Patent ID: 6161679
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A vibratory parts feeder for the rotational feeding of parts about a rotation axis, comprising:a top plate;a bottom plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of upper spring mounting members detachably mounted to said top plate;a corresponding plurality of lower spring mounting members detachably mounted to one of said top surface and said bottom surface of said bottom plate to define corresponding pairs of said upper and lower spring mounting members, each of said corresponding pairs of said upper and lower spring mounting members defining a respective pair of upper and lower spring mounting surfaces facing a first direction relative to said rotation axis;a plurality of drive springs each detachably mounted to corresponding pairs of said upper and lower spring mounting surfaces;means for vibrating said top plate relative to said bottom plate to feed said parts in a first rotational direction relative to said rotation axis; andwherein said vibratory parts feeder is capable of being reconfigured to feed said parts in a second rotational direction relative to said rotation axis generally opposite said first rotational direction by:rotating said bottom plate such that said top surface becomes said bottom surface and said bottom surface becomes said top surface,detachably mounting said upper spring mounting members to said top plate and said lower spring mounting members to one of said top surface and said bottom surface of said bottom plate such that said respective pair of upper and lower spring mounting surfaces faces a second direction relative to said rotation axis generally opposite said first direction; andreconfiguring said means for vibrating to feed said parts in said second rotational direction.