Including Pivotally Mounted Tool-carrier Patents (Class 408/236)
  • Patent number: 6203478
    Abstract: A machine for drilling oil-holes in crankshafts and the corresponding procedure. It can be used to drill one, two or more crankshafts per cycle. Each crankshaft can revolve on its own axis. The unit described is mounted on a horizontally-faced rotary table with vertical rotating axis, to place the crankshafts at different angles to the Z axis of the machining module, maintaining the horizontal position of the longitudinal axes of the crankshafts. Facing the unit is the machining module, provided with two horizontal spindles, drill tool-holders, with their corresponding guide bushings and parallel to each other, one on top of the other, at the same distance as the two crankshafts. The module has movement in three co-ordinates: axis X (horizontal-transverse), Y (vertical ) and Z (horizontal-presenting tools). A fourth axis W, (with additional module and independent action), moves parallel to Z and carries the guide bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Etxe-Tar, S.A.
    Inventor: Gorka Gorrochategui
  • Patent number: 6148881
    Abstract: A workbench is provided that can be used as a conventional table (for the dining room, for card games, etc,.) and also provides the features of a carpentry and mechanics workbench. The workbench can be used in conjunction with an electric drill to provide the services of a sander, router, bench drill wood lathe, and bench saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Carlos Martin Uribe Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 6135683
    Abstract: A six-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism is provided for expanding a grade of a spindle. The parallel mechanism has a spindle that turns round a workpiece at a tilting angle of 90.degree. in a workspace, to thereby allow a machining for both vertical and horizontal planes of the workpiece, and a vertical turning process, by a single machining center. A six-axis multi-machining type machining center embodying the parallel mechanism of the present invention is also disclosed. An over-actuated multi-machining type machining center further including over-actuated actuators is presented to solve a problem of driving joints' singularity caused by the parallel mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignees: Jongwon Kim, Chongwoo Park
    Inventors: Jongwon Kim, Chongwoo Park, Wok-Kwan Bae, Seon-joong Liu, Jinwook Kim, Jae-chul Hwang, Changbum Park, Han-Sang Cho, Gyu-Young Lee, Kiha Lee, Yonghun Lee, Cornel Iurascu
  • Patent number: 5971677
    Abstract: A control arm system, whose first support bar is passed through by a vertical post, enabling the first support bar to swivel round horizontally by any angle, the far end of the first support bar carrying a vertical rod, which in turn passes through a first link support to enable the first link support to swivel around the far end of the first support bar horizontally; while the first link support is further provided with two bolts that are mounted vertically above each other, pointing in a horizontal direction, and which serve to hold a second support bar, made of two parallel link bars of equal length, in a way that it is movable up and down with the two bolts as cardinal points, the far end of the second support bar in turn being connected to a second link support, which holds a rotary tool, being held by two bolts mounted vertically above each other, pointing in a horizontal direction, where the distance between the two bolts of the second link support and the two bolts of the first link support is equal;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence Lan
  • Patent number: 5919014
    Abstract: A device for manipulating workpieces has a support and linear actuators for moving the support. A coupling gear is connected to the support. The coupling gear includes at least two coupling members pivotably connected to one another. The at least two coupling members move the support in a plane of movement and lock a degree of freedom perpendicular to the plane of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: VDW Verein Duetscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken e.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Weck, Jochen Asbeck, Peter Leibinger, Boris Vites
  • Patent number: 5906461
    Abstract: A machine tool includes several telescopic struts, each of which being formed by an inner tube and outer tube arranged within one another. The telescopic struts are articulated at their one end to a frame and at their other end to a tool holder. The outer tube is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses, with each of the recesses accommodating a recirculating ball bearing unit which includes a carrier body provided with endless ball tracks. Each endless ball track is divided in a load-bearing section and an unstressed, non-load-bearing return portion. The inner tube has ball tracks, with balls rolling along the ball tracks of the carrier body and the inner tube whereby the balls are guided from the load-bearing section into the return section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Erich Lunz, Helmut Bode, Jean-Marie Eder
