Abstract:
A rotatable finger assembly including one or more fingers, supports or separators mounted for individual rotational movement from a first supporting or separating position to a second out-of-the-way position. A shaft provides an external longitudinal spline which is temporarily lockingly engageable within one of a pair of internal longitudinal radially-spaced grooves on a surrounding mounting mechanism to which the fingers, supports or separators are attachable. The rotatable finger assembly is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and is quickly adaptable for use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to spacing and/or separating items. The apparatus is also useful in the protection against damage due to contact during transportation. The assembly permits any number of rotatable fingers having the same or different profiles to be mounted quickly and easily in accordance with the desired result. The assembly can be used alone, in combination with one or more other assemblies or in combination with one or more sets of fixed spacers. Because the components of the assembly can be made or extruded in long sections which can be cut to suit, customized solutions are quickly realizable. The piecewise assembly of the components permits users to achieve a wide variety of shipping solutions to meet specific needs without necessarily having to maintain a large inventory of specific components.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to spacers or separators used unitarily or in series for spacing or separating commercial goods or other items of interest. More specifically, the invention relates to a rotation mechanism to which said spacers and separators may be attached for controlled movement thereof.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There is a need for a packaging structure (such as metal racks or plastic hard bins) which are or can be equipped with protective separators (foam fingers) that could be individually rotated (lock-unlock positions) for loading-unloading operations thereby avoiding complications involved with packaging structures having all fixed separators or separators which are installed after all the articles are placed therein. The invention is also driven by cost efficiencies such as by replacing individually purchased hardware as is currently done with a sequenced extrusion-type product which is piecewise assemblable to meet the needs of the specific application.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A rotatable finger assembly is disclosed having a simple structure which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and which is quickly adaptable for use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to spacing and/or separating items. The apparatus is also useful in the protection against damage due to contact during transportation. The assembly permits any number of rotatable fingers having the same or different profiles to be mounted quickly and easily in accordance with the desired result. The assembly can be used alone, in combination with one or more other assemblies or in combination with one or more sets of fixed spacers. Because the components of the assembly can be made or extruded in long sections which can be cut to suit, customized solutions are quickly realizable. The piecewise assembly of the components permits users to achieve a wide variety of shipping solutions to meet specific needs without necessarily having to maintain a large inventory of specific components.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, there is provided a rotatable finger assembly for use in spacing, separating or supporting one or more articles which comprises a plurality of independently rotatable fingers mounted about a common axis. Each finger is rotatable between a first position wherein a surface of the finger is engageable with a surface of one of the articles and a second position wherein the surface of the finger is pivoted away from the surface of the article. Each finger may also have a second surface engageable with a surface of an adjacent article. When the finger is rotated to the second position, the second surface is pivoted away from the surface of the adjacent article. The fingers may have surface profiles which conform to the portion of the surface of the article which is to be engaged. The rotatable finger assembly may include stops for limiting rotation of each finger between the first and second positions and locks for maintaining the fingers in the first and second positions.  
           [0005]    Preferably, the fingers are removably mounted on finger mounts which are disposed on a shaft through a central aperture for rotation thereabout. The shaft has a longitudinal spline which cooperates with an internal recess extending partially circumferentially within the central aperture, which permits limited circumferential movement of the spline in the recess and hence limited relative rotational movement between the shaft and finger mount. The aperture of said finger mount may include a longitudinally extending groove at both extents of the recess in which said spline is lockingly engageable. The relative positioning of the spline, recess and grooves are such that when the spline is engaged in one groove, the finger is disposed in its first position and when the spline is engaged in the other groove, the finger is in its second position. The rotatable finger assembly may also include one or more spacers to inexpensively gap distances between fingers when larger articles are being spaced. Advantageously, two or more fingers may be joined to provide a supporting surface for one or more of said articles or a portion thereof.  
           [0006]    Also contemplated is a transportation rack or shipping package which utilizes one or more of the aforesaid rotatable finger assemblies.  
