A ramp deployment control system includes a controller, a kneeling motor operatively coupled to the controller and a ramp motor operatively coupled to the controller. The controller energizes the kneeling motor to kneel or stand a vehicle and energizes the ramp motor to deploy or stow a ramp. The controller is operatively coupled to a communication pathway, and a door control system is operatively coupled to the controller. The door control system is operable to monitor and control operation of a door. A standard control module is operatively coupled to the communication pathway and is operable to send door operation commands on the communication pathway. The controller selectively delays execution of the door operation commands by the door control system while operating the ramp motor to deploy or stow the ramp.

The present invention relates to ramp control systems, and more specifically, but not exclusively, relates to a ramp control system configured to detect obstructions during deployment of a ramp.
Wheelchair ramps provide access for persons in wheelchairs to vehicles such as vans, busses, and other modes of transportation. Wheelchair ramps for vehicles can be deployed by using a variety of controls including interior controls, switches incorporated into locks, and remote controls. In order to prevent a person from being crushed or injured during deployment and stowing of the ramp, typical wheelchair control systems require an operator to constantly push the control button during ramp operation. This requirement that the operator actively hold down the control button during ramp operation creates a number of problems. The operator may have difficulty with constantly pressing the control button due to fatigue. There is also an inconvenience and waste of time to the operator since the operator""s attention must be directed to the ramp. Further, with remote control systems, radio interference can halt the deployment/stowing cycle of the ramp.
Another difficulty faced by wheelchair ramp manufacturers is integrating their wheelchair ramp deployment systems with the pre-existing, standard control systems in vehicles, which are typically installed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These OEM control systems are used control vehicle functions, such as operating locks, windows and sliding van doors. In the past, the ramp deployment system is not integrated with the OEM control system such that each operates independently from one another. Since the two systems do not communicate with one another, one-touch (automatic) control of the ramp is practically impossible. For example, by not knowing whether the door is open, the ramp deployment system can not safely deploy the ramp. To solve this dilemma, the ramp system is configured such that human supervision is required to monitor the operational status of the door and the ramp. In order to deploy and stow the ramp, two separate remote controls are typically used, one for operating the locks and/or doors, which is usually OEM supplied, and a separate one for controlling the ramp deployment system, which is supplied by the ramp system manufacturer. The human operator must first use the OEM supplied remote to unlock and open the vehicle""s door. Once the door is fully open, the operator can then initiate ramp deployment with the ramp system""s remote control. As should be appreciated, using the two separate controls to operate the ramp can be rather cumbersome.
Safety is always a concern when designing systems for deploying wheelchair ramps from vehicles. Without proper safety controls, serious injuries can result from operating such systems. For example, during closure of a vehicle door, an arm or some other extremity can be crushed between the door and the vehicle""s body. To avoid such accidents, some automatic van-door closing systems, which are not specifically designed for use with wheelchair ramp systems, are equipped with obstruction detection systems. In one such obstruction detection system, a tape switch sensor is positioned along the edge of the door in order to sense when an obstruction is blocking door travel. However, tape switches are typically expensive and due to their location are prone to damage.
Another type of system detects obstructions by monitoring door motor current during operation. An obstruction is detected when the current supplied to the door motor exceeds a maximum value. Typically though, as the door components wear overtime friction tends to increase which in turn increases the amount of current drawn by the motor during door movement. This increase in current drawn by the motor can cause the obstruction system to detect obstructions when none are present. Although typical current sensing systems adequately detect obstructions through most of the door""s travel, such systems have difficulty in detecting obstructions when the door is near closure, where obstruction detection is critically needed.
To make access to the vehicle easier, ramp designers try to reduce the slope of a deployed ramp by reducing the ramp""s deployment angle. Some vehicles are equipped with an optional kneeling system that lowers the vehicle so as to reduce the deployment angle. These kneeling systems typically have sensors for determining whether the vehicle is in a standing or kneeling position. However, these sensors can be quite expensive to install and maintain. These sensors are also prone to failure, which can reduce the overall reliability of the kneeling system.
Therefore, there has been a long felt need for a ramp control system that can be operated by a single push or momentary contact of a control device and which has improved safety features.
A wheelchair ramp control system for a vehicle according to the present invention allows for automatic single-touch operation of a wheelchair ramp by having a controller that intercepts communications with an OEM control module, which controls the locks and doors of the vehicle. By intercepting these communications, the ramp controller coordinates and synchronizes ramp deployment and stowing operations with the OEM control module. In one embodiment, the controller utilizes its own obstruction detection system to detect door obstructions. In another embodiment, the OEM control module is used to detect door obstructions.
Further objects, features, advantages, and aspects of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and description contained herein.

Electronic controller for vehicular wheelchair access


Methods and a system for continuous integrity checking of configuration data of programmable device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a redundancy check (RC) of configuration data loaded to configuration registers to produce a master RC data. The method further includes iteratively comparing a current RC data obtained by performing the redundancy check (RC) of current configuration data of the configuration registers with the master RC data until there is a mismatch between the current RC data and the master RC data. Additionally, the method includes performing an exception event in response to the mismatch.

A programmable device (e.g., a programmable microcontroller) contains configuration registers which hold configuration data to establish functional blocks (e.g., which perform user-defined logic functions), I/O blocks (e.g., which configures input/output blocks interfacing to external devices), and/or signal routing resources (e.g., which connect the functional blocks to each other and/or the I/O blocks).
The configuration data may be represented as configuration bits of configuration registers (e.g., stored as volatile memory). Upon the boot-up of the programmable device, the configuration data stored in non-volatile memory may be copied to the configuration registers of the volatile memory. However, the configuration data residing in the configuration registers may be compromised due to several factors.
For example, an unintended software execution may create a write-over condition where improper data may be written to the configuration registers. Additionally, cosmic rays, X-rays, and/or other environmental factors may cause the configuration data to degrade (e.g., flip); these are known as soft errors. These errors (e.g., the write-over, soft errors, etc.) of the configuration data may compromise the functional block, the I/O blocks, and/or the routing resources, thereby rendering the programmable device inoperable for its intended purposes.
In case when the programmable device is used in a critical condition (e.g., involving an emergency situation) or life critical function, the reliability of the programmable device becomes ever more critical. For instance, the functionality of an airbag deployment system may rely on the operation of a programmable device. Furthermore, the configuration data (e.g., bits) become more susceptible to the soft errors as the feature size (e.g., a silicon geometry) of the programmable device gets smaller.

Integrity checking of configurable data of programmable device


A technique is provided for installing a device in which a part of the device and the location of the part are automatically determined. An installer is notified of the part and its location for installation. Routines implementing some or all of the technique may be provided on a computer-readable medium. A method is also provided for locating a part to be installed using a project manager application. An installer retrieves the part from the location and installs the part. In one embodiment, the present techniques are implemented using an installation system including a processor-based system and a locator system. The processor-based system is configured to indicate a location of a part to be installed while the locator system is configured to provide the location to the processor-based system.

The invention relates generally to the installation and/or assembly of equipment.
In a variety of industrial, commercial, medical, and research contexts, various pieces of equipment may be employed to accomplish or facilitate the work being performed at a facility. In many instances, the equipment may consist of many parts or for various other reasons may require extensive on site-assembly and installation. For example, in a medical context, an imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, may be shipped from the manufacturer as many parts which are assembled and installed on-site. Such installations are typically performed by highly trained technicians and may be very time consuming. In particular, an installation procedure may involve much wasted movement and looking for parts. Furthermore, such installations may be difficult to stage, schedule, and monitor. As a result, the trained technician may spend unnecessary time performing installation procedures.
Because the number of technicians trained to assemble and install a complex piece of equipment, such as a medical imaging system, may be limited, it may be desirable to facilitate or ease the assembly and installation process. However, additional assembly at the manufacturing site may be infeasible due to shipping size constraints or to the fragility of the system in transit. Likewise, the use of less skilled technicians or lay people to perform the assembly and installation may be infeasible due to the complexity of such systems and the risk of damage or improper assembly to what is usually expensive equipment. A technique for streamlining the assembly and installation of complex systems or devices is, therefore, desirable.

