To Grip Tool Or Workpiece Patents (Class 279/131)
  • Patent number: 11491527
    Abstract: Provided is a wheel spinning die wherein the plurality of identical slide blocks are connected end to end to form a circular ring, and the slide blocks are inserted into an annular groove between the side wall of a circular groove at the upper end of the lower die and the central connecting block; during spinning, each arc flange is clamped at the joint of an outer wheel lip and a rim under a spoke; and during die releasing, the slide blocks can move up and down together with the vertical movement of a wheel blank, so that the problem of releasing of a reverse draft die at the joint of the cold spinning wheel rim and the outer wheel lip can be solved, wheel damage caused by die releasing can be eliminated, and the yield and production efficiency of wheels are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinling Yang, Lijun Zhang, Yukun Yang, Zhen Wang, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 10644672
    Abstract: A crystal unit includes: a capacitor body in which a plurality of light-transmitting dielectrics and a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately stacked; a crystal piece arranged above the capacitor body and having excitation electrodes on both surfaces thereof; an external electrode formed on a surface of the capacitor body; and a first conductor portion formed in an inner layer of the capacitor body, and including one end electrically coupled to a first internal electrode among the plurality of internal electrodes, and the other end electrically coupled to the external electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hajime Kubota, Masayuki Itoh, Masakazu Kishi
  • Patent number: 10159495
    Abstract: A drill bit comprises a shank extending along an axis and an interface comprising at least one outermost drive portion spaced at a first interface distance from the axis. The drill bit further comprises a resilient arm extending from a proximal end of the shank. The resilient arm comprises an outer arm surface facing away from the axis and a retention surface facing toward a distal end of the shank. The retention surface may be radially aligned about the axis with respect to the outermost drive portion. The resilient arm is movable between: a first position where the outer arm surface is spaced from the axis at a first arm distance greater than the first interface distance, and a second position where the outer arm surface is spaced from the axis at a second arm distance less than or equal to the first interface distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Trevor Jonathan Lambert
  • Patent number: 9050661
    Abstract: A collet formed as a unitary metal or steel cylinder machined so as to allow three identical weights, joined by three identical flexures to reside, equally spaced about the axis of rotation of the collet. The weight's outer surface is defined by a single length radius having a pair of centers including the collet's axis of rotation. As the spindle revolves, kinetic energy built up in the weights forces the leading edge of the weights outward from the axis of rotation until some portion of the outer face of the weights frictionally engage the inner surface of the spindle shaft. The trailing edge of the mass of the weights deflects inward thus gripping the machine bit tighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: INTERDYNE SYSTEMS INC
    Inventor: Wojciech B. Kosmowski
  • Patent number: 8608414
    Abstract: A bi-directional quick change tool-less lever and wedge actuated collet chuck, a system and/or a method provide symmetrical tool bit shank holding pressure before, during and after operation of a rotary-style power tool. The collet chuck is attached to and/or is integrated with high speed, variable speed and/or low speed rotary-style power tools, such as, for example, electrically driven rotary-style power tools and/or pneumatically-driven rotary-style power tools. The collet chuck provides tool-less automatic and/or tool-less manual tightening of the collet around a shank of an accessory for the rotary-style power tool. The collet chuck, the system and/or the method provide tool-less manual loosening of the collet for accessory replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Edward John Rohr, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130249174
    Abstract: Wear of a sliding member is prevented or controlled in a portion of the sliding member at a specific angular position (phase) about an axis. A fixing device includes a chuck-actuating claw which rotates with a main spindle, and is displaced to open and close a chuck section, a rubber ring which rotates with the main spindle, and a bobbin (sliding member) which is provided to be movable between a first position and a second position along an axis direction of the main spindle, rotates with the rubber ring in contact with the rubber ring in the first position, rotates with the chuck-actuating claw while displacing the chuck-actuating claw in contact with the chuck-actuating claw in the second position, and does not have contact with both of the rubber ring and the chuck-actuating claw in a partial range between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: CITIZEN MACHINERY MIYANO CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kishi, Tetsuya Takise, Akinobu Kanda, Yoshimi Saruta
  • Publication number: 20130214497
    Abstract: An aspect of one embodiment, there is provided a substrate rotation holding apparatus, including a substrate holding section configured to hold a substrate by sandwiching around an outer periphery end portion of the substrate with a disk shape by a plurality of holding members, each of the holding members having a contact surface with the substrate, the contact surface being a concave curvature surface, and a rotation driving section configured to rotate the substrate holding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