           [0007]    These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rotatable finger assembly which has been broken away to reveal the details and structure thereof;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2A is an end view detail of the centre shaft of the finger assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 2B is an end view detail of a spacer of the finger assembly of FIG. 1; and FIG. 2C is an end view detail of a finger mount of the finger assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0010]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 C are cross-sectional views of the rotating finger assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the relative movement of the finger assembly components;  
         [0011]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 C are partial cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary finger movement;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a finger mount and finger of FIG. 4C illustrating the profile of the finger in the axial direction of the finger mounts.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a length of finger assembly illustrating various finger profiles and how they can be employed to separate and/or support a variety of goods;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7A is a plan view of an alternate finger arrangement; FIG. 7B is an end view of the alternate arrangement of FIG. 7A; and FIG. 7C is a side view of the alternate arrangement of FIG. 7A;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a shipping rack showing an application of dual rotatable finger assemblies according to the invention; FIG. 8B is a reverse perspective detail of the dual rotatable finger assemblies with the fingers removed for clarity; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an alternate shipping rack showing another application of the rotatable finger assembly; FIG. 9B is a perspective detail of one of the rotatable finger assemblies shown in FIG. 9A with the spacer/support removed for clarity. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A to  2 C, there is shown a rotatable finger assembly  10  comprising a plurality of finger mounts  12  disposed along a centre shaft  18 . The finger mount  12  includes means  14  for attaching thereto a finger, spacer or the like  16  (as shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 C) and which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. The finger mounts  12  have a central or generally cylindrical aperture  20  (see FIG. 2C) through which the centre shaft  18  extends. The shaft  18  has a longitudinal ridge or spline  22  which is rounded in the circumferential direction. The spline  22  is designed to seat within one of two elongated grooves  24 , 26  provided in the aperture  20  of each finger mount  12 . Between the grooves  24 , 26 , there is region  28  of increased diameter (as compared with the internal diameter of the remainder  30  of the aperture  20  which is slightly greater than the external diameter of the centre shaft  18 ) disposed between two detents  32 , 34  which facilitate positive registration of the spline  22  within the grooves  24 , 26  as can best be seen in FIGS.  3 A- 3 C. The region  28  permits generally free movement of the spline  22  between the positioning grooves  24 , 26 , and hence permits the finger mounts  12  to rotate accordingly with respect to the centre shaft  18 . Thus, the finger mounts  12  are able to temporarily lock into predetermined first and second rotational positions with respect to the centre shaft  18  as determined by the radial placement of the grooves  24 , 26  as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C.  
         [0018]    As shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 C, the finger attachment means  14  may comprise a generally C-shaped channel with flanges  36  into which can be slid a similarly configured end portion  16 a of a finger, spacer or the like  16 , for retention therein by way of friction fit or by adhesive or mechanical fastening means if necessary. By utilizing a friction fit, the fingers  16  can be readily changed for a finger with a different profile to meet the requisite spacing needs. The finger  16  includes a pair of slots  17  into which the flanges  36  of C-channel  14  engage. It will be appreciated that the manner by which the fingers are attachable can be varied.  
         [0019]    Because the forces which may be applied to the finger  16  for moving it rotationally into and out of spacing position would typically be in a circumferential direction, the channel  14  is preferably disposed so that its length (perpendicular to the page as shown in FIG. 2C) is in the same general direction as the axis  38  of the aperture  20  of the finger mount  12 , as shown in the drawings.  
         [0020]    To reduce friction and to ensure smooth rotational movement of adjacent finger mounts  12 , a spacer  40  (see FIGS. 1 and 2B) may be employed between each adjacent pair of finger mounts  12  and/or at the outermost finger mounts  12  disposed on the centre shaft  18 . The spacer  40  can be provided in a variety of axial lengths to suit the specific application or finger spacing requirement. Depending on the fit between the internal diameter of the spacer  40  and the external circumference of the centre shaft  18 , the spacers  40  can be used as axial positioners for the finger mounts  12 . The spacers  40  can be of any suitable material such as nylon, Teflon™ or the like, although extruded PVC is preferred due to its inexpensiveness and suitability to being cut to whatever axial length is desired. Due to the external shape of the centre shaft  18 , one or more grooves  42  may be provided on the inner perimeter of the spacer  40  to accommodate the spline  22  of the centre shaft  18 . The more grooves  42  that are provided, the easier the registration of the spline  22  with one of them is during assembly.  
         [0021]    To facilitate manufacture of the spline  18  on the centre shaft, the centre shaft is preferably extruded in an appropriate cross-section, such as is shown in FIG. 2A. PVC makes an inexpensive and sufficiently rigid material and enjoys low friction so as to facilitate relative movement of the spline  18  and the portions of the finger mount which it contacts.  
