With Means To Protect Operative Or Machine (e.g., Guard, Safety Device, Etc.) Patents (Class 409/134)
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Patent number: 6220799Abstract: A machine tool of small scale, light weight, and low cost, yet accomplishing a high degree of precision in machining. A spindle (2) is encased in a body frame (1) and disposed preferably in such a manner that the spindle (2) is movable along an axial center thereof or Z-axis direction by means of a Z-axis moving means (4). Either Y-axis table (5) or an X-axis table (6), at least being capable of moving along X-axis or Y-axis direction, or both is provided at one end of the spindle (2) on one side of the body frame (1) and arranged to be vertical with respect to the axial center of the spindle (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,Ltd.Inventors: Norio Okutani, Toshiyuki Okada, Yoshimichi Ishii
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Patent number: 6217265Abstract: A printed circuit board drilling machine, with a well-designed outer shape, providing excellent operability and maintainability, which sequentially makes a number of holes in at least one printed circuit board, placed on a table 22 moved in an XY plane, by using a drill driven by a spindle motor 27. The machine has openable/closable doors 20 and 21 which is separated into an upper door and a lower door in a front portion. The upper door 20 opens upward, while the lower door 21 opens downward. The upper door 20 comprises transparent material. Upon maintenance, the doors 20 and 21 are opened, and the table 22 is moved inwardly. Thus, the distance from the outside of the machine to the spindle motor 27 and its peripheral parts can be reduced, and maintenance can be easily performed with respect to the spindle motor 27 and its peripheral parts.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Hitachi via Mechanics, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Katayama, Kenta Kumagai, Norio Michigami, Katsuhiro Nagasawa
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Patent number: 6200247Abstract: A machine tool and more particularly a drilling and/or milling machine, which has a machine stand, on which a slide arrangement, which runs on guide rails and is motor driven, is able to be moved in either direction of horizontal motion. On this slide arrangement a working head is arranged to receive rotary tools. Underneath the working head in a working area a power driven machining table runs along vertical guide rails for the performance of vertical working movements. The working area is laterally delimited by two side walls at least partly, such side walls extending in parallelism to the longitudinal direction, the vertical guide rails for the working table being arranged on one of the side walls. This means that there is a simple design allowing for removal of shavings to the rear and accordingly a narrow form of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AGInventor: Hans-Dieter Braun
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Patent number: 6193450Abstract: An interrupted cut pacifier (ICP) for machine tool spindle drive gears. This device forces constant engagement of the spindle drive gears during interrupted cut operations immediately causing the gears to stop banging into one another. Activation of the device causes contact shoes to grip the rotating machine spindle. Machine wear is minimized and production is increased.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Inventor: Humberto M. Caballero
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Patent number: 6192564Abstract: In the present invention, in cutting the top and bottom surfaces of a hot-rolled sheet by the rotation of milling cutters holding the sheet therebetween in the thickness direction of the sheet in the running process of the hot-rolled sheet, the cutting resistance determined by the cutting conditions including the type of hot-rolled sheet, the temperature in cutting, and the cut depth is controlled by the adjustment of cut depth, and cutting is performed by making the tension produced on the hot-rolled sheet by the cutting resistance lower than the breaking strength of the joint portion to prevent the breakage of hot-rolled sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignees: Kawasaki Steel, Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigefumi Katsura, Hideyuki Nikaido, Takeshi Hirabayashi, Atsushi Yuki, Toshiaki Amagasa, Shozo Tashiro, Tetsuo Ichikizaki, Mitsuhiro Takagi, Tadashi Nakagawa, Motofumi Kuroda
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Patent number: 6178609Abstract: A rotary device for changing parts to be machined by a machine-tool. The device includes a supporting table which has at least two pallet supports arranged at regular angular intervals for receiving each a part-carrying pallet, and is rotationally mounted between the machining station of the machine-tool and the post for supplying part-carrying pallets arranged opposite said machining station. The supporting table is pivotally mounted about its central axis and tiltingly between a horizontal position and an inclined position relative to the horizontal plane. The invention is useful for changing parts for a machine-tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Renault AutomationInventor: Raymond Laur