  • Patent number: 8485957
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giampaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Publication number: 20130079211
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianpaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Publication number: 20120325275
    Abstract: A rotary chuck adapted to hold a substrate. The rotary chuck has a rotatable chuck portion and an edge grip having a movable grip member movably mounted to the rotatable chuck portion, the moveable grip member being substantially free moving so that rotation of the rotating chuck portion causes the moveable grip member to move in a plane substantially aligned with a surface of the substrate to engage the substrate in a engaged position. A resilient element is coupled to the moveable grip member, the resilient member biasing the grip member to a disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NEXX Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Goodman, Arthur Keigler, David G. Guarnaccia
  • Patent number: 8262552
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain, whereby a force acting on the proximal body and directed outwardly of the rotation axis XA is transmitted through the chain of translatory bodies to the distal translatory body to urge it inwardly towards the rotation axis XA to clutch the outer flank of the separation bowl, whereby the separation bowl is secured to the rotary chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giampaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Patent number: 8141884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping device which comprises a base, having a center holding fixture for a structural component to be clamped and a plurality of cavities arranged around the holding fixture. The base can be elastically deformed in such a manner by radial compressive forces applied from the outside in the area of the cavities that a structural component to be clamped can be inserted in the holding fixture and can be elastically returned to its former shape by reducing or releasing the radial forces, thereby establishing a pressure connection with the structural component to be clamped. The invention is characterized in that centrifugal counterweights are provided inside the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schunk GmbH & Co. KG Spann-und Greiftechnik
    Inventor: Thomas Retzbach
  • Patent number: 7993257
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain, whereby a force acting on the proximal body and directed outwardly of the rotation axis XA is transmitted through the chain of translatory bodies to the distal translatory body to urge it inwardly towards the rotation axis XA to clutch the outer flank of the separation bowl, whereby the separation bowl is secured to the rotary chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianpaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Patent number: 7547168
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a high speed spindle for rotating a tool at high rotational rates includes a hollow spindle body and a cylindrical spindle shaft configured for rotation within the spindle body and having a front end and a rear end. The spindle shaft includes a front hollow region and a rear hollow region. A motor is configured to impart rotational drive forces to the spindle shaft during operation. The spindle shaft includes a thrust bearing flange disposed intermediate the front end and the back end of the spindle shaft. A front air bearing and a rear air bearing are configured to radially support the spindle shaft for high speed rotational movement. A thrust air bearing is disposed between the front air bearing and the rear air bearing within the spindle housing and configured to act on the thrust bearing flange of the spindle shaft to constrain axial movement of the spindle shaft within the spindle housing. A collet is disposed within the front hollow region of the spindle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Wojciech B. Kosmowski
  • Patent number: 7316529
    Abstract: A router bit system includes a bit (or bits) and a bit holding assembly for attaching the bit to the drive shaft of a router without the use of additional hand tools. The bit holding assembly, which is attached to the drive shaft of the router, includes a chuck having a bore for receiving a shank of the bit. A collar for engaging and releasing the bit from the bit holding assembly slides between a first position for engaging the bit and a second position for releasing the bit. The collar is biased to the first position for engaging the bit. The bit is capable of being received in a standard collet-type bit holder, such as a standard router collet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 7140817
    Abstract: A router bit system includes a bit (or bits) and a bit holding assembly for attaching the bit to the drive shaft of a router without the use of additional hand tools. The bit holding assembly, which is attached to the drive shaft of the router, includes a chuck having a bore for receiving a shank of the bit. A collar for engaging and releasing the bit from the bit holding assembly slides between a first position for engaging the bit and a second position for releasing the bit. The collar is biased to the first position for engaging the bit. The bit is capable of being received in a standard collet-type bit holder, such as a standard router collet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Phillips, John W. Schnell
  • Publication number: 20040164504
