Gear Means Patents (Class 269/61)
  • Patent number: 4568070
    Abstract: In a positioning and turning apparatus for the machining of heavy workpieces, the problem of inaccuracies caused by bearing play and drive stresses and standing in the way of a sensitive and accurate setting and thus the use of numerical controls and controlled positions is eliminated by using ring bearings with a large cross-section which can be used as compact building units and connected to large drive-geared wheels, resulting in a definite gain as regards rigidity, freedom from play and precision. With a cross carrier on the carrier of a positioning and turning apparatus, the workpiece is translatorily movable in addition to its rotatability around two axes, being adjustable particularly with respect to the axis of rotation so that an optional radius can be set in the case of curved machining like, for example, curved welding seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Wilhelm Severt
  • Patent number: 4550872
    Abstract: A novel and improved fillet welding equipment is disclosed which comprises a movable member adapted to be movable longitudinally of the welding equipment, a threaded shaft inclined forwardly and mounted to the movable member, a welding torch threadedly connected with the threaded shaft to be movable upwardly or downwardly in a direction of inclination of said threaded shaft, and a jig positioned in front of the welding torch to carry members to be welded and adapted to be rotatable longitudinally of the welding equipment, whereby the whole periphery of the pipe member to be welded can be completely welded by a single welding torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Tachikawa Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 4548051
    Abstract: A cryostat microtome apparatus comprises a cooling enclosure which can be set to a predetermined internal temperature and a microtome disposed in the enclosure. The enclosure is supported on a support assembly which is vertically adjustable to permit stepless adjustment of the height of the enclosure, for adaptation to operator requirements. A mechanical actuating assembly and/or a gas spring assembly is provided for height adjustment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Parke, Davis & Company
    Inventor: Gerhard Moessner
  • Patent number: 4531474
    Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary apparatus for treating boards such as printed circuit boards at various treating stations circumferentially disposed around the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a plurality of clamps for holding the work piece, a plurality of mechanisms for elevating and lowering the clamps individually, and turning a rotary frame carrying said plurality of clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Inuta
  • Patent number: 4511128
    Abstract: A rotary table for holding a workpiece for machining. The rotary table comprises a base, a rotary member supported by the base, a transversely movable member carried by the rotary member, a laterally movable member carried by the transversely movable member, a lead screw device for displacing the laterally movable and transversely movable members, and a worm and worm gear for selectively rotating the rotary member relative to the base. The rotary table includes a thrust bearing for supporting the rotary member against the base, and a biasing means abutting the thrust bearing at one end and abutting the rotary member at another end to allow a slight contact between the rotary member and the base to exclude dirt and allow rotation of the rotary member relative to the base with a minimum amount of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph J. Dancsik
  • Patent number: 4510980
    Abstract: A table assembly for a multipurpose tool is used in combination with a tool of the type having a frame, a pair of parallel way tubes mounted on the frame, a headstock mounted on the frame having a motor driven spindle, and releasable pivots which allow the way tubes to be pivoted about their ends to a substantially vertical positions. The table assembly includes a table top, a pivot mounted beneath the table top, a pair of support legs having racks on opposite sides thereof and attached to the pivot, and a carriage, mounted on the way tubes, having channels to receive the support legs. A pair of pinion gears are positioned within the channels to mesh with the racks and are driven by a crank having a locking mechanism so that the table can be displaced relative to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Shopsmith, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bartlett, Robert N. McKee
  • Patent number: 4463937
    Abstract: Apparatus for the positioning of an automobile vehicle bodywork on an inspection and/or repair gauge block of the type comprising two parallel longitudinal members having an I-section. The apparatus comprises two cross members for disposition beneath the longitudinal members the cross members being mounted for movement along the longitudinal members by means of rollers rolling on the lower flanges of the longitudinal members. The extremities of these cross members each carry, outside the gauge block, a lateral bracket containing a sliding vertical arm the upper extremity of which carries an element adapted to support the base of a vehicle body. This element is movably mounted in the transverse direction while mechanical control structure is provided permitting sliding the vertical arm in order to adjust the position of this support element in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Celette S.A.