         [0022]    Preferably, the internal cross-section of the centre shaft  14  is such that it can accommodate a rigid, non-round mounting tube  50 , preferably made of a relatively high strength but inexpensive material such as steel. The non-round construction of the tube  50  permits positive engagement with the centre shaft  18  so as to resist relative rotational movement therebetween. This two-piece construction is very economical as compared with a unitary structure of similar strength and performance. The mounting tube  50  also serves to enable the rotatable finger assembly to be mounted adjacent the articles to be spaced/separated. In this regard, the mounting tube  50  can extend axially beyond both the centre shaft  18  and outermost finger mounts  12 , whereby the protruding ends can be used for support and/or structural connection. A hollow tube is preferred over a solid structure due to cost and weight considerations. Additionally, advantage can be taken of the tube&#39;s aperture for connection/mounting purposes.  
         [0023]    As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the internal cross-section of the centre shaft  18  approximates the preferably square cross-sectional shape of the tube  50 . In this regard, four sets of prongs  52  project inwardly and against which the tube  50  abuts. Preferably, the fit is such that the tube  50  can be inserted and retained within centre shaft  18 , but also removed when necessary. The pronged profile has been found to be a good compromise between strength and reduced weight and does not necessarily require the tolerances of a completely square hole.  
         [0024]    At least one of the finger mount  12  and the centre shaft  18 , or respective portions of each, should be sufficiently resilient to permit relative deflection of the spline  22  over detents  32 , 34 , but also sufficiently stiff or inflexible so as to prevent relative over-rotation of the spline beyond the grooves  24 , 26  (i.e. into the reduced diameter portion  30 ). If as aforesaid, the centre shaft  18  is made from a PVC extrusion, the finger mount can then be made from a relatively more rigid material, such as extruded aluminum, to provide the necessary strength for the fingers  16 . If necessary, a small space  60  (see FIG. 3A) can be provided for between the inner prong  52 a adjacent the spline  22  to facilitate deflection of the portion  62  of the centre shaft  18  near which the spline  22  is disposed. The resiliency in the components and or the spacing  60 , if provided, in connection with the height of the detents  32 , 34  and the diametral differences between portions  28  and  30 , are selected with an eye to not permitting the finger mount  12  from rotating beyond the range dictated by the radial angle θ between the grooves  24 , 26 .  
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown, the grooves  24 , 26  in the finger mount  12  are separated radially by more than  900  in order to ensure the finger can be moved (effectively pivoted) from a first position, for example a horizontal position (see FIG. 4C) wherein the finger acts as a spacer between two articles, to a second position (see FIG. 4A) which would be sufficiently beyond vertical to ensure the finger is moved fully away from the articles to be spaced to enable their removal vertically or laterally (i.e in the axial direction of the shaft  18 ).  
         [0026]    The configuration of the fingers  16  is highly variable and a number of different profiles can be on hand to accommodate a wide variety of spacing/separating situations. However, custom profiles can always be provided for specific applications.  
         [0027]    The various components can be selected and assembled on an as-needed basis or predetermined configurations can be pre-assembled for installation as required. FIG. 6, which is indicative of the variability of the assembly, shows an indefinite length of assembly having four exemplary arrangements or series offingers A,B,C,D. In series A, a plurality of finger mounts  12  are separated by spacers  40 . Each finger mount has a finger  16   a  attached thereto. The profile of the fingers  16   a  in series A, which is generally the same as finger  16  shown in FIGS.  4 A-C and  5 , has a shoulder  70  which is transverse to the axis  38  of the finger mount  12  disposed on each side, resulting in a section  72  of reduced axial width (axial is with respect to the axis  38  of the finger mount  12 ). Articles  80   a  are spaced apart by the reduced axial width section  72  while being individually retained between reduced axial width sections  72  and respective shoulders  70  of adjacent fingers  16   a.    
         [0028]    In series B, the profile of fingers  16   b  includes a slot  74  disposed transversely to the axis  38  of the finger mount  12 . Articles  80   b  are accommodated within slots  74 . With this arrangement, the width of the slot  74  has to be generally the same (or slightly greater) than the thickness of the article  80   b,  which can limit adaptability when accommodation of articles of various thicknesses is required as each article would require a finger  16   b  with a matching width slot  74 . As can be seen in Series C, the fingers  16   c  are the same as those of series A, but simple variation in the axial length of spacer  40   c  advantageously permits accommodation of a wider article  80   c.  Similarly, the axial length of the finger mounts  12 , the axial width of the fingers  16 , the width of reduced section  72  and/or the depth of shoulder  70  can all be varied to suit almost any spacing requirement.  
