Kiln lid lift apparatus

Abstract

A ceramic kiln of the kind having a body provided with an internal chamber to which access may be had via an opening which normally is closed by a closure that is movable from a closed position to an opened position. Lift apparatus is provided to effect movements of the closure between its closed and opened positions. The lift apparatus includes an arm which overlies the closure and is pivoted to a support independently of the kiln body for rotation about a second axis which is spaced a selected distance from the axis about which the closure rocks. The lift arm is connected to the closure by a pivot coupling which maintains the lift arm and the closure substantially parallel and uniformly spaced apart throughout the rocking movements of the closure. The pivotal connection of the lift arm to the closure enables bodily relative movement of the lift arm and the closure during rocking movements thereof in such manner as to avoid imposing appreciable stress on either the arm or the closure.

1 . Lift apparatus for use with a kiln having a body within which is a chamber to which access may be had via an opening, said body including a closure rockable about a first axis between first and second positions in which said closure respectively closes and opens said opening, said lift apparatus comprising a lift arm; mounting means independent of said body mounting said lift arm in a position spaced from said closure and for rocking movements about a second axis vertically and laterally spaced from said first axis; and coupling means coupling said lift arm to said closure for rocking movements of said lift arm relative to said closure, said coupling means bridging the space between said closure and said lift arm, the vertical spacing between said first and second axes and between said lift arm and said closure being substantially the same. 
   
   
       2 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said lift arm and said closure are substantially parallel to one another in all positions of said lift arm. 
   
   
       3 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling means comprises a link having two ends and being pivoted at one end to said closure and at the other end to said lift arm. 
   
   
       4 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 1  including counterbalance means reacting between said lift arm and said mounting means for balancing said closure and said lift arm. 
   
   
       5 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said closure overlies said body when said closure is in said first position. 
   
   
       6 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the space between said lift arm and said closure is substantially uniform in all positions of said lift arm and said closure. 
   
   
       7 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said mounting means comprises a base on which said body may seat, and an upright support member carried by said base and extending beyond said body. 
   
   
       8 . Lift apparatus for use with a kiln having a body within which is a chamber to which access may be had via an opening, said body including a closure rockable about a first axis between first and second positions in which said closure respectively closes and opens said opening, said lift apparatus comprising a lift arm; mounting means independent of said body mounting said lift arm in a position overlying, substantially parallel to, and spaced from said closure and for rocking movements conjointly with said closure about a second axis vertically and laterally spaced a fixed distance from said first axis; and coupling means coupling said lift arm to said closure for substantially linear movements of said closure relative to said lift arm, said coupling means bridging the space between said closure and said lift arm, the vertical spacing between said first and second axes and between said lift arm and said closure being substantially the same, whereby the vertical spacing between said lift arm and said closure remains substantially uniform during said substantially linear movements of said closure relative to said lift arm. 
   
   
       9 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said lift arm and said closure remain substantially parallel to one another in all positions of said lift arm. 
   
   
       10 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said coupling means comprises a link having two ends, said link being pivoted at one end to said closure and at the other end to said lift arm. 
   
   
       11 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 8  including counterbalance means reacting between said lift arm and said mounting means for balancing said lift arm and said closure. 
   
   
       12 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said mounting means comprises a base on which said body may seat, and an upright support member carried by said base and extending beyond said body, said support member forming a positioning abutment engageable by said body. 
   
   
       13 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said first and second axes are spaced apart along an imaginary line inclined to the vertical, and wherein said coupling means includes a link joining said closure and said lift arm and extending substantially parallel to said imaginary line when said closure occupies said first position. 
   
   
       14 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said coupling means includes a link pivoted at opposite ends thereof to said closure and to said lift arm. 
   
   
       15 . Lift apparatus for use with a kiln having a body within which is a chamber to which access may be had via an opening, said body including a closure rockable about a first axis between first and second positions in which said closure respectively closes and opens said opening, said lift apparatus comprising a lift arm; mounting means mounting said lift arm in a position overlying, substantially parallel to, and spaced from said closure and for rocking movements conjointly with said closure about a second axis vertically and laterally spaced a fixed distance from said first axis; and coupling means coupling said lift arm to said closure for conjoint movement of said closure and said lift arm about said first and second axes, respectively, said coupling means bridging the space between said closure and said lift arm, the vertical spacing between said first and second axes and between said lift arm and said closure being substantially the same. 
   
   
       16 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said lift arm and said closure remain substantially parallel to one another in all positions of said lift arm. 
   
   
       17 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said coupling means comprises a link having two ends, said link being pivoted at one end to said closure and at the other end to said lift arm. 
   
   
       18 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said mounting means comprises a base on which said body may seat, and an upright support member carried by said base and extending beyond said body, said support member forming a positioning abutment engageable by said body. 
   
   
       19 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said first and second axes are spaced apart along an imaginary line inclined to the vertical, and wherein said coupling means includes a link joining said closure and said lift arm and extending substantially parallel to said imaginary line when said closure occupies said first position. 
   
   
       20 . Lift apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said link is pivoted at opposite ends thereof to said closure and to said lift arm.