Patents by Inventor Craig R. Ronald

Craig R. Ronald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11904396
    Abstract: A method wherein a first workpiece (2, 40) is loaded to a spindle (30) of a workpiece processing machine with the first toothed workpiece having a predetermined design and being in a predetermined rotational load position. The first toothed workpiece is stock-divided and a machining position is determined based on the stock-dividing. The first toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted to the machining position. The teeth (3, 42) of the first toothed workpiece are then machined and the first workpiece is removed from the spindle. A second toothed workpiece is loaded to the spindle of the workpiece processing machine. The second toothed workpiece has the same predetermined design and is in the same predetermined rotational load position as the first toothed workpiece. The second toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted from the predetermined rotational load position to the machining position by the same adjustment amount as the first toothed workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: THE GLEASON WORKS
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Uwe Gaiser, Daniel J. Schwab, Matthew J. McNall, Bryan L. Patterson, Kevin H. Blakely, William D. McGlasson
  • Publication number: 20210308780
    Abstract: A method wherein a first workpiece (2, 40) is loaded to a spindle (30) of a workpiece processing machine with the first toothed workpiece having a predetermined design and being in a predetermined rotational load position. The first toothed workpiece is stock-divided and a machining position is determined based on the stock-dividing. The first toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted to the machining position. The teeth (3, 42) of the first toothed workpiece are then machined and the first workpiece is removed from the spindle. A second toothed workpiece is loaded to the spindle of the workpiece processing machine. The second toothed workpiece has the same predetermined design and is in the same predetermined rotational load position as the first toothed workpiece. The second toothed workpiece is rotationally adjusted from the predetermined rotational load position to the machining position by the same adjustment amount as the first toothed workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Uwe Gaiser, Daniel J. Schwab, Matthew J. McNall, Bryan L. Patterson, Kevin H. Blakely, William D. McGlasson
  • Patent number: 10391562
    Abstract: A workholding apparatus (10) wherein a draw bar (22) effects chucking and de-chucking of a workpiece (W) and wherein un-seating of the workholding apparatus is effected by piston-like mechanisms (30) located in a machine spindle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: THE GLEASON WORKS
    Inventors: William A. Curtis, Kenneth E. Glasow, Michael G. Regna, Craig R. Ronald
  • Publication number: 20170232525
    Abstract: A workholding apparatus (10) wherein a draw bar (22) effects chucking and de-chucking of a workpiece (W) and wherein un-seating of the workholding apparatus is effected by piston-like mechanisms (30) located in a machine spindle (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: William A. Curtis, Kenneth E. Glasow, Michael G. Regna, Craig R. Ronald
  • Patent number: 8961081
    Abstract: Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Alan S. Metelsky
  • Patent number: 8777230
    Abstract: A tool securing device capable of clamping a tool to a machine spindle as well as assisting in the removal of a tool from a machine spindle, all in a tool-less manner. The tool securing device includes distal means to be releasably gripped by a machine draw bar as well as means to releasably engage a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Matthew C. Meyer, David J. Senecal, Daniel D. Wood, Kenneth E. Glasow
  • Publication number: 20120161404
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arbor chuck workholding assembly comprising an arbor chuck (2), outer ring (6), clamp ring (8) and backing ring (10). The arbor chuck comprises a plurality of holding angle lugs (18) and ejecting angle lugs (20) located about its periphery. The outer ring (6) comprises a plurality of complementary holding angle ramps (22) and ejecting angle ramps (24) located on its inner diameter surface. A machine spindle (4) is rotated to engage the holding angled lugs (18) with the holding angle ramps (22) such that the arbor chuck will be drawn into position against the spindle. For disengaging, a reverse rotation of the spindle will result in ejecting angle ramps (24) engaging ejecting angle lugs(20) to loosen the arbor chuck from the spindle. Therefore, no tools are required to secure the arbor chuck to the machine spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: THE GLEASON WORKS
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Donald L. Allis, Kenneth E. Glasow
  • Publication number: 20120155980
    Abstract: Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: THE GLEASON WORKS
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Alan S. Metelsky
  • Publication number: 20120098214
    Abstract: A tool securing device capable of clamping a tool to a machine spindle as well as assisting in the removal of a tool from a machine spindle, all in a tool-less manner. The tool securing device includes distal means to be releasably gripped by a machine draw bar as well as means to releasably engage a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE GLEASON WORKS
    Inventors: Craig R. Ronald, Matthew C. Meyer, David J. Senecal, Daniel D. Wood, Kenneth E. Glasow
  • Patent number: 6712566
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears comprising a machine column including a first side and a second side. A first spindle is movably secured to the first side with the first spindle being rotatable about a first axis. A second spindle is movably secured to the second side with the second spindle being rotatable about a second axis. The first and second spindles are movable linearly with respect to one another in up to three linear directions with at least one of the first and second spindles being angularly movable with respect to its respective side. The angular movement of at least one of the first and second spindles being about a respective pivot axis extending generally parallel with its respective side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Hermann J. Stadtfeld, Craig R. Ronald, Klaus Peiffer
  • Patent number: 6669415
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears including a column, a first spindle, and a second spindle is provided. The column has a first side and a second side. The first spindle is movably secured to the first side and rotatable about a first axis. The second spindle is movably secured to the second side and rotatable about a second axis. The first and second spindles are movable linearly with respect to one another in three directions. At least one of the first and second spindles is angularly movable relative to its respective side about a vertical pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Hermann J. Stadtfeld, Craig R. Ronald
  • Publication number: 20030040258
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears including a column, a first spindle, and a second spindle is provided. The column has a first side and a second side. The first spindle is movably secured to the first side and rotatable about a first axis. The second spindle is movably secured to the second side and rotatable about a second axis. The first and second spindles are movable linearly with respect to one another in three directions. At least one of the first and second spindles is angularly movable relative to its respective side about a vertical pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Hermann J. Stadtfeld, Craig R. Ronald
  • Publication number: 20020154961
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears comprising a machine column including a first side and a second side. A first spindle is movably secured to the first side with the first spindle being rotatable about a first axis. A second spindle is movably secured to the second side with the second spindle being rotatable about a second axis. The first and second spindles are movable linearly with respect to one another in up to three linear directions with at least one of the first and second spindles being angularly movable with respect to its respective side. The angular movement of at least one of the first and second spindles being about a respective pivot axis extending generally parallel with its respective side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Hermann J. Stadtfeld, Craig R. Ronald, Klaus Peiffer