System and method for installing a device


Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for user interface customization.

Imaging devices such as printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines can have a wide array of functions and capabilities to fit specific uses or combinations of uses. Imaging devices often take the form of a multi-function peripheral device (MFP) that combines the functions of two or more of the traditionally separated imaging devices. An MFP may combine any number of imaging devices, but typically comprises the functions of a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine.
Some imaging devices may contain computing resources for data storage and processing such as processors, hard disk drives, memory and other devices. As imaging devices add more features and functions, they become more costly and complex.
More complex imaging devices and MFPs may comprise network connectivity to provide communication with other computing devices, such as personal computers, other imaging devices, network servers and other apparatus. This connectivity allows the imaging device to utilize off-board resources that are available on a connected network.
Imaging devices typically have a user input panel with an array of buttons, knobs and other user input devices. Some devices also have a display panel, which can be for display only or can be a touch panel display that enables user input directly on the display.
Devices with touch panel displays or displays with buttons arranged in cooperation with the display can display menu data that may be selected by user input. This menu data is typically driven by an on-board server module within the imaging device.

Methods and systems for user interface customization


An inclined elevator for excavating an open cut mine in stopes has a traveling platform and counterweight coupled by cables whose upper and lower passes extend over upper and lower cable pulleys to the drum of a conveyor or drive machine. The cables can pass around a rerouting pulley which can be shifted on the foundation for the inclined elevator to compensate for increased depth of the excavation. The traveling platform which carries the car or truck for the mined material can have pins engaging in a bottom which is removable from the platform and can be locked in upper and lower positions relative to the foundation by pawls engaging in notches or recesses of the bottom.

Our present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus for open-cut mining and especially for removal of the overburden and mine deposits in the formation of stopes in a step-like manner with progressively increasing widening of the excavation with increasing excavation depth.
In open-cut mining the overburden and mine deposits are removed in a step-like formation, i.e. with the formation of stopes. The depth of the excavation continuously increases and with increasing depth, there is an increased widening of the funnel-shaped opening of the excavation. The excavator is usually moved along a bottom of the excavation to form a stope and, depending upon the stability of the ground, the equipment used and economic conditions, the stope height can average around 15 m and for the removal of the loose material, the inclined planes between the stopes serve as roads along which the excavated material is removed. The deeper the deposit being mined, the wider must be the opening of the cut by a factor of 400 to 600, thereby defining the funnel shape of the excavation. Material loosened by drilling or explosives (hard rock and solid ores) as well as the overburden are transported away as a rule in trucks formed as trough tippers, mine cars and the like. These trucks travel from the stopes to the grade surface or ground level along the road. The serpentine path increases with mining depth and the travel can be at a speed of about 10 Km/h upwardly and about 35 Km/h downwardly. This requires high concentration of the part of the vehicle drivers and always creates the possibility of accidents.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a conveyor apparatus which can carry out mined material including the mined deposit and the overburden from locations in an open-cut mining operation to the surface in a more economical and reliable manner without significant cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for this purpose which allows adjustment to increasing mining depths.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a conveyor apparatus for open-cut mining in a funnel-shaped excavation with removal of overburdened mined deposits, formations of stopes and increased width at an opening of the funnel-shaped excavation at grade level with increased excavation depth, whereby the drawbacks of earlier excavation techniques are avoided, long transport distances are eliminated and the danger of accidents is minimized.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus which obviates the drawbacks of earlier excavation systems.
The objects are attained, in accordance with the invention in a conveyor apparatus for the purposes described and which can be advanced downwardly for increasing depth of excavation. The conveyor apparatus of the invention comprises:
an inclined elevator extending from an edge of the opening at grade level to the floor level;
a traveling platform riding on the inclined elevator and adapted to receive a truck to be filled with overburden or mined deposits;
at least one cable passing over separate upper and lower cable pulleys and having an upper pass of the cable extending to the upper cable pulley from the traveling platform and a lower pass of the cable extending from the lower cable pulley along the elevator;
a counterweight riding on the elevator and connected to the lower pass of the cable; and
a conveyor mechanism operating at grade level at an upper end of the elevator and having a cable drum looped by a portion of the cable between the upper and lower cable pulleys.
According to the invention, therefore, an elevator along which trucks for receiving the mined material can be guided is provided to extend from an edge of the opening of the funnel-shaped excavation at grade level to a floor level at which excavation is carried out and preferably to the bottom of the cut. At least one cable is provided which has upper and lower passes extending over respective cable pulleys with the upper pass of the cable being affixed to a platform on which the car, usually a trough tripper or dumpable car can be carried while the lower pass of the cable is affixed to a counterweight. Both the platform and the upper weight are being guided along the inclined conveyor.
At grade level the cable passes around a conveyor mechanism or machine. The mined material carried by the car or truck is thus transported along the elevator in an upward direction to the edge of the cut.
Because of the inclination of the conveyor which can correspond to the inclination of the funnel-shaped excavation, e.g. even with increasing mining depth, and by elimination of the serpentine path which the cars or truck had to travel previously from the bottom of the excavation to the top thereof, the distance which the trucks travel is minimized thereby simplifying the operations and minimizing the burden placed on the trucks or cars.
A loaded truck or car at the bottom of the excavation need only be placed on the platform in its lowered position, secured in place with appropriate arresting means and then transported driverlessly to the surface at which point another driver can take over control and transport of the car or truck. The result is a highly flexible, economical usage of personnel since different individuals can be provided at the surface and at the floor of the excavation for transport purposes.
Since the counterweight moves in a direction opposite the platform and balances the comparatively high weight of the platform and the loaded car, which may amount to about 500 metric tons, the net mass which must be displaced by the input of energy can be only a fraction of the sum of the load carried by the truck or car, the weight of the truck or car itself, the weight of the platform and the weight of the cable paths connected thereto. The conveyor mechanism thus need only supply a fraction of the energy which would otherwise be necessary to move this latter total mass. It is possible to operate in a single track system with the workload operating in its track and the counterweight in its track.
According to a feature of the invention, the conveyor mechanism driving the cable has a rerouting drum looped by the or each cable and between the upper and lower passes of the or each cable or has individual pulleys or wheels for each cable, the cable returning after being looped around this drum or the rerouting pulleys. The conveyor mechanism or drive may be of the Koepe type.
Preferably the rerouting drum is connected with the conveyor mechanism with a variable spacing therebetween, the system including a cable magazine containing a supply of cable for lengthening of the travel of the cable. With increasing depth of excavation and thus with increasing travel distance, the cable must be effectively lengthened so that there is a progressive increase in the cable weight as well.
For deeper excavations and thus the need to displace the platform to increasingly greater depths, it is merely necessary to release the rerouting drum anchored to the foundation and move it to a new position closer to the drum of the drive mechanism. The movable drum is then fixed at this new position. The rerouting drum can have a diameter of, for example, 9 m and can have journal blocks which are shiftable linearly on respective tracks. The force required for the shifting can be developed hydraulically and when a number of cables are provided for the elevator, a corresponding number of rerouting pulleys can be used instead of a single rerouting drum. For increased output of the mine, a multiplicity of such inclined elevators can be provided in the funnel-shaped excavation in spaced apart relationship therein.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rerouting drum or assembly of pulleys or rerouting roller can be inclined to the horizontal and each cable can pass around the cable drum of the drive mechanism with double looping so that each cable has at least two turns on the cable drum in a pair of grooves. This permits the drive to be a conventional Koepe conveyor machine because, with the double looping, sufficient friction against the cable drum is achieved to enable the cable system to move extremely large loads which could not be handled by a Koepe drive machine with a single 180xc2x0 looping of the cables. The double looping provides cables in two grooves to prevent slippage under the high weights which must be transported. Alternatively a drum drive machine would have to be very large and hence very expensive to handle lengths of cable which can exceed 700 m, multiple cables of such length, and the loads coupled to them. The inclined orientation of the rerouting roller or the individual pulleys enables the double looping of the or each cable without danger that cross over regions will bring about contact of upper and lower cable passes.
In that connection, the upper pass and lower pass cable pulleys are offset vertically relative to the cable drum of the drive machine. The upper cable stretch and the lower cable stretch pass tangentially onto the rerouting roller and from the latter without interference of the oppositely travelling passes with one another.
According to a further feature of the invention and in another embodiment thereof, to provide a greater degree of looping of the cable around the drum or pulley of the drive mechanism and thus affording increased friction force between the cable and cable carrier to allow large load ratios between the traveling platform cable and the counterweight cable, the upper and lower cable pulleys are laterally offset with respect to the drive machine and preferably offset from one another oppositely. This arrangement can permit a looping of about 240xc2x0 around the cable drum or pulley of the drive. The cable coming from the platform passes over the upper cable pulley and can meet the groove of the cable on the drive machine at a slight angle, e.g. of 0.7 grad.
This deflection is obtained in spite of the fact that the cable pulleys have their axis parallel to the axis of the drive machine and perpendicular to the axis of displacement by laterally offsetting the upper and lower cable pulleys with respect to the center of the cable guide on the drum. After a 240xc2x0 looping in the groove of the cable carrier on the drive machine, the cable is deflected again at an angle of 0.7 grad in the opposite direction to the lower cable pulley and to the latter toward the counterweight. Since the center of the cable of the lower pulley is thus slightly offset from the center of the cable on the drive machine, at the crossing point between the oncoming and outgoing cable a substantial separation can be provided so that the passes do not interfere with one another. The angle or degree of offset thus contributes to the requirement for noninterfering cable travel even in the case of jumping of the cable. All of the cables in all of the regions which are equivalent can be parallel to one another.
The slight oncoming and outgoing angle which would otherwise be required at the cable pulleys can be eliminated in that the cable pulley axes can be inclined to the foundation. The lateral shifting of the cable centers on the one hand between the upper cable disk and the drive and on the other hand between the drive and the lower cable disk can be compensated by connecting the cables to the counterweight asymmetrically with respect to the center of gravity of the latter.
According to a further feature of the invention the cable magazine to compensate for increasing depth by effectively lengthening can be provided on the platform or the counterweight in the form of a windlass drum which is looped by two or more turns of the or each cable. Sufficient friction is thus obtained by the plural looping in that the plural looping has been found to provide a sufficient level of friction. The multiple turns for cable allow sufficient cable to be stored for usual mining operations. With a diameter of the windlass drum of 3 m, cable useful lives of two years with increases in depth of say 15 m per year may require three additional turns per cable. The arrangement of a windlass drum as the cable supply has the advantage that the weight of the windlass drum and the cable supply can be part of the counterweight which would otherwise have to be weighted additionally.
According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, the windlass drum is mounted rotatably on a support frame or has a shaft common to a number of windlass drums mounted don the support frame. If required the requisite cable supply can be provided in readiness and mounted with the support frame or on the support frame. The windlass drums can be driven by a motor via a chain drive although the pay out of an additional cable supply is naturally done in load-free state of the cable.
In a multiple cable arrangement, each windlass drum can be provided with a hydraulic cylinder and locking device which can serve to take up the load and thus relieve the motor and chain transmission from the load when the load is reapplied.
This mechanism can operate following rotation of the drum to pay out (or take up) excess cable or to engage the drum for retensioning of the cable. The hydraulic cylinder and locking device can be mounted on the support frame. The cable, the hydraulic cylinder and the locking mechanism can extend in the force application directly and can relieve the drive of the windlass drum from cable tension forces as has been mentioned.
According to still another feature of the invention, the traveling platform is formed in two parts from a frame and a removable bottom which is seated on this frame. This feature increases the transport reliability since the bipartite configuration enables the bottom with the considerable weight of the loaded truck to be held both in upper and in lower positions for loading and unloading relative to the elevator without lengthening the cables by loading or shortening the cables by unloading. In other words the bottom can be locked to the foundation, according to the invention, independently of the traveling frame in upper and lower positions of bottom and with precision.
For this purpose, at the four corner regions of the bottom, recesses or notches are provided into which upper and lower retaining pawls, controlled by appropriate signals, can be swung. As soon as the platform has been slowed down and shortly before it is brought to standstill, the end position which can be signalled by limit switches or other electrical monitoring means can cause the retaining pawls to be swung into the travel path and swung either above or below the bottom to engage the latter. Further lifting or lowering is then not possible even when, for example, the support frame continues to travel.
According to a further feature of the invention, at the four corners of the bottom there are holes in which pins of the traveling frame engage, the holes and the pins being inclined in the travel direction. At each of the four corners two mechanically independent retaining pawls can be provided which engage over or under the removal bottom and which are free to move only when the friction force of the bottom against the respective pawl is relieved. When the pawls are all swung inwardly and the bottom is pressed against the upper pawls, a signal instructing the pawls to swing outwardly will only be effective on the pawls lower whereas the reverse is true when the weight of the bottom is on the lower pawls. When of course the frictional contact is relieved, the pawls which have been frictionally retained are permitted to swing.


