Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for rotating a structural profile quickly and easily on a single spindle drill line without the use of a crane. The apparatus has two arms which can lay flat or create any angle less than 180 degrees between the two. The apparatus can move horizontally along the drill line and can lift the structural profile vertically for movement and during rotation. This will allow a drill machine operator to rotate large and heavy structural profiles on a drill line and position them with the datum blocks in order to drill the different sides without the need for an overhead crane or other lifting device and without any additional labor to assist with manual flipping and positioning.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/432,165, filed on Jan. 12, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to rotating structural components, and more particularly, to an apparatus capable of quickly rotating and moving structural profiles on a single spindle beam drill line. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     A structural profile is a structural component used in constructing industrial buildings and other structures. Structural profiles consist of beams, angles, channels, square tubing, rectangular tubing, round tubing, T-sections, flat bars, and irregular shapes. Common materials used to create structural profiles comprise steel, reinforced concrete, wood, or other suitable metal alloys. 
     In order to utilize structural profiles in an industrial structure, drill holes or mill slots must be created to connect them to other structural elements. A computer numerically controlled (CNC) beam drill line is an indispensable way to quickly and easily drill holes and mill slots into beams, channels, and other structural profiles. CNC beam drill lines are typically equipped with feed conveyors and position sensors to move the element into position for drilling, as well as probing capability to determine the precise location where the hole or slot is to be cut. 
     A structural profile is typically rotated on a single spindle drill line so that holes and slots can be placed on the various surfaces. While CNC beam drill lines can move the elements horizontally or vertically, rotational movement is not possible. For these circumstances, a crane or other type of machinery is commonly used to rotate the structural profiles along a single spindle drill line. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,143 to Orris on Jun. 12, 1973, describes a beam rotating device used in rolling mill operation where two arms are tied together and used to rotate a steel beam. One arm supports a steal beam in a horizontal position and, on rotation of 90°, the beam is transferred to the second arm from the first. While this invention does use two arms to rotate a structural profile, the arms cannot move relative to each other, the device can only rotate profiles and cannot suspend them in desired positions, and the device cannot move the profile vertically and horizontally. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,363 to Thatcher on Sep. 8, 1970, describes a structural profile rotating device where multiple support members at 90° angles are used to rotate the profiles from one position to another. The support members include guide rollers for loading the structural profiles and thereby rotating them about an axis. While this invention does use support members at 90° to rotate structural profiles, the support members are fixed, the device cannot move the profiles vertically and horizontally, and structural profiles cannot be loaded and unloaded onto drill lines using this device. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2010/0171254 to Rolle on Jul. 8, 2010, describes an apparatus for rotating structural beams during fabrication, where spaced rollers are mounted onto circular support brackets used for rotation. While this invention can rotate structural profiles, adjustable arms are not used which can move relative to each other, structural profiles cannot be loaded and unloaded onto drill lines using this device, and the device cannot move the profile vertically and horizontally. 
     While several devices exist for rotating structural profiles, they are time consuming and inefficient to use and are limited in capabilities. Therefore, a need exists for a machine that can rotate a structural profile quickly and easily on a single spindle drill line without unnecessary complexity. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device will provide a machine that can rotate a structural profile quickly and easily on a single spindle drill line without the use of a crane. This will allow a drill machine operator to rotate large and heavy structural profiles on a drill line and position them with the datum blocks in order to drill the different sides without the need for an overhead crane or other lifting device and without any additional labor to assist with manual flipping and positioning. This method will save manufacturers time and money, reduce operator fatigue, reduce overall complexity, and maximize safety. Furthermore, the present invention can rotate heavy structural profiles to a specific angle for saw cutting, flame cutting, fitting, welding, cleaning, grinding, priming, painting, drilling, punching, or even scribing on different surfaces. 
     The profile rotator comprises an arm assembly having two elongated flat members, or blades, which lay flat along the same axis, and which are controlled by hydraulic cylinders. The unique rotation member allows one of the blades to rotate vertically while the other blade remains in its horizontal position, forming an ‘L’ shape. The shape of the rotation member allows the arms to uniquely rotate structural profiles while in the ‘L’ position without the use of complex positioning electronics. When the blade is rotated, a 90 degree angle is maintained between the blades. Both the first and second blades can rotate in this manner. 
