Abstract:
A Stand for Industrial Mixers is disclosed. The stand includes a tiltable cradle for securely holding a mixer while a worker conducts maintenance on it. The stand further has an integrated seat to accommodate the worker. Furthermore, the stand provides a convenient location to place a lubricating bottle for use in conducting maintenance on a mixer. The stand is provided with casters to make it rollable to enable it to be moved about easily. Finally, the stand provides locations for dispensing and storing tools and materials needed for maintenance on a mixer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to stands and fixtures and, more specifically, to an Industrial Mixer Stand.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Large-scale industrial mixers are used widely for high volume pumping of liquids and mixes. One particularly common application for these devices is in the sewage transport and treatment industry. A typical industrial mixer design is depicted in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art industrial mixer  10 . The mixer  10  has two main features: the motor module  12  and the propeller  14  extending therefrom. The motor module  12  is generally sealed to permit the entire mixer  10  to be submersed in whatever fluid is being pumped. The propeller  14  typically has a plurality of blades  15  emanating from a central hub  17 . The motor contained within the sealed motor module  12  acts to cause the hub  17 , and therefore the propeller  14  to rotate.  
         [0005]     In order to generate additional thrust, many of these mixers is also fitted with a jet ring  16 . The jet ring  16  is a housing for the blades  15  that reduces cavitation and thereby creates a more efficient thrust-generating environment for the propeller  14 . The jet ring  16  does not rotate, and is attached to the housing of the motor module  12  with three or more ring brackets  18 .  
         [0006]     Of course, the manufacturers of these mixers  10  seek to make them as maintenance-free as possible. Unfortunately, no mechanical device can be completely maintenance-free. Furthermore, the substantial cost of these mixers  10  makes it cost-prohibitive to replace the mixer  10  regularly. As a result, the mixers  10  must be removed from service periodically for either preventative or restorative maintenance. Due to the large size of these mixers  10 , handling them for the purpose of maintenance and repair can be very challenging, and even dangerous. Many times, two or more individuals must work together to complete the maintenance. What is needed then, is a stand configured to permit a single worker to safely perform maintenance on industrial mixers  10 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Stand for Industrial Mixers. The stand should include a tiltable cradle for securely holding a mixer while a worker conducts maintenance on it. The stand should further have an integrated seat to accommodate the worker. Furthermore, the stand should provide a convenient location to place a lubricating bottle for use in conducting maintenance on a mixer. Still further the stand should be rollable to enable it to be moved about easily. Finally, the stand should have locations for dispensing and storing tools and materials needed for maintenance on a mixer.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional industrial mixer;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an industrial mixer stand of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the cradle assembly of the mixer stand of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the base frame assembly of the mixer stand of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the base frame assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 4 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mixer stand of  FIG. 2  having a mixer of  FIG. 1  mounted thereto, such as for maintenance.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Stand for Industrial Mixers.  
         [0016]     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an industrial mixer stand  20  of the present invention. The structural members of the stand  20  are made from durable material such as steel, typically provided with paint or some other protective coating to prevent corrosion and other damage.  
         [0017]     The two main components of the stand  20  are the base frame assembly  22  and the cradle assembly  24  pivotally attached thereto. The base frame assembly  22  is preferably provided with casters  26  at several locations in order to provide easy mobility for the stand  20 . The base frame assembly  22  further has a seat  28  provided thereon upon which the maintenance worker can remain comfortably seated while he or she performs maintenance upon the industrial mixer.  
         [0018]     The base frame assembly  22  further may have a pair of trays  30 A and  30 B extending from it to provide a location for the worker to place the tools and equipment within handy reach when seated and doing maintenance on the mixer.  
