The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 09, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1996
Theodore F Brolund, Rockford, IL (US);
James W Orr, Jr, Byron, IL (US);
W.A. Whitney Co., Rockford, IL (US);
Abstract
A punch press having a high-energy, thermal melting device and an improved slag recovery system. The punch press is a bridge-type machine in which the workhead which carries the ram of the punch press and the melting tool moves along a first axis, and the workpiece is moved along a second orthogonal axis. The slag collection system is static for simplistically, economically, and reliably collecting the slag created by the melting tool, and includes a long, slot-like opening congruent with the path of the melting tool. The slot-like opening is in the top of a stationary plenum provided below the workpiece and extends down to an open bottom where a slag tray is provided to collect the slag. A vacuum source is connected to the plenum to draw gases through the slot-like opening and into the plenum for removal. A spark trap is interposed between the vacuum source and the plenum to prevent sparks from entering the vacuum source and causing a fire or explosion.