    Inventor: Germain Celette
  • Patent number: 4462579
    Abstract: A tilting table for machining works is of the worm and worm wheel type incorporating a hydraulic servomechanism. A displacement of a stylus operating lever effected by the drive worm shaft moves the servocontrol valve out of its neutral position, thereby causing a tilting motion of the table in a desired direction via a hydraulic power unit of the mechanism. Due to a linkage connection between the table and the lever, the movement of the table always follows the lever so as to compensate the initial displacement, resulting in light and accurate positioning of the inclined table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eishin Satake
  • Patent number: 4416570
    Abstract: A work holder for precision positioning and movement of a workpiece (20) relative to a machine tool comprises a base (100), a pair of spaced stocks (200, 300) mounted on the base, a spindle assemblies (210, 310) supported on each of the stocks for rotation about a common axis, a chuck (246, 346) supported on each of the spindle assembly (210, 310) for clamping the workpiece (20) therebetween, and adjustable mounting means (236-272, 336-372) on each of the spindle assemblies (210, 310) for permitting movement of each of the chucks (246, 346) transversely of the axis. A driveshaft (406) and gearing (402, 408) is provided for imparting rotation to one spindle assembly (210). A crank (422) is operatively connected to the driveshaft (406), and oscillating drive means (416) is providing for oscillating the crank (422) about the driveshaft (406) in two opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Inventor: Carl T. Argenbright
  • Patent number: 4402234
    Abstract: A three-axis wrist mechanism has three independent rotational axes with a point of mutual intersection. A stationary housing contains one of the axes while another axis is disposed in a tool support member. An intermediate axis is disposed in an intermediate housing. A plurality of gear trains provide the independent rotation of components about the three axes to permit selective positioning of a tool mounting surface within a substantially hemispherical envelope. The gear trains are arranged so that an unobstructed gear passage is maintained between the stationary base and the tool support member for accommodating hoses and/or wires which are used to transmit fluid and power to a tool mounted on the mounting surface of the tool support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Antoni J. Malarz, Gerald C. Rieck
  • Patent number: 4387014
    Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus with a table formed by three slabs on which the workpiece rests. The table is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and rests on a fixed support. A plurality of rollers in recesses of the fixed support engage the undersurface of the lower slab, and can be raised by servomotors to rotate the table. A clamping arrangement also engages the lower slab and fixed support for clamping the table in any desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: AEG-Elotherm G.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Edgar Stengel
  • Patent number: 4369958
    Abstract: A motor-driven rotating table positioning device has a bullgear engaged by two pinions each driven by the high-efficiency worm and gear set. These two worm and gear sets are connected by a coupling shaft and an adjustable coupling which allows a desired torsion to be maintained in the coupling shaft thereby eliminating any table backlash caused by the bullgear, pinions and high-efficiency worm and gear sets. For safety in the event of motor failure, the motor is coupled to the coupling shaft by a low-efficiency or self-locking worm and gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Airco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Maynard
  • Patent number: 4317560
    Abstract: A work manipulator particularly advantageous for use in welding, cutting and like operations comprises a plurality of functionally related arms, at least a portion of said arms being respectively mounted for rotation in different planes. Means are provided for rotating said arms simultaneously or selectively as needs and to the extent required. Further means coupled to at least a portion of said arms provide as between such means and the arm to which such means is coupled a defined path of movement of one relative the other. With work holder means based on at least a portion of said arms, said arms and said coupled means are selectively or simultaneously operable to manipulate work to continuously present and move the same relative to a torch or like device at the attitude required to effect a complete continuous weld or cut with or without a change in position of the torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Inventor: Wade E. Troyer
  • Patent number: 4293011
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and notching beams to predetermined specification comprising spaced parallel loading and discharge stations for receiving and discharging beams to be treated, transfer jaws operable to seize a beam at the receiving station and move it therefrom to the discharge station in a direction at right angles to its length, operating instrumentalities for performing one or more cutting operations on the beams at different places longitudinally thereof, trolleys supporting the operating instrumentalities intermediate the loading and discharge station at a level above the path of travel of the beams from the loading station to the discharge station such that the transfer jaws move the beams into engagement with all of the operating instrumentalities as they move the beams from the loading station to the discharge station and drive means for effecting reciprocation of the transfer jaws and operating instrumentalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Vermont Log Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. White, Edwin A. Barton, Jesse P. Ware
  • Patent number: 4278244
