With Work Holder Or Guide Patents (Class 409/225)
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Patent number: 5788434Abstract: A method and machine for repairing overhead cam engine cylinder heads and the like. The method includes the steps of removing the caps from the bases of the bearing towers or housings, removing material from the legs of the caps to reduce their height, replacing the caps on the bases, and boring the resulting bearings to produce bearings of the proper diameter. The machine includes a device for machining a bearing cap and a device for boring the bearings. The device for boring the bearings has a boring bar that is supported only at opposite ends of the cylinder head. The bar does not sag or chatter because it is made of an extremely hard and dense material such as a dense tungsten alloy or a ceramic-coated metal.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Harmand Family Limited PartnershipInventor: Brice Harmand
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Patent number: 5743685Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clamping device comprising a workpiece-engaging portion including a workpiece-engaging surface; sealing means for sealing the workpiece-engaging portion with the workpiece; the sealing means including a first resilient member arranged to seal between the workpiece-engaging surface and the workpiece, wherein the sealing means, the workpiece-engaging portion and the workpiece collectively form a first chamber; vacuum supply means for supplying a vacuum to the first chamber to draw together the workpiece and the workpiece-engaging portion; and pressure supply means for applying a pressure to the first resilient member to force the first resilient member against the workpiece-engaging portion and the workpiece. Also disclosed is a method for clamping a workpiece to a processing machine as well as a workpiece processing machine incorporating the clamping device.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1994Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Quickmill, Inc.Inventor: David C. Piggott
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Patent number: 5743687Abstract: A quick fixture changing apparatus for the fourth axis turn table of a machine tool. A pneumatic servomechanism exerts force on a drawbar, which is releasably attached to the fixture plate. The drawbar passes through the central opening of the turn table, so that the servomechanism, drawbar, and fixture are all axially aligned. An intermediate fixture plate is permanently mounted to the turn table, and has dowels for aligning the work holding fixture plate. When pneumatic pressure is relaxed, the fixture plate is manually lifted from the fourth axis. Tedious threading of fixture plates is eliminated. A new fixture plate, which has been prepared during the prior machining operation, can then be mounted on the dowels. Air pressure is restored, and the new fixture is securely locked in place. With 80 psi (5.5 kPa) operating pressure, a servomechanism of 6 inch (15 cm) diameter can develop a clamping force of 1800 lb (800 N).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Inventors: John Ribic, Valentin Ribic
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Patent number: 5715878Abstract: A jig for holding an arcuate wood piece is mounted on the table of a molder-planar. The jig has a base which is attached to the table. Mounted for rotation on the base is a clamp holder. A clamp is attached to the clamp holder for holding the arcuate wood piece for rotation with the clamp holder and for engagement with the cutting tool of the molder-planar so as to cut the arcuate wood piece.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1997Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventor: Andrew Ondish
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Patent number: 5692286Abstract: A method of shaping printed circuit boards comprises the steps of providing a base plate, installing a board shaped element including the parts to be shaped on an upper surface of the base plate, fixing the base plate and board shaped element on a table of a machine tool with a lower surface of the base plate in contact with the table, drilling a hole through the board shaped element within the contour of each part to be shaped, the hole extending substantially as far as the lower surface, installing a pin in the hole, carrying out the shaping of the parts, and, machining the pin to partially or completely remove the pin.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Posulax S.A.Inventor: Patrice Barthelemy
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Patent number: 5647707Abstract: A multi-axis machining apparatus including structure for positioning a workpiece in a precise and repeatable manner in relation to a tool bit. The multi-axis machining apparatus includes a first table forming a horizontally disposed upper surface and having an opening for mounting a first tool in an inverted position therein and for projecting a first bit upward through the opening and above said upper surface. The horizontal upper surface has first and second axes intersecting each other in perpendicular relationship and the opening is centered on a vertical third axis, intersecting said first and second axes in perpendicular relationship therewith. A fence structure may be attached to the carriage assembly for guiding movements of a workpiece along the upper surface of the first table. A second table assembly is attachable to the underside of the first table. A carriage assembly may be operatively engaged with the first table for moving the carriage assembly in a direction parallel to the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Positive Position Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Poulin