         [0019]     The cradle assembly  24  is designed to securely hold the mixer during maintenance, but still permit the maintenance worker to tilt the mixer via operation of the lever member  32  extending upwardly from the cradle assembly  24 . The base frame assembly  22  may also be provided with an oil dispenser holster, which is a secure location for holding in inverted lubricating oil bottle (not shown) so the oil necessary for the maintenance operation can be gravity-fed out through a tube extending from the bottom of the inverted lubricating oil bottle (not shown). If we now turn to  FIG. 3 , we can continue to examine the impressive functionality of this device.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the cradle assembly  24  of the mixer stand of  FIG. 2 . The cradle assembly  24  has a cradle member  36 , which forms a curved, semi-cylindrical resting place for the mixer&#39;s motor module (see  FIG. 1 ). A notch  40  may be cut into the front bottom edge of the cradle member  36 . The notch  40 , if included, is configured to accept one of the ring brackets (see  FIG. 1 ) of the mixer therein (for those mixers including a jet ring and ring bracket (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0021]     A rear retaining member  38  is removably attachable to the rear end of the cradle member  36  to securely hold the motor module of the mixer to the cradle member  36 . The rear retaining member  38  is likely to be attached to the cradle member  36  with conventional bolts or the like. First and second pivot axles  42 A and  42 B, respectively, extend outwardly from opposing sides of the cradle member  36 . These axles  42  cooperate with corresponding axle clamps (see  FIG. 4 ) to permit the cradle assembly  24  to be tilted up and down around the axis of the axles  42  to aid the maintenance worker in positioning the mixer for maintenance. A lever  32  is preferably provided to give the worker a convenient place to grasp when making adjustments in the tilt.  
         [0022]     Another unique aspect of the cradle assembly  24  are the first and second front retaining members  44 A and  44 B, respectively. These retaining members are extend forwardly and downwardly from the vicinity of the front edge of the cradle member  36 , and are each defined by an elongate arm (e.g.  48 B) terminating in a hook (e.g.  46 B) at their distal end. The retaining members  44  are provided to hook onto the lower, outer edge of the jet ring (see  FIG. 1 ) in order to provide additional stability to the mixer being held and manipulated by the stand (see  FIG. 2 ). All of the components of the cradle assembly  24  are preferably made from strong, durable and chemically-impervious materials, such as coated steel or the like. If we now turn to  FIG. 4 , we can continue to examine this very useful new device.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the base frame assembly  22  of the mixer stand of  FIG. 2 . The assembly  22  is made up of a number of frame members interconnected to provide a stable, yet compact and portable unit. Since this is a side view, some of the frame members are hidden; coincident review of  FIG. 2  while studying this  FIG. 4  should make the element arrangement clear. First and second upright struts  50 A and  50 B, respectively extend upwardly and inwardly from first lower cross-member strut  54 A until they interconnect at the first axle clamp  62 A. The resultant triangular shape has been found to serve the needs of this device well, although other configurations may be possible.  
         [0024]     A first upper cross-member strut  52 A (shown here in hidden lines) is a further interconnection between the upright struts  50 A and  50 B that provides additional rigidity as well as a convenient mounting point for the first tray  30 A. A pair of base struts  56 A and  56 B interconnect the aforementioned first triangular frame subassembly with its twin (second triangular frame subassembly). At each corner of the base frame assembly  22 , a caster  26  is provided to aid in the portability of the stand.  
         [0025]     The first axle clamp  62 A has an oil dispenser holster  34  to provide a location where an inverted oil reservoir or dispenser may be placed in order to give the worker a ready gravity-fed source of critical lubricating oil for maintenance actions. The holster  34  is interconnected with the first axle clamp  62 A by an arm  66  extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom. The axle clamp  62 A is a two-piece assembly that bolts together to create an interference fit between the pivot bores (e.g. first pivot bore  64 A) and the corresponding pivot axle (see  FIG. 3 ) inserted therein. A transverse cross-member strut  68  is provided to give additional strength an stability to the assembly  22  (shown here in hidden lines behind the axle clamp  62 A).  
         [0026]     The seat  28  is supported by a seat post  60  extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a caster  26 . The seat post  60  is attached to the second base strut  56 B by a seat strut  58 , such that the seat  28  travels with the base frame.  FIG. 5  is provided to clarify any confusion related to the arrangement of elements of this device; it simply depicts a front view of the base frame assembly  22  so that hidden elements can be easily seen and understood.  FIG. 6  shows the present invention in use.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mixer stand  20  of  FIG. 2  having a mixer of  FIG. 1  mounted thereto, such as for maintenance. As shown here, the motor module  12  of the mixer  10  is securely held to the cradle assembly by the rear retaining member  38 . The hooks  46 A and  46 B (at the distal ends of their respective front retaining members) firmly engage the jet ring  16 . The mixer  10 , therefore, is well secured to the stand  20 . If the user wishes to tilt the mixer  10 , it is very simple to reach the lever  32  while seated upon the seat  28 , without the need to get up. Furthermore, the trays  30 A (and  30 B which is not depicted here) are easily within arm&#39;s reach for a seated worker, such that tools and materials can be conveniently stored there for use during maintenance operations. The seat  28  is provided with a cushioned pad (preferably) in order to make it more ergonomically pleasing to the user.  
         [0028]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.