A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull. A force arm (206) is extended between the pulling mechanism (200) and the platform (22), so that the carriage assembly (100) is not the only force transmission path between the pulling assembly (200) and the bench (20). The automated control system (300) of the bench (20) utilizes two hydraulic pumps (316,314) to power front and back lifts (65,64), respectively. Only one of the pumps (314) is used by the pulling assemblies (200). A PLC (308) and a remote control (310) are used to control the bench (20).

This invention relates to apparatus used to straighten vehicle chassis of automobiles, vans, SUV""s, trucks and other vehicles and, more particularly, to vehicle-straightening benches having platforms for supporting and anchoring vehicles while pulling assemblies apply forces at desired locations and in desired directions thereby restoring the vehicle chassis to original configurations.
Occasionally, vehicles are involved in collisions, and before they can reenter meaningful service, the vehicle chassis must be returned, as nearly as possible, to their original configurations. This is frequently accomplished with straightening benches. A typical straightening bench includes a platform for supporting and anchoring a vehicle chassis while forces are applied to the chassis by pulling assemblies. The pulling assemblies utilize hydraulically powered telescoping towers with chains that attach to desired locations on the vehicle chassis. To hold them in place, the pulling assemblies are secured to the bottom of the platform while force is applied to the chassis. In many designs the pulling assemblies are permanently mounted to the bottom side of the platform. With the pulling assemblies mounted on the platform, the large hydraulic pulling forces exerted by the towers create even larger moments and forces where the pulling assemblies are mounted to the platform. Thus, the pulling assembly mounts must be excessively over designed and occasionally fail rendering the pulling assembly inoperable. Further, the pulling assembly mounts unduly limit the possible positions of the pulling assemblies and hence restrict an operator""s ability to apply force in any desired direction.
Many straightening benches utilize platforms, which can be raised and lowered with hydraulic lifts. Typically, the same hydraulic pump is used to power both the platform lift and the pulling assemblies. However, there are competing hydraulic design criteria for the lifts and the pulling assemblies. For the lifts, it is desirable to have a high volume pump, so that the lift does not operate too slowly, but the high-force pulls need more control requiring a low volume pump. More simply put, the lift should operate relatively fast and the towers of the pulling assemblies should operate relatively slow. To date, no satisfactory solution has been presented for these competing hydraulic design criteria. Additionally, prior straightening benches have lacked sufficient automation of locking mechanisms, and operators have been required to manually release valves and lock mechanism, which places the operators dangerously close to the straightening bench.
There is therefore provided in the practice of the invention a novel vehicle-straightening bench which provides increased versatility, improved force control, and enhanced safety, for straightening vehicle chassis by the measured application of hydraulic force to the vehicle chassis. The vehicle straightening bench broadly includes a vehicle platform operable to support a vehicle chassis and an anchor attachable to the platform for securing the vehicle chassis to the platform. A pulling tower is provided to apply force to the vehicle chassis. A carriage assembly is moveably received by a carriage track, which is mounted on the platform, and the pulling tower is mounted on the carriage assembly.
In a preferred embodiment, the pulling tower is pivotally mounted on the carriage assembly, and the carriage assembly includes a tower positioning mechanism. The tower positioning mechanism engages a tower arm which extends between the pulling tower and the carnage assembly to mount the pulling tower to the carriage assembly. The positioning mechanism holds the pulling tower in a transport position substantially perpendicular to the bench while the pulling tower and carriage assembly are moved along the carriage track. The preferred positioning mechanism includes a pawl follower fixedly mounted on the tower arm and a notch plate mounted on the carriage assembly. The notch plate defines a notch, which receives the pawl follower, so that the pulling tower is substantially perpendicular to the bench when the pawl follower is received in the notch. A pawl biasing member, which is preferably a pawl spring, engages the pawl follower and forces it toward the notch plate and into the notch to hold the pulling tower in the transport position.
Preferably, the carriage assembly includes a carriage body defining a lock pin opening and further comprises a locking mechanism having a lock pin moveably received in the lock pin opening. A lock pin biasing member, preferably a compression spring, also received in the lock pin opening, engages the lock pin to bias the lock pin into an extended locking position. Once the lock pin is in the locking position, which locks the carriage assembly in place relative to the vehicle platform and carriage track, an operator applying a force will overcome the pawl biasing member thereby forcing the pawl out of the notch and pivoting the pulling tower relative to the carriage assembly. Preferably, the lock pin is coaxial with the pivot axis of the pulling tower. The locking mechanism also includes a release handle operative to release the lock pin when moved vertically downward.
A preferred carriage assembly includes a generally trapezoidal carriage body having a inwardly facing narrow end and an outwardly facing wide end. A single inner wheel is mounted on the narrow end of the carriage body for engaging the platform adjacent an inner rail of the carriage track. Two outer wheels are supported on an outer rail of the carriage track. The outer wheels preferably include circumferential ridges, which engage a wheel slot defined by the outer rail. Further, a guide is forced against the outer rail by a guide spring, and a pair of guide rollers are positioned adjacent the outer wheels. Preferably, the carriage assembly alone supports the pulling tower above the ground surface.
In another aspect of the invention, the bench utilizes a force arm which has one end substantially fixed to the pulling tower and a free end capable of pivoting in three dimensions relative to the pulling tower. The force arm is preferably telescoping and includes a pivoting anchoring foot configured for insertion in anchoring apertures defined in the platform. The pivoting anchoring foot rotates to lock in the platform anchoring apertures. The force arm provides additional support to the pulling tower and carriage assembly when hydraulic force is applied to the vehicle chassis by the pulling tower.
In still another aspect of the invention, the vehicle-straightening bench utilizes a moveable crossmember extended between inner sides of opposed legs of the vehicle-straightening bench. Opposite ends of the crossmember slideably engage slide tracks formed on the inner sides of the opposed legs of the bench. Two position locks are located at the ends of the crossmember and are operable to lock the crossmember in a selected position on the bench. The slide tracks define lock openings and each position lock includes a pivotally mounted lock rod. A rod biasing member forces the lock rods into the lock openings defined in the leg tracks to hold the crossmember in position.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle-straightening bench preferably includes a hydraulic control circuit. In a preferred embodiment of the bench having front and rear lifts, the hydraulic control circuit includes front and rear sets of lift control valves operative to actuate the front and rear lifts independently and/or simultaneously. A tower control valve is also provided which in conjunction with the front and rear lift control valves is operable to permit actuation of the pulling tower only when the lift control valves are closed. The bench also preferably includes a pneumatic control circuit with first and second pneumatic cylinders operable to move first and second lift latches which engage the lifts to lock them in desired positions. A remote control is provided to operate both the pneumatic and hydraulic control circuits. The control system utilizes a programmable logic controller to transmit instructions to the respective valves and cylinders.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle-straightening bench for straightening vehicle chassis.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved carriage assembly for movement and increased positioning versatility of pulling towers around a vehicle-straightening bench.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle straightening bench control circuit for remote actuation of valves and cylinders.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved pulling assembly having an additional force transmission path between a pulling tower and a vehicle platform of a vehicle-straightening bench.

Hydraulically powered lift for a vehicle straightening bench


A measuring device for the evaluation of the physical and/or chemical properties of gases, fluids and/or solid materials. The measuring device is equipped with an arithmetic-logic unit which is linked to a sensor at a technical facility. The arithmetic-logic unit and the sensor are linked to each other over a communications medium. The arithmetic-logic unit and equipment at the technical facility are linked by means of an additional communications medium.