    Abstract: A pivotable dolly for securedly holding a heavy rectangular member, such as a door, by one edge to permit the transportation, preparation and final attachment of the member in its intented position. The dolly includes an elongated member, clamps fixed to the elongated member to releasably hold the rectangular member by its edge, handles for supporting the dolly when the elongated member is positioned horizontally, and a pair of wheels for permitting the rolling and pivoting of the dolly. When the dolly is pivoted to a horizontal position, the rectangular member being held can be vertically adjusted to properly align the rectangular member for attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Charles E. Carter
  • Patent number: 4277796
    Abstract: Selected fields of a redundant field slow motion video tape reproduced video signal are stored in a memory at a given clock rate and recovered at a lower clock rate that is inversely proportional to the number of times each field is repeated so as to produce a non-redundant video signal of reduced bandwidth. An audio signal is simultaneously reproduced from the tape at a rate less than that at which it was originally recorded and combined with the recovered video signal to produce a composite audio-video signal of reduced bandwidth possessing the full informational content of the original audio and video signals. The composite signal is suitable for application to the cutterhead of a video disc mastering lathe operating at reduced turntable speed whereby full bandwidth master recordings may be made with a cutterhead of lesser bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Ross
  • Patent number: 4274773
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary index table comprising a stationary table housing, a table plate which is designed for reception of the workpiece and rotation by a drive means mounted on said table housing, a total of three Hirth-type serrations arranged concentrically with respect to one another, namely a first on said table housing, a second on said table plate, preferably in the same plane as said first Hirth-type serration, and adjacent said first two Hirth-type serrations a third Hirth-type serration that is substantially non-rotatable, but is designed for axial adjustment and simultaneous engagement with and disengagement from said first two Hirth-type serrations so as to lock and unlock the latter, said table plate being rotatable by said drive means when the first and the second Hirth-type serrations are in the disengaged state and securable at least in angular positions determined by the pitch of the Hirth-type serrations by a brake means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Burkhardt, Hans Staiger
  • Patent number: 4200273
    Abstract: A support stand arrangement for gas turbine engines which includes a ground anchored base column on which is arranged a yoke for supporting the engine. The yoke is arranged at the base column for rotation together with a supported engine about an axis of rotation which extends at right angles to a centerline of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Arun-Kumar Das Gupta, Franz Seidl
  • Patent number: 4199294
    Abstract: An automatic production machine having a headpiece that is adapted to hold a workpiece and/or a work tool and a support for carrying the headpiece. The headpiece and the support are self-contained units which are independent of each other. The support has a mount for supporting the headpiece for pivotal movement with respect to the support about a transverse pivot axis and a drive for pivoting the headpiece when the same is pivotably supported by the support. The headpiece has a mount capable of being pivotably received by the mount of the support and at least one extension which, when the headpiece is pivotably supported by the support, extends into the support and coacts with the drive such that upon actuation of the latter, the headpiece is pivoted about the transverse pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz Streck, Peter Paprotny, Gerhard Brager
  • Patent number: 4093199
    Abstract: A rotatable engine supporting apparatus including a pair of spaced truncated bases, an engine supporting frame disposed between the spaced base on rotatable shafts extending through pairs of bearing assemblies mounted on the upper surface of each of the bases, one of the shafts being driven by a gear reduction motor located in one of the bases through a chain and sprocket arrangement; the engine supporting frame being of a generally rectangular configuration with shorter end members affixed to the shafts and longer side members extending between the end members, the side and end members being edge-reinforced I beams welded together at the corners with overlay corner plate reinforcements, the frame having removable engine mounting brackets extending inwardly from each of the side members, each of the mounting brackets having an angle section with two faces engageable with the side member, a plurality of spaced connecting sections extending transversely from the angle section to an engine engaging section, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Ralph Stewart
    Inventor: Paul Hefner
  • Patent number: 4013281
    Abstract: A jig driving apparatus for moving a jig plate and workpiece mounted thereon relative to a jig body. The jig driving apparatus comprises a driven shaft rotatably mounted in the center of the jig body and underneath the jig plate and a converter for converting rotation of said driven shaft into motion of the jig plate relative to the jig body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 3935987
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the weldment of plates and stiffners which form a section of predetermined size with the least amount of handling. The method utilizes a fixture including a frame suitable to support the plates, holding devices to secure the plates to the frame, lifting mechanisms to lift the frame and plates for rotational purposes and a drive assembly to rotate the frame in an arc of 180.degree. to facilitate the weldment of the plates together to form a plate section. The fixture is designed for use as part of an in-line conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Inventors: Christopher J. Foster, Sr., Christopher J. Foster, Jr.