Plating Apparatus

This invention relates to an apparatus for plating a portion of a large-sized structure.

Heretofore, when it was desired to plate a part of a large-sized structure, it was necessary to apply a non-plating treatment such as a resinous material or tapes to the part of the object which was not to be plated. In addition, it was necessary to place the entire object into the plating liquid. This arrangement resulted in a reduction of the plating quality and also resulted in deterioration of the soluble impurities and the like adhering to the structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known prior art arrangements and to provide a plating apparatus which permits plating of one part of an object without exposing the other parts thereof to the plating liquid. The above object is accomplished by utilizing a plating tank having a cutout section in one of the side walls, the cutout section having a lower edge and two side edges, the lower edge providing a support holder for supporting the object in a position within the cutout section. A top plate is disposed on top of the object and extends between the two side edges of the cutout section. Sealing means are disposed along the two side edges and along the supporting holder for providing a seal between the tank and the object and between the tank and the top plate. The sealing means also extends between the top plate and the object to provide a seal therebetween. A base on which the tank is disposed mounts an upright support and first adjustable set screw means are provided on the upright support and are operable to engage the object and to move the object horizontally toward the tank. Second adjustable set screw means are mounted on the tank and operable to engage the top plate to move the top plate horizontally toward the tank. In addition, third adjustable set screw means are mounted on the tank and operable to engage the top plate and move the latter vertically downwardly toward the object, whereby the first, second and third set screw means in cooperation with the seal means are operable to effect a liquid-tight seal such that plating liquid in the tank is utilized in conjunction with plating at least a portion of one side of the object which is disposed in the cutout section.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure which has been plated on one part thereof by the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus.

A plating apparatus of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 includes a structure formed as a main plating tank 1 having four side walls and a bottom. One of the side walls of the plating tank 1 is cut out, the cutout extending a certain distance from the bottom of the tank as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The bottom of the cutout has a supporting holder 2 for receiving the object to be plated, hereinafter referred to as plating object a. A flat part 4 (best shown in FIG. 5) extends along the sides of the cutout part.

A top plate 3 is disposed in the cutout part over the plating object a. A packing forming a seal 5 is disposed between the top of the plating object a and the bottom of the top plate 3, between the lower side of the plating object a and the upper side of the supporting holder 2, and between the plating object a and the flat part 4. The aforementioned seal 5 is perhaps best shown in FIG. 5.

The plating object a is disposed on the supporting holder 2 and is supported by adjustable set screws 6 each having a roller 6a on the longitudinal end thereof. The set screws 6 are mounted on an upright support 10 extending upwardly from a base 11 on which the tank 1 is disposed.

Horizontal adjustable set screws 7 are provided for the top plate 3. The set screws 7 are mounted on brackets 12 extending from the tank 1.

Vertical adjustable set screws 8 are also provided for the top plate 3. These set screws 8 are mounted on a bracket 13 on the tank 1 and engage an arm having a roller 8a mounted thereon.

From the above-described arrangement as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the adjustable set screws provide for a liquid-tight seal between the main tank 1 and the object and top plate. It will be seen that minor regulation or adjustment is possible by adjusting the set screws as the rollers on the end thereof roll on the object or the top plate.

The adjustable set screw 7 is also provided with means 7a on the end thereof which may consist of a roller or a universal joint.

With the above arrangement, an anode 9 is disposed in the plating tank and the electrical connection is provided as illustrated in applicants' FIG. 4. Thus it will be seen from the above that it is possible to plate only a part of the plating object a, that is the part or side thereof exposed to the plating liquid in the tank 1, such part which is plated being indicated by the speckled portion in FIG. 1. It will be further seen that the portions of the plating object which are not to be plated are not subjected to exposure to the plating liquid.