The invention relates to a measuring device for the evaluation of physical and/or chemical properties of gases, fluids and/or solid materials with an arithmetic-logic unit which is connected to a sensor at a technical installation. The invention also relates to a method of evaluating physical and/or chemical properties of gases, fluids and/or solid materials, in which measurement data are passed on from a sensor at a technical installation to an arithmetic-logic unit.
A measuring device of this kind and method of this kind are generally known in the field of metrology. Measuring devices of this kind can be purchased commercially, in particular, for the analysis of fluids and/or gases.
In a measuring device of this kind, a pH value sensor, for example, is provided as the sensor which is immersed in a fluid to be analyzed. The raw data measured by the sensor are prepared by electrical circuitry for subsequent transfer to the arithmetic-logic unit as measurement data. With the aid of the arithmetic-logic unit, the measurement data can, for example, be displayed on a monitor.
In the case of larger technical installations, in particular, in the case of waste treatment plants or the like, for example, there is often a desire on the part of the plant operator not to want to be bothered further with the preparation of the measurement data provided by the sensor, but rather to have measurement data that have already been prepared. Finally, the plant operator wants to reduce his own expenses regarding the measurement data.
The object of the invention is to create a measuring device and a method for evaluating the physical and/or chemical properties of gases, fluids and/or solid materials, which entails a lowest possible expense for the plant operator.
The object is achieved according to the invention by means of a measuring device in that the arithmetic-logic unit and the sensor are linked by means of a communications medium and the arithmetic-logic unit and a piece of equipment at the technical installation are linked by means of an additional communications medium. In the case of a method for evaluating the properties of gases, fluids, and/or solid materials, the object is achieved according to the invention by the measurement data being transmitted over a communications medium from the sensor to the arithmetic-logic unit, by data and/or program packages being generated by the arithmetic-logic unit from the measurement data, and by the data and/or program packages being transmitted over a further communications medium from the arithmetic-logic unit to equipment at the technical installation.
The arithmetic-logic unit is intended to process the measurement data from the sensor. The arithmetic-logic unit communicates the fully prepared measurement data in the form of the data and/or program packages to the equipment at the technical facility. In the final analysis the data is sent to the plant operator. As a result of this method, it is possible that the plant operator need not have anything to do with the preparation of the measurement data. To do this, it is only necessary that the arithmetic-logic unit on which the processing of the measurement data takes place is not run by the plant operator but, for example, by a service provider. The plant operator then receives only the completed, prepared measurement data transmitted to his equipment from this service provider, for example, and he can accept and further analyze this prepared data immediately.
It is essential in the method of proceeding according to the invention that, on the one hand, an arithmetic-logic unit is in place which is intended specifically for preparing the transmitted measurement data and, that, on the other hand, equipment is in place in the technical facility which is independent of the arithmetic-logic unit, and to which the prepared measurement data in particular are communicated by the arithmetic-logic unit. Through this separation of the arithmetic-logic unit and the equipment, it is possible that the preparation of the measurement data can be contracted out by the plant operator to an external service provider, so that the plant operator himself needs to expend no additional effort on the preparation of the measurement data.
In advantageous embodiments of the measuring device according to the invention, or the method according to the invention, the arithmetic-logic unit and the sensor are linked with one another over a radio link and/or over a telephone connection and/or over an Internet and/or Intranet connection and/or over a communications link superposed on a power grid and/or similar. The measurement data is transmitted by radio and/or by telephone and/or over the Internet and/or Intranet and/or over a power grid and/or the like.
The link between the arithmetic-logic unit and the sensor over the communications medium, or the transmission of the measurement data over the communications medium, is achieved, therefore, with the assistance of one or more of the aforementioned communication means. The aforementioned communication means have the advantage that they do not have to be created completely from nothing, but are already in place at least partially or completely. For example, transmission of the measurement data by telephone can be achieved simply by providing a modem or similar at both ends of the telephone line, with the help of which the measurement data is fed into the telephone network or is picked up from it. Modems of this kind are known and can be purchased inexpensively on the market.
The same applies to the transmission of the measurement data over the Internet or Intranet. Here it is particularly advantageous if the sensor is employed as a so-called client and the arithmetic-logic unit as a so-called server. In this way there is minimal resulting expense for the setup of the Internet connection between the sensor and the arithmetic-logic unit.
An additional advantage of the aforementioned possibilities in communications media lies in the fact that with a telephone connection, for example, or an Internet connection, any locations whatsoever can be linked with each other. This means that the measurement data can be transmitted anywhere at all. In comparison to the known, closed-circuit measuring device, this represents a substantial advantage with respect to the flexibility and utility of the present invention.
It is advantageous if the arithmetic-logic unit and the equipment are linked by a mail service and/or over a radio link and/or over a telephone connection and/or over an Internet connection and/or over an Intranet connection and/or over a communications link superposed on a power grid. The data and/or program packages are then communicated by mail and/or transmitted by radio and/or by telephone and/or over the Internet or Intranet and/or over a power grid and/or the link.
In this way, as already explained, already existing communications media are utilized for the measuring device according to the invention. This brings with it the advantage of a simple and inexpensive setup for the measuring device.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the measuring device according to the invention, several sensors are linked with the arithmetic-logic unit over a multiplexer or the like. For this, known commercial multiplexers, or demultiplexers respectively, can be used, which can be obtained as hardware products or also as a software module. With the assistance of the multiplexers, or demultiplexers, the measurement data can then be transmitted from the sensors to the arithmetic-logic unit.
It is particularly advantageous if the arithmetic-logic unit is implemented in the form of a personal computer. This means that no special arithmetic-logic unit is required, which has to be purchased at great expense. Instead, a standard commercially available personal computer can be bought and used. The program packages which are required for the analysis of the measurement data generated by the sensors, for example, can be installed on the personal computer. Similarly, program packages can be installed on the personal computer, which are suitable for generating lists of the measurement data or similar, for example.
The personal computer can be equipped, for example, very simply with a modem or the like, with which the transmission of the measurement data from the sensor(s) to the personal computer can be accomplished. The purpose of the modem can be to set up a telephone connection, but it is likewise possible to set up an Internet and/or an Intranet connection with the help of the modem.
Through the use of the personal computer, all the possibilities are opened up which are available in connection with a personal computer of this kind and are available for purchase. The measuring device according to the invention can be expanded in a simple and inexpensive way and adapted to the specific conditions of its application.
The use of the measuring device according to the invention is particularly practical in the analysis of fluid and/or gas and/or in measuring humidity in fluids and/or gases.
Additional features, potential applications and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description of practical examples of the invention, which are shown in the drawing. All the features described or portrayed in themselves or in combined in whole or part form the subject of the invention, independently of their summary in the patent claims or the retroactive references therein and independently of their formulation or representation in the description or in the drawing.

