Patents Examined by Steven C. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6554291
    Abstract: A housing and hub for an apparatus for securing a workpiece to a rotatable machine member are provided. The machine may include a lathe. The workpiece includes a rotor such a brake rotor. The apparatus includes a hub slidably engageable with a rotatable driven shaft of the lathe. The hub is formed with a first banded channel. Also included is a centering device axially positionable on the shaft. A spring having a distal end demountably insertable in the hub, and a proximal end connectable to the centering device, is included. The apparatus also includes a retaining ring attachable to the hub for retaining the centering device in the hub. A housing is provided that is freely movable axially on the shaft for securing the rotor substantially vertically on the shaft. The housing is formed with a second banded channel. A locking nut is included to secure the components of the apparatus on a machine member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Standard, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Turos
  • Patent number: 6554292
    Abstract: A drill chuck has a body formed with an axially forwardly open tool recess and holding a plurality of tool-gripping jaws. A socket formed with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section seat is nonrotatable in a seat of the chuck body and axially displaceable in the chuck body into and out of a tool-releasing position. A latch is radially displaceable in the socket in the tool-releasing position of the socket between an inner retaining position projecting radially into the seat and an outer freeing position clear of the seat and projecting radially into the pocket. The latch is aligned radially with the pocket only in the tool-releasing position. The chuck body engages the latch and forces it into the inner retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Horst Röhm
  • Patent number: 6554290
    Abstract: A tool structure includes a tool having a rotation shaft formed with a central hole for insertion of the distal end of a tool. The rotation shaft is provided with a cover, and has an outer wall mounted with an elastic member and a drive member. A drive shaft is passed through a first guide slot of the rotation shaft and a second guide slot of the shaft seat in the rotation shaft. Multiple clamping shafts are mounted in the shaft seat to mate with a clamping recess formed in the rotation shaft. Thus, when the tool head is rotated by the rotation shaft, the tool head may be fixed rigidly and stably by the relative urging effect between the clamping recess and the clamping shafts during rotation of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Kun-Tan Lin
  • Patent number: 6554289
    Abstract: An anti-slip type electric drill chuck mainly includes a body which is obliquely provided with three pawls for clamping a drill head. The outer surface of one end of the three pawls is provided with a threaded surface for engaging a tapered threaded hole in a bearing nut, which has an outer end with teeth, an end portion provided with a ball ring. A check nut protective sleeve encloses the ball ring and bearing nut, and has elastic pointed portions engage the teeth. A drive annular block engages the inner wall of the bearing nut. A front housing sleeve engages the drive annular block and surrounds the aforesaid components. The front housing sleeve is rotated by hand to advance or retract the pawls to thereby loosen or tighten drill head. When the pawls clamp the drill head, the check nut protective sleeve stabilizes the bearing nut to prevent slippage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Chum Power Machinery Corp.
    Inventor: Yuan-Ho Lin
  • Patent number: 6554288
    Abstract: An adapter for facilitating use of a bullnose mounting fixture on the spindle of a unit of machining equipment with a collet having a collet head larger than the bullnose bore includes a collet-receiving component disposed symmetrically about an adapter rotational axis. An adapter bore through the collet-receiving component with the collet body so that the collet body fits coaxially into the adapter bore. A collet-head-receiving portion of the collet-receiving component defines a collet-head-receiving space having a size and shape that mates with the collet head so that the collet head fits coaxially into the collet-head-receiving space for purposes of enabling the collet-head-receiving portion to close the collet head against a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Carmel Tomoni
  • Patent number: 6551034
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus for tapping into a fluid containing vessel from a valve device connected with the vessel. The apparatus is comprised of a housing having a lower end adapted for attachment of the apparatus to the valve device, the housing defining a housing bore, the housing bore defining a housing bore axis. A feed rod assembly is connected with the housing adjacent to the housing bore. In addition, a feed nut is connected with the feed rod assembly, the feed nut defining a first bore. A drilling rod extends through the housing bore and is rotatably supported in the first bore of the feed nut and a drilling bit is connected to a lower end of the drilling rod, for tapping into the vessel. Manipulation of the feed rod assembly results in axial movement of the feed nut and the drilling rod relative to the housing bore axis so that the drilling rod moves through the housing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: David Albert Nyhuis, Albert Hendrix Nyhuis
  • Patent number: 6547259