         [0029]    Alternatively, spacing and support for an article  80   d  may also be provided by selectively employing only certain fingers  16   d  as shown in series D. In this case, the middle finger  16   d ′ is not utilized, i.e. it remains locked in its generally upright position. With the appropriate axial length of spacers  40   d  (which length need not be the same), the selected fingers  16   d  are positionable adjacent opposed edges of the article  80   d  so as to retain the article  80   d  therebetween.  
         [0030]    It is also possible to orient one or more of the finger mounts  12   d ″ oppositely on the centre shaft  18  during assembly such that the rotational action of finger  16   d ″ occurs in the opposite direction as shown in phantom in series D. In this manner, a single assembly could be employed to separate articles disposed on either side of it.  
         [0031]    It will be understood that while the finger profiles shown in FIG. 6 have generally square shoulders  70  or rectangular slots  74 , the fingers can be made with other shapes to suit the edge shape of the article to be separated, if desired. Depending on the need, the rotatable finger assembly can also be adapted as shown in FIGS.  7 A- 7 C to function as a support/separator  81  by substituting a support frame  82  for two or more fingers. Frame  82  includes at least two rigid finger brackets  84 , each of which are engageable with the attaching means  14  of a respective finger mount  12 . The distal ends of the finger brackets  84  are connected by frame member  86  which extends in the same general direction as the mounting tube  50 . An appropriate length spacer  40  is disposed on the centre shaft  18  between the finger mounts  12 . Thus, the frame  82  is unitarily operable in the same manner as a single finger  16  of the embodiment shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 C. A support  88  can be attachable to or formed integrally with the frame member  86  which can be used to support and/or separate articles. The support  88  can be shaped or configured to suit the specific requirement and in this regard, the support  88  shown in FIGS.  7 A- 7 C has several exemplary supporting configurations  89   a - 89   c.  Configuration  89   a  is a hole adapted to receive a portion of the article to be supported/spaced. Configuration  89   b  is a wedge-shaped slot and configuration  89   c  is a plurality of transverse slots. Obviously, the configurations can be repeated and spaced as necessary. Where articles of the same shape and size are to be supported/spaced, the configurations will be the same whereas it is also envisaged that various configurations can be utilized where articles of predetermined different shapes are to be supported/spaced.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8A illustrates a practical application of the rotatable finger assembly  10  in a shipping rack  90 . The rack  90  includes a frame  92  having two compartments  94 ,  96 , between which dual rotatable finger assemblies  10   a,   10   b  are positioned. The finger assemblies  10   a,   10   b  include a plurality of fingers  16  attached to respective finger mounts  12  (see FIG. 8B) which are individually rotatable as aforesaid. The fingers  16  have a profile similar to the profile of fingers  16   a  in FIG. 6 having a reduced axial width section. Opposite each assembly  10   a,   10   b  there is a fixed spacer  98  having grooves  100  which correspond to the separations  102  formed between the adjacent reduced axial width sections of fingers  16 . If desired, similar fixed spacers (not shown) can be positioned on the floor  104  of the rack  90  within channels  106 . Although additional rotatable finger assemblies could be used, fixed spacers provide a cheaper alternative.  
         [0033]    The rack  90  is designed to accommodate a plurality of planar articles  80  generally vertically in each compartment  94 , 96 . Starting from empty, the fingers  16  of each assembly  10   a,   10   b  are positioned in an upright locked position as shown by assembly  10   b.  A first planar article  80  is positioned against the fixed spacer  98  in a selected groove  100  and the pair of fingers  16  opposite the said groove are rotated and locked into their horizontal position (as shown by assembly  10   a ), thus engaging an edge portion of the article  80  in the respective separation  102  between the reduced width sections of the respective fingers  16 . (Of course, the first finger  16  could have been initially rotated into its locked horizontal position prior to positioning the planar article  80  whereafter the second finger  16  of the pair would be subsequently rotated to engage and retain the edge portion of the article  80  within the separation between the pair). Additional planar articles are sequentially positioned with the subsequent finger being rotated into its locked horizontal position to engage and retain the edge portion of each next article  80 . Thus, due to the ability of the fingers  16  to rotate individually from a generally upright position, it is not necessary to have the articles lowered vertically and inserted within the spacings (which can be problematic with heavy and/or fragile articles) as would be required if the spacers (fingers) were horizontally fixed. Furthermore, the articles  80  are sequentially held in position as they are introduced. Once the last planar article  80  is locked in place with the last finger, the entire rack  80  can then be transported to the destination/user location. Unloading of the rack  80  may then take place in a generally reverse sequence by rotating the outermost finger from its locked horizontal position to its locked upright and “out of the way” position so that the article  80 , once moved out of the groove(s)  100  of the fixed spacer(s), can be removed in a direction which is generally perpendicular to its planarity. Thus, the articles  80  can be removed one at a time with the remaining articles retained in safe, supported and spaced relation.  