Measuring device for evaluation of physical and/or chemical properties of gases, fluids and/or solid materials

Endress and Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH and Co.


Methods and systems for packaging surgical needles. In this system, a plurality of packages are indexed, by means of a package carrier, through a plurality of work stations, at which various operations are performed on the packages. In particular, at each work station, an operating device is moved from a home position to an operating position to perform an operation on the package: and after finishing the operation, the operating device is returned to the home positions. With all of the operating devices in their respective home positions, the package carrier can then be moved to index the packages forward. Each of the work stations generates a respective return home signal when the operating device of the work station returns to its home position. A determination is made as to whether return home signals have been generated indicating that all of the operating devices have returned to their respective home position; and, if such return home signals have all been generated, the package carrier is moved to move each package thereon to another one of the work stations.

This invention generally relates to machines that are used to suture, swage and package surgical needles. More specifically, the invention relates to procedures for operating those machines, or for controlling various operations on those machines.
Machines have recently been developed that automatically suture, swage and package surgical needles; and, for example, such machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,568,593, 5,495,420 and 5,487,212. Generally, in the operation of these machines, unsutured needles are fed to the machines, and indefinite lengths of suture, taken from spools or other suitable supplies, are inserted into recesses or openings in the needles. The needles are swaged in the areas of those recesses or openings to secure the connections between the sutures and the needles, the sutures are cut to preset lengths, and the needles are packaged.
These machines have proven to be highly valuable, and they effectively produce large numbers of excellent quality, packaged, sutured needles. Moreover, these needles are produced very economically on a large scale, high speed, mass production basis.
These machines are quite complex. Each machine has a multitude of work stations; and, in operation, the needles, or groups of needles, are moved through the work stations, one station at a time, and each work station is used to perform one or more specific tasks. Each work station may itself be a comparatively complex assembly, or group of assemblies, of moving parts.
In addition, it is important that the operations of the work stations be coordinated so that each station completes its assigned task or tasks before the work product is moved to the next work station. Achieving this needed coordination is complicated by several facts. First, the machines operate at high speeds; and, for example, each station may have less than one second to perform a series of tasks. Second, over time, the length of time that a particular work station needs to complete its particular task or tasks may change due to, for instance, normal wear of the machine parts at the work station.