  • Patent number: 5885037
    Abstract: A pivoting drill press mount is provided for enabling the user to drill at a desired angle into a workpiece. The mounting system has a column base, an upper column, and a pivot attaching the two columns to allow the upper column to be rotated to either side. The upper column is supported by an angle adjustment ram and a positive slide lock for safety. The assembly is bolted to a support surface. The upper column provides for interchangeable drill press heads by means of a connecting column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Michael G. Heintzeman
  • Patent number: 5882158
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drive assembly for relative movement of two components of a machine tool with a drive motor and a gear arrangement with two gear trains that can be put under tension relative to each other and have output gears that mesh with opposing teeth, where each gear train has a compact gear with a high transmission ratio with at least one control element for applying tension to the two gear trains. A high positioning accuracy and torsional rigidity combined with a small size when installed are made possible according to this invention by the fact that the compact gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Lechleiter, Alfred Geissler
  • Patent number: 5876161
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making an elongated hole in a pipe which includes drilling a rotating conical tool through the pipe wall by pushing the conical tool in the direction of its rotating axis to a desired depth, then simultaneously lifting and tilting the conical bit so as to mill one end of an elongated hole. The rotatable conical tool may be lifted and tilted in the opposite direction to further mill the pipe and elongate the hole. Tilting is effected relative to a pivot point located above the top pipe surface and in a plane extending through a center axis of the pipe, and the angle of inclination can be adjusted for determining the length of the finished hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: T-Drill Oy
    Inventors: Juha Ikola, Timo Saari
  • Patent number: 5865576
    Abstract: A relative positioning machine has a first panel for supporting a spindle thereon, a second panel for supporting a workpiece, first through fourth support mechanisms by which the first and second panels are tiltably supported for angular movement about an X1 axis, an X2 axis, a Y1 axis, and a Y2 axis, and first through fourth actuator mechanisms for individually tilting the first and second panels about the X1 axis, the X2 axis, the Y1 axis, and the Y2 axis. The spindle 11 and hence a machining unit such as a drill bit mounted thereon, and the workpiece can quickly and easily be positioned relatively to each other for allowing the machining tool to machine the workpiece at any of various areas at various angles on the workpiece. The relative positioning machine is relatively small in size and allows the workpiece to be machined quickly by the machining tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Dai Arai, Jun Watari, Takashi Yoshida, Naohide Hata, Tetsuharu Komatsu
  • Patent number: 5857815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer aided design and manufacturing system. The system comprises a platform suspended by means of three pairs of supportive legs which are coupled at triangularly spaced-apart locations by means of three universal joints, each of which couples to one end of each of the two legs of a respective pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Geodetic Technology International Holdings N.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Steven Bailey, Jerome Joseph Leary
  • Patent number: 5839860
    Abstract: A cylindrical tool holder has at one end a shank section disposed to be chucked in the drive spindle of a drill press or the like, and has in its opposite end a recess in which a tool bit pivots between an operative position in which it projects radially outwardly from the recess, and in inoperative position within the recess. The bit is connected to one end of an operating rod which is pivotal in a slot in the holder, so that when the rod is swung to one limit position the tool bit is swung to its operative position, and vice versa. An actuating disc which is mounted on the holder for limited rotation relative thereto, is frictionally coupled adjacent its outer periphery with a flywheel which is rotatably mounted on the tool holder, whereby rotation may be transmitted by the holder through the flywheel and friction coupling to the actuating disc. The actuating disc has thereon two spaced pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: R. Steiner Technolgoies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolph Steiner
