge element (4) toward the first longitudinal side surface (Ll), and a second longitudinal tubular element (13) that is separated from a second part of the frame structure (5) and is shaped to be placed thereon or separated therefrom, and is connected to the cover element (6) by the second hinge element (7) opposite the first part on the second longitudinal side surface (L2). The cover device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The cover device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the support frame (3) includes a lateral element (14) that extends from the first longitudinal tubular element (12) to the second longitudinal tubular element (13) on a short side that is an opposite side surface, and on which the cover element (6) is placed.

6. The cover device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover element (6) consists of one or more protective and insulating panels made of sheet metal or polycarbonate or other suitable materials.

7. The cover device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover element (6) consists of one or more protective and insulating panels made of a transparent material or provided with a window area (20) through which an operator can visually inspect the interior of the bar supply device (2).

8. The cover device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the one or more protective and insulating panels comprise several layers with acoustic insulation material interposed therebetween.

9. The cover device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising respective moving handles (15) for lowering / raising the cover element (6) and one or more pneumatic or hydraulic pistons for facilitating and assisting the opening and closing of the cover device (1).

10. A bar supply device (2) for supplying bars to a machine tool, comprising the cover device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame structure (5) has height-adjustable legs (16), and each leg (16) consists of two pieces (16A, 16B) fixed to each other by screw elements (17), and the bar supply device (2) enabling adjustment of the mutual fixing positions.

11. The bar supply device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the frame structure (5) consists of an upper part (5A) accommodating the drum (9) and the cover device (1), and a base part (5B) including the legs (16), and the upper part (5A) is longitudinally position-adjustable relative to the base part (5B).

12. The bar supply device (2) according to claim 11, wherein the upper part (5A) is placed on the base part (5B) by a connector including a rail (18) and relatively movable wheels (19).

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