Operating procedures for automated needle sorting, swaging and packaging machine


A method for restoring the outer surface of a hard substrate such as a glazed bath tub which includes the steps of cleaning and removing stains from the surface to be restored, providing a suitable dry surface for permanent application of restorative compositions, wiping a resealant composition over the dried outer surface; and wiping a glossing composition over the dried resealed outer surface. A composition suitable for cleaning the outer surface may comprise an aqueous gel and/or an abrasive. The resealant composition may comprise a water based urethane copolymer. The glossing composition may comprise a water based, metal interlocking urethane or acrylic copolymer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a restorative process for glossy, hard surface fixtures. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a process and compositions therefor which can be accomplished without need of respiratory protective gear or special ventilation apparatus(es) and/or spray equipment.
2. Brief Description of the Relevant Art
Bathroom and/or kitchen fixtures and the like often have a glossy or semi-glossy outer surface finish. These fixtures may include bathtubs, stall showers, sinks, water closets, countertops and the like. After years of use, the outer surfaces of these fixtures often become dulled, soiled or otherwise aesthetically displeasing. In order to improve the outer surface finish, consumers may resort to replacing the fixture(s) altogether. As can be readily appreciated, this course of action is quite costly, and may prove cost prohibitive in many cases. In addition to being costly, in the case of bathtubs, it may be almost impossible to replace the fixture. In most residential buildings, the bathtub is generally set in place before the walls, doorways, etc. are completed. As such, the finished floor plan of some residential buildings may be such that the removal of a bathtub is inordinately difficult and costly such that most residential owners would not attempt such a project.
As an alternative to replacing a fixture altogether, some consumers put a fiberglass xe2x80x9cshellxe2x80x9d over the original outer surface. This may solve the problem for a certain period of time; however, the fiberglass shells also become aesthetically displeasing within a relatively short period of time. As a result, in order to maintain a pleasing outer surface, the consumer may be forced to replace the fiberglass shells on a substantially regular basis. This may also be too costly a proposition in many cases.
Attempts have also been made to return the fixture to its original factory finish. These attempts generally include the spraying of harsh chemical solvents and reglazing materials having many volatile organic compounds. As such, hazardous airborne particulates may be inhaled. This requires the use of special masks and/or other respiratory gear and special ventilation in order to minimize hazardous exposure. However, even with this special gear/ventilation, many noxious fumes, particulates and the like are still inhaled. In addition to this drawback, the use of sprays for reglazing causes airborne particulates such dust, dirt or the like to be applied to the outer surface along with the glazing composition. This results in undesirable surface roughness of the article. Further, such methods generally require that the fixture not be used for at least 24-48 hours after the resurfacingxe2x80x94this can be an unacceptable period of xe2x80x9cdown timexe2x80x9d in many cases.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for restoring the outer surface of a hard substrate such as a bathroom and/or kitchen fixture, which method advantageously is cost effective and simple. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a method which is advantageously versatile and can be used with enamel, fiberglass, ceramic (e.g. porcelain) and other fixtures. Yet further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method which uses materials which do not require spraying of resealant and/or reglazing compositions, thus advantageously substantially eliminating the need for special respiratory gear and/or anything other than normal ventilation. Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a method which advantageously substantially eliminates the xe2x80x9cdown timexe2x80x9d of the fixture after restoration. Still further, it is an objective of this present invention to provide a method and a process which advantageously substantially eliminates the need for expensive equipment to apply the process.
The present invention addresses and solves the above-mentioned problems and meets the enumerated objects and advantages, as well as others not enumerated, by providing a method for restoring the outer surface of a hard substrate. The method comprises the steps of:
preparing the surface to be restored by contacting the surface with a composition capable of cleaning the outer surface to remove stains and altering surface characteristics of the outer surface, preferably producing an outer surface layer characterized by a porous outermost region, the prepared outer surface amenable to permanent contact by a polymeric glossing composition;
applying a resealant composition over the prepared outer surface, the resealant composition capable of penetrating and adhering to porosities created in the outer surface during the surface preparation step; and
applying a glossing composition over the resealed outer surface, the glossing composition capable of essentially permanent adhesion to the applied resealant material in an essentially uniform manner.
Preferably, the various compositions such as the resealing composition and the glossing composition are applied in a thin coat by a wiping action. A composition suitable for cleaning the outer surface may comprise an aqueous gel and/or an abrasive. The resealant composition may comprise a water based urethane copolymer. The glossing composition may comprise a water based, metal interlocking urethane or acrylic copolymer.
The method according to the present invention is useful for returning a glossy, hard surface fixture (e.g. a plumbing fixture) to substantially its factory finish without need for complicated equipment or ventilation and/or special respiratory gear (such as special masks and the like), since there are substantially no noxious odors, fumes or airborne particulates/solids. The method is cost effective, efficient, simple and requires a minimum of down time of the fixture. The method is useful on enamel, fiberglass (including fiberglass xe2x80x9cshellsxe2x80x9d), ceramic (e.g. porcelain) and other surfaces over any type of underlying substrate. Examples of some hard surface fixtures include, but are not limited to bathtubs, stall showers, sinks, water closets, countertops and the like.
Previously, the only feasible methods for restoring the lost gloss ans stain resistance to plumbing fixtures and other surfaces involved either removal and replacement of the fixture with the glossy surface or application of paint-like material over the worn surface. Clearly, removal and replacement of the part with the worn surface is time-consuming and expensive. Application of a paint-like refinishing compound can present numerous drawbacks. Such materials can be difficult to apply. Curing or drying of the material can involve the production of noxious fumes. Paint-like materials also have relatively short duration useful lives in such settings. Such materials, once applied, are prone to chipping, staining, yellowing, and peeling after the surface has been used for a while. This leads to more expenses and complications as the repair material must be removed and the process repeated.
The present inventive method comprises the step of cleaning the outer surface to remove stains, marks, paint, dirt, grime or the like. The cleaning step may comprise the step of applying a cleaning composition to the outer surface; and, then scrubbing the outer surface with the cleaning composition. The outer surface of the substrate may preferably be rinsed with water after the cleaning step. The cleaning step also includes the step of allowing the cleaned surface to dry. Air drying may be done, however, in the preferred embodiment, the surface is blow dried with a blow dryer, heat gun and/or a fan. With blow drying, the surface may dry in a relatively short amount of time, such as about 2-3 minutes. With air drying, the surface may dry in a relatively longer amount of time, such as about 10 minutes. The cleaning composition(s) may be sprayed, rolled or squeezed from a container to the surface and then scrubbed with a brush, abrasive pad, sponge, sand paper, or the like. Up to four or more cleaning steps may be successively applied to a bad stain if desired.
It is to be understood that the cleaning composition(s) may broadly comprise any suitable composition(s). The cleaning composition, preferably, contains at least one abrasive compound. Preferably, the abrasive compound selected from the group consisting of oxalic acid dihydrate, kaolin, pumice, diatomite, tripoli, siliceous clay, silicon dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The cleaning composition also, preferably, contains at least one acidic material capable of attacking and degrading mineral deposits present on the surface to be restored. The cleaning composition is designed to be present in an aqueous solution or, at the minimum, used in conjunction with water. However, in the preferred embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises an aqueous gel and/or an abrasive. When a powder abrasive is used, water is also applied during the cleaning step with the abrasive. It is to be understood that any suitable powder or liquid abrasive(s) may be used. However, in the preferred embodiment, the powder abrasive consists essentially of oxalic acid-dihydrate. A suitable liquid or deliquescent abrasive is phosphoric acid.
An example of a suitable oxalic acid-dihydrate is commercially available from Servaas Laboratories in Indianapolis, Indiana under the trade name BAR KEEPERS FRIEND. Oxalic acid-dihydrate exhibited the following physical and chemical characteristics. It appeared as a white powder. Its solubility was 100% for acid and detergent, and its specific gravity was 88. It was a stable substance but tested incompatible with chlorine bleach and alkaline materials. Hazardous polymerization will not occur. It is not a carcinogen. No respiratory protective gear or gloves are required during use-normal local ventilation is sufficient when using oxalic acid-dihydrate.
It is to be understood that any suitable aqueous gel cleaning composition may be used. However, in the preferred embodiment, the cleaning composition comprises an aqueous gel consisting essentially of an aqueous acidic thixotropic composition having a viscosity of 2000 to 10,000 centipoise. In the preferred embodiment, the viscosity is 2500 to 7000 centipoise. The aqueous acidic thixotropic composition contains on a weight to weight basis:
between about 0.5 percent and about 6.0 percent of a hydrated aluminum silicate substantially free from inert mineral impurities;
between about 0.1 percent and about 3.0 percent of at least one of an amphoteric material and a highly alkoxylated block copolymer;
between about 0.1 percent and about 5.0 percent of a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of higher alcohols and polyethylene glycol ethers of linear alcohol;
