Device for positioning and assembling successive frames

• US 7,469,872 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2005
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bobst SA (JBF Finance SA)
• Original Assignee: Bobst SA (JBF Finance SA)
• Inventors: Cavallari, Alvise, Compagnone, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M
• Application Number:
  US11/105,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20050247017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 248/677, 248/645, 248/673, 248/644, 108/64, 108/59, 108/63
• US Class Current: 248/639
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/0054 Means for adjusting the position of a machine tool with respect to its supporting surface B23Q1/262 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for positioning and assembling successive frames in a machine of a production line. The device is intended in particular for relative positioning of two adjacent frames, namely an upstream frame and a downstream frame. At least one link connects the upstream frame to the downstream frame and supports the upstream part of the downstream frame. The link comprises a cylinder that extends across the successive frames and is received in a bearing at each of the adjacent frames. A tightenable tension rod locks the selected relative positions of the successive frames.

Claims

1. Device for positioning and assembling successive frames of a machine of a production line and for relatively positioning two adjacent frames, comprising:

an upstream frame;

a downstream frame located downstream of the upstream frame, the downstream frame having an upstream part extending substantially perpendicularly to the downstream frame towards the upstream frame and the upstream frame having a downstream part extending towards the downstream frame;

at least one link connecting the upstream frame to the downstream frame, the link being arranged in a vertical plane and supporting a weight of the upstream part of the downstream frame; and

a base support which is adjustable in height and fixedly attached to the downstream part of the upstream frame, the vertical plane of the at least one link being located at the base support.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one link is arranged on a bisectrix of a horizontal angle formed by the two adjacent frames.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the link comprises a cylinder extending across a direction along the successive frames;

and respective bearings for the cylinder, each of the respective bearings being positioned on one of the two adjacent frames and the cylinder being secured into the bearings.

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the link is spherically shaped.

5. Device according claim 1, wherein the two adjacent frames are positioned in a horizontal rectilinear arrangement.

6. Device according to claim 3, wherein the bearings are located at both ends of the cylinder.

7. Device according to claim 3, further comprising a tension rod crossing the upstream part of the downstream frame and the cylinder of the link.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the tension rod is screwed into the downstream part of the upstream frame, and wherein the tension rod firmly connects the two adjacent frames.

9. An arrangement of successive frames of a machine of production line, the arrangement comprising:

an upstream frame located upstream in the production line;

a downstream frame located downstream in the production line of the upstream frame, the downstream frame having an upstream part extending substantially perpendicularly to the downstream frame towards the upstream frame and the upstream frame having a downstream part extending towards the downstream frame;

at least one link connecting the upstream frame to the downstream frame, the link being arranged in a vertical plane and supporting a weight of the upstream part of the downstream frame; and

a base support which is adjustable in height and fixedly attached to the downstream part of the upstream frame, the vertical plane of the at least one link being located at the base support.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the at least one link is arranged on a bisectrix of a horizontal angle formed by two adjacent upstream and downstream frames.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the at least one link comprises the cylinder extending across a direction along the successive frames;

and respective bearings for the cylinder, each of the respective bearings being positioned on one of the two adjacent frames, the cylinder being secured into the respective bearings.

12. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the link is spherically shaped.

13. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the upstream frame and the downstream frame are positioned in a horizontal rectilinear arrangement.

14. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the bearings are located at both ends of the cylinder.

15. The arrangement according to claim 11, further comprising a tension rod crossing the upstream part of the downstream frame and the cylinder of the link.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the tension rod is screwed into the downstream part of the upstream frame, and wherein the tension rod firmly connects the two adjacent frames.