Safety means for powered machinery

• US 5,025,175 A
• Filed: 10/10/1989
• Issued: 06/18/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company (Marel HF)
• Original Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company (Marel HF)
• Inventors: Dubois, Gerald N. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSBORN, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/419,124
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 307/308, 307/326-328, 307/116, 307/119, 307/100, 361/42, 361/49, 361/45, 361/212, 361/220, 361/1, 192/129 R, 192/129 A, 192/130, 192/132, 83/DIG. 1, 324/510, 340/649, 455/68, 455/70, 343/702, 343/718
• US Class Current: 307/326
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/12 with means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation of the machine F16P3/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/01 Safety devices

Abstract

This invention provides a safety means for powered machinery comprising a conventional wire mesh safety glove adapted for wearing by the machine operator. The machine with which it is used has a grounded frame, an electrical motor, a control switch with the electrical motor being connected to a source of electrical energy through the control switch. A control safety circuit connects the electro conducting wire mesh safety glove and by-passes the conventional control switch for the machine which is in turn connected to the motor of the machine. The safety circuit includes a circuit breaking means, preferably a relay, whereby the relay will open and deprive the motor from electrical power whenever the wire mesh glove comes in contact with the grounded frame of the machine. An alternate form of the invention connects the wire mesh glove of the operator to the antenna of a radio transmitter worn by the operator. The circuit breaking means includes a radio receiver means which remains closed when receiving a radio signal, but which will open when the antenna of the radio transmitter is grounded to the frame through the wire mesh glove touching the frame which serves to interrupt the transmission of the radio signal. This causes the electrical power to the motor to be interrupted.

Claims

1. A safety means for powered machinery, comprising,

a safety glove adapted for wearing by a machine operator, said glove having an electroconducting surface,

an electrically powered machine having a grounded frame, an electrical motor, and a control switch, said electrical motor being connected to a source of electrical energy through said control switch,

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit breaking means is a relay.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said machine is a meat skinning machine.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter has a master switch which is closed to transmit an electrical signal, and which is opened to discontinue the transmission of an electrical signal.