Abstract:
A skinning machine having a height adjustment assembly to raise and lower a primary cabinet in relation to the supporting legs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Meat skinning machines are well known in the art and are either installed as part of a conveyor system or used as an open top skinner. The ability to adjust the height of the meat skinning machine is desired either to align the skinning machine with compatible pieces or to change the height to accommodate the height of the operator.  
         [0002]     Fixed height skinning machines do not always achieve the most ergonomic working conditions which is generally at about the elbow height of the operator. This may lead to both physical and mental stress for the operator. Further, these fixed skinning machines are not adjustable to accommodate for operator fatigue during a shift. Also, fixed skinning machines are not adaptable to various conveyor layouts which results in costly, time consuming, and labor intensive layout changes.  
         [0003]     Some attempts have been made to overcome these problems such as mounting the skinning machine to the ceiling, raising the entire machine up and down, or raising and lowering the surface that the operator stands on. These devices are difficult to operate and often, because of the nuisance, operators will tolerate an undesirable height or will find a box or similar device to stand on. This creates the potential for injury which according to OSHA is one of the leading causes of injury. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art.  
         [0004]     Therefore, the principal objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine where the height of the machine is easy to adjust.  
         [0005]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine that allows for optimal ergonomic conditions.  
         [0006]     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a meat skinning machine with a height adjustment assembly having few parts.  
         [0007]     These and other objectives, features, and advantages, will become apparent from the specification and claims.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A meat skinning machine mounted on legs having a height adjustment assembly to raise and lower the skinning machine in relation to the legs. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a meat skinning machine with a height adjustment assembly;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of meat skinning machine with a height adjustment assembly; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a meat skinning machine with a height adjustment assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a meat skinning machine  10  mounted on a pair of legs  12  that are connected to a pair of elongated support members  14 . While an open top skinning machine is shown, understood is that any type of skinning machine may be used including automatic skinning machines for conveyor systems.  
         [0013]     The skinning machine has a primary cabinet  16  that houses the skinning assembly (not shown). Extending below the primary cabinet is a sub cabinet  18  that contains the height adjustment assembly  20  and receives the legs  12  through openings in the bottom of the sub cabinet. One skilled in the art could appreciate that the primary cabinet  16  and the subcabinet  18  could be combined to form a single housing for the skinning assembly and the height adjustment assembly  20 . While the height adjustment assembly  20  can take many forms, preferred is an elongated pinion  22  that is mounted to the interior of the sub cabinet  18  and engages racks  24  mounted on the legs  12 . Mounted on the pinion  22  is a radially extending gear  26 . The gear  26  is positioned to engage a shaft  28  that extends outwardly through the sub cabinet  18  and is connected to a crank shaft  30 .  
         [0014]     In operation, the height of the skinning machine  10  is adjusted by rotating the crank shaft  30  in a first direction which in turn rotates the shaft  28  in the same direction. The shaft  28  engages and rotates the worm gear  26  which in turn rotates the pinion  22 . As the pinion  22  rotates and engages the rack  24 , the sub cabinet  18  and in turn the primary cabinet of the skinning machine  10  is raised. By rotating the crank shaft  30  in an opposite direction, the skinning machine is lowered in a similar manner. In the alternative, the skinning machine can be raised and lowered with a powered source (not shown).  
         [0015]     Accordingly, disclosed is a height adjusting assembly for a skinning machine that easily raises and lowers the skinning machine to adjust to the height of the operator or other compatible devices. Thus, at least the stated objectives have been met.