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Patent number: 6176656Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle stock and a worktable provided in front of the spindle stock to support workpieces thereon and capable of up-down movement and swivelling movement about a vertically extending center axis. Also employed in the machine tool is a splash guard arrangement which spatially divides the worktable into a machining region disposed in proximity to the spindle stock and a mounting region positioned distal to the spindle stock. The splash guard arrangement includes a rotary guard rigidly attached to the worktable for movement as a unit with the worktable, a stationary guard provided above the rotary guard and a sealing slider elevationally movably held by the stationary guard. The sealing slider remains in pivotal engagement with the rotary guard so that the slider can be subjected to up-down movement together with the rotary guard, while allowing the swivelling movement of the worktable and the rotary guard independently of the slider.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.Inventor: Ki Eun Seong
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Patent number: 6161992Abstract: A machining system has a frame forming a working station and a mounting plate movable relative to the frame in and adjacent the station in a first main direction, in a second direction transverse to the main direction, and in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions. A machine tool head is mounted on the mounting plate and a plurality of struts have outer ends swiveled on the mounting plate and extending inward away from the plate. A mechanism acting on the struts moves the plate and tool head in the three directions. A main panel is movable only in the first and second directions and the head is mounted in the panel for movement relative thereto only in the third direction. In addition a pair of side panels of changeable length each have an inner edge connected along a respective inner axis parallel to the third direction to a respective outer edge of the main panel and a respective outer edge connected at a respective outer axis parallel to the third direction on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Ernst Krause & Co.Inventors: Franz Holy, Karl Steiner
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Patent number: 6146066Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Inventor: Edwin C. Yelton
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Patent number: 6120222Abstract: To provide a compact size machine tool free from the inconveniences inherent to the prior art and excellent in the collection and removal of chips or the like, there is provided a channel 39 in a central portion of the bed 3 directly beneath the table 21 and extending parallel to the table moving direction; a chip conveyor 47 being provided inside the channel 39; on both sides with respect to the channel 39, a pair of opposite slopes 51, 51 for collection of chips as well as telescopic covers 53, 53 extensible or contractible in accordance with the displacement of the table 21 being provided so as to cover a pair of guide rails 13, 13 which extend parallel to each other along the Z direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Makino Milling Machine, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Hiramoto, Naoshi Takayama, Hiromi Hara, Naozumi Tanikawa
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Patent number: 6120223Abstract: A machine tool has a base, a Z-axis slide base capable of longitudinal movement on the base, and a column mounted on the slide base so as to be transversely movable on the slide base. Right and left cover plates, with respect to transverse directions, each formed by folding a single plate have inner ends connected by hinges to the column and outer ends connected by hinges to carriages guided for longitudinal movement by guide rails so as to divide spaces on the right and the left side of the column into front and rear parts. The cover plates turns on the hinges as the column moves transversely.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Howa Machinery, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiro Hirose, Akitoshi Sato
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Patent number: 6116616Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided to close off and seal a gap between undersurfaces of a machine tool installation and a coolant collection channel. The sealing arrangement includes a pair of lengths of sealing hoses inflated with air pressure to close off and seal the gap. The inflated hose seals accommodate the variable gap created by sloping collection troughs to simplify the construction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