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Patent number: 5634749Abstract: A vacuum vice for holding a bowling ball when drilling holes or engraving the ball includes inner and outer o-rings seals which form inner and outer concentric vacuum chambers that work together to form a seal with a bowling ball having surface imperfections or engraving. The inner vacuum chamber holds the ball against the inner seal and a vacuum passageway applies the vacuum to the outer vacuum chamber which seats the ball against the outer seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Jerry LiemInventors: David Edis, Bert Poort
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Patent number: 5607268Abstract: A vacuum vice for holding a bowling ball when drilling holes or engraving the ball includes inner and outer o-rings seals which form two vacuum chambers that work together to form a seal with a bowling ball having surface imperfections or engraving. The inner vacuum chamber holds the ball to a buoyant cup. The outer vacuum chamber seats the ball against a contoured, hard rim surface and is connected by a leakage path around the inner seal to a piston chamber which pulls on the buoyant cup to further seat the ball. The outer seal is mounted on a movable housing that automatically adjusts to the size of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Jerry LiemInventors: David Edis, Bert Poort
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Patent number: 5487630Abstract: A machine is disclosed for cutting a workpiece made of styrofoam or like material. The machine includes a frame having a generally planar base adapted to support the workpiece. A rotary cutter is supported above the workpiece and is rotatably driven about an axis perpendicular to the base of the frame. The rotary cutter is mounted to a carriage which is moveable on a slide in a first direction parallel to the base of the frame. The slide, in turn, is movably mounted to the frame in a second direction which is also parallel to the plane of the base but perpendicular to the first direction. The rotary cutter is also movably mounted to the carriage in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the base so that the cutter is moveable along all three or orthogonal axes. The cutter includes a plurality of radial bores which are fluidly connected with an axial bore in the cutter.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Inventor: Jonathon Campian
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Patent number: 5409334Abstract: A vacuum vice for holding a bowling ball when drilling holes or engraving the ball includes inner and outer o-rings seals which form two vacuum chambers that work together to form a seal with a bowling ball having surface imperfections or engraving. The inner vacuum chamber holds the ball to a buoyant cup. The outer vacuum chamber seats the ball against a contoured, hard rim surface and is connected by a leakage path around the inner seal to a piston chamber which pulls on the buoyant cup to further seat the ball. The outer seal is mounted on a movable housing that automatically adjusts to the size of the ball.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: David EdisInventors: David Edis, Bert Poort
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Patent number: 5322399Abstract: A tube end preparing apparatus for precisely preparing the ends of tubes, including bent tubes. The apparatus includes a reference mechanism, a tube clamping mechanism, a cutting mechanism, and cutting head control mechanisms. The reference mechanism and tube clamping mechanism combine to precisely locate a flow tube with respect to defined reference indicia. The entire locating and clamping process not only provides accuracy and symmetry in aligning and clamping the flow tube relative to the desired reference indicia but can be accurately repeated with speed. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating cutting head mounted for longitudinal movement on a carriage. A control system controls the feeding movement of the carriage as the cutting head nears the end of the flow tube. A first stop mechanism causes a plunger to contact a micro-switch to stop the longitudinal movement of the carriage. A second stop uses a hard stop to prevent the carriage from overtravel due to momentum.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1993Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Assignee: Micro Motion, IncorporatedInventor: Lyle E. Felbush