     A lift assembly moves the structural profiles vertically and a track assembly moves the structural profiles horizontally. A hose assembly connects all hydraulic cylinders to external power. A cover assembly protects the invention from exterior objects, dirt, metal shavings, or other harmful materials. Utilizing the lift assembly and track assembly, the arm assembly can lift, move, and rotate structural components on a drill line. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the invention exposing the arm and lift assemblies; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded side view of the invention; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a side view of the arm assembly; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a top view of the arm assembly; 
         FIG. 6   c  is an exploded side view of the arm assembly; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a side view of the arm assembly in one position; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a side view of the arm assembly in an alternative position; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the rotation member; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the cover assembly; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lift assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the track assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
     The present invention discloses a profile rotator  10  comprising an arm assembly  20 , a lift assembly  30 , a cover assembly  40 , a track assembly  50 , and a hose assembly  60 . The arm assembly  20  is used to rotate structural profiles clockwise and counterclockwise. The lift assembly  30  is adapted to move the structural profile vertically, while the track assembly  50  is adapted to move the structural profile horizontally. The hose assembly  60  connects the hydraulic lines  61  of the arm assembly  20  and lift assembly  30  to external power. The cover assembly  40  encapsulates the internal components  20 ,  30  to protect them from outside objects. 
     The arm assembly  20  comprises first and second elongated members  21 ,  22 , or blades, each having a proximal  23  and distal  24  ends. A pivot member  25  is mutually connected to the proximal end  23  of each elongated member  21 ,  22 . A rotation member  26  is fixedly attached to the second elongated member  22  and permits the blades  21 ,  22  to rotate and hold their desired positions. A first hydraulic cylinder  27  is fixedly attached to the rotation member  26  on one end and fixedly attached to the first elongated member  21  on the other. A second hydraulic cylinder  28  is fixedly attached to the rotation member  26  on one end and fixedly attached to the cover assembly  40  on the other, the cover assembly  40  acting as a stationary anchor. 
     The first and second hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  are adapted to rotate the first and second elongated members  21 ,  22  about the pivot member  25  by utilizing the shape of the rotation member  26 . More specifically, the first hydraulic cylinder  27  is adapted to rotate the first elongated member  21  relative to the second elongated member  22 , and the second hydraulic cylinder  28  is adapted to rotate the second elongated  22  member relative to the first elongated member  21 . The hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  can create an angle in the range of 0° to 180° between the first and second elongated members  21 ,  22 . Furthermore, the first and second hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  are adapted to rotate the first and second elongated members  21 ,  22  about the pivot member  25  while maintaining a rotation angle of 90 degrees. 
     The rotation member  26  is used to maintain the appropriate angles without a complex electronic positioning system. The rotation member  26  can generally be described as a parallelogram, where one parallel side  121  is sloped as it should be, while the opposite side  122  instead comprises a convex curve. A groove  123  is positioned on a non-sloped side  124  and is adapted to rotate the rotation member  26  about the pivot member  25 . The first and second hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  are attached to the sloped side  121 , with the first hydraulic cylinder  27  attached between the second hydraulic cylinder  28  and the groove  123 . The rotation member  26  is also rotated about said pivot member  25  as the blades  21 ,  22  are rotated. 
     The lift assembly  30  comprises two angled support members  31  that are rotatably attached to a rolling member  32  and the pivot member  25 . The third hydraulic cylinder  33  is fixedly attached to the rolling member  32  and cover assembly  40  at each end, thereby allowing the arm assembly  20  to move vertically by pushing and pulling the rolling member  32  along the track assembly  50  and altering the angle of the support members  31 . 
