Machine safety guard

• US 6,325,195 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Doherty, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorence, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US09/761,846
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 192/133, 192/135, 192/129.A, 160/24, 160/120, 160/267.1, 160/DIG.7, 52/64, 52D/IG.14
• US Class Current: 192/133
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/08 in connection with the locking of doors, covers, guards, or like members giving access to moving machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/14 Shelter shaped to article configuration

Abstract

A machine safety guard unit system having a flexible panel moved upwards and downwards between track members with the system positioned between the operative parts of a machine and a machine operator, such panel when closed protecting the machine operator and when moved upwards into its open mode, allowing access to the machine and preventing the machine from operating. In some embodiments more than one of such units can be disposed around a machine with alarm means; and in yet other embodiments, with interengagement means connecting such units.

Claims

1. A machine tool guard system for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, said system having a safety guard unit, comprising:

a first side track member and a second side track member, each track member having a top, a bottom, an inner side, an outer side, a front portion and a rear portion, each of said side track members disposed generally vertical;

a rotatable reel disposed near said tops of said first and second side track members, said reel having a first end a second end defining a length therebetween;

a flexible panel having a top, a bottom and first and second sides, said panel attached at its top to said reel;

a power source;

a reversible motor powered by said power source, said motor in a first mode disposed to rotate said reel in one direction to drive said panel downward in front of said operative parts of said machine tool between said machine tool operator and said machine tool; and

in a second mode to reverse rotation of said reel to roll said panel up onto said reel; and

,

a control means adapted to be coupled to the machine tool and disposed such that power is provided to the machine tool only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the machine tool is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool while it is powered.

2. The system of claim 1 further including:

a first channel and a second channel, said first and second channels defined, respectively, in said first and second side track members, said first and second channels facing one another, said panel'"'"'s first and second sides disposed, respectively, in said panel'"'"'s first and second channels.

3. The system of claim 1 further including at least two safety guard units.

4. The system of claim 2 further including at least two safety guard units.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said safety guard units are disposed on a floor, said guard units being attached to said floor.

6. The system of claim 4 further including:

means to interconnect the outer side of the first side track member of one safety guard unit to the outer side of the second side track member of the second safety guard unit.

7. The system of claim 5 further including:

means to interconnect the outer side of the first side track member of one safety guard unit at an angle to the outer side of the second side track member of the second safety guard unit.

8. The system of claim 7 further including alarm means to indicate when said control means is in the second mode.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said panel includes sound reduction means.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein said guard units are disposed on wheels.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said guard units are interconnected to one another.

12. A machine tool safety guard for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the machine tool, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the machine tool and disposed such that power is provided to the machine tool only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the machine tool is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool while it is powered.

13. The safety guard of claim 12, wherein the flexible panel has a fully-extended position wherein it blocks access to the machine tool, and wherein the interlock is disposed to sense when the panel is in the fully-extended position, such that the machine tool cannot operate until the panel is in the fully-extended position.

14. The safety guard of claim 12, wherein the interlock comprises a plug mounted on the bottom of the panel, and a receptacle mounted adjacent one of the side tracks near the bottom thereof.

15. The safety guard of claim 12, wherein the interlock is a switch.

16. The safety guard of claims 12, wherein the panel is a sheet of transparent material.

17. A machine tool safety guard for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the machine tool, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the machine tool, the interlock sensing the position of the panel and being disposed such that power is provided to the machine tool only when the panel is in the fully closed position and such that power to the machine tool is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool while it is powered.

18. The safety guard of claim 17, wherein the flexible panel has a fully-extended position wherein it blocks access to the machine tool, and wherein the interlock is disposed to sense when the panel is in the fully-extended position, such that the machine tool cannot operate until the panel is in the fully-extended position.

19. The safety guard of claim 17, wherein the interlock comprises a plug mounted on the bottom of the panel, and a receptacle mounted adjacent one of the side tracks near the bottom thereof.

20. The safety guard of claim 17, wherein the interlock is a switch.

21. The safety guard of claim 17, wherein the panel is a sheet of transparent material.

22. A machine tool safety guard for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the machine tool, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the machine tool, the interlock sensing when the panel is in a blocking position relative to the machine tool, such that the machine tool cannot be operated until the interlock senses the panel is in a blocking position and such that the machine tool ceases operation when the panel is moved away from the blocking position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool when the machine tool is in operation.

23. The safety guard of claim 22, wherein the blocking position is in a fully-extended position of the panel relative to the reel.

24. The safety guard of claims 22, wherein the interlock comprises a plug mounted on the bottom of the panel, and a receptacle mounted adjacent one of the side tracks near the bottom thereof.

25. The safety guard of claim 22, wherein the interlock is a switch.

26. The safety guard of claim 22, wherein the panel is a sheet of transparent material.

27. A machine tool safety guard for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the machine tool, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

a means for sensing the position of the panel, the means for sensing being adapted to be coupled to the machine tool and disposed such that power is provided to the machine tool only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the machine tool is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool while it is powered.

28. The safety guard of claim 27, wherein the flexible panel has a fully-extended position wherein it blocks access to the machine tool, and wherein the sensing means senses when the panel is in the fully-extended position, such that the machine tool cannot operate until the panel is in the fully-extended position.

29. The safety guard of claim 27, wherein the means for sensing comprises a plug mounted on the bottom of the panel, and a receptacle mounted adjacent one of the side tracks near the bottom thereof.