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Patent number: 5271441Abstract: A router accessory used in concert with a router attached to a router table. The accessory can be used to produce rosettes, model wheels, buttons, coasters, and other circular decorated projects, for example. In the preferred embodiment, a wooden workpiece can be positioned horizontally above a selected router bit. The workpiece zero point, which may be the workpiece center, can be off-set horizontally from the router bit. The accessory can then be used to lower the workpiece onto the router bit, so that rotation of the workpiece routs a circular cut equidistant from the workpiece zero point. The maximum depth of cut can be set. The off-set can be changed to make additional circular cuts into the workpiece, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1993Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Assignee: Vermont American CorporationInventors: Ved P. Gakhar, Richard A. Dossett
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Patent number: 5197834Abstract: A machine tool vise is provided with a set of soft jaws. The soft jaws attach inside and against two master jaws. Both jaws of the vice are equipped with an alignment mechanism to position the soft jaws to assure repositioning. Each jaw is provided with a lenthwise slot which provides a registration face at right angles to an upright registration face at the master jaw. The soft jaw is provided with a bracket that registers on the two faces just mentioned to obtain precise repositioning in two dimensions. Positioning in the third dimension is accomplished by use of a registration pin joining the soft jaw to the master jaw, and a tapered set screw threading into a chamfered opening is used along with the pin to accomplish clamping, thereby assuring complete registration of the bracket holding the soft jaw in the vice. The soft jaws can be mounted, removed and later returned with assurances that the soft jaws are held at a fixed location with respect to the cutter and spindle supporting the cutter.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1991Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Inventors: Russell C. Chase, Donald C. Chase, Robert D. Chase, R. Lee Chase
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Patent number: 5173016Abstract: A vacuum dish (10) is rigidly bolted (60) to the support table (12) of a milling machine (14). A bowling ball (74) is set down onto the upwardly directed hard rim (72) of the vacuum dish (10). An elastomeric seal (86) is moved upwardly along the sidewall (66) of the vacuum dish (10), onto an upwardly converging conical surface (70) which borders the rim (72). This puts the elastomeric seal (86) into contact with both the conical surface (70) and an adjacent surface portion of the bowling ball (74). Precision lead screw mechanisms (42, 48, 44, 50) are operated to shift the support table (12) and the vacuum dish supported bowling ball (74) along X and Y axes, to position the bowling ball (74) relative to the vertical axis (Z) of a hole boring bit (30). The hole boring (30) is both rotated and moved vertically downwardly to form a finger or thumb hole in the bowling ball (74).Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Pro Shops UnlimitedInventors: John D. Ellison, Ronald F. Hoppe
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Patent number: 5106244Abstract: An air operated chuck includes a plurality of hooks arranged in a circle and joined in relative positions by a ring. A membrane holds workpieces of various sizes and shapes on the rotating main shaft of a machine tool with a minimum of vibration or off center mounting for precise machine functions. This is accomplished through the use of interchangeable hook attachments. Each individual hook attachment is adapted to a shape and size range of workpieces. The ring retains the hooks centered about the central axis of the chuck body, thus requiring minimal installation adjustment or balancing. A nonrotating air tube reduces vibration due to an unbalanced air hose.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Fujii Seimitsu Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takao Sato
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Patent number: 5096346Abstract: A side face machining apparatus includes a pair of slide blocks opposed to each other and provided with work supports on respective opposed ends. At least one of the slide blocks is reciprocatingly movable toward and away from the other slide block. A pair of mount tables are mounted on the respective slide blocks movably in a direction intersecting the direction of reciprocating movement of the slide blocks. Each of the mount tables is provided with a machining tool. Each work support includes a contact portion having a reference face for positioning workpiece in place by contact with a side face of the work piece. At least one of the work supports has at one side thereof a guide for positioning the workpiece as placed on the supports by contact with another side face thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1989Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Ueda Engineering Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Ueda