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Patent number: 6116830Abstract: A telescoping protective cowling for removing part of a machine tool. The device includes at least three elements consisting of panels and one of which is stationary or relative to the frame and provided with a window with inside edges restricting the freedom of movement of a moving part. The second panel is slidable relative to the first panel along two axes, is longer than the window of the first panel and is provided with a window within which the moving part is free to move. The third panel is movable and substantially larger than the window in the first panel and receives the moving part in its central portion. As a result, the movements of the moving part in the plane of the two axes in the window in the first panel means that the second panel has a proportional mobility and is thus able to fill the opening of the window in the first panel after it has been left clear by the third panel following the movements of the moving part.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Renault AutomationInventor: Andre Azema
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Patent number: 6109843Abstract: A shield assembly 98 is disclosed which has one or more shield elements 102, 104, 106 which block, during machining of a seal member 70 for a rotary machine 10, seal particles from entering a vane cluster 58. Various construction details are developed which increase the effectiveness of the shield assembly. In one embodiment, the shield assembly has an upper shield element 102 having a U-shaped cross sectional shape which fits over a stator assembly 28 that includes the seal member.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Samuel S. Descoteaux
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Patent number: 6089800Abstract: The present invention concerns a protective cover for the sliding guides of a mobile machine tool part and comprises a set of rigid panels which overlap and are guided in such a way that they slide parallel with the machine tool guides, and panel pulling means, designed so that, when a first, driven panel is moved, they allow the subsequent panels in the set to be pulled. The pulling means comprise a pulling element, attached to the first panel, parallel with a direction transversal to the set of planes upon which the subsequent panels in the set lie; and contact faces, on the subsequent panels, opposite the pulling element. The contact faces are positioned in the path of the pulling element at different positions, longitudinal to the guides, so that each is intercepted by the pulling element at a different time as the element moves, thus allowing all of the subsequent panels in the set to be pulled.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.r.l.Inventor: Giorgio Tabellini
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Patent number: 6082939Abstract: In a machine tool having a worktable feed mechanism of the type that a worktable is moved in a horizontal direction relative to a tool spindle along a pair of guideways in parallel with the horizontal direction, there is provided a cutting chips collection space formed between the pair of guideways fixed to a base. A pair of ball screws are arranged outside of the cutting chips collection space for moving the worktable relative to the tool spindle in the horizontal direction. The cutting chips and coolant generated by contacting a tool with a workpiece drop into the cutting chips collection space directly without being heaped onto a cover mechanism of the worktable feed mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunimichi Nakashima, Tetsuo Teramura, Yasukazu Yamaguchi, Akiyoshi Tashiro, Hirotaka Imaizumi, Mitsuyoshi Taniguchi, Koji Toyama
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Patent number: 6065912Abstract: Improvements made to a router include a switching system which is part of a router handle and which operates the router motor by connecting it to an external electrical power source. In a preferred embodiment, the present switching system comprises the use of a locking lever and trigger in combination to activate the motor, to hold the trigger in a locked-on position to maintain the connection of electrical power to the motor, and to lock the movement of the trigger from occurring before an operator attempts to engage the motor. The switching system may also be combined with a preferred router handle shape in order to make the long term operation of the router and its switching comfortable with extended use.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Porter-Cable CorporationInventors: Donald R. Bosten, James T. Stolzer, Randy G. Cooper, Waymon L. McNeal, Jr.