acid present in an amount sufficient to render a pH in the range of about 0.9 to about 3.5;
between about 5.0 percent and about 50.0 percent of an abrasive;
between about 1.0 percent and about 20.0 percent of a cleaning solvent;
between about 0.01 percent and about 40.0 percent oxalic acid-dihydrate (H2C2O4-2H2O) and/or phosphoric acid; and
deionized water present in an amount sufficient to make 100 percent.
The viscosity of 2000 to 10,000 cps is sufficient to suspend abrasive particles uniformly throughout the cleaner. This viscosity is stable over a long period of time. If the viscosity is less than 2000, the formulation may be defective in that it exhibits a tendency for the settling out of the abrasive particles. If the viscosity is greater than 7000 to 10,000, the formulation may be defective in that it is more difficult to dispense as a flowable liquid. The preferred viscosity of 2500 to 7000 is sufficient to cause the formulation to adhere to a smooth vertical surface where hard water, iron and/or organic stains might be found inside of a toilet bowl, lavatory, tub, etc. The adherence of the cleaner to the vertical surfaces is important since the acid present can thereby most effectively attack the hard water and/or iron salts comprising a portion of the stains. In addition, the high viscosity keeps the abrasive agent adjacent to the stains and available for scrubbing contact therewith.
The hydrated aluminum silicate should have a cation exchange capacity of 80 to 120 meq/100 g, preferably 100 to 120 meq/100 g. Such silicate has sufficient cation exchange sites available for interaction with the amphoteric material to promote achievement and stabilization of the viscosity in the range 2000 to 10,000 cps. Any hydrated aluminum silicate, in combination with the amphoteric material, that fails this test may not be suitable for use in this invention. This requirement provides an objective test for one skilled in the art to identify useful silicates. The importance of the availability of sufficient cation exchange sites is demonstrated by the negative impact that ordinary tap water has on the viscosity of the formulations. The affinity of the exchange sites for calcium and magnesium in tap water is much stronger than the affinity for the amphoteric surfactants. Thus lower viscosity formulations are obtained when tap water is used instead of deionized water.
A highly purified grade of montmorillonite clay, having a cation exchange capacity of 100 to 120 meq/100 gin, and provided commercially as Mineral Colloid BP, is particularly useful. Other suitable hydrated aluminum silicates that can bus purified sufficiently to provide the required cation exchange capacity are well known in the art as belonging to the smectite class of clay minerals.
Amphoteric materials such as amine oxides and highly alkoxylated block copolymers are also important for establishing the desired viscosity. Amine oxide materials are preferred.
Amphoteric amine oxides stabilize viscosity and also improved the rinsability of the formulations from hard surfaces. It is believed that the amine oxide develops a slight positive charge at low pH which causes its absorption onto the hydrated aluminum silicate""s surface, resulting in steric stabilization of the dispersion. Useful amine oxides are those sold under the trade name Barlox (Lonza, Inc.) and Ammonyx (Stepan Company). These compounds are representative of the broader class of alkyl dimethyl amine oxides such as lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. Also useful are alkyl amido amine oxides such as cocamidopropylamine oxide (Barlox C). Other useful amphoteric surfactants include betaine derivatives such as cocoamidopropyl betaine (Velvetex BA-35xe2x80x94Henkel Corp.) and cocobetaine (Mackam CB-35-Mclntyre Group Ltd.).
Useful highly alkoxylated block copolymers include those sold under the trade names PLURONICS and TETRONICS. Generically, PLURONICS polymers are HO(CH2CH2O)x(CH3CHCH2O)y(CH2CH2O)zH or HO(CHCH3CH2O)x(CH2CH2)y(CHCH3CH2O)zH. TETRONICS are derived from the block copolymerization of ethylenediamine. Pluronic L92 conforms to the formula HO(CH2O)x(CH3CHCH2O)y(CH2CH2)zH where the average value of x, y and z are 10, 47, and 10 respectively. It is theorized that these block copolymers do not interact ionically with the thickening system, as do the amphoteric materials, but rather through steric interaction due to their high molecular weights.
The use of an acid in the formulation is important in that it induces a change in the surface charge of the clay by lowering the pH to between about 0.9 and about 3.5. This phenomenon, which can be induced in a number of ways, causes the clay platelets to align in an edge to face manner creating a xe2x80x9chouse of cardsxe2x80x9d structure, thereby inducing an increase in viscosity. This technique is practiced by those skilled in the art of clay thickened systems. In this formula however, it is surprising that substantially no thickening occurs even with the acid if one of the important components has been excluded. This indicates a synergistic interaction between the important components that is not predictable from the individual properties of the important components. It is theorized that the surfactants interact to sterically stabilize the house of cards structure, thereby contributing to increasing the viscosity of the formulation. Useful acids include oxalic, citric, glycolic, sulfamic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and phosphoric. Oxalic acid is preferred because of its capacity for rust removal and mild acid properties.
Organic solvents such as dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene monobutyl ether and others known by those skilled in the art of hard surface cleaner formulations can also be used. The dipropylene glycol methyl ether and the propylene glycol used in the examples function as cleaning aids. In addition to cleaning benefits, they also improve freezing stability and rinsing properties from hard surfaces. Both of these components cause a slight increase in viscosity of the formulations of the invention.
A variety of nonionic surfactants from the polyoxyethylene of higher alcohol class, such as NEODOL can be used. Found particularly suitable are polyoxyethylene derivatives of higher alcohols, such as NEODOL 23-6.5 which is based on Shell Chemical Company""s primary C12-C13 Detergent Alcohol (NEODOL 23) and has an average of 6.5 ethylene oxide (EO) units per alcohol mole (about 59% w/w EO). Other illustrative suitable nonionic surface active agents are Union Carbide""s polyethylene glycol ether of linear alcohol (9 moles EO).
The abrasive component of the formulation is useful for physically scouring the stains from surfaces. The abrasive agent should be present in amounts of from about 5 to 50% by weight of the composition. Any suitably acid stable abrasive agent may be used, although silicon dioxide is preferred because of its ready availability and low cost. The abrasive agent particle size should be quite small, i.e., from about 40 to about 400 mesh (with a preferred size being where greater than 99 percent of the particles are smaller than 325 mesh). In such a particle range, the abrasive is readily suspended in the homogenous stable liquid dispersion, yet the particles are large enough to provide adequate scouring properties. Other acid inert, abrasive agents such as, for example, kaolin, pumice, diatomite, tripoli, siliceous clay, etc., may be partially or completely substituted for the silicon dioxide. Very useful abrasive agents are silica or silicon dioxide having a median particle size of about 5.8 microns and having a particle size distribution of about 2-10 microns, e.g., Tamsil 30 (Unimin Specialty Minerals, Inc.) with a sieve analysis of 99.6% of the particles passing through a 325 mesh screen. This preferred abrasive agent in the cleanser of the invention imparts polishing but no scratching action to even delicate hard surfaces. Also acceptable for use herein is an abrasive agent of slightly larger particle size such as silicon dioxide having an average particle size up to about 10 microns and having a particle size distribution of about 1 to 40 microns, e.g., xe2x80x9c19 Silicaxe2x80x9d (Whitaker, Clark and Daniels, Inc.) of particle size 99% less than 40 microns, 98% less than 20 microns, 77% less than 15 microns, 62% less than 10 microns, 40% less than 5 microns, 36% less than 4 microns, 22% less than 2 microns and 14 % less than 1 micron.
In addition to the above-described important components, there may be added other adjuvants which contribute desirable properties to the cleanser and which do not detract from the cleansing or polishing properties of the formulation or lessen its stability. For example, fragrances, dyes, fluorescent materials, propellants (for preparing pressurized compositions), and other compatible additional materials for furthering or enhancing the action of any of the important ingredients may be added, provided they would not detract from the desired properties of the cleanser in the relatively minor amounts in which they would be used.
Other suitable examples of aqueous gel formulations may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,742, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A pH neutralizer is, preferably, applied after cleaning. The pH neutralizer is applied in an essentially even thin layer. The pH neutralizer may be applied by any suitable means such as wiping or pouring, however the preferred method of application, the pH neutralizer is preferably applied by spraying an aqueous material onto the surface of the material using a spray bottle or other suitable atomizer device in order to restore the pH to a favorable level at or approaching neutral. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pH neutralizer solution comprises an alkaline agent and water. Suitable alkaline agents include materials such as soda ash which is preferably employed in an amount of at least 2 oz per 8 oz water. Other suitable materials can include materials such as soda bicarbonate and the like.
The pH neutralizer solution is allowed to dwell on the surface to be restored for an interval sufficient for the alkaline mater present in the solution to neutralize any acidic components which may remain on the surface of the material to be restored. In the preferred embodiment, this interval is between about 2 and about 7 minutes. After neutralization, the surface is rinsed thoroughly and is allowed to dry either by air drying or by forced air.
It is believed that after the cleaning step has been accomplished, the dull porous surface can still contain a sizable amount of acid salts left over from the cleaning and rinsing. These salts can remain in microscopic pores throughout the surface of the substrate. Aqueous solutions containing soda ash or other suitable alkaline materials appear to pull out the acidic salts and neutralize them.
Sufficient quantities of the alkaline solution are employed to neutralize and remove any undue quantities of acid salts which remain. The alkaline material is allowed to remain in contact with the substrate for an interval sufficient to accomplish this neutralization after which it is removed completely from contact with the surface of the substrate so that no appreciable quantities of the alkaline material remain.