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Patent number: 5037253Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for finishing the fabrication of venetian blinds at or near a point of purchase. The blinds are shipped to the point of purchase in a partially completed condition wherein the slats of the blinds have registered apertures formed in spaced relationship to one end of each slat, but with the opposed end being free of such apertures. An interlacing support and a pull cord are mounted to the ends of the slats having the apertures formed therein. The overall length of the slats exceeds the width of the window for which the blinds are intended. Apertures are then cut into the blinds at a selected distance from the trimmed ends. The blinds are completed by appropriately mounting a second interlacing support and pull cord in proximity to the trimmed ends of the blind.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1989Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: Levolor CorporationInventors: Michael J. Molaro, Thomas Buttitta
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Patent number: 5028182Abstract: An improved vacuum absorption device for use in a glass sheet edge chamfering apparatus is disclosed which is characterized in that rubber plates are installed on the tops of the absorption devices to absorption-secure glass sheets, thereby assuring that the introduction of foreign materials into the absorption device can be prevented, and the horizontal posture of the glass can be maintained through the adjustments of the heights of the absorption devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Inventor: Kyung Park
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Patent number: 5026222Abstract: A pin for use in a chuck for clamping a discoid portion of a workpiece, the chuck including a base, at least to fixed clamps secured on a front end surface of the base, a movable clamp adjacent to the front end surface of the base and the pin secured to the front end surface of the base. The pin is adapted to fit in a hole formed in a discoid when the discoid is mounted on the chuck wherein the hole has a larger diameter than the pin. The pin has generally rhombic transversed section with a long diagonal and a short diagonal. The pin is truncated by a predetermined amount at each end along the long diagonal to allow the workpiece to move a limited distance relative to the pin along a line formed by the short diagonal. The limited distance may be a function of an initial clearance between the discoid portion and the chuck or a function or a variation between the diameter of the discoid portion and its design diameter, or a function of both.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1990Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Satoshi Kawano, Yoshio Kimura, Eiji Fukushima
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Patent number: 5002108Abstract: A process for the edge-planing of the longitudinal and frontal edges of workpiece plates. A workpiece plate is advanced to a plate saw and at least one longitudinal edge is planed. The workpiece plate is then rotated and at least one frontal edge is planed by the plate saw. The workpiece plate is then rotated, aligned, and advanced toward the plate saw for sectioning.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1989Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Inventor: Erwin Jenkner
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Patent number: 4964766Abstract: A fixturing apparatus for locating, orienting and holding a workpiece during a milling operation, having a workpiece specific mounting provided with means for accurately and reproducibly positioning the workpiece within the fixture. The workpiece specific mounting has a workpiece specific pattern of clamping, vibration dampening and supporting devices to hold the workpiece during the milling operation. Accurate, reproducible location and orientation of successive workpieces of the same geometry on the apparatus for the same milling operations is achieved quickly and positively and vibration and workpiece distortion are minimized during the milling operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1987Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Inventors: Manuel C. Turchan, Frank J. Manduch
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Patent number: 4930955Abstract: A chuck for clamping a discoid portion of a work piece includes a base, at least two fixed clamps secured on a front end surface of the base, a movable clamp adjacent to the front end surface of the base and a pin secured to the front end surface of the base. The pin is adapted to fit in a hole formed in the discoid when the discoid is mounted on the chuck wherein the hole has a larger diameter than the pin. Furthermore, the pin is positioned radially inwardly of the movable clamp toward the chuck center and oriented so that the two fixed clamps are equiangularly spaced about and equidistantly spaced from the pin. As a result, the discoid may move relative to the pin and toward the two fixed clamps, without rotation thereof. Accordingly, the centroidal axis of the discoid may be aligned with the rotational axis of the chuck so that precision machining may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1989Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Satoshi Kawano, Yoshio Kimura, Eiji Fukushima