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Patent number: 6059702Abstract: A machine tool comprises a spindle which has a tool receptacle for tool holders. Also provided are a tool changing apparatus for transferring the tool holders between their respective magazine position and a working position in the tool receptacle, and an internal cooling system which delivers coolant from a coolant supply system, through an internal duct running longitudinally through the spindle, to a tool holder clamped into the tool receptacle, in order to flush out a tool that is in use. Also provided is a flushing apparatus in order to flush the tool holder while it is being inserted into the tool receptacle, the flushing apparatus flushing with coolant from the coolant supply system.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Henning Winkler, Anton Schweizer
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Patent number: 6059494Abstract: In a machine tool having a workpiece support table and a tool head assembly provided with a tool engageable in a cutting relation with a workpiece positioned on the table for removing particulate material from the workpiece, a system for monitoring the cutting operation of the tool includes a support assembly, a camera for producing video signals representative of the cutting operation of the tool, the camera being mounted on the support assembly such that its focus is on said tool and a cut made thereby, and a machine controller coupled to the machine tool for controlling its operation. The machine controller includes a video monitor connected to the camera for receiving and displaying the video signals representative of the cutting operation of the tool while simultaneously displaying program information.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1996Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventor: Kenneth J. Susnjara
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Patent number: 6039516Abstract: In order to improve the operational reliability of an extending system with at least four extending elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) which are disposed behind one another and can be moved relative to one another in a direction of extension (B) as well as a direction of insertion (A) opposed thereto between an inserted position and an extended position it is proposed that for coupling the motion of the individual extending elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) a coupling arrangement be used which has a coupling element (28) which runs round a return spindle (24, 26), wherein the said return spindle is fixed relative to the middle extending element (20) of a group of three extending elements (10, 20, 30) disposed behind one another and extends perpendicular to the direction of extension, and the said coupling element (28) is movable along a path which is fixed relative to the return spindle (24, 25) and runs round the latter, the coupling arrangement also having two entraining elements (12, 31) which on the one hand are cType: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: H. Wolfgang Diels
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Patent number: 6033165Abstract: A numerical controlled router having a housing mounted on a support structure wherein an opening of the housing is formed in front of a head structure and a table support member is provided outside of the housing, a suction table is rotatably supported by the table support member, and a table rotating cylinder for rotating the suction table extends through a cut-out portion of the table support member.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Heian CorporationInventor: Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
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Patent number: 5992276Abstract: A safety apparatus for use in connection with motor driven machine tools such as engine lathes of the character used to dress the brake shoe and brake pad engaging surface of automobile brake drums and rotors. The safety apparatus can be quickly and easily attached to conventional brake drum/disc dressing lathes without the necessity of substantially modifying the lathes, does not interfere with the normal machining processes and yet fully protects the operator from accidentally contacting the rotating work pieces during the dressing operation. The apparatus includes novel safety switch mechanisms which positively prevent energization of a motor of the lathe using the factory installed "on-off" switch of the machine so long as the safety guard is in a raised position. Accordingly, required work piece set-up operations can be accomplished only through use of a specially wired foot switch which permits controlled, intermittent energization of the lathe motor by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventor: David R. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5971679Abstract: A splash guard device is utilized in a machine tool to prevent chips and coolant from flying to the outside of a cutting compartment, while permitting smooth pallet changing operation. The splash guard device includes a splash guard door capable of up/down movement and swivellable about a vertical swivel axis in the course of pallet changing operation and an elevationally movable top sealing member having a lowered position in which it remains in contact with the top edge of the splash guard door and a raised position in which it is spaced apart from the top edge of the splash guard door. Responsive to the upward movement of the splash guard door, a linkage mechanism is adapted to cause the top sealing member to move from the lowered position into the raised position. A pair of fixed side splash guard walls extend in a spaced-apart parallel relationship with respect to the corresponding side edge of the splash guard door.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Jong Ik Kim