  • Patent number: 5839862
    Abstract: A machine tool which has a swingable spindle head comprises a base member 1, a retaining member 5 attached swingably by a support shaft 3 to the base member 1, a spindle head 7 attached onto the retaining member 5, a lateral slider 15 being capable of linearly reciprocating in a linearly reciprocating direction along a chord of a circular arc described by an end portion of the retaining member 5, a longitudinal slider 21 provided in the lateral slider 15 reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the chord, a connecting shaft 23 pivotally connecting the retaining member 5 to the longitudinal slider 21, and a linear drive system connecting to the lateral slider 15. When the linear drive system drives, the retaining member 5 can be swung around the support shaft 3, so that swing of the spindle head 7 can be permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Hayashi, Kazumichi Aoki, Tadashi Sano
  • Patent number: 5833410
    Abstract: A chamfer forming apparatus for a crank shaft oil hole is provided with a spindle chuck which is variably moved in response to different locations of a crank shaft oil hole inlet portion. The invention includes linearly translating rack gear driven by an oil pressure cylinder, a pinion gear driven by the rack gear, a drum coaxially mounted to the pinion gear, a spindle chuck eccentrically rotatably mounted to the drum, a chucking a chamfer working tool, an adjusting bracket fixedly mounted to top end of the drum, a stopper member on two sides of the adjusting bracket, and a fixing bracket provided on the housing to limit the rotation of the drum within a predetermined angle range by contact with the stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong-Sik Lim
  • Patent number: 5807044
    Abstract: Ball screws are moved axially to move a spindle unit in directions X, Y to position a cutter mounted on the spindle unit. Support arm assemblies which support the spindle unit are also moved. Then, a slide table which supports the support arm assemblies is moved in a direction Z to cause the cutter to machine a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Watari, Takashi Yoshida, Tetsuharu Komatsu, Dai Arai, Tomomi Kousaka, Kazuhide Ito
  • Patent number: 5785467
    Abstract: A multi-method capable portable machining apparatus including a lever bar and fulcrum that allows user to place multiplied pressure on the rotating cutting tool while at the same time controlling the torque and other reactional forces introduced by the operation. Provision is also made, in the work anchored fulcrum embodiment, so the operator can safely control break thru of the cutting tool by utilizing the compressive capability of the fulcrum in combination with a safety stop on the fulcrum. The design includes provision to apply multiplied pressure to the cutting tool using a fulcrum in either compression or tension mode. The device is light, compact, easily adjustable and multi-versatile to allow user ingenuity in method of application of the device to the situation at hand. One embodiment includes provision that allows safe, controlled operation without physically attaching fulcrum to the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Dale W. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5769576
    Abstract: The means for aligning this device comprise a sphere holder (17) placed on a support (4) with the possibility, in the phase of positioning the spindle (6), of it shifting in all directions of the horizontal plane, a spherical core (13) mounted in the sphere holder (17) with the possibility of rotating freely, a substantially vertical sheath (10) which can be shifted axially in the core (13) and carries the spindle for driving the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Machines Serdi
    Inventors: Daniel Gerard, Fernand Tenand
  • Patent number: 5765975
    Abstract: A compliant end effector particularly suited for use with a robotic arm for accurately cutting and trimming the edges of a hot molded sheet of flexible plastic. The compliant end effector includes a mount secured to the robotic arm, an adjustment assembly pivotally attached to the mount, a guide that engages the plastic sheet near the area to be cut and trimmed, a tool for cutting and trimming the flexible sheet, and a pneumatic cylinder that biases the guide into engagement with the flexible sheet and presses the sheet against a rigid surface. The pneumatic cylinder moves the guide and tool through a range of positions as the robotic arm moves along a single path of travel down the length of the flexible sheet. The guide remains in contact with the flexible sheet despite warping or other imperfections in the stabilizing surface. The tool is fixed a predetermined distance from the guide to ensure that the plastic sheet is cut and trimmed within specific tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Flexible Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hoffmann, Douglas L. St. Onge
