Patents Examined by William Briggs
  • Patent number: 6155753
    Abstract: A boring cutter assembly with fine adjustment is provided for finely adjusting the diameter of the bore to be formed and for compensating wear of the blade. The boring cutter assembly includes a cutter shaft including a distal end with a cutter seat for receiving a blade. A countersink is defined adjacent to the cutter seat. A bottom wall that defines the countersink includes a screw hole. The countersink and the screw hole together receive an adjusting screw. A first scale is provided on the distal end of the cutter seat and around the countersink. A second scale is provided on the top face of the fine adjusting screw and corresponds to the first scale. A side of the blade that defines a portion of the cutting clearance angle of the blade cooperates with the pitch of the fine adjusting screw, such that the blade is laterally moved when the fine adjusting screw moves vertically as a result of rotation thereof, thereby adjusting the diameter of the bore to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Hsin-Tien Chang
  • Patent number: 6149561
    Abstract: A line boring apparatus comprising a motorized spindle and tool support mounted on a support frame for motion along two axes perpendicular to a rotational spindle axis. The spindle is also supported for motion along the spindle axis relative to the tool support. A tool cradle is supported beneath the spindle on the support frame and stores boring bars of differing outside diameters equipped with support bushings having outside diameters equal to an inner diameter of the tool support. A CNC is programmed to actuate an axes drive to cause the spindle to select a boring bar and bushing from the cradle. The CNC and axes drive then move the bar and bushing to a predetermined boring position axially aligned with an interrupted line bore to be machined in a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Unova IP Corp
    Inventors: Peter M. Beecherl, Donald D. Pagels, Sr., Ali M. Saeedy, Philip S. Szuba
  • Patent number: 6149358
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a selected number of workpieces at a machining center, each workpiece support having a sleeve within which is reciprocably accommodated a workpiece bearing member cooperable with the sleeve to clamp and unclamp a workpiece in a selected position for machining. The workpiece may be clamped axially or transversely of the sleeve and, when clamped transversely, in a position selectively normal or inclined to the axis of reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: James M. Montague
  • Patent number: 6149562
    Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for removal and insertion of a tool holder to and from a tool pocket of a magazine includes two components--a multi-function insertion/removal tool, and a pivot bracket. The multi-function tool generally comprises an elongated bar having a tool holder removal element at one end and an insertion element at the opposite end. The removal element can constitute a known pry tool having a fork portion configured to facilitate insertion between the rim of the tool pocket and the underside of the circumferential flange of the tool holder. The insertion element of the multi-function insertion/removal tool comprises a pivot block and a pressure plate. The pivot block includes a pivot pin projecting therefrom that is configured for pivoting engagement within a channel defined in the pivot bracket. The pivot bracket is mounted to the housing of the tool magazine at a manually accessible location relative to the tool pockets with the open end of the channel facing away from the tool pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Himat Patel, Mihai Leahu
  • Patent number: 6145178
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a base with an upstanding column, a vertical spindle axis tool driving unit symmetrically located and vertically movable on the front of the column, a frontwards oriented horizontal spindle axis tool driving unit symmetrically located and vertically movable extending through the column, and a pair of guiding rails to extend vertically thereon and horizontally spaced apart from each other for guiding the upward and downward movement of the tool driving units. Symmetrically disposed counterbalance weights for both tool driving units are located within the column. Independent leadscrew driving means provide vertical upward and downward movement of the tool driving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Green Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve C. Green
  • Patent number: 6146066
    Abstract: A dust collecting router for collecting dust and debris while using a router. The dust collecting router includes a housing with a passage therethrough with a pair of ends each having an opening into the passage. A motor is mounted in the housing and has a rotating shaft outwardly extending therefrom towards a first end of the housing. A cutting bit is coupled to a free end of the rotating shaft and outwardly extending through the opening of the first end of the housing. An impeller comprising a plurality of fan blades outwardly radiating from the rotating shaft of the motor. A collecting container is in communication with the opening of the second end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Edwin C. Yelton
  • Patent number: 6141848
    Abstract: An assembly cell for accurate placement of stringer clips in a channel of a stringer for a compound contour section of an airplane fuselage, and for holding the clips at a predetermined orientation while drilling holes for fastening the clips in the stringers includes a fixture having locating surfaces for holding the stringer in a configuration that is the same as the configuration it will have when installed at its designated position in the airplane. The fixture has headers adjustable to conform to the shape of the airplane in which the stringers will be installed, The headers have clamps for securing the stringers against accurately machined reference surfaces on the headers. An end effector is held by a machine tool in the assembly cell for gripping a stringer clip and inserting it into the stringer channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David A. Yousko, Hugh R. Schlosstein, David M. Kozy, Dennis M. Cordy, Edward F. Neary, Hinrich C. Patjens