After the surface is thoroughly dried, it is contacted with a clear bonding agent, preferably by wiping. The bonding agent is one which is suitable for polymers, co-polymers, urethanes, epoxies or the like and is capable of drying or set-up by air or forced drying in an interval less than about 15 minutes with an interval of between about 7-10 minutes being preferred. In the preferred embodiment, the bonding agent contains an amine silane coupling agent in a solvent base. The solvent base may be any suitable material which will permit subsequent bonding between the substrate and the applied sealer subsequently applied. Preferably, the solvent material in the bonding agent is a polar liquid capable of solublizing the amine saline coupling agent. Suitable materials include aliphatic alcohols having between 1 and 10 carbon atoms with alcohols having between 2 and 6 being preferred and alcohols selected from the group consisting of isopropyl, isobutyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl, and mixtures thereof being most preferred.
The amine silane coupling agent is a suitable polymeric material capable of adhering to the surface of the substrate to which it is applied and creating or promoting the formation of chemical bonds. The chemical bonds which are created or promoted include bonds between the substrate and the polymeric material, and bonds between the polymeric material and the sealer which is applied subsequently. The polymeric material is at least partially water soluble. In general, the adhesion promoter contains between about 0.5% and about 5% by weight polymeric compound with the balance being solvent.
Material compositions suitable for use as bonding agents are commercially available from a variety of sources. One such material is commercially available from Ivar Laboratories of Martinez, California under the trade name SYLAMINE ADHESION PROMOTER. SYLAMINE ADHESION PROMOTER is composed of isopropyl alcohol containing a proprietary polymer in amounts less than 1% by weight. The material is a clear blue liquid having a boiling point of 83 degrees C (181 degrees F), a freezing point of xe2x88x9286 degrees C (xe2x88x92123 degrees F) and a specific gravity of 0.79. The material has an evaporation rate similar to isopropyl alcohol of 2.8 (n-butyl acetate=1) and a vapor pressure of 33 mm Hg at 20 degrees C. The vapor density of the material is 2.1 (air=1) and volatiles compose 99% or more of the material. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that all or most of the volatile material evaporates upon application to the substrate, leaving the proprietary polymer deposited thereon.
The present inventive method further comprises wiping a resealant composition over the cleaned and dried outer surface of the fixture. The resealant step reseals the porosity of the surface. In a preferred embodiment, a natural or synthetic lambs wool applicator in the form of a 4xe2x80x3xc3x975xe2x80x3 pad (and/or any size applicator/pad, as desired) receives the resealing composition and is wiped over the surface to apply the solution in a thin coat. This is allowed to dry by forced (blow) or air drying (as described above). If very porous, up to four coats or more of resealer can be applied. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that surface porosity is created as a gradual side effect of the aging process of the fixture, by the action of water, cleaners, and other material over the life of the fixture and by the action of the cleaning composition used in the method of the present invention.
It is to be understood that any suitable resealant composition may be used in the present inventive method, provided that the resealant composition is not sprayed on and otherwise meets the objectives and advantages of the present invention as set forth above. It is to be understood that suitable resealant materials will be water-based. Preferably, the material will also contain significant quantities of urethane material as the polymeric resealant component. In the preferred embodiment, the resealant composition may comprise a water based urethane copolymer. It has been found that water based materials exhibit lower production of undesireable vapors during the evaporative process. It is also theorized that the water based urethanes exhibit slower evaporation rate relative to common organic solvents. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that he lower evaporative rates result in more intimate and permanent adhesion between the urethane material and the substrate. It is believed that the slower evaporative time permits the urethane material to interact with the chemical structure of the silane enhanced substrate while still in a solubilized or partially solubilized state. The interaction while solubilized permits and/or enhances the chemical bonding which occurs between the substrate and bonded silane and the urethane or other polymeric component of the resealant composition.
It is further preferred that the resealant composition containing the polymer or copolymer have a high solids content (preferably between about 5% and about 30%). If desired, the composition may be diluted to reduce the percentage of solids to appropriate levels.
A suitable resealant composition is commercially available from Superior Manufacturing Corp. in Detroit, Mich. under the trade name NO. 211 WBU SEALER WATER BASED. The No. 211 WBU sealer includes urethane resin (CAS# 51-79-6), acrylic resin (CAS# 9003-01-4), ethylene glycol (CAS# 111-76-2), and tri-butoxyethyl phosphate (CAS #78-51-3).
The No. 211 WBU sealer exhibited the following physical data. The substance appeared as a milky white liquid with a mild waxy odor. It had a boiling point of 212xc2x0 F. with a specific gravity of 1.03. The percent, volatile by volume is 80%. Its evaporation rate (where water=1) is 1. It emulsified when mixed with water, and had a pH of 7.5. It is a stable substance but is incompatible with strong oxidizers. Hazardous decomposition products include oxides of carbon. Hazardous polymerization will not occur. Conditions to avoid including freezing of the substance. It is not a carcinogen. No respiratory protective gear is required during use, and normal ventilation is adequate when using this substance.
It has been found, quite unexpectedly, that the bond between the resealant material and the substrate actually grows stronger over time. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that this increase in strength is due, at least in part, to the interaction between the bonding compound and the polymeric component in the resealant material. It is theorized that cross linking between the two materials and between the materials and the substrate occur slowly over time, contributing to increasing bond strength.
The present inventive method further comprises wiping a glossing composition over the dried, resealed outer surface. The glossing composition is applied to substantially restore the surface to the factory gloss. In a preferred embodiment, the lambs wool applicator (described above) is used to apply the glossing composition. In the preferred embodiment, between about 3-6 or more coats of the glossing composition is applied. After each coat of glossing composition, a drying step of forced (blow) or air drying (as described herein above) is employed.
It is to be understood that any suitable glossing composition may be used in the present inventive method, provided that the glossing composition is not sprayed on and otherwise meets the objectives and advantages of the present invention as set forth above. In the preferred embodiment, the glossing composition may comprise a water based, metal interlocking urethane or acrylic copolymer. Further preferred is such a copolymer having a high solids content (preferably between about 5% and about 30%). If desired, the composition may be diluted to reduce the percentage of solids.
A suitable glossing composition is commercially available from Superior Manufacturing Corp. in Detroit, Mich. under the trade name NO. 231 ONE COAT FINISH. The No. 231 One Coat Finish includes diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (CAS# 111-90-0), tributoxy ethyl phosphate (CAS# 78-51-3), wax emulsion (CAS# 9002-88-4), alkali soluble resin (CAS# 68911-89-7), and acrylic polymer emulsion (CAS# 62180-77-2).
The No. 231 finish exhibited the following physical data. The substance appeared as a milky white liquid with a waxy odor. It had a boiling point of 212xc2x0 F. with a specific gravity of 1.02. The percent, volatile by volume is 75%. Its evaporation rate with water was 1. It emulsified when mixed with water, and has a pH of 8.9. It is a stable substance but is incompatible with strong oxidizers. Hazardous decomposition products include oxides of carbon. Hazardous polymerization will not occur. Conditions to avoid include freezing of the substance. It is not a carcinogen. No respiratory protective gear is required during use, and normal ventilation is adequate when using this substance.
At the completion of the drying of the last glossing step, the surface, fixture, etc., may be placed into immediate use.
The gloss/glazing composition is a gloss coat and generally does not include color. However, it is contemplated as being within the purview of the present invention to include color. The present inventive method generally will not repair chips or portions of the surface which is worn down to the underlying bare metal or underlying substrate but provides an effective and relatively inexpensive method for restoring surfaces which are dulled and unattractive.
The method of the present invention further contemplates the additional step of applying a finish coat over the gloss composition in order to further increase durability and useful life of the fixture. Examples of suitable extender materials are those commercially available under the trade name LIFEGUARD from Aldon Chemicals, and from U.S. Products under the trade name THERMOSHIELD. In the present application, these materials are employed as sacrificial coatings. Preferably, the gloss coat material is a water based polymeric solution in which the polymeric component is compatible with the polymeric material employed in the resealant layer. The materials of choice is a water based urethane.
In order to achieve an even higher level of gloss or to remove any additional contaminants which may remain on adhered to the surface of the fixture after treatment, the final product may be buffed either with a high speed polisher or by hand with a suitable buff pad such as a white synthetic pad.
The restored surface as achieved by the method of the present invention substantially resists chipping, peeling, yellowing or fading thus can actually prolong the useful life of the associated fixture and provide significant increases in esthetic quality. The resulting treated surface such as a tub surface is resistant to degradation due to extremes in temperature as would be seen in tubs and other water-containing or contacting surfaces as well as being resistant to wear from harsh cleaners and the various other compounds which may come into contact with the surface over its useful life. Additionally, the method of the present invention provides a means for applying a resealant coat and final gloss coat which do not require buffing rubbing or other surface enhancement techniques to achieve an even, smooth, aesthetically pleasing surface. This is in sharp contrast to the other known restorative processes.
Additionally, the exceptional results of the method of the present invention is due in no small part to the careful integration of all main process steps. The careful interaction of the compounds and steps yield the superior surface finish of the present invention.

Plumbing fixture surface restoration process