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Patent number: 4921378Abstract: Rotary-pallet system, in particular for multi-directional machining of the pieces (8) to be machined. In the said system there is a body piece (2), one of whose ends (A) is attached to a holder, which said body piece is rotable around a longitudinal axis (A-B), and against whose longitudinal guide faces one or several pieces (8) to be machined can be positioned. One or several wedge pieces (3) can be attached to the edge of the guide face on the body (2), the wedge face on the said wedge piece being pressed towards a side of the piece (8) to be machined. A counter-face (4, 13) is provided at the opposite side of the piece to be machined. The wedge piece (3) can be attached to the body (2) by means of a fastening member (1), which is directed in such a way diagonally that the direction of the fastening movement of the wedge piece approaches both the body (2) and the piece (8) to be machined at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1988Date of Patent: May 1, 1990Assignee: OK-Vise KyInventor: Olli Kytola
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Patent number: 4850099Abstract: A machining system includes at least one machine tool (10) having at least one powered spindle (12) and a plurality of tools (14A-14F) stored in a magazine (40) for automatic retrieval and return by the spindle (12). A portable fixture assembly (16A, 16B, 16C) is employed in conjunction with the machine tool (10) and the tool magazine (40) for holding a workpiece (WP) during machining by the machine tool (10). The fixture assembly (16A, 16B, 16C) includes a plurality of clamping cylinders (70, 72, 80) and a plurality of clamping assemblies (84, 86) which are actuated either by the rotational torque supplied by spindle (12) or by the coolant fluid obtained from the spindle (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1987Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Roderick W. Scollard
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Patent number: 4833831Abstract: A system and a method for sizing and finishing the opposed interior side walls and the interior bottom wall between the fixed jaws of an open-ended wrench. The system includes a creep feed grinding machine, a fixture to which the wrenches are secured, a jig that maintains the fixture under the creep feed grinding wheel, and a hydraulic table holding the jig and which slowly raises the jig, fixture, and handles to be ground to the grinding wheel. The method includes securing the fixture to a mounting support, activating a fluid pressure mechanism to release a clamping bar holding the wrenches to a plate member, mounting the wrenches to the fixture, and releasing the clamping bar which is then biased back to its original position so as to clamp the wrenches to the fixture. The fixture is than moved to the jig for the grinding operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1986Date of Patent: May 30, 1989Assignee: Armstrong Bros. Tool Co.Inventor: William T. Armstrong, Jr.
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Patent number: 4794687Abstract: A fixture system for numerical controlled rough and finished machining of a workpiece including a first fixture having defined reference points for rough machining and a second fixture having the same defined reference points for finish machining. The system is used in conjunction with CAD/CAM applications under the control of Tool Design and NC Programming.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1985Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jerry W. Peters, John L. Burnett
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Patent number: 4764061Abstract: An improved clamping mechanism for clamping a workpiece as it is moved through an automatic drilling machine. A workpiece, such as a wide flange beam, is supported and conveyed on a plurality of lower rollers, and a group of upper rollers are moved into clamping engagement with the upper surface of the beam. The ends of each upper roller are journalled within slides which are mounted for vertical movement on the frame of the machine, and a hydraulic cylinder unit is connected to each slide so that operation of the cylinder unit will move the upper roller in a direction toward and away from the beam supported on the lower rollers. A shaft extends parallel to the upper roller and innerconnects the slides and gears are mounted on opposite ends of the shaft and are engaged with racks mounted on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1986Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Super Tool and Mfg. CorporationInventor: Lawrence C. Memmel
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Patent number: 4645391Abstract: A work set up method and apparatus is disclosed for use with tape controlled machine tools including quick connect ball locks which accurately lock one or more fixtures and workpieces to a work table. The tape is indexed with one ball lock and controls the machining of the workpiece. The fixture and workpiece may be locked to the table of other tape controlled machines for performing other machining functions on the workpiece. A second embodiment includes a work set up apparatus in combination with a drill holding mechanism and at least one multiple spindle drilling head secured to the vertically movable head of a multiple drilling head machine. Depending upon the complexity and size of the workpiece and the number of drills in the second embodiments, set up time is reduced from a prior art time of between about 4-16 hours to between about 5-20 minutes in accordance with the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1985Date of Patent: February 24, 1987Assignee: FMC CorporationInventor: Joe E. Fallert
