Angularly Adjustable Or Indexing Patents (Class 279/5)
  • Patent number: 11925395
    Abstract: An augmented spanning fixation bone plate assembly combines an augmentation fixation bone plate with a spanning fixation bone plate. The augmentation fixation bone plate may be detachably attachable to the spanning fixation bone plate and may be slidably engaged with the spanning fixation bone plate to allow the augmentation fixation bone plate to be positioned for augmented fixation, wherein one or more separate bones are fixed with respect to the spanning fixation bone plate. An augmentation fixation bone plate may have one or more wings that extend laterally from the spanning fixation bone plate. An augmentation fixation bone plate may have two wings that extend in opposing lateral directions from the spanning fixation bone. A wing has a fastener aperture that may be slotted and may have an insert to enable directional fixation, wherein the fastener extends in an offset angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Avanti Orthopaedics LLC
    Inventors: John Douglas Patterson, Cyrus B. Gooray, Meredith Nita Osterman, Devanand Gooray, A. Lee Osterman
  • Patent number: 11471955
    Abstract: The present disclosure improves the accuracy of matching the center of the workpiece with the rotation center of the chuck. It provides a chuck correction method for a chuck including a body, a plunger, and jaws, the body including a rear body and a front body provided in a front side of the rear body, the plunger provided inside the body and configured to move along an axis of the body, and the jaws each configured to move in a radial direction of the axis while guided by the front body along when the plunger moves, the chuck correction method including: a correction step including moving the front body in the radial direction of the axis with a position of the rear body keeping with respect to the axis in a state that a workpiece is clamped in the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KITAGAWA IRON WORKS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tamio Nishimiya
  • Patent number: 10792777
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MIDACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Paul Cayley, Sr., Malcolm E. Keith
  • Patent number: 9862033
    Abstract: The invention relates to an indexing chuck comprising a chuck body having an opening; a pivoting ring disposed in the opening, the pivoting ring having at least three clamping jaws that can be advanced radially, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chuck body; an advancing device which is disposed in the pivoting ring and by means of which the clamping jaws can be moved synchronously; and two pivot pins, supported in the chuck body and forming a pivot axis, wherein the advancing device comprises a synchronizing ring which is movable relative to the pivoting ring, a driving surface extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the chuck body where it contacts a clamping jaw, and a contact surface on the respective clamping jaw which interacts with the driving surface of the synchronizing ring such that the clamping jaws are moved radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SMW—AUTOBLOK SPANNSYSTEME GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Maurer, Harald Deininger
  • Publication number: 20150139774
    Abstract: A rotary chuck includes a clamp assembly, a first drive mechanism for operating the clamp assembly to clamp an associated workpiece, a frame rotationally fixed to the clamp assembly, and a second drive mechanism for rotating the frame and the clamp assembly. The second drive mechanism can rotate the frame and the clamp assembly around 360 degrees. A pair of alignment springs are engaged with a mounting plate upon which the second drive mechanism is mounted. The mounting plate can pivot relative to a stable surface to which it is mounted, and the springs limit the pivotal movement. Each first and second drive mechanism includes a motor, and are connected to a microprocessor for operation of the respective motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Mantell, Jeffery Plummer, Gerald Tully, Sean Daugherty
  • Publication number: 20150115549
    Abstract: A modular tool retainer, comprising a main body extending along an axis of rotation and which is functionally divided into a shaft section for coupling to a machine tool spindle and a clamping section having a central accommodating bore for accommodating and clamping a cutting tool, which has a cutting head and at least one cutting edge, which is arranged concentrically to the main body and detachably fastened to the main body, and which is arranged at a predetermined axial and/or radial and/or angular position relative to the at least one cutting edge. The cutting head has a sleeve section, which extends the tool retainer and has a central accommodating bore arranged concentric to the central passage bore of the clamping section for accommodating and radially supporting a tool shaft part of the cutting tool protruding from the central accommodating bore of the clamping section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Bruno TEUSCH
  • Publication number: 20150061234
    Abstract: A collet adaptor 20 including a work piece clamp mechanism 29. The collet adaptor 20 is rotatable about a first axis A and the work piece clamp mechanism 29 is mounted within the collet adaptor 20 for rotation with the collect adaptor 20. The clamp mechanism 29 is also mounted for movement laterally to the first axis A during rotation of the collet adaptor 29. The clamp mechanism 29 can also be mounted within the collect adaptor 20 for rotational movement lateral to the first axis A during rotation of the collect adaptor 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Pat McCluskey, Sateesh Savanur, Hansruedi Napflin
  • Patent number: 8844939
