Abrasives Distributor

Author:  MJ Wern Orland Park,IL; HE Wern Homosassa Springs
Source:  US Patent 4,569,159
Doc ID:  1986158
Year of Publication:  1986
Abstract:  
A novel abrasives distributor is disclosed. The distributor comprises a movable assembly, and at least one gun. The assembly preferably includes an elongated, hollow shaft having an inlet, and a hollow manifold which is in communication with the hollow shaft and which is carried at one end thereof. The assembly further preferably includes a receptacle which surrounds the shaft and which is preferably carried by the manifold. The manifold includes at least one manifold outlet. A transport fluid, such as air, is introduceable into the shaft inlet, is passable through the shaft and manifold, and is exitable from the manifold via the manifold outlet. The gun is preferably independently carried by an arm which, in turn, is carried by the depends from the assembly. The assembly is movable relative to a workpiece. The receptacle includes at least one receptacle outlet. Abrasives, from an abrasive source, are introduceable into the receptacle and are exitable from the receptacle via the receptacle outlet. The gun preferably includes a through bore, a transverse port which communicates with the gun bore, a first conduit which provides communication between the manifold outlet and the gun bore, and a second conduit which provides communication between the receptacle outlet and the gun port. The gun is preferably variably positionable relative to the arm such that abrasives introduced into the gun are preferably variably directable relative to the workpiece.