Rock tumbler

Abstract

A rock tumbler apparatus having a dual barrel assembly with energy-absorbing air gaps is provided. The air gaps may be evacuated or back-filled or filled with a sound absorbing gas or other material. The rock tumbler may be operably attached to a programming system, which may include a sound dampening cover. The rock tumbler may be programmed, for example, to tumble during certain times of day, continually, to pause at various time intervals, and to tumble in one direction or another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rock tumbler comprising:
 a double barrel wheel assembly comprising an outer barrel and an inner barrel wherein said outer barrel and inner surface are configured to create energy absorbing air-gaps therebetween;   an inner barrel, wherein said inner barrel is shaped, and wherein said inner barrel is a smaller diameter than said outer barrel and is positioned within said outer barrel;   a removable inner barrel lid;   a roller assembly that includes a core and an axle, said axle in cooperation with bearings; and   a motor operably coupled to the axle for moving or tumbling the rock tumbler, where said motor is programmable.   
     
     
         2 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1  further comprising a sound dampening cover. 
     
     
         3 . The rock tumbler of  claim 2 , wherein said sound dampening cover comprises one or more panes of glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, or equivalents thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The rock tumbler of  claim 2 , wherein said sound dampening cover is vacuum sealable. 
     
     
         5 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1  further comprising a programming unit. 
     
     
         6 . The rock tumbler of  claim 5 , wherein said programming unit is operably attached to a sound dampening cover. 
     
     
         7 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1 , wherein said air gaps are filled with a sound absorbing material. 
     
     
         8 . The rock tumbler of  claim 7 , wherein said sound absorbing material comprises a sound absorbing gas. 
     
     
         9 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1 , wherein the inner barrel includes a shaped insert to facilitate smoothing of irregularly shaped objects. 
     
     
         10 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1 , wherein the inner barrel comprises a polygon shape. 
     
     
         11 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer barrels are configured to provide a plurality of air gaps for absorbing sound. 
     
     
         12 . The rock tumbler of  claim 1  further comprising speakers for incorporating sounds that cancel or distract from the sound of the smoothing of the irregularly shaped objects. 
     
     
         13 . A rock tumbler comprising:
 a barrel wheel comprising inner and outer walls for containing and smoothing rocks, wherein the inner and outer barrel walls configured to incorporate one or more sound suppressing air cavities therebetween;   a housing including a motor and drive belt operably coupled to the barrel wheel for tumbling the barrel wheel; and   a programmable interface for controlling the operation of the motor;   wherein the inner wall is shaped to facilitate smoothing of the rocks; and   wherein the air gaps are filled or back filled with a sound absorbing material.   
     
     
         14 . The rock tumbler of  claim 13  further comprising a sound dampening cover. 
     
     
         15 . The rock tumbler of  claim 14 , wherein said sound dampening cover comprises one or more panes of glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, or equivalents thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The rock tumbler of  claim 14 , wherein said sound dampening cover is vacuum sealable. 
     
     
         17 . The rock tumbler of  claim 13 , wherein said air gaps are filled with a sound absorbing material. 
     
     
         18 . The rock tumbler of  claim 17 , wherein said sound absorbing material comprises a sound absorbing gas. 
     
     
         19 . The rock tumbler of  claim 13 , wherein the inner barrel comprises a polygon shape. 
     
     
         20 . A method for abrading, polishing and finishing of at least one irregularly shaped hard object comprising:
 obtaining an irregularly shaped hard object;   obtaining a programmable rock tumbler including a double barrel assembly comprising an outer barrel, a removable inner barrel lid, and a roller assembly,   wherein said outer barrel and inner barrel are configured to form one or more air gaps therebetween,   wherein said inner barrel is formed of a shape to foster smoothing of irregular objects contained therein when the wheel is rotated, and   wherein said inner barrel is a smaller diameter than said outer barrel and 1s positioned within said outer barrel;   wherein said roller assembly comprises a core and an axle, said axle in cooperation with bearings; a means for moving or tumbling said rock tumbler apparatus,   wherein said means is operably attached to said rock tumbler,   wherein said means for moving or tumbling said rock tumbler is programmable; and at least one sound absorbing cover;   placing said at least one irregularly shaped hard object into said inner barrel with water or an aqueous solution and an abrasive powder;   closing said inner barrel lid; closing said sound absorbing cover;   programming said rock tumbler; and   allowing said rock tumbler to tumble until said at least one irregularly shaped hard object become smooth.