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Patent number: 4634323Abstract: Apparatus for guiding elongated generally cylindrical workpieces moving longitudinally along an axis includes a plurality of workpiece guides movable toward and away from the axis. An adjustment mechanism selectively moves the workpiece guides toward or away from the axis for positioning such guides in proper guiding relationship to the workpieces. Torsion springs are interposed between the workpiece guides and the adjustment mechanism for allowing yielding movement of the workpiece guides without imparting movement to the adjustment mechanism. Friction dampening devices are provided to inhibit yielding movement of the workpiece guides and to absorb vibrations imparted to the guides by workpieces moving therepast.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1983Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Th. Kieserling & Albrecht, G.m.b.H. & Co.Inventors: Ralf Wagner, Horst Fischer, Fritz Heider
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Patent number: 4576213Abstract: A table, movably carried upon a stationary base, is provided with a fixed jaw and a movable jaw for gripping the lateral edges of a door or similar panel-like workpiece. The table is movable in reciprocal directions against adjustably positionable stops to place a longitudinal edge of the door at predetermined locations relative the cutting path of a router. The router is mounted upon a carriage which is horizontally and vertically movably supported upon a frame upstanding from the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1984Date of Patent: March 18, 1986Inventor: Frank A. Miller
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Patent number: 4565476Abstract: A device for securing a workpiece to a fixture for performing machining operations includes a tubular, radially expansible mandrel. The mandrel is carried in a passage provided in the fixture and extends into a hole provided in the workpiece. An expander stem is carried within a bore of the mandrel. The stem has an upper end that is tapered for expanding the mandrel. The lower end of the stem is connected to a hydraulic piston. A spring applies an upward force on the mandrel. A hydraulic cylinder moves the stem downwardly, while the spring retains the mandrel in a stationary position until it grips the workpiece. Then, the hydraulic force overcomes the force of the spring to pull the mandrel downward slightly to secure the workpiece to the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1984Date of Patent: January 21, 1986Assignee: General Dynamics CorporationInventor: Donald F. Smith
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Patent number: 4551948Abstract: A glass shaping apparatus having a housing including a work surface integrally formed to the housing top and a variable-speed drive motor mounted within the housing with a drive shaft, including a grinding surface, protruding through a penetration onto the work surface. The motor includes a manual rotatable thumbwheel for adjusting the speed of the rotating grinding surface for the type of glass being shaped. The sloping design of the work surface accelerates the escape of byproducts and provides complete support to the glass. Attachments for high-speed rotary sawing and engraving of glass at 10,000 revolutions per minute are available.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1983Date of Patent: November 12, 1985Inventors: Morris L. Kindig, Cleon V. Kindig, deceased, by Eunice L. Kindig, executrix
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Patent number: 4542776Abstract: A fixture and method for manufacturing corner joints wherein two workpieces having mitered edges are joined to form a corner axis. The workpieces are clamped underneath a table having a plurality of parallel finger slots so that the corner axis is perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the linger joints. A router is guided through the finger slots to cut aligned slots in mitered edges of the workpieces. A spline is received in the slots to lock the workpieces together.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1984Date of Patent: September 24, 1985Inventor: Lawrence C. Kehoe