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Patent number: 5967716Abstract: A spindle protective structure capable of reliably detecting coolant leakage from a jointing device and protecting a spindle. A flow sensor is provided in the line of a drain pipe for discharging coolant leaking from the rotary joint, so that an alarm is made when the flow of coolant in the drain pipe exceeds a predetermined value. Since the coolant leaking from the jointing device is detected directly and an alarm is outputted, coolant leakage can be found out more quickly than by observing visually whether the flow of coolant jetting from a tip of a tool is normal or not.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Katsuzawa, Yoshinobu Maeda, Yasuyuki Nakazawa
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Patent number: 5944079Abstract: A numerical controlled router is enclosed by a housing mounted on a support structure wherein the housing has an opening formed in front of a router head structure. Bearings are provided outside of the housing.A rotatable shaft is rotatably supported by the bearings and two suction tables are attached to the rotary shaft and the table can be inclined by rotary cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Heian CorporationInventor: Yoshiyuki Yamauchi
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Patent number: 5915897Abstract: A machine tool way cover and method for manufacturing same with reduced material and labor cost. The present invention is machine tool way cover which is adapted to expand and contract over a transmission platform of the machine tool so as to protect the machinery contained therein from solid and liquid contaminants generated or expelled from the machine tool. A plurality of individual boxes are telescopingly connected to form the expandable way cover and each includes a back panel attached to an enclosure. The enclosure includes a plurality of tabs which are matingly received into apertures provided in the back panel and which are then bent perpendicular to the enclosure to hold the back panel firmly thereto. In order to prevent coolant and other liquid matter from passing between the back panel and the enclosure, an adhesive sealing strip is applied over the apertures of the back panel before the tabs of the enclosure are inserted therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Hennig, Inc.Inventor: Thomas C. Reynolds
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Patent number: 5904457Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a tool in a machining operation for producing a plurality of toothed workpieces. The process comprises measuring the temperature of at least a portion of the plurality of workpieces each at essentially a same predetermined amount of time after machining. The temperature of each measured workpiece is compared to at least one workpiece reference temperature value indicative of a wear condition of the tool. If the measured temperature is less than or equal to the workpiece reference temperature value, machining of subsequent parts continues, or, if the measured temperature is greater than the workpiece reference temperature, the machining operation is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: The Gleason WorksInventors: Paul W. Suwijn, Hermann J. Stadtfeld
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Patent number: 5895182Abstract: The device is equipped with a taper shank (23), a stationary member axially tapered shape (33), and a connecting member (49). The taper shank (23) is fitted in a deep portion of a shank receiving portion with a taper bore (5) formed at the tip portion of a spindle in such a manner that installation and removal are possible, and is fixedly connected to the spindle (3). The stationary member (33) is rotatably connected to the taper shank (23), and is located in the taper bore (5) with a clearance (35) and has a spray nozzle (37) for spraying cleaning fluid into the taper bore (5) and an inside passage (39). The connecting member (49) is connected, at one end thereof, to the stationary member (33) and is connected, at the other end thereof, to a supply block (13) located at the tip portion of a spindle head (1), and has a connecting passage (53) for continuously connecting a supply hole (15) and the spray nozzle (37).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Hayashi, Mamoru Akiyama
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Patent number: 5893690Abstract: A machine tool comprises a workpiece table which has a clamping surface for workpieces to be machined and a spindle head displaceable in a working space above the workpiece table relative thereto by means of a shifting mechanism and having a spindle receiving tools for machining the workpieces. The shifting mechanism comprises three carriages movable orthogonally to one another, of which the second carriage is mounted displaceably on the first, and the third carriage displaceably on the second carriage, the spindle head being joined to the third carriage. The first carriage is arranged behind the working space and above the clamping surface, preferably above the working space.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rudolf Haninger
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Patent number: 5871312Abstract: A machine tool comprises a working space in which workpieces are to be machined and which is closed off against the outside by a case. The case comprises an opening, that can be closed by at least one sliding door and that gives access to the working space. The sliding door comprises vertically arranged slat elements that are connected one with the other by hinge connections.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rudolf Haninger, Hans-Henning Winkler