  • Patent number: 5735647
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus for drilling a worn and/or damaged tap hole refractory liner sleeve from a tap hole nozzle of an oxygen blown steelmaking vessel, the apparatus including an elongated, hollow boom structure with an elongated drill shaft rotatably disposed within the boom structure, motor means for rotating the drill shaft and moving it in both directions within the boom structure, and a clamp means at the outer end of the boom structure adapted to attach the outer end of the boom structure to the tap hole nozzle in an accurate, axially aligned position. A drill bit for use with the above drilling apparatus comprises a plurality of conventional rock drill bits attached to a base plate equally spaced in a pair of concentric circular arrangement around an axis of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Woodings Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Woodings, Martin P. Miller
  • Patent number: 5709511
    Abstract: A curved machining jig for machining a curved workpiece having an arcuate shaped centerline, the curved machining jig comprising a table having a rotatably mounted column extending perpendicular from the table, the column rotating on a first axis perpendicular to the table, an arm attached to and extending from the column, a drive portion on the arm, a tool attachment and a workpiece attachment supported above the table, the curved workpiece removably retained by the workpiece attachment, a machining tool on the tool attachment, a means for moving the drive arm causing the arm to rotate about the column engaging the workpiece and the machining tool to perform a curved machining operation on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Karim Esmailzadeh
  • Patent number: 5634748
    Abstract: A drill press assembly having a base mountable to a work bench, a vertical column attached to the base and a drill head assembly having an electric motor and a quill. The drill head assembly is movably attached to the column. A rack is rotatably attached to the top of the column and is engaged by a crank and pinion mechanism attached to the frame of the drill head assembly which permits the drill head assembly to be displaced vertically and rotated about the column. A tilt table is attachable to the base of the drill press. A locking mechanism having a bolt passing through a longitudinal slot in the supporting base of the tilt table and a transverse slot in the base is engaged by an eccentrically mounted camshaft to lock the supporting base of the tilt table to the top surface of the drill press base. A pivoting frame is pivotably attached to the supporting base and contains a table plate. A fence is attachable to the top of the pivoting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Ryobi Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Brazell, Robert G. Everts, Harry G. Rickard, Kouichi Miyamoto, Takeshi Shiotani, Mitsumasa Sato, Tatsuya Wada, Katsutoshi Kouichiyama
  • Patent number: 5634746
    Abstract: A system for maintaining normality of a tool nose to a workpiece supported on a floor assembly jig adjacent to a carriage on which the tool nose is mounted while the carriage is negotiating a bend in the floor assembly jig includes a support system for supporting the carriage on a rail for longitudinal travel along the rail. The support system has two longitudinally spaced bearing blocks and a slide on each bearing block for mounting the carriage on the bearing blocks for lateral movement of the carriage toward and away from the rail. Each bearing block includes a bearing base in which is journaled a plurality of rollers in rolling contact with a horizontal upwardly facing surface on the rail for rolling vertical support of the bearing base on the rail, and also has at least one roller in rolling contact with a laterally facing surface on each side of the rail for lateral support of the bearing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Co.
    Inventors: Paul E. Ffield, John W. Schooff, Steven C. Van Swearingen
  • Patent number: 5575597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer aided design and manufacturing system. The system comprises a platform suspended by means of three pairs of supportive legs which are coupled at triangularly spaced-apart locations by means of three universal joints, each of which couples to one end of each of the two legs of a respective pair. The two legs of each pair extend from their respective universal joint in divergent directions to spaced-apart locations in an overhead mounting where each leg is drivingly engaged by a respective gimbal-mounted electric motor arranged to move the leg in its own longitudinal direction. The platform position and orientation can be controlled by appropriate operation of the six leg drive motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Geodetic Technology International Holdings N.V.