    Abstract: A universal substrate holder of the invention for treating wafer substrates in liquids is provided with a shaft and a rod slidingly inserted into the central opening of the shaft. The end of the shaft that protrudes into the bowl supports a base platform for the substrate, while the end of the rod that protrudes into the bowl has radial arms that rigidly support an annular plate with pins that can pass through the opening of the base platform so that they can support the substrate above the surface of the platform. The annular plate supports clamping jaws made in the form of two-arm levers with shorter arms and longer arms. The longer arms are heavier and therefore in the stationary state of the holder keep the jaws turned into an open position. When the shaft begins to rotate, the jaws are turned under the effect of centrifugal forces into positions of clamping the substrate with the shorter arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Igor Ivanov, Jonathan Zhang
  • Patent number: 6769846
    Abstract: A coupling device for engaging an exchangeable tool support (7) for corotation with a shaft (2) of a motor (1), with the shaft (2) mounting at is driven end a hollow shaft projection (3) for receiving the tool support (7). Alternatively, the tool support (7) can mount the hollow shaft projection for receiving the driven end of the shaft. The shaft (2) and/or the tool support mounts a locking device for securing the tool support (7), and which is actuated by centrifugal force. The coupling device is designed and constructed so as to permit a simple mounting of even heavy tools to the output shaft of the motor, and a reliable connection of the tool and drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Walter Perske GmbH
    Inventors: Robert L. Campbell, Jr., Kevin E. Moran
  • Patent number: 6547654
    Abstract: An automatic abrasive sleeve tightening means and quick release system for an oscillating spindle sander is disclosed, in which a flyweight assembly automatically tightens the abrasive sleeve against the sanding drum of the oscillating spindle sander, upon activation of the sander's motor, without any manual manipulation thereof, and in which a quick release system, comprised of a pin assembly is used to lock down the top washer located atop the sanding drum and is used to release said top washer quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Americo Del Raso
  • Patent number: 6481281
    Abstract: A multi-jawed chuck adapter (100) is secured substantially coaxially within a pilot hole (20) of a wheel and tire assembly (10) to facilitate mounting of the wheel and tire assembly (10) upon the spindle shaft (12) of a vehicle wheel balancer, eliminating sources of error introduced into balancing operations by improper mounting of the wheel and tire assembly thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 6443462
    Abstract: A collet for carrying a high-speed drill which comprises a collar (2) arranged to enclose a drill shank (1), an outer rim support (8) arranged for attachment to a drill, and a clamping mechanism between the collar and the outer rim support (8). The clamping mechanism is arranged to provide clamping forces between said outer rim support (8) and said collar so that said collar tightly grips a drill shank (1), as a consequence of centrifugal forces and of off center sprag effect forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Westwind Air Bearings Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael C Tempest
  • Publication number: 20020105149
    Abstract: This invention is a centrifugal chuck mechanism for holding “dental drill bits” (hereinafter referred to as “burr or burrs”) tightly in an air turbine cartridge which are part of a handheld dentists' tool (hereinafter called a “hand-piece”) of the type that rotates a burr which has a cutting head for removing tooth structure. The air turbine cartridge includes a burr sleeve into which the burr can be easily inserted with one hand and is held safely in place until rotation begins. Upon rotation of the air turbine cartridge, centrifugal forces lock the burr in position and as the revolutions increase the burr is locked tighter and tighter precluding the migration of the burr out of the hand-piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: L. Emery Karst
  • Patent number: 6425584
    Abstract: A sliding jaw chuck assembly for heavy duty applications has a plurality of radially slidable jaw mounts each actuated by an L-shaped lever mounted for rocking movement about a supporting trunion. The chuck assembly includes a sealed housing subassembly which encloses a sliding jaw subassembly. The sliding jaw subassembly utilizes a plurality of master slides, each slide having a jaw support portion and a counterweight support portion interconnected by a bridge. A gripping jaw is releasably secured to the jaw support portion and a counterweight is releasably secured to the counterweight supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Stickney
  • Publication number: 20010050466
    Abstract: A collet for carrying a high-speed drill which comprises a collar (2) arranged to enclose a drill shank (1), an outer rim support (8) arranged for attachment to a drill, and a clamping mechanism between the collar and the outer rim support (8). The clamping mechanism is arranged to provide clamping forces between said outer rim support (8) and said collar so that said collar tightly grips a drill shank (1), as a consequence of cenrifugal forces and of off center sprag effect forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Michael C. Tempest
  • Patent number: 6227778