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Patent number: 5863163Abstract: The invention relates to a cover for a machine bed of a machine tool with covering boxes which can be pushed telescopically one inside another, wherein each covering box comprises a first and a second side wall and a top wall joined to the side walls. On at least one side wall an outwardly projecting catch is arranged for the next largest covering box, provided with a counter catch. The catch is configured in a profiled catch section arranged in a side wall. A shock absorbing element is arranged on the catch, which dampens the impact between the catch and the counter catch. Furthermore, a stop is provided on the profiled catch section, which can be brought into contact with a profiled catch section or a rear wall of the next-largest covering box. The stop serves to dampen the impact between two covering boxes.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbHInventors: Herbert Wehler, Roland Muller
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Patent number: 5846036Abstract: A protective cover comprising a tool covering portion and a pressure contact tube portion. The pressure contact tube portion is formed on its periphery with a multiplicity of resilient pieces. When the pressure contact tube portion is fitted over a front end portion of a tool holder, the resilient pieces come into pressure contact with a cylindrical case and a chucking nut, both of the tool holder, whereby the protective cover is securely attached to the tool holder.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: MST CorporationInventor: Haruki Mizoguchi
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Patent number: 5839861Abstract: A gear-cutting machine contains one driving motor (28) with a corresponding actuator (26a, 26c . . . ) for each of various adjusting axes (B, C, X, Z . . . ). The actuators are supplied from a common dc intermediate circuit (24) and controlled by a controller (30). The dc intermediate circuit (24) is supplied by a rectifier circuit (22) from the network (20). For defined stopping of at least some of the driving motors (28) of the adjusting axes an emergency power supply is provided. The emergency power supply contains an ac motor (34) with a disk flywheel (36) mounted on the output shaft (38) thereof. In generating service of the ac motor (34) the latter provides direct-voltage energy to the ac intermediate circuit (34) via the actuator/rectifier (40). This energy suffices for at least some of the driving motors (28) to be brought into a state of rest by their corresponding actuators in controlled fashion. This avoids errors when operation of the machine is continued.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Liebherr Verzahntechnik GmbHInventor: Joachim Schuon
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Patent number: 5836064Abstract: A machining center comprises a plurality of machine tools arranged along a track, each of which has a working space, accessible through an operator door, for machining workpieces present in a receptacle. In addition, a loading system is provided for transporting the workpieces between the individual machine tools and for exchanging the workpieces on the machine tools through a loading opening that can be closed off by the respective operator door. At least some of the machine tools perform different machining operations in succession on the same workpiece. The loading system comprises a transport track, arranged on the machine tools for manually moving the workpieces from one machine tool to the next.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Henning Winkler, Karl Deufel
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Patent number: 5829930Abstract: A crankshaft miller performs cutting work by means of a cutter mounted on a rotary cutter drum, for a work which both ends are gripped by chucks, and clamps a portion in the vicinity of a processed portion of the work by a rest arm to be opened and closed. An arrangement for preventing chip from flying around includes a chip flying around preventing cover which is designed for preventing chip from flying around upon stopping of the rotary cuter drum. The chip flying around preventing cover includes a main cover positioned in the vicinity of the rotary cutter drum and having an opening with a diameter sufficiently larger than an external diameter of the chuck when a rotary cutter drum is positioned at a stand-by position; and an auxiliary cover mounted on an opening portion of the main cover and having an opening with a diameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the chuck.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Komatsu Machinery CorporationInventor: Masumi Shimomura
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Patent number: 5807043Abstract: A machine tool way cover to provide protection to a moveable machine tool which is provided with an interlocking feature to prevent misalignment or skewing of the actual way cover. The present invention provides a dramatic improvement over prior art machine tool coverings and way covers in that it eliminates the need for individual segments of the machine tool way cover to be manufactured to extremely tight physical tolerances by providing interlocking channels at the base of each way cover segment. The channels provide grooves within which the channels of smaller segments actually move as the machine tool and machine tool way cover move in and out. By providing such an interlocking mechanism, the machine tool way cover avoids becoming misaligned and inoperative even when objects or personnel impart substantial loads to the way cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Hennig, Inc.Inventor: Clay Blank