    Inventors: Ralph P. S. Bailey, Jerome J. Leary
  • Patent number: 5544989
    Abstract: The drilling apparatus for making a drilled hole with an undercut includes a drive device for rotating a hollow drilling shaft (3); a drill bit holder (23,38) held in the hollow drilling shaft (3); a drill bit (4,26) having a drilling head provided with laterally projecting cutting edges (25) projecting from the drill bit holder (23,38); a device for swivelling out the drill bit holder (23, 38) with the drill bit from a drilling center line (5) including at least one control element of the drill bit holder, a sliding sleeve (11) surrounding the drilling shaft (3) and a swivelling-out element (21,39) connected to the movable sliding sleeve and engaging the control element to swivel out the drill bit holder (23, 38); and a device for raising and lowering the drive device (2) together with the drill bit holder (23,38) and the drill bit (4,26). In one embodiment the swivelling-out element is a sliding block and the control element is a cam surface in a slot provided in the drill bit holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: fischerwerke-Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Erath
  • Patent number: 5540527
    Abstract: The drilling device has a radially resilient shaft (3) which allows radial displacement of the drill bit (4) and the drill head (5). The radial displacement can be caused by a vibration device (8), but a self-excited oscillation of the resilient shaft (3) can also provide the desired radial displacement of the drill bit and the drill head. The drill shank (2) has a sleeve-shaped shank extension (17) provided with a damping chamber (18) filled with a damping agent (19) and the resilient shaft (3) is in the damping chamber (18) which is sealed by a radially resilient seal (21) surrounding the resilient shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Bohnet, Stefan Lind, Willi Haug
  • Patent number: 5401128
    Abstract: In a cutting machine having an octahedral framework, a cutting tool is carried by a servostrut support having a platform mounted on extendable and retractable struts. In order to reduce deflections and to limit transfer of bending moments, from the servostrut support to the other connected support sections of the framework, the six struts are mounted at pivot mounts such as ball joints in a triangular support. Three of the pivotal mounts are positioned in a first triangle and in corners of the triangle support, and the other three struts are positioned in a second larger triangle in the triangular support. The nominal axis of rotation of spindle drive for the cutting tool may be either about nominal horizontal axis, a nominal vertical axis or a nominal 45.degree. axis. Several frameworks may be arranged to define a hollow tunnel with platforms projecting their cutting tools from opposite sides of the transfer tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ingersoll Milling Machine Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lindem, Paul A. S. Charles
  • Patent number: 5316419
    Abstract: Device for producing a drilled hole with an undercut in a facing panel, consisting of a drilling machine and a drilling tool for forming the drilled hole connected to the drilling machine via an adapter for transferring torque; and a holding device of a supporting stand having a swivel bearing for holding the drilling machine so that it can swivel with the drilling tool attached to it. To extend the service life of the drilling tool the adapter consists of a drive part connected to the drilling machine so as to transfer torque and a tool holder connectable with the drive part and a device for releasably securing the tool holder to the drive part so that the center line of the tool holder is inclined relative to the center line of the drive part, which is aligned with the drive axis of the drilling machine, so that only a portion of the circumference of the drilling tool engages the panel during formation of the drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Hartmut Bohnet, Willi Haug, Stefan Lind
  • Patent number: 5226763
    Abstract: A device for producing drilled holes with an undercut, especially in facing panels, has a drilling machine, a drilling tool, an adaptor receiving the drilling tool and connected with the drilling machine so as to transfer torque, a holder, a bearing bush secured in the holder and provided with a rotatable and swivelable guide sleeve, a wobble plate secured on the drilling machine and the guide sleeve, a plurality of cylinders arranged on the holder concentrically about a center line of the guide sleeve and engaging the wobble plate. The cylinders are actuated and controlled in succession to produce a wobbling movement for reaming out an undercut in a drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Stefan Lind
  • Patent number: 5127777
    Abstract: The device for making a drilled hole with an undercut consists of a drilling machine and connected rotatable drilling tool, a supporting stand for the drilling machine having a holding device with a bearing bush secured in it, and a sleeve fixedly joined to the drilling machine. The sleeve is rotatably mounted in the bearing bush. A lever (35) is attached to the drilling machine (12), a cam plate (39,49) having a circumferential surface (40,60) is attached to the supporting stand (3) and a crank are provided for the lever. An end of the lever (35) remote from the drilling machine (12) is connected with the crank so that the lever can be pivoted and the drilling machine with the drilling tool swung out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Artur Fischer, Willi Haug, Lind: Stefan