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Patent number: 4507993Abstract: A machine tool (10) utilizing two speed hydraulic indexing with direction control valves (86,88) which are energized to stop. A turret (12) is rotated during indexing by a hydraulic motor (36). An open loop control system is utilized to locate the turret (12) position before clamping. A plurality of cams (40,42,44,46,48,50) which trigger associated proximity switches (41,43,45,47,49,51) are used to provide control information to the electric control circuit (17) for turret indexing. A final position cam (50) which rotates at a multiple of the turret (12) indexing speed is provided for final positioning of the turret (12) at a desired work station. The final position cam (50) is adjustable so that the tool turret (12) will be accurately stopped at a selected work station. The final position cam (50) also provides information which is utilized for switching from a high speed indexing mode to a low speed indexing mode when the selected work station is approached.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1983Date of Patent: April 2, 1985Assignee: The Warner & Swasey CompanyInventors: Martin L. Silverman, Donald P. Shook
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Patent number: 4480364Abstract: An adjustable holding and alignment device is provided for a workpiece having alignment pins. The device has a plurality of bars separated by spacers which define an alignment hole and an alignment slot through which the workpiece alignment pins may be inserted. The spacers can be removed and different sized spacers can be substituted to accommodate other alignment pin sizes.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1983Date of Patent: November 6, 1984Assignee: BMC Industries, Inc.Inventor: Wojciech B. Kosmowski
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Patent number: 4378661Abstract: A wedge-shaped gate valve element (12) is held by a portable apparatus (10) in proximity to a tool (14) for refinishing sloped surfaces (16) of the element (12). The element (12) is gripped by a vise (92) which, in turn, is rigidly mounted to a vise support (86). The vise support (86) is mounted on a frame (17) of the apparatus. A support surface (90) of the vise support (86) is suitably inclined to give an upper sloped surface (16a) of element (12) a desired orientation with respect to the refinishing tool (14) which is also held in position on the apparatus (10).Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1980Date of Patent: April 5, 1983Inventor: Ernest E. Grimsley
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Patent number: 4327786Abstract: A fixture for providing positive control over a workpiece as it is being acted upon by a cutting or finishing tool. A base having a flat working surface is provided with a fixed guide member having a contoured control surface formed along the periphery thereof. A workholder is slidably supported upon the working surface of the base and is arranged to move in abutting contact against the control surface of the guide whereby a prescribed motion is imparted to a workpiece supported in the holder. In one form of the invention, the workholder is mounted upon a turntable that is rotatably supported in a circular guide whereby the work is caused to rotate about a fixed axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1980Date of Patent: May 4, 1982Inventor: Orvo E. Markkula
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Patent number: 4286778Abstract: A fixture attachable to the table of a machine for holding a part to be machined in operative relationship with the tool of the machine. The fixture comprises a base plate having a locator pin extending from its bottom surface and adapted to fit within an aperture in the machine table to locate the fixture on the table. A plurality of sector-shaped support pads are secured to the top surface of the base plate in evenly-spaced radial relation, adjoining margins of the pads being spaced to leave therebetween radially-extending portions of the top surface of the base plate. Locator blocks are adjustable to various positions radially of said top surface portions, each block having a locating pin, the pins cooperating to engage either the inside or outside peripheral surface of a circular part or workpiece to locate the same. Clamps are securable at various radial positions on the support pads to clamp the workpiece and hold it against axial separation from the fixture base.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1979Date of Patent: September 1, 1981Inventor: Fred R. Follmeyer
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Patent number: 4260307Abstract: A work table for machine tools such as pillar-type drills and the like comprising a substantially horizontal plate forming a work surface through which are cut a plurality of longitudinal or radially extending grooves. A flange depending from the peripheral edge of the horizontal plate is supported on a base plate and is provided with a plurality of vertical openings aligned with the grooves in the work surface. A clamping plate is mounted to move vertically beneath the work surface within a space defined by said flange and said base plate and is also provided with grooves arranged in alignment with the grooves in the work surface. The clamping plate is connected to power transmission means which allows the clamping plate to be moved into positions which are inclined relative to the work surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1979Date of Patent: April 7, 1981Inventors: Sven-Mikael Mickelsson, Sture R. Hall