  • Patent number: 6142920
    Abstract: A tool gripper which holds a plurality of tools in arm portions thereof. The gripper is provided in a tool rack type magazine that accommodates tools used in machine tools, and each of the arm portions of the tool gripper is arc-shaped and opened in an obliquely upward direction so that a tool entrance of the arm portion faces obliquely upward over a tool holding portion of the arm portion. The tool gripper is obtained by processing a continuous, elongated plate with laser or press to form the arm portions, and such a plate can be obtained by overlaying a plurality of thin plates in the thickness direction into a sandwich structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Mori Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Ogura
  • Patent number: 6139477
    Abstract: A combination of conventional or superimposed percussive slot-cutting tools for creating slots and grooves, with eccentric, superimposed percussive, counterbalanced planar milling tools for excavating floors, walls, rocks, minerals and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: Ulrich Bechem, Klaus Bechem, Philip Bechem
  • Patent number: 6135682
    Abstract: A multiple-spindle machine includes a support and a number of spindles rotatably mounted to the support. Each of the spindles is operably connected and in driving relationship to a respective one of a like number of cutters, each of the cutters having two or more cutting edges. Each spindle is operably connected to an individually controllable electric motor. A controlling device controls the speed of each electric motor and the angular position of its associated spindle. A phase control device adjusts the speed and the angular position of each of the spindles such that the cutting edges of each of the cutters are out of phase with each of the cutting edges of others of the cutters during operation of the multiple-spindle machine. Angular position and speed detecting devices are used for detecting angular positions and speeds of each of the spindles. The angular position and speed detecting devices are in signal transmitting relationship with the phase control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Unova IP Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. McCalmont
  • Patent number: 6135933
    Abstract: The invention is a system for use in a single-anvil hydraulic press or compression system for automatically selecting and changing both the upper and lower tooling. The system is installed between the upper and lower compression anvils of a hydraulic press. The upper portion includes a set of holders for upper tools and adjacent orientation structures or jaws. The upper tool holders and jaws are mounted on a horizontal member that may be moved such that one of the upper tools is "selected" by being placed immediately below the upper anvil of the press. As part of this selection process, the anvil removes the tool from the selected holder, and holds it using pneumatic suction. Then the horizontal member shifts over so that the upper anvil is situated directly above the adjacent orientation structure for that tool. To switch to a different upper tool, the horizontal member again moves the (empty) holder below the upper anvil, whereupon the pneumatic suction is removed causing the tool to drop into the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Haeger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory T. Kelly, Brian E. Lane, Dennis W. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 6132151
    Abstract: A device for stabilizing a workstock in a slotted broach tool guide sleeve while a key broach tool extending through the guide sleeve cuts a key slot in the annular bore wall of the workstock. In a preferred embodiment the device is characterized by a pair of top and bottom end plates, each provided with a semicircular notch for receiving the cylindrical guide sleeve at opposite ends of the workstock, after the workstock is positioned on the guide sleeve. Each end plate includes a beveled surface which engages the corresponding open end of the workstock and a plate mount bolt is extended through the end plates and the workstock bore and a nut is threaded on each end of the bolt to secure the end plates against the workstock. The guide sleeve with the assembled device is oriented in a vertical position, with the lower end of the guide sleeve typically secured between the adjacent support plates of a work bench or table and the bottom end plate resting on the work table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Jerry W. Courmier
  • Patent number: 6132147
    Abstract: An underwater machining apparatus that is capable of drilling completely through a surface and collecting all machining debris is described. The underwater machining apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a drill body, a drill motor coupled to the drill body, a drill bit coupled to the drill motor, and a drill bit sleeve positioned coaxially around the drill bit. The underwater machining apparatus also includes a vacuum assembly coupled to and in fluid communication to the drill bit sleeve. The drill bit sleeve is configured so as to permit water to be drawn through the sleeve by the vacuum assembly, thereby removing the machining debris. The vacuum assembly includes a collection container configured to collect solid particles of machining debris while permitting water to flow through the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Benedict Kazirskis
  • Patent number: 6128810