    Abstract: The jaw assembly includes a master jaw and an insert jaw. An engagement surface on the master jaw provides a mounting surface for the insert jaw. The master jaw is contoured to provide a minimum of mass opposite the mounting surface and opposite the engagement surface to minimize the total rotating mass when the jaw assembly is in operation. In operation, a force is applied substantially perpendicular to the engagement surfaces between the insert jaw and master jaw such that the engagement surface experiences the force rather than the insert fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Dura-Hog, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 6547258
    Abstract: A chuck body has a first surface for fixing to a support body and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the second surface of the chuck body is provided with a pair of chuck members for chucking a workpiece and a guide rail for guiding an open and close operation of these chuck members. Further, a plurality of stationary holes for fixing the chuck body to the support body is formed at a position overlapping with the chuck members of the guide rail so as to communicate with the first surface, and each of the chuck members is provided with a work hole for inserting a screw into these stationary holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Mandokoro, Hiroshi Hanne
  • Patent number: 6547496
    Abstract: An in-die tapping unit for a press in which two ball screw mechanisms are driven by closing motion between two housing pieces caused by press actuation. Both ball screw mechanisms rotate a central drive gear which causes rotation and axial advance of a pitch adapter sleeve axially advanced by a threaded engagement with a fixed pitch adapter hub, the movable pitch adapter carrying a tap holder, which rotates and advances a tap inserted therein. A striker pad and acceleration spring reduces the shock loading of the unit when the press engages the upper housing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Danly IEM, division of Connell Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Victor Chun, Michael Hajjar, Frank Madej
  • Patent number: 6540237
    Abstract: A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver includes a generally cylindrical body having a nose section and a tail section. The tail section is adapted to rotate with the drive shaft. The nose section defines an axial bore with angular passageways for receipt of chuck jaws. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical sleeve in driving engagement with a nut mounted about the chuck body so that when the sleeve is rotated with respect to the body, the jaws will be moved thereby. The jaws are slidably positioned in the passageways and include a tool engaging face and threads on the opposite side thereof to engage threads on the nut. The body includes a thrust bearing ring received by the nut so that the thrust ring holds the nut against forward and rearward axial movement with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard E. Temple-Wilson
  • Patent number: 6539828
    Abstract: A device for catching cut off workpieces from a C. N. C. lathe, the lathe having a toolholding turret and a turret back wall. The device attaches to the turret. A basket for catching cut off workpieces is attached to a bracket. The bracket is shaped to be attachable to the turret, to permit the basket to fit underneath the workpiece and to permit the basket to clear the turret back wall when the turret is rotated about its axis into any position. Preferably, an L-shaped bracket is used for octagon type turrets and an oblique angled bracket is used for VDI turrets. One version of the invention comprises a lathe to which a C. N. C. parts catcher is attached. Another version of the invention is a method for catching workpieces cut off from the spindle of a C. N. C. lathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Bosko Todoroski
  • Patent number: 6540236
    Abstract: A chuck includes a generally cylindrical body having a nose section and a tail section. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed with respect to the body to and away from the chuck's axial bore. A generally cylindrical sleeve is in driving communication with the jaws. The sleeve engages the body or the jaws by a first set of interengaged threads so that relative rotation between the first threads drives the jaws toward or away from the chuck axis. The sleeve engages the body or the jaws by a second set of interengaged threads so that relative rotation between the second threads drives the jaws toward or away from the chuck axis. The first thread set defines a first pitch so that when the jaws close, the first threads rotationally lock in the closing direction. The second thread set defines a second pitch that is higher than the first pitch so that when the jaws close, the second threads are relatively rotatable in the closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventors: William H. Aultman, Robert A. Grogan
  • Patent number: 6536781
    Abstract: A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver including a generally cylindrical body having a nose section and a tail section. The tail section defines an axial bore formed therein to mate with the drive shaft of the driver and the nose section defines an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of angularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws are slidably positioned in each passageway and each jaw defines a jaw face formed on one side and threads formed on the opposite side. A nut is disposed about the body for rotational movement with respect to the body and is in driving engagement with the jaw threads. A generally cylindrical front sleeve overlays the nose section of the body. A generally cylindrical nut retainer is disposed about the body and includes a frusto-conical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders, Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher B. Barton, Stephen W. Steadings