30. The safety guard of claim 27, wherein the sensing means is a switch.

31. The safety guard of claim 27, wherein the panel is a sheet of transparent material.

32. A safety guard disposed in front of a machine tool for selectively limiting access to the machine tool, comprising:

a track structure having a top disposed adjacent the machine tool;

a reel mounted for rotation on the top of the track structure;

a panel windable on the reel and coupled to the reel for unwinding and winding movement therefrom between blocking and unblocking positions in front of the machine tool; and

an interlock for detecting when the panel is in the blocking position, the interlock being adapted to be coupled to the machine tool such that the machine tool cannot be operated until the interlock detects the panel is in the blocking position and such that the machine tool ceases operation when the panel is moved from the blocking position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the machine tool while the machine tool is operating.

33. A machine tool safety guard system for placement between a machine tool operator and the operative parts of a machine tool, said system having a safety guard unit, comprising:

a first side track member and a second side track member, each track member having a top, a bottom, an inner side, an outer side, a front portion and a rear portion, each of said side track members disposed generally vertical;

a rotatable reel disposed near said tops of said first and second side track member, said reel having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween;

a flexible panel having a top, a bottom and first and second sides, said panel attached at its top to said reel;

a power source; and

a reversible motor powered by said power source, said motor in a first mode disposed to rotate said reel in one direction to drive said panel downward in front of said operative parts of said machine tool between said machine tool operator and said machine tool and to allow electrical power to pass to said machine tool, and in a second mode to reverse rotation of said reel to roll said panel up onto said reel and to deactivate electrical power to said machine tool while said machine tool operator gains access to said machine tool.

34. A machine tool fabricating machine guard for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, said system having a safety guard unit, comprising:

a first side track member and a second side track member, each track member having a top, a bottom, an inner side, an outer side, a front portion and a rear portion, each of said side track members disposed generally vertical;

a rotatable reel disposed near said tops of said first and second side track members, said reel having a first end a second end defining a length therebetween;

a flexible panel having a top, a bottom and first and second sides, said panel attached at its top to said reel;

a power source;

a reversible motor powered by said power source, said motor in a first mode disposed to rotate said reel in one direction to drive said panel downward in front of said operative parts of said fabricating machine between said fabricating machine operator and said fabricating machine; and

in a second mode to reverse rotation of said reel to roll said panel up onto said reel; and

,

a control means adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine and disposed such that power is provided to the fabricating machine only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the fabricating machine is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine while it is powered.

35. A fabricating machine safety guard for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the fabricating machine, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine and disposed such that power is provided to the fabricating machine only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the fabricating machine is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine while it is powered.

36. A fabricating machine safety guard for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the fabricating machine, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine, the interlock sensing the position of the panel and being disposed such that power is provided to the fabricating machine only when the panel is in the fully closed position and such that power to the fabricating machine is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine while it is powered.

37. A fabricating machine safety guard for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the fabricating machine, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

an interlock adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine, the interlock sensing when the panel is in a blocking position relative to the fabricating machine, such that the fabricating machine cannot be operated until the interlock senses the panel is in a blocking position and such that the fabricating machine ceases operation when the panel is moved away from the blocking position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine when the fabricating machine is in operation.

38. A fabricating machine safety guard for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, comprising:

first and second side track members, each including a top;

a rotatable reel disposed adjacent the tops of the side track members;

a flexible panel having a bottom and a top attached to the reel, such that the panel can be wound onto and off of the reel;

a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable reel for rotating the reel in a first direction to move the panel downward in front of the operative parts of the fabricating machine, and for rotating the reel in a second direction for driving the panel upward and winding the panel onto the reel; and

a means for sensing the position of the panel, the means for sensing being adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine and disposed such that power is provided to the fabricating machine only when the panel is in the fully closed position, and such that power to the fabricating machine is interrupted when the panel is moved from the fully closed position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine while it is powered.

39. A safety guard disposed in front of a fabricating machine for selectively limiting access to the fabricating machine, comprising:

a track structure having a top disposed adjacent the fabricating machine;

a reel mounted for rotation on the top of the track structure;

a panel windable on the reel and coupled to the reel for unwinding and winding movement therefrom between blocking and unblocking positions in front of the fabricating machine; and

an interlock for detecting when the panel is in the blocking position, the interlock being adapted to be coupled to the fabricating machine such that the fabricating machine cannot be operated until the interlock detects the panel is in the blocking position and such that the fabricating machine ceases operation when the panel is moved from the blocking position, thereby preventing the operator from gaining access to the fabricating machine while the fabricating machine is operating.

40. A fabricating machine safety guard system for placement between a fabricating machine operator and the operative parts of a fabricating machine, said system having a safety guard unit, comprising:

a first side track member and a second side track member, each track member having a top, a bottom, an inner side, an outer side, a front portion and a rear portion, each of said side track members disposed generally vertical;

a rotatable reel disposed near said tops of said first and second side track member, said reel having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween;

a flexible panel having a top, a bottom and first and second sides, said panel attached at its top to said reel;

a power source; and

a reversible motor powered by said power source, said motor in a first mode disposed to rotate said reel in one direction to drive said panel downward in front of said operative parts of said fabricating machine between said fabricating machine operator and said fabricating machine and to allow electrical power to pass to said fabricating machine, and in a second mode to reverse rotation of said reel to roll said panel up onto said reel and to deactivate electrical power to said fabricating machine while said fabricating machine operator gains access to said fabricating machine.