     The cover assembly  40  comprises several panels  41  and encapsulates the rotation member  26 , first and second hydraulic units  27 ,  28 , and lift assembly  30 . These units combine to protect the profile rotator  10  from exterior objects, dirt, metal shavings, or other harmful materials. The cover assembly  40  further comprises four alignment members  42 , each alignment member  42  having a means of movably securing the arm assembly  20  along the track assembly  50 . The arm assembly  20  is positioned above the cover assembly  40  and the hose assembly  60  extends from within the cover assembly  40  to the track assembly  50 . Furthermore, the first hydraulic cylinder  21  and third hydraulic cylinder  33  are fixedly attached to the cover assembly  40 . Lastly, the cover assembly  40  comprises two chain members  34  which are fixedly attached to the chain  51  of the track assembly  50 . 
     The track assembly  50  comprises two movement tracks  52  which allow the lift assembly  30  to move forward and backward, providing vertical force to the arm assembly  20 . The track assembly  50  further comprises two sprocket members  53  which are connected to a chain  51 . The sprocket members  53  can be rotated, thereby moving the chain members  34 , and consequently the lift cover  40  and arm assemblies  20 , horizontally along the track assembly  50 . 
     The profile rotator  10  comprises three states: open ( FIG. 6   a ), forward ( FIG. 7   a ), and reverse ( FIG. 7   b ). In the open state, the first and second blades  21 ,  22  are positioned horizontally, and an 180° angle exists between them. In this state, the first and second structural profiles along the drill line. This position is also useful for positioning the profile rotator  10  for clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. From the open state, the profile rotator  10  can enter either the forward state or the reverse state. In addition, the carefully calculated angles and positions of the rotation member  26 , pivot member  25 , and hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  allow the blades  21 ,  22  to rotate in a compact manner. 
     In the forward state, the second blade  21  is rotated vertically and the first blade remains in its horizontal position. In this state, the first and second hydraulic cylinders  27 ,  28  are extended and positioned horizontally, the resulting shape generally described as a forward ‘L.’ In the reverse state, the first blade  22  is rotated vertically and the second blade remains  21  remains in its horizontal position. In this state, the first hydraulic cylinder  27  is extended and positioned vertically while the second hydraulic cylinder  28  is contracted and positioned horizontally, the resulting shape generally described as a reverse ‘L.’ As such, the second hydraulic cylinder  28  has a fixed horizontal orientation, while the first hydraulic cylinder  27  has a variable orientation parallel to the first blade  21 . The first and second blades  21 ,  22  can never rotate vertically at the same time. 
     When in the forward state, the profile rotator  10  can enter either the open state or the reverse state. When entering the open state, the first blade  21  simply returns to its original horizontal position. When entering the reverse state, both the first and second blades  21 ,  22  rotate simultaneously until the first blade  21  rests horizontally and the second blade  22  rests vertically. Conversely, when in the reverse state, the profile rotator second blade  22  simply returns to its original horizontal position. When entering the reverse state, both the first and second blades  21 ,  22  rotate simultaneously until the second blade  22  rests horizontally and the first blade  21  rests vertically. 
     It is in this manner that the structural profiles are rotated. If a clockwise rotation is desired, the structural profile is positioned on the first blade  21  with its edge, or flange, adjacent to the pivot member  25  of the arm assembly  20 . The profile rotator  10  will then enter the reverse state, resulting in the structural profile resting on the first blade  21 , but also positioned adjacent to the second blade  22 . The operator will then lift the structural profile using the lift assembly  30  and enter the forward state by rotating both blades  21 ,  22  simultaneously. During the rotation, the structural profile will rest on both the first blade  21  and second blade  22 . Furthermore, the rotation can be suspended in any position in order to manipulate the structural profile at a desired angle. Once the profile rotator  10  enters the forward state, the operator will set the structural profile down using the lift assembly  30 . If a counterclockwise rotation is desired, the above method is repeated, but from a forward state to a reverse state. 
     The profile rotator  10  can position itself along the drill line to ensure it is positioned properly. It can move horizontally in a forward and backward manner using the track assembly  50 . Furthermore, the profile rotator  10  can position itself vertically along the drill line. This is useful for positioning itself directly under the structural profile, and profile size is 40″ (1,000 cm) and the maximum anticipated weight is 30,000 lbs (14,000 kg). 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.