  • Patent number: 5118228
    Abstract: A tubing cutter and coping apparatus (10) for simultaneously cutting a tube (100) with a selected radius coping which is aligned at a preselected angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Marvin L. Story
  • Patent number: 5117722
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes an attachment assembly for mounting to a conventional bench saw; the assembly comprises a rigid member which is mounted to the power-operated main shaft of the bench saw. The member has two projecting rods at one end thereof which are adapted to slide on a pair of guiding pins mounted on a movable structure of the bench saw; the function of the pins is also to fixedly secure the rigid member to the movable structure after the attachment is installed and the tool is fixedly set for a cutting operation. The cooperation of the projecting rods with the guiding pins is such as to prevent vertical lateral and angular movements of the member which would otherwise appear because of the reaction forces exerted during the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Michel Letendre
  • Patent number: 4999896
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting together workpieces which, in their assembled relationship, have non-parallel exterior surface. Apparatus is provided for clamping the workpieces together between an upper clamp pad and a lower clamp pad, the lower clamp pad being mounted on a spherical bearing so that the lower clamp pad can conform to the workpiece surface. The lower clamp pad is provided with a conical aperture which can act as a pilot for tooling. The tooling is also mounted on spherical bearings so that when the lower clamp pad is in contact with the lower surface of the workpiece, and the tooling is moved towards the workpiece. The tooling will be piloted by the conical aperture to be normal to the surface. After the workpieces are clamped together, the workpieces are drilled from the upper surface and the upper surface is also countersunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Mangus, Ernest K. Krell, Martin L. Gutowski
  • Patent number: 4955763
    Abstract: A glass drilling machine for drilling holes in a sheet of glass in which each hole is partly drilled from one side of the sheet and is then finish drilled from the opposite side. The machine is made up of aligned first and second drilling devices which are attached near the ends of first and second pivotable arms, respectively, the first and second arms being periodically pivoted toward and away from the sheet to bring the drilling devices into and out of drilling engagement with the sheet. The first and second arms are releasably clamped to first and second spindles, respectively, which pivot about first and second axes, respectively, the first and second axes being spaced apart but close to one another and positioned remote from the drilling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Toledo Automated Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Delventhal, Kenith E. Grosjean
  • Patent number: 4792265
    Abstract: A surfacing and boring machine for reconditioning engine blocks has a front stationary work table, a traveling column on rails provided by an elongated rigid base, a power head unit on the column adjustable in an air float condition to move an overhanging spindle forwardly and rearwardly, and mechanisms in the power head unit to independently move a spindle carrier vertically and to rotate the spindle at selected speeds. Clamping devides are provided to independently clamp the power head unit to the traveling column and the column to the base rails. A quick-change unit is located in the spindle for the tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Rottler Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Rottler, David Engnell
  • Patent number: 4776749
    Abstract: A robotic positioning device has a support structure and a tool implement holding member which is positional within the three dimensional space of the support structure. The tool implement holding member is connected to the support structure utilizing five positioning members. Each of these positioning members is connected to the tool implement holding member. Three of the positioning members are connected to the holding member at a first common center of rotation and the other two positioning members are connected to the holding member at a second common center of rotation. Each of the positioning members is attached to the support structure utilizing a connecting member which allows for the positioning member to freely pivot with respect to the support structure and additionally allows the member to move with respect to the support structure axially along an axis of the member. This is accomplished by moving the members axially toward or away from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Fritz W. Wanzenberg, Richard L. Grover
  • Patent number: 4658485