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Patent number: 4246812Abstract: A tapered and curved internal diameter is formed within a tube used as a continuous casting mold by feeding the tube lengthwise along an arc which is tangent to the axis of the spindle of a boring mill having a rotatable boring head arranged within the tube for cutting the interior wall thereof. The boring head and spindle revolve about a fixed axis, but the boring tool or cutter carried by the head is gradually moved transversely of the spindle axis while the tube is advanced along the arcuate path. Thus, the opening within the tube is tapered from one end to the other, and is also curved, wherein the tube is useful as a continuous casting mold and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1979Date of Patent: January 27, 1981Assignee: Gladwin CorporationInventors: Floyd R. Gladwin, deceased, Joseph Grzincic
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Patent number: 4218165Abstract: An improved chuck for opening and closing a split collet into which a work piece is inserted. The collet is inserted into a central bore in the chuck housing and a threaded end of the collet is threaded into a rotatable annular member located in a counterbore in the rear of the chuck housing. The rotatable annular member has forwardly directed cam surfaces which cooperate with rearwardly directed cam surfaces in the chuck housing. A recess provided in the radially outer surface of the annular member is aligned with a radial bore in the rear of the chuck housing. A cylindrical key rotatable within the radial bore has an eccentric shaft protuding into the recess in the outer surface of the annular member. Turning the key within the radial bore moves the eccentric shaft into contact with a wall of the recess and rotationally biases the annular member.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1978Date of Patent: August 19, 1980Inventor: Viggo M. Riddersholm
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Patent number: 4212570Abstract: A machine for drilling and routing of printed circuit boards comprises a support mechanism for supporting a stack of superimposed boards in a support plane and for moving the stack of boards in a first predetermined direction parallel to the support plane. A tool spindle is disposed above the stack of boards and is movable in a second direction parallel to the support plane and perpendicular to the first direction, so that the positions of the holes to be drilled in the PC-boards can be determined in a coordinate system having the first and second directions as its X-axis and Y-axis respectively. For holding the stack of PC-boards pressed together during the drilling or routing operation, the machine comprises press rollers, which exert a pressure force upon the stack of PC-boards towards the support mechanism. The press rollers are arranged on both sides of the tool spindle with their axes of rotation parallel to the direction in which the tool spindle can be moved, i.e. the Y-direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1978Date of Patent: July 15, 1980Assignee: Svenska Inhalator ABInventor: Bert G. K. Larsson
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Patent number: 4205834Abstract: A device for facilitating the alignment of heavy workpieces at a machine table or the like, comprising a housing capable of being arranged below the workpiece at the machine table. A pendulum support is arranged in the housing so as to have a limited tilting movement to all sides and equally can be moved between a rest position and support position where it supports the workpiece. The pendulum support is arranged so that it can be selectively raised and lowered. Further, there is provided a mechanically adjustable support which is guided so that it can be raised and lowered. The mechanically adjustable support is guided in the housing between a rest position and a support position where it supports the workpiece instead of the pendulum support.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1979Date of Patent: June 3, 1980Assignee: Maag Gear-Wheel & Machine Company LimitedInventors: Walter Demuth, Erhard Ruesch
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Patent number: 4173817Abstract: A machining center type machine tool which is a four-axis, horizontal spindle machining center with a carousel-type automatic tool changer and which is adapted to be controlled by a computer numerical control system. The machining center can perform a variety of machining operations, such as milling, contouring, drilling, tapping and boring, in both roughing and finishing applications. A rotary work table is operatively carried on two movable, perpendicularly disposed slide members to provide movement of the work table along both "X" and "Z" axes. A horizontal tool spindle slide assembly is slidably mounted on a "Y" axis on a twin column assembly. A rotary, carousel-type combination tool storage and tool changer, holding twenty-four tools, is rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis that is aligned and parallel with the axis of the horizontal tool spindle. The rotary carousel functions to automatically load and unload tools directly into the tool spindle at a tool exchange location.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1978Date of Patent: November 13, 1979Assignee: Ex-Cell-O CorporationInventors: Leonhard Voglrieder, Raymond O. Hempel, Jr.