         [0034]    To facilitate simultaneous return of all of the fingers  16  into their upright position, an optional reset bar  110  may be provided as shown best in FIG. 8B. The reset bar  110  is mounted generally concentrically with each assembly  10   a,   10   b  and is rotatable by means of a lever  112 , for example. The bar is engageable with the fingers  16  or the finger attachment means  14  of the finger mounts  12 . When it is desired to return any and all fingers  16  which are horizontally disposed as shown by assembly  10   a  to their upright positions as shown by assembly  10   b,  the lever  112  is rotated so as to cause the bar  110  to engage the fingers  16  whereby continued rotation of the lever  112  will return the fingers  16  simultaneously to their upright positions.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9A illustrates a practical application of a variation the rotatable assembly  81  of FIGS.  7 A- 7 C in another shipping rack  120 . The rack  120  includes a frame  122  to which is attached a plurality of rotatable assemblies  124 , shown individually and more specifically in part in FIG. 9B. Assembly  124  has a pair of finger mounts  12  spaced apart by spacer  40 . The assembly  124  can be mounted to a pair of brackets  125  which can facilitate mounting of the assemblies  124  within the rack  120 . A rigid finger bracket  126  extends from the finger attachment means (C-channel)  14 . A frame member  128  connects the distal ends of the rigid finger brackets  126 . The frame member  128  is adapted to receive a supporting spacer  130  which has been configured in accordance with the type of article  132  to be transported. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9B, the article  132  is fascia for an automobile bumper, two of which are supported/spaced at their ends on each pair of rotatable assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the rack  120 . In the rack  120  of FIG. 9A, there are three vertical series X,Y,Z of paired assemblies  124 . A pair of channels  134  on the floor  136  of the rack  120  may be adapted to receive fixed supporting spacers  138  as there is usually no need for them to be rotated out of the way during loading and unloading operations.  
         [0036]    In a loading sequence, all of the rotating assemblies  124  are positioned in their upright, out of the way, positions as shown at  124 ′. A first pair of articles  132  are disposed on the lowermost and rearwardmost fixed supporting spacers  138 . The pair of rotating assemblies  124  which are vertically adjacent are rotated and locked into their generally horizontal position thereby presenting their respective supporting spacers  130  into which can be placed another pair of articles  132 . This step is repeated until all of the pairs of rotating assemblies  124  in series X are filled. Series Y and Z are similarly filled whereupon the entire rack  120  can be transported. The unloading sequence is generally the reverse wherein as each pair of articles  132  are removed, their supporting pair of rotating assemblies  124  are rotated out of the way (to  124 ′) to permit ease of access to lower pairs of articles.  
         [0037]    As aforesaid, the shape of respective supporting spacers  130  is made to conform to the article  132  being supported/spaced. It is contemplated that an appropriately configured spacer  140  (shown in phantom in FIG. 9B) can depend from the frame member  128  to provide additional bracing to any articles below the subject rotatable assembly. In this regard, the frame member  128  can include upper and lower channels  142 , 144  so as to accommodate portions of the upper supporting spacer  130  and lower spacer  140 , respectively.  
         [0038]    The fingers and supports mentioned above can be made of any material appropriate for the circumstances. Preferably, the material will have some resilience to absorb vibrations or minor impacts yet will be sufficiently stiff to maintain their separation or supporting functions or the fingers/supports can be made of a lightweight rigid material which is coated to achieve these properties. The material should not be damaging to the article which it is to contact. Preferred materials can include rubber and foamed material but can also be made of metal.  
         [0039]    While there has been shown and described herein a rotatable finger and frame assembly, it will be appreciated that various modifications and or substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that while the orientation of the embodiments shown and described herein are generally horizontal with the rotation occurring in a generally vertical plane, depending on the nature of the specific application, the orientation can be at any angle, including vertical where rotation occurs in a generally horizontal plane.