    Abstract: A description is given of a set (10) consisting of a spindle (1) and tool (2) for machining operations to remove shavings by means of rotation, wherein the clamping of tool (2) is accomplished by the action of centrifugal force acting on one or more of the parts that comprise the set, whereby said spindle (1) ends in a cylindrical cavity (3), inside of which is coaxially secured a cylindrical member (5), whose part that faces tool (2) has one or more diametral cuts (6) that divide it into two or more symmetrical portions (5s, 5t) that are able to bend outward in the radial direction under the action of centrifugal force, and wherein tang (7) of said tool (2) ends in a hollow cylindrical tube (7e) that is able to accommodate at least part of said portions (5s, 5t) of said cylindrical member (5), the walls of which have a thickness (S) that is equal to distance (D) between interior wall (3k) of said cylindrical cavity (3) of spindle (1) and the exterior wall of said cylindrical member (5), whereby during the ab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Ballado Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Beat Ammann
  • Patent number: 5964690
    Abstract: A mechanism for fixing a blood centrifuge bowl to a rotating spindle is disclosed having two parts. The first part converts downward movement of an outer collar of a chuck into inward and downward pressure against a blood bowl to be secured in the chuck. The second part of the invention converts centrifugal forces present in a rotating chuck into downward pressure on the collar described above. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chuck comprises a base plate, plungers, a finger ring and a collar. The base plate receives and positions the blood bowl. The finger ring has a series of fingers located around its upper periphery that pivot around living hinges into contact with the blood bowl. The collar has an annular sloping finger contacting surface that contacts the outer surface of the fingers and forces them inward and downward into contact with the blood bowl. The base plate has a series of outwardly directed bores that hold plungers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wright, Mark T. Patton, Lee W. Travis
  • Patent number: 5921563
    Abstract: A quick release chuck device includes a body member having a frusto-conical chamber defined therein for receipt of a conventional collet. A plurality of weighted cam members are disposed around the circumference of the body member and include a first end which is pivotally mounted to the body member. The cam members have a center of gravity longitudinally spaced from the pivot point wherein upon rotation of the body member in an operational mode, the cam members are caused to pivot relative to the body member and swing radially outward from the body member. A collet engaging member is disposed at a first end of the cam members and is configured to engage and move the collet into the frusto-conical chamber as the cam members swing radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark S. Huggins, Kenneth M. Montjoy, Richard L. Marcengill
  • Patent number: 5833246
    Abstract: A centrifugal chuck for a surgical handpiece is adapted to automatically engage a surgical instrument so it may be driven by the handpiece. The centrifugal chuck comprises a pivotable trunnion body situated within a hollow drive shaft, the trunnion body having a throughbore coaxially aligned with the axis of the hollow drive shaft in order to receive the shaft of the surgical instrument. The trunnion body is secured to a pair of lever arms symmetrically situated about the exterior of the drive shaft, the lever arms extending in opposite proximal and distal directions from the pivotable attachment of the trunnion body to the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft causes radially outward movement of the lever arms thereby misaligning the throughbore of the trunnion body relative to the drive shaft in order to frictionally engage the shaft of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Linvatec Corporation
    Inventor: A. Frank Trott
  • Patent number: 5820136
    Abstract: A quick release chuck device includes a body member having a frustoconical chamber defined therein with a collet device operably housed in the chamber. At least two longitudinally extending members are disposed equally spaced around the circumference of the body member and are pivotally mounted relative to the body member at pivot points near a front or first end of the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members have a second end opposite the first end wherein the second ends are moveable radially outward from the body member as the body member is rotated in an operational mode of the device. The first ends of the longitudinal members engage the collet device and force the collet device longitudinally into the frustoconical chamber when the second ends are moved radially outward by centrifugal force as the body member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik G. Han, Edward H. Martin, Kenneth M. Montjoy, William M. Aultman, Robert A. Grogan
  • Patent number: 5820135
    Abstract: The chuck includes a body with an axial recess and a transverse opening intersecting the recess. First and second cam members are disposed at least partially within the transverse opening and have first and second passages, respectively, which squeeze a cylindrical, slitted inner sleeve that holds the tool shank during rotation of the chuck. The inner sleeve is spring-biased for axial movement relative to the body and has a tapered upper end that is compressed when engaging a tapered retainer sleeve and thereby retains the tool shank during nonrotation of the chuck.An outer sleeve including comolded inner and outer shells, is configured and disposed to move axially about the body. A remote actuating member effects axial movement of the outer sleeve and inner sleeves to permit insertion or withdrawal of the tool shank from the chuck.An engagement mechanism connects the chuck to a drive spindle and also has a mounting mechanism for facilitating automated mounting of the chuck to a drive spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik G. Han, Roger J. Kanaan
  • Patent number: 5735535
    Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-centrifugal locking member having a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The centrifugal locking member is pivoted on an axis transverse to the drive shaft axis and has a leg extending past said rotational axis. The leg has tool gripping structure on the opposite side of such rotational axis for receiving a tool rear shank rearward axially therepast and for more strongly radially gripping such a tool shank in response to faster rotation of the drive shaft. The invention, in another aspect, includes a tool having an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes a radially depressed plateau engageable by such centrifugal locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. McCombs, James G. Walen
  • Patent number: 5658231
    Abstract: A centrifugal chuck comprising a chuck housing and a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted around the outer perimeter of the chuck housing. Each finger includes a tip, adapted to receive the base portion of a separation bowl. The fingers are mounted to the chuck housing so that the tips can pivot in a generally radial direction. Rotation of the chuck urges each gripping finger against the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Schmitt, Jacques Chammas, Joseph Michael Medberry
  • Patent number: 5591113
    Abstract: A centrifuge is provided with a mounting arrangement that secures a centrifuge bowl to a turntable in response to centrifugal force generated when the turntable is rotated. The centrifuge includes first and second retainers, one of which is connected to the turntable, while the other is connected to the centrifuge bowl. The second retainer engages the first retainer when the first and second retainers are in an interlocking position to secure the centrifuge bowl to the turntable. A movable arm is provided on the turntable and coupled to the second retainer, the movable arm has a ballast that forces the movable arm and second retainer in a first direction in response to centrifugal force generated by rotating the turntable so that the second retainer is forced into the interlocking position with the first retainer. In one embodiment, a vacuum applied to an opening in the turntable assists in mounting a centrifuge bowl to the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Darnell, James Salter
  • Patent number: 5433562
    Abstract: The tool spindle has a drive plate on which a cutter is mounted. Drive keys on the drive plate engage slots in the cutter so that the cutter rotates with the drive plate. A clamp bar is provided to clamp the cutter against the drive plate. The cutter is formed with clearances which register with the clamp bar when the cutter is rotated relative to the clamp bar, so that the cutter may be removed from the drive plate. A new cutter is then reverse rotated into a position in which it may be clamped by the clamp bar. A spring holds the clamp bar in its clamping position. The quick change system also includes two or more locking fingers which are activated by centrifugal force to maintain the cutter clamped to the drive plate even in the event of failure of the spring which normally holds the clamp bar in its clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: J. D. Phillips Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Phillips, William F. Hildreth
  • Patent number: 5354075
    Abstract: A keyless drill chuck apparatus includes a tubular body having a longitudinal bore that includes first and second bore sections. The first bore section is of a smaller diameter and is closer to the proximal end portion of the drill, that end portion that is connected to a tool driver, motor or the like. The second bore section is larger diameter portion that is opened ended. A pair of bearing supports are positioned at the two bore sections. Each of the bearing holders carriers a plurality of conically-shaped bearing members. During use, a drill bit can be placed in either of the bore sections and into engagement with one of the selected sets of bearing. During use, different diameter drill bits and thus be placed as desired in the smaller or larger bore section and into engagement with the first or second set of bearing. Scalloped portions of the tool body adjacent each of the bores are provided in a corresponding number to the number of bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Richards Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Marik, Raymond H. Roberson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5350427
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasably holding a workpiece in semiconductor process systems such as a batch ion implanter which comprises a linkage mechanism mounted onto the backside of the platen for clamping the wafer against the fence of the supporting means and pusher means mounted on wafer lift means for engagement with the lever mechanism for locking and unlocking the device, and sensing any misclamp of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Avrum Freytsis, Richard J. Hertel
  • Patent number: 5147165
    Abstract: A centrifugal spindle is described comprising a hollow shaft (1) having a collet (2) at one end for gripping a tool shank (12) and a centrifugal loading means (3) housed within the shaft (1). The loading means comprises two coaxial pistons (4,5) spaced from each other and linked by flexible connecting members (6) and intermediate bob weights (7). One piston (4) is secured axially to the hollow shaft (1) while the other piston is secured to the collet so that rotation of the shaft (1) causes the weights (7) to move radially outwards under centrifugal force to draw the piston (5) and collet (2) into the hollow shaft (1) gripping the tool shank (12). The collet may have spring loaded jaws forcing them into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Federal Mogul Westwind Air Bearings Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael C. Tempest