Modular substructure for material handling

• US 7,014,030 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Hill, Donald G., Reisenauer, Eric J., Hendzel, Louis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/349,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 248/440, 248/188.6, 248/188.1, 248/637, 248/672, 248/676, 248/152, 248/165, 211/12, 198/370.04, 198/368, 198/370.07, 269/304, 193/2.R, 535/37
• US Class Current: 198/368
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 1/00 Frames or casings of engines, machines or apparatus; Frames serving as machinery beds

Abstract

A structural frame assembly that is adapted to support a chute of a sorting machine, the frame assembly including two laterally spaced beams and at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams, the beams and the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon.

Claims

1. An assembly for a sorting machine, comprising:

at least one chute;

a structural frame that supports the chute, the structural frame including

first and second laterally spaced beams, at least one of the beams including a projecting edge thereon;

at least one cross-beam interconnecting the first and second laterally spaced beams, the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon;

a support that couples the chute to one of the first beam, the second beam, and the cross-beam, wherein the support engages the projecting edge of the beams and cross-beams; and

a backing plate fastened to the support, wherein the projecting edge is clamped between the backing plate and the support to selectively secure the support to the projecting edge.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the beams and cross-beams include a C-shaped cross section defining two lip portions, the lip portions being the projecting edge.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the support and backing plate clamp to the lip portions to selectively secure the support to the lip portions.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the laterally spaced beams are substantially parallel, wherein an area between the laterally spaced beams defines an interior section of the frame, and wherein the lip portions of the laterally spaced beams face away from the interior section.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the laterally spaced beams and the cross-beam are made from sheet steel.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam is welded to the laterally spaced beams.

7. An assembly for a sorting machine, comprising:

at least one chute;

a structural frame that supports the chute, the structural frame including

a beam including a projecting edge thereon;

a support that couples the chute to the beam, the support including a portion of a clamp adapted to engage the projecting edge of the beam to selectively secure the support to the projecting edge; and

a backing plate fastened substantially parallel to the support, the backing plate defining another portion of the clamp, wherein the projecting edge is clamped between the backing plate and the support to selectively secure the support to the projecting edge.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the beam includes a C-shaped cross section defining two lip portions, the lip portions being the projecting edge.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the beam comprises a first beam, further comprising:

a second beam including a C-shaped cross section defining two lip portions, wherein the second beam is coupled substantially parallel to the first beam; and

a cross-beam interconnected between the first beam and second beam, wherein an area between the first beam and second beam defines an interior section of the frame, and wherein the lip portions of the first beam and second beam face away from the interior section.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first beam, second beam, and cross-beam are made from sheet steel.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the cross beam is welded to the first beam and second beam.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the cross beam includes a C-shaped cross section.

13. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the projecting edge includes two spaced and substantially coplanar lip portions.

14. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a guide plate coupled to the support to align the support relative to the beam, the guide plate being positioned between and substantially coplanar with the two lip portions.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the guide plate is welded to the support, and wherein the guide plate is positioned between the backing plate and the support.

16. An assembly for a sorting machine, comprising:

at least one chute;

a structural frame that supports the chute, the structural frame including two laterally spaced beams, at least one of the beams including a projecting edge thereon;

at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams;

a support that couples the chute to one of the laterally spaced beams, wherein the support engages the projecting edge of the beam; and

a backing plate fastened to the support, wherein the projecting edge is clamped between the backing plate and the support to selectively secure the support to the projecting edge.