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Patent number: 5803681Abstract: A handle retainer includes a generally cylindrical, hollow body with first and second ends. The first end is C-shaped and defines a central opening. The second end is closed. The retainer is useful for mounting over a handle and receiver assembly in which the receiver is mounted on a shaft and the handle and receiver include mutually facing projections and recesses which are interlocked in the coupled condition. The C-shaped first end of the retainer is received behind the handle receiver with the shaft being positioned within the central opening, while the closed second end is received against a head of the handle. The retainer preferably includes a recess for receiving the handle head in a snap fit fashion.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: J&L Tool & Machine, Inc.Inventor: Joseph E. Landwerlen
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Patent number: 5791841Abstract: The present invention is a quill interlock for a milling machine. Structurally, the present invention includes a clasp or other attachment means attachable to a milling machine. The clasp carries a switch which is activated when the quill of the milling machine reaches a predetermined, user selected, position on the Z-axis. The switch is connected to the computer controlling the milling machine, causing the computer to relocate the milling machine table to a new X and Y location each time the quill is raised to the predetermined position on the Z-axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Inventor: Harry Zones
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Patent number: 5782151Abstract: An apparatus for transferring workpieces to and from the chuck of a machine tool. A gripper arm is mounted to the machine frame for selectively axial and rotational movement on a shaft having helical and longitudinal threads on the surface thereof. A first nut is rotatably mounted to the machine frame for axial advancement of the shaft and a second nut is rotatably mounted for rotational advancement. The apparatus may also include a panel mounted to the machine frame between a transfer station and the chuck. An opening in the panel adjacent the transfer station has surfaces which mate with corresponding surfaces of the gripper arm so as to preclude the passage of debris to the transfer station. The apparatus may also include an apparatus for sequentially transferring a series of workpieces. The apparatus has a two gripper jaws and a compressible pusher plate therebetween which is compressed as it is moved towards an opening in an input chute so that a workpiece may roll between the jaws of the gripper.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Kitagawa Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshio Shiramasa
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Patent number: 5762454Abstract: A spindle device for detecting the completion of an automatic tool changing procedure comprising a spindle (11) having a tool holder support portion (22) formed at the forward end thereof, a drawing bolt (17) with a through-hole (18) through which an air is blown in the vicinity of a tool holder support portion (22) of the spindle (11) for cleaning in the automatic tool changing procedure, and a pressure detection means (21) disposed in association with the through-hole (18) of the drawing bolt (17), wherein whether or not a tool holder (9) is suitably mounted on the tool holder mounting portion (22) is judged on the basis of an air blow pressure detected by the pressure detection means (21).Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Kitamura Machinery Co. Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Yamada
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Patent number: 5704884Abstract: In a machine tool of the present invention, a spindle head rotatably supports a vertical tool spindle. On the spindle head base, a guide mechanism is provided so as to guide the spindle head in mutually orthogonal first and second horizontal directions and in a vertical direction. A workpiece is supported on a workpiece supporting base provided at a front side of the spindle head base. The workpiece is surrounded with a side cover assembly on the workpiece support base so as to define a machining area therewithin. The upper end of the side cover assembly is covered with a top cover assembly. The top cover assembly has a spindle hole through which a nose portion of the spindle head passes so as to permit the tool spindle to reach the machining area, and is flexibly operable to follow the movements of the spindle head in the first and second horizontal directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Uemura, Yukio Hoshino, Koichi Sakai
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Patent number: 5669751Abstract: A machine guard has an opening with a detachable door; i.e., sliding tracks and hinges are not used for door support. When an outside loader arm and its part grippers move to the door, the door is unlatched from the guard and attached to the arm. The arm and grippers then move through the opening, taking the door away from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.Inventors: James R. Hoffman, Robert F. Massmann
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Patent number: 5666010Abstract: A safety device and a supply power controller of a machine tool providing bidirectional communication for determining whether the safety device is appropriate for the particular machine tool, and whether the safety device is properly worn. The communication means used allow to associate one safety device to a plurality of machine tools and a plurality of safety devices to one machine tool, as well as relating safety devices to a specified work zone including a plurality of machine tools.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Gus Stratiotis
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Patent number: 5658105Abstract: Two opposing and parallel resilient wipers contact and wipe a top surface of a panel rotating about an axis perpendicular to the length of the wipers. The panel separates exchanger platforms of a rotatable turntable for exchanging workpieces between a loading station and a machining station. Each wiper is split near the center to follow the top surface of the panel as it rotates, and the splits are offset from each other along the lengthwise direction such that debris or fluid entering one of the slits will be stopped by an opposing face of the remaining wiper.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Takahashi
