Conveyor System for a Shot Peening Machine

Author:  Gerold Lienert
Source:  US Patent 4,599,879
Doc ID:  1985099
Year of Publication:  1985
Abstract:  
A conveyor system is for a shot peening machine of the type which includes blast wheels which are capable of propelling shot generally downwardly into a critical blast region for shot peening a plurality of springs passing therethrough. The springs are supported on horizontally extending spinner rolls within the critical blast region to be capable of being conveyed along a horizontal peening path therethrough. The conveyor system includes a plurality of finger elements extending horizontally into the critical blast region above the spinner rolls and transversely of the peening path. Each finger element includes a first end for making contact with one of the springs and a second end which is secured to and supported by a continuous located remotely of the critical blast region. The finger elements are mounted on the chanin in a predetermined distance apart to be capable of receiving a single spring therebetween. The continuous chain is mounted in a horizontal loop between an idler sprocket and a driving sprocket to advance each finger element and cause it to be extended into the peening path to convey one of the springs therewith through the critical blast region. Each finger element will extend through and be advanced along a horizontally extending slot in a wall separating the critical blast region from the continuous chain.