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for automatically mounting a crimp-style terminal on a connector housing which can have one or more vacant cavities. The mounting device is to be applied in production in which connectors can have varying numbers of terminals. Housings are accurately fed by a plurality of parts feeders and guides. Empty housings and housings with inserted terminals are held, respectively, by separate magazines. Terminals are individually cut off from a terminal hoop and individually set into insertion positions in front of a housing. After all terminals have been set, the terminals are inserted into the cavities all at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Suzuki, Naoki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6128812
    Abstract: In a tool turret for a machine tool, in particular, a lathe, comprising a turret head rotatable about a turret indexing axis, the turret head tapering on either side of a diameter plane of the turret head extending perpendicularly to the turret indexing axis and having on each side of this diameter plane a circular ring-shaped row of tool stations which is concentric with the indexing axis, each of the tool stations having a tool receiving means for clamping a toolholder for a machining tool, in order to increase the machining operations which are performable with a tool turret and the machining accuracy, such a tool turret is so designed that: each tool station comprises a planar contact surface formed by the outer surfaces of the turret head for a toolholder; the contact surfaces of the two rows of tool stations define regular pyramids of identical shape which point away from one another and whose axes coincide with the turret indexing axis; each row of tool stations has at least one tool receiving means fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventors: Helmut Friedrich Link, Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 6126582
    Abstract: A multistation press has a transfer device with cross traverses. The transfer device is set up for an automatic tooling change by providing that the cross traverses or the tooling held thereon are to be deposited on passive tooling receiving devices on sliding tables. This deposition takes place without the aid of transfer units in that a control device activates a height adjusting device independently of the other driving devices for the workpiece transfer such that the cross traverses are lowered to the passive tooling receiving devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Andreas Dangelmayr, Karl Thudium
  • Patent number: 6122824
    Abstract: Fluid compressor or expander having a main rotor with discrete arched-helical flutes that have ruled surface roots that match the predominantly planar tips of the teeth of the associated gate rotors and provide effective fluid sealing as the gate rotor teeth sweep through the flutes of the main rotor during compressor or expander operation. The flutes can be readily and economically made by end milling, in which a first flute is milled with a minimized number of milling passes such as a first pass to make one arched-helical flank and a portion of the arcked-helical root of a first flute and a second pass to make the opposing arcked-helical flank and another portion of the arched-helical root of the first flute. Additional discrete flutes are made in a similar manner until the main rotor is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: David L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6122808
    Abstract: An oil conduit mechanism for spindle head of five-axis machine tool integrates cutting liquid conduit, lubricating oil conduit and braking oil conduit within the spindle head. Those conduits comprises ducts to guide cutting liquid, braking oil and lubricating oil to the processing location for cooling and lubrication. The oil conduit mechanism further comprises a lubricating oil recycling conduit to recycle the lubricating oil for repeated use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Konrad Joseph Popp
  • Patent number: 6119330
    Abstract: A fully automatic cutting metal-working machine, which includes a material feed unit, a cutting metal-working main unit controlled to process metal rod material delivered from the material feed unit into finished products, and a waste material conveyer controlled to collect and carry waste material out of the cutting metal-working main unit, wherein the cutting metal-working main unit includes a machine base, a casing mounted on the machine base, a material cut-off shaft assembly controlled to cut metal rod material from the material feed unit into individual workpieces, a plurality of processing shaft assemblies mounted around the casing, a rotary center fixture holder mounted within the casing at the center and controlled to carry workpiece to each of the processing shaft assemblies in proper order to receive a respective processing procedure, and a steering shaft assembly controlled to reverse the position of workpiece at each fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Chin Chung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6119322
    Abstract: A cased coil spring producing apparatus comprises a coil spring producing mechanism for forming coil springs, a conveying mechanism including a conveyer for conveying the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism, a hardening-and-cooling mechanism for hardening the coil springs and cooling them, a sheet feeding mechanism for double folding a sheet and feeding it, a compression-and-insertion mechanism for compressing the coil springs and inserting them in the double folded sheet, a bonding mechanism for bonding the double folded sheet inserting therein the coil springs together, and a coil spring arraying mechanism for changing position of the coil springs inserted in the sheet. The conveyer of the conveying mechanism includes coil spring supporting members aligned in two or more rows rising upwardly therefrom. A sorting mechanism is provided for sortably distributing the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism to the coil spring supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Eto