    Abstract: A machine tool is equipped with a fully articulatable crossbeam arranged between a pair of vertical columns. The crossbeam carries a tool carriage or saddle which is provided with a driven cutting tool element. The cutting tool element engages a workpiece clamped on a table between the columns and below the crossbeam. The crossbeam may articulate in mutually perpendicular planes, independently thereof. With this feature, the machine tool is flexible and versatile and may be used by semi-skilled operators with a minimum of training to perform a series of intricate operations easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 4639171
    Abstract: The dowel hole drilling machine comprises a workpiece support. One part of the workpiece support and a crosspiece carrying the drilling unit are mounted to be pivotally movable in unison about an axis. That workpiece support comprises eccentrically mounted supports, which are adapted to be aligned and flush with the workpiece support and to protrude beyond a workpiece support, which extends at right angles to the workpiece support and is spaced the same distance from the pivotal axis as the workpiece support. The workpiece support serves to support the workpiece during a horizontal drilling operation. When the drilling unit is in a vertical position, the stops are flush with the workpiece support and serve as stops for the drilling of the first row of dowel holes. This results in an exact coordination of the drill and the workpiece support, which constitutes a stop for and defines the location of the reference edge during the horizontal and vertical drilling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Schleicher Maschinenbau und -Vertrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Maier
  • Patent number: 4613262
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling apparatus (10) having a drilling member (20) that is rotatable about an axis (45) for drilling a bore in a workpiece (12). The drilling apparatus (10) includes a spindle (22) which drives the drilling member (20) and advances it towards and against the workpiece surface (32). The gimbal member (18) normalizes the drilling member (20) as the bore is drilled. The gimbal member (18) guides the drilling member (20) toward a drilling point (48) which is positioned on a datum plane (44) that is substantially tangent to the surface of the workpiece (32). As the bore is drilled, the guiding member (18) guides the drilling member (20) so that the drilling axis (45) remains substantially normal to the drilling point (48) at all times while the bore is drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Quentin T. Woods
  • Patent number: 4610583
    Abstract: A horizontal drilling and milling machine having a spindle head which can be rotated about an axis set at 45.degree. to a horizontal plane. The spindle head can be arrested in the horizontal and vertical working positions of the spindle sleeve by means of a support housing. The spindle sleeve can be driven via a gear system. The rotary movement of the spindle head is derived from the drive shaft for the spindle sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Scharmann GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Matthias Malzkorn, Helmut Holz
  • Patent number: 4610584
    Abstract: A horizontal drilling and milling machine having a spindle head which is rotatable about an axis set at 45.degree. relative to the horizontal. In the horizontal and vertical working positions of the spindle sleeve, the spindle head can be arrested via a support housing. In its horizontal working position, the spindle sleeve is rotatably driven exclusively by a spur gear system, and in its vertical working position is rotatably driven with the aid of a bevel gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Scharmann GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Matthias Malzkorn, Helmut Holz
  • Patent number: 4523882
    Abstract: A drill press includes an overhead mount for supporting a power-operated drilling unit from an existing structure at locations above a work area, thereby enabling the accurate drilling of holes in large workpieces. An upright member is attached to one portion of the existing structure, such as a ceiling, and provides vertical support for a power-operated drilling unit. The upright member is extensible, enabling the drilling unit to be raised or lowered to accommodate workpieces of various sizes. Lateral support for the upright member is provided by brace members which connect the upright member to spaced portions of the existing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Inventor: Robert W. Hengesbach
  • Jig
    Patent number: 4521140
    Abstract: A jig is disclosed having a unique clamping assembly and tool support assembly having a novel tool support bushing allowing for accurate drilling or reaming in limited space and around obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventors: George C. Doescher, Jim W. Clark
  • Patent number: 4494895
    Abstract: A portable drill press mechanism for electric hand drill characterized by a support post, a drill support assembly coupled to the support post, and clamping members removably attached to one or both ends of the support post. The drill support assembly has a drill clamp for attaching the hand drill to a movable carriage under the control of a carriage actuating mechanism. An angular adjustment mechanism is provided in the drill support assembly so that the hand drill can drill holes at various angular orientations relative the support post. Various clamping members are provided for special jobs, such as drilling into a work piece of rectangular cross-section, or drilling a hole from the inside of a large cylindrical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Arthur L. Leaf
