US 12,030,107 B2
Versatile base for can necking system
Dennis E. Green, Lynchburg, VA (US); Larry D. McKinney, Lynchburg, VA (US); and Jeffrey L. Shortridge, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Assigned to BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY, INC., Lynchburg, VA (US)
Appl. No. 17/284,416
Filed by BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY, INC., Lynchburg, VA (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 7, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/055057
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 9, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/076733, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/744,186, filed on Oct. 11, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0354192 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B21D 51/26 (2006.01)
CPC B21D 51/2692 (2013.01) [B21D 51/2638 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A symmetric, modular base for a can processing system, the base comprising:
a leg portion comprising a plurality of openings on first and second sides thereof, the plurality of openings being adapted for receiving at least one of a transfer star wheel and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article;
a first foot portion extending from the first side of the leg portion in a first direction;
a second foot portion extending from the second side of the leg portion in a second direction, the second direction being generally opposite the first direction;
one or more gussets configured to support the transfer star wheel and the turret mechanism, the one or more gussets extending upward from each of the first and second foot portions toward the leg portion; and
a plurality of openings in the first foot portion and the second foot portion, the plurality of openings of the first and second foot portion providing access to an interior portion of the base,
wherein the base is generally symmetric about a center line drawn vertically through a midpoint of the leg portion of the base between the first foot portion and the second foot portion to allow for mounting of components on either a first side or a second side of the base.