GB915199A - Improvements in apparatus for spraying irregularly shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

In apparatus for spraying irregularly shaped articles, of the kind employing a spraying head mounted on a carrier which is reciprocated transversely of an article conveyed beneath it, the spraying head is shifted into and out of operative position relative to lower level surfaces of the article solely by angular movement of an arm pivoted to the carrier, upon which arm the head is mounted. As shown, the apparatus comprises a bridge structure 1 (Fig. 1) beneath which pass the articles to be sprayed. A carrier 3 is reciprocated along the bridge by a motor-driven sprocket chain 4, and sup <PICT:0915199/III/1> <PICT:0915199/III/2> ports a plate 5 which is moved up and down as determined by contour rails 6. The plate 5 carries a pivot for a higher level spray head (not shown) and a double-acting pneumatic motor having cylinders 8 and 9 operating a rack 11 (Fig. 2) which engages a gear 12 and can thus cause an arm 16, 17, secured to the gear 12, to pivot. The arm 16, 17 carries an adjustable clamp plate 18 mounting an extension 19 having at its lower end a bearing for a pivot pin 20 which carries a lower level spray gun, not shown. The pin 20 is keyed to a lever 21, connected by a rod 22 to one end of a freely pivoted lever 23, the other end of which is connected by a rod 24 to a lever 25 fixed to the pivot pin of the higher level spray head, and by a rod 26 to rollers (not shown) engaging the contour rails 6. A pneumatically operated valve 34 controls admission of air to the cylinder 9 to cause the arm 16, 17 and extension 19 to pivot downwardly into operative position, or to cylinder 8 to effect the reverse movement, as well as the supply of air to the lower or higher level spray guns. The valve 34 may be controlled by means, e.g. photo-electric devices, so that the arm 16, 17 is lowered automatically when a low level portion of the article is to be sprayed, and so that spraying air is only supplied when an article is present. Specification 787,019 is referred to.