  • Patent number: 4468159
    Abstract: A drill press and stand providing an improved apparatus for cutting holes in plate vitreous material. The drill press includes a drill motor, a drill tool attached to the drill motor for cutting through the work piece, and a motor support interconnecting to and supporting the drill motor on the stand. The stand includes a base which is attachable to the work surface by a large suction cup which is attached to the lower surface of the stand base. The stand also includes a collar integral to and generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the base into which a mating drill press standard, a part of the motor support may be inserted. The motor support also includes a positioning mechanism for longitudinally moving the drill motor along the standard and may include a biasing spring to counteract the weight of the motor, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventor: Stanley M. Oster
  • Patent number: 4405003
    Abstract: An apparatus that converts a portable hand skill saw or drill into a table mounted skill saw or drill press, the apparatus including a table and a fixture mounted on the table and to which the portable drill is attached, the fixture including a downwardly pivotable control lever similar to such as used on conventional stationary drill presses for moving the drill vertically, and the table including a rotatable turntable and guide fences along which a work is slidable, a hand skill saw being mounted under the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventors: Woodroe Watson, George Spector
  • Patent number: 4378621
    Abstract: A headstock for a universal milling and drilling machine. The headstock includes a horizontal spindle within the headstock housing. A swivel head to which a vertical milling head is mounted is rotatably mounted at a 45.degree. angle on the headstock and is lockable in position by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Maho Werkzeugmaschinenbau Babel & Co.
    Inventor: Werner Babel
  • Patent number: 4318432
    Abstract: A workbench tool assembly which takes the form of a frame upon which is mounted a drill press assembly movable between a stored position within the frame and an extended position above the frame. The drill press assembly includes a counterbalance mechanism to counterbalance the force required to move the drill press assembly between the retracted position and the extended position. The workbench tool assembly also includes a table saw assembly and a separate band saw assembly, as well as a jointer, a sander and a lathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Inventor: Thomas L. Howey
  • Patent number: 4316684
    Abstract: A machining unit for use in a machine tool comprises a slide base support mounted on a base of the machine tool, a slide base located above the slide base support, and a device slidably mounted on the slide base for working a workpiece. Link members are pivotably attached to the slide base support and the slide base to constitute a quadric link mechanism. The quadric link mechanism is operated by a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly swingably secured to the slide base support. The machining unit may further comprise a member attached to the slide base support for positioning and supporting the slide base so as to maintain a predetermined inclination thereof with respect to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosei Takeyama
  • Patent number: 4301350
    Abstract: At least one pair of regulating blocks are provided on a base table so as to move on a major face of the base table in parallel therewith. Each of said pair of regulating blocks has a holding face with a regulating face so as to position a member to be adjusted in a desired angle. The member to be adjusted is held by the holding faces of the respective regulating blocks and, as a result, the member is positioned in the required angle following the regulating faces of the respective holding faces. With the so constructed device of the present invention, the member to be adjusted can be easily positioned with respect to its angle simply by holding the member by at least one regulating blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Sodick Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Misao Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 4118141
    Abstract: An attachment for a rotary drive machine of the type having a support stand and power tool means adapted to be mounted on the stand comprising an arm member disposed between and connecting the support stand to the power tool means. The arm member is rotatably secured at one longitudinal end to the support stand and is rotatably secured to and supports the power tool means at its other end. Locking means are provided for locking the arm member to the support stand in its adjusted rotated position while similar locking means are also provided for locking the arm member to the power tool means in its adjusted rotated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Daniel M. Spohn, Jr.