Filing Information

Inventor(s)	David L. Divine ·
Assignee(s)	Divine Machinery Sales, Inc. ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Price Heneveld Cooper Dewitt & Litton ·
Primary Examiner	George Nguyen ·
Application Number	US9651416
Filing date	08/30/2000
Issue date	11/26/2002
Predicted expiration date	10/01/2020
Patent term adjustment	32
U.S. Classifications	451/58  · 451/262  · 451/195  · 451/194  · 451/261  · 451/461  · 451/65  ·
International Classifications	--
Kind Code	B1
International Classifications	451 65 · 451 58 · 451194 · 451195 · 451262 · 451461 · 451 14 · 451 19 ·

Patent Family

Abstract

An adjustable grinding machine for grinding a plurality of first articles, wherein each first article has two substantially opposite surfaces, and a plurality of second articles, wherein each second article has two substantially opposite surfaces. The adjustable grinding machine includes a structural support member, and a first grinder assembly supported from the structural support member, wherein the first grinder is adapted to grind the two surfaces of the first article simultaneously. The adjustable grinding machine further including a second grinder assembly supported from the structural support member, wherein the second grinder is adapted to grind the two surfaces of the second article simultaneously.

Independent Claims | See all claims (20)

1. 1. An adjustable grinding machine for grinding a plurality of first articles, wherein each first article has two substantially opposite surfaces, and a plurality of second articles, wherein each second article has two substantially opposite surfaces, comprising: a structural support member; a first grinder assembly adjustably supported from the structural support member by a first servo-driven gear box operably connected to the structural support member, the first grinder assembly includes a first grinding wheel drive motor operably connected to a first grinding wheel, and a second grinding wheel drive motor operably connected to a second grinding wheel, wherein the first grinding wheel and the second grinding wheel are substantially co-axially located, and wherein the first grinder assembly is adapted to grind the two surfaces of the first article simultaneously; and a second grinder assembly, adjustably supported from the structural support member by a second servo-driven gear box, and wherein the second grinder assembly is adapted to grind the two surfaces of the second article simultaneously.
2. 14. A method of grinding a plurality of first articles, wherein each first article has two substantially opposite surfaces, and a plurality of second articles, wherein each second article has two substantially opposite surfaces, comprising: providing a structural support member; providing a first grinder assembly that includes a first grinding wheel drive motor operably connected to a first grinding wheel, and a second grinding wheel drive motor operably connected to a second grinding wheel, wherein the first grinding wheel and the second grinding wheel are substantially co-axially located, and wherein the first grinding wheel drive motor is adjustably supported from the structural support member by a first servo-driven gear box operably connected to the structural support member, and the second driving wheel drive motor is adjustably supported from the structural support member by a second servo-driven gear box operably connected to the structural support member such that a distance between the first grinding wheel and the second grinding wheel is adjustable; providing a first article carrier adapted to deliver the first article to the first grinder assembly; delivering a first article to the first grinder assembly via the first article carrier; grinding the two surfaces of the first article within the first grinder assembly; providing a second grinder assembly that includes a third grinding wheel drive operably connected to a third grinding wheel, and a fourth grinding wheel drive operably connected to a fourth grinding wheel, wherein the third grinding wheel and fourth grinding wheel are substantially coaxially located, and wherein the third grinding wheel drive motor is adjustably supported from the structural support member by a third servo-driven gear box operably connected to the structural support member and the fourth grinding wheel drive motor is adjustably supported from the structural support member by a fourth servo-driven gear box operably connect to the structural support member, such that a distance between the third grinding wheel and the fourth grinding wheel is adjustable, and wherein the second grinder capable of being operated autonomously from the first grinder assembly. adjusting the distance between the third grinding wheel and the fourth grinding wheel prior to the step of grinding the second article; providing a second article carrier adapted to deliver the second article to the second grinder assembly; delivering a second article to the first grinder assembly via the second article carrier; and grinding the two surfaces of the second article within the second grinder assembly.