  • Patent number: 6537000
    Abstract: A tool fixing device for clamping a tool in a tool holder, wherein the tool holder has a receptacle configured to clamp a shaft of the tool, has at least one static flexible element inserted into a force flow between the tool and the tool holder. The static flexible element is designed to damp tilting and bending vibrations of the tool in cooperation with a damping element provided in the receptacle at the free end of the shaft of the tool. This prevents chattering of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Manfred Weck
  • Patent number: 6536998
    Abstract: A tool including a working portion with a working member, a side surface and an end surface. The working portion includes a passage passing through the side surface and the end surface. At least one seal is adapted to restrict fluid flow through the side surface and the end surface and at least partially defines a pressure chamber. The working member is adapted to be selectively pivotally positioned by selectively pressurizing the pressure chamber. The tool similarly enables unique methods of working workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Makino, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Aaron Hyatt, David Wayne Bricker
  • Patent number: 6536782
    Abstract: A chuck has a body centered on an axis and formed with a rearwardly open bore adapted to fit with a drive spindle. Respective jaws are displaceable in angled guides of the body and a ring rotatable on the body has an internal screwthread meshing with the jaws for moving the jaws between their end positions on rotation of the ring. A latch element is radially displaceable on the body between a holding position projecting radially into the bore and locking the spindle therein and a freeing position clear of the bore. A sleeve is displaceable between a latched position forcing the element into the holding position and an unlatched position allowing it to move into the freeing position. A spring between the sleeve and the body urges the sleeve into the latched position. The spring is mostly forward of rear ends of the jaws in the rear-end positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Horst Röhm
  • Patent number: 6533291
    Abstract: A chuck includes a driver disposed on a chuck body and in engagement with the jaws so that at least one of rotation and axial movement of the driver with respect to the body opens or closes the jaws. A first detent is disposed in the body in communication with the jaws. At least one of the jaws defines a catch at a predetermined position so that the catch engages the first detent when the jaws are at a predetermined position on the body with respect to a chuck bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark S. Huggins, Stephen W. Steadings, Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6530579
    Abstract: A wedging clamp assembly is provided for retaining a saw blade. A housing defining a vertical cavity therein is included in the assembly. The cavity includes a top end and a bottom end tapered with respect to the top end. Extending through a bottom end of the housing is a saw blade passageway included in the bottom end of the cavity. Disposed inside the cavity is a saw blade retention mechanism. A piston is further disposed within the cavity. The saw blade retention mechanism is configured for lockingly retaining a saw blade upon insertion into the passageway, thus, causing the piston to be biased against the bottom end of the cavity. At least one locking element is further included in the saw blade retention mechanism, and such locking element is disposed in the cavity for engaging the bottom tapered end. A wedging clamping force exerted by the at least one locking element is applied to the saw blade, and such force renders the saw blade immobile relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Jan P. Houben, James P. Orrico, Michael Holzer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6530578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for gripping and holding or releasing a material (M), such as material held in a lathe chuck. The arrangement includes a piston-cylinder assembly (2) and a plurality of material gripping and holding or releasing elements, so-called gripping element arrangements (3). The gripping elements are movable between two positions, an open position and a closed position, in response to movements of the piston-cylinder assembly (2). The cylinder-part (22) of the piston-cylinder assembly (2) includes a circular groove (22a) for co-action with rolling support surfaces (12c) associated with said gripping element arrangement (3). The arrangement also includes a separate gripping member (50) which can be readily fitted to the free end-part (3a) of the gripping element (3′) and readily removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Bo Karl Ragnar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6527281
    Abstract: A clamping jaw for a jaw chuck comprises a base body of metal, wherein a hard metal clamping surface is fixed onto the base body. The clamping surface is formed of a plurality of hard metal particles of angular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignees: United Hardmetal GmbH, LVT Loet- und Verschleisstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Maerzhaeuser, Hans-Peter Schmid