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Patent number: 5640747Abstract: A curtain apparatus having a hood with a top plate in which one or more slots and/or openings are positioned, such as approximately parallel to each other. A fixed woven mesh metal curtain is mounted within one slot or opening so that the fixed woven mesh metal curtain remains in a fixed position with respect to the top plate, during operation of a descaler. A moveable woven mesh metal curtain can be mounted within the same or another slot or opening so that during operation of the descaler, the moveable woven mesh metal curtain translates along a longitudinal axis of the slot or the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: James N. Donnelly
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Patent number: 5624363Abstract: A machine tool includes a cover member covering an upper open portion of a movable carriage and at least one chain member to connect the cover member to the carriage. The cover member hangs down the front surface of the carriage and forms a U-shape with the at least one chain member at the lower side of the carriage. Chips that are trapped on the inside of the cover member are discharged through an open portion when the at least one chain member is located at the lowest point of the U-shape through the movement of a column of the machine tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuteru Kuriki
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Patent number: 5607269Abstract: A milling apparatus is disclosed which includes a milling machine having a milling cutter which is sealingly isolated from the milling machine within an enclosed work area, a support fixture disposed within the enclosed work area for supporting a work piece, and a mechanism for moving the milling cutter along a predetermined path relative to the work piece. Preferably, the milling apparatus is employed to cut bone into small fragments for subsequent utilization, and the sealed isolation of the milling cutter inhibits cross-contamination between differing work pieces.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Osteotech, Inc.Inventors: Michael Dowd, Nelson Scarborough, Mark Daugherty
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Patent number: 5570979Abstract: A telescopic cover, provided for a machine tool, which comprises a first member slidable between first and second positions along an axis and having first and second ends provided toward the first and second positions respectively, a second member provided beneath the first member stationary along the axis, and a feeding mechanism for moving the first member along the axis, the feeding mechanism being provided in a space beneath a horizontal plane substantially coincide with the top face of the second member. The telescopic cover comprises a pair of telescopic cover assemblies which are provided over the feeding mechanism so as to retract and extend along an axis when the first member moves along the axis. The pair of telescopic cover assemblies comprises a pair of first cover members attached to the first and second ends of the fist member to move with the first member, a pair of second cover members provided for the respective first cover members.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Okamoto, Akihiko Fujimoto
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Patent number: 5551813Abstract: A processing machine comprises at least three powered guides (13,15,27) for movement along Cartesian axes for a support (12) to hold a tool (21) on a horizontal table (11). Motors (14,16,19) for movement along the three guides are connected to an integrated control device in the machine comprising a microprocessor sending to the motors movement signals reading data for position and moving from memories connected thereto. To the microprocessor are also connected a keyboard (130) for sending command signals and means (131) for display of operating information. The tool 21 is a router having its base (70) still attached so that a dust hood (76) incorporated in the base may be employed for dust extraction. A router (21) has a base (70) joined to a body (60) by columns (62,64), the latter being slidable in sleeves (66) in the body (60). A spring (90) between the base (70) and the body of the router serves as a guard for the router bit (76).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: John Bonnett
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Patent number: 5531004Abstract: A machining center adapted for use in cutting a workpiece into a desired shape, comprising: a bed having a table for changeably holding a first pallet; a support die disposed in front of the bed to support a second pallet to be changed with the first pallet; a machine housing extending upwardly from the bed to define a cutting compartment enclosing the first pallet, the machine housing having a frontal access opening; a rotary door mounted on the machine housing to openably close the access opening; pivot pins for pivotally supporting the rotary door at central top and bottom edges of the door; a pallet changer disposed beneath the rotary door for exchanging the first and second pallets with each other, the pallet changer including a rotary arm, a vertical cylinder for causing the arm to vertically move from a lower position to an upper position and first and second horizontal cylinders for causing the arm to rotate between a first angular position where the arm remains parallel to the door and a second angulType: GrantFiled: December 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.Inventor: Jae B. Ahn