    Abstract: An adapter for a power tool is disclosed which comprises a drive shaft that can be connected to an output shaft of the power tool in a rotationally fixed manner. There is a receiving connector on the power tool. On the adapter there is provided an assigned sleeve that can be pushed onto the receiving connector, and which comprises a clamping ring, which acts together with locking members in order to effect locking of the sleeve on the receiving connector when in a closed position, the clamping ring being held so as to be movable in the axial direction and being preloaded in the direction of the closed position. The locking members act together with the clamping ring in such a way that locking is effected automatically in the closed position when the adapter is pushed onto the power tool as far as the closed position, and a release of the adapter from the closed position can be effected through an axial movement of the clamping ring against its preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Woecht, Johannes Hoeppner, Tobias Hokenmaier
  • Patent number: 8534676
    Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a rotatable chuck assembly and an actuating mechanism. The chuck assembly may include a chuck housing movable between retracted and deployed positions. The chuck assembly may further include a pair of jaws pivotable between open and closed positions in correspondence to the retracted and deployed positions of the chuck housing. The actuating mechanism may be coupled to the chuck assembly for rotation between “Off”, “Neutral”, and/or “On” positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jeff Whisenand, Wayne Russell
  • Patent number: 8523190
    Abstract: A device for holding an essentially cylindrical work piece (22), in particular a jewelry ring, for machining with a laser beam (L) has at least one chuck (20) that is supported so that it is able to rotate around a rotation axis (18) and that is provided for centrally holding the work piece (22) by means of first clamping elements (30), which automatically fix the work piece (22) in position through the exertion of a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bauer, Gunther Friedmann
  • Patent number: 8491357
    Abstract: A crankshaft is machined by first securing it in first and second radially displaceable grippers of first and second holders rotatable about a common grinding axis and orienting the workpiece axis coaxial with the grinding axis. Then the crankshaft is released from the first gripper, and the second holder is rotated to align the first crankpin radially with the grinding axis. Subsequently the crankshaft is regripped by the first gripper and released by the second gripper and the second holder is rotated relative to the crankshaft until the second holder is aligned with its displacement direction lying in a common plane with the grinding axis and the displacement direction of the first gripper. Finally, both the grippers are shifted parallel to each other in their displacement directions to center the first crankpin on the grinding axis, and the crankshaft is about the grinding axis while machining the first crankpin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Hessbrueggen
  • Patent number: 8172234
    Abstract: A collet assembly for use on a support device comprising a rotatable base section, a support structure secured to the support device, with the support structure supporting the base section on said support device. The base section has a central axis, and the base section is rotatable with respect to the support member and the central axis to a plurality of positions. The collet assembly includes a locking device for locking the base section at one of the plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Urban Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8056905
    Abstract: A toolholder tightening fixture for selectively engaging a V-flange toolholder is provided. The fixture comprises a ball lock collar movably coupled relative to a housing and includes an inner surface having a recess formed therein. A lock housing is fixedly coupled with the fixture and is positioned within the ball lock collar. The lock housing includes at least one radial bore and is configured for receiving the toolholder. A lock ball is positioned within the radial bore of the lock housing. The ball lock collar is moved to an unlocked position when the lock ball is positioned in the recess in the ball lock collar to allow the toolholder to be inserted and removed from the lock housing. The ball lock collar is moved to a locked position when the lock ball is removed from the recess and placed in engagement with the toolholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Lelonek
  • Publication number: 20110114452
    Abstract: A chuck (40) for quickly fastening and actuating container preforms (30) or plastic material containers to be used on conveying chains (4) of said preforms (30) or containers. The chuck (40) of the present invention is provided with particular expedients for allowing, for example, the angular orientation of the preforms from the step of loading onto a conveying line to the step of blowing the containers, in a blowing machine (9), in a simple, cost-effective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Matteo Zoppas, Adrian Grando
  • Patent number: 7770901
    Abstract: A chuck (1) for angular offset woodturning including a first member (2) adapted to be secured to a lathe, and a second member (3) adapted to support a work piece and secured to the first member in such that the second member is oriented with respect to the first member between at least two configurations. The first member having a first axis (4) coaxial with an axis of rotation of the lathe and the second member having a second axis (5), and in one of the configurations the second axis is coaxial with the first axis, and in the other configuration the second axis is angularly offset. The chuck further includes a releasable fastening member (12) incorporating alignment members allowing the second member to be secured in one of the two configurations and that in the other configuration the second axis lies relative to said first axis at one of a number of predetermined angular offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Napintas Pty. Ltd
    Inventor: Bruce Robert Leadbeatter
  • Publication number: 20100084828
    Abstract: A cylindrical pressure-receiving member 34b is arranged in a space between a ring-shaped clamp sleeve 34a and a frame 31b such that the clamp sleeve 34a is fitted around a shaft 38b being integral with a rotary shaft 39. In an outer peripheral portion 34a2 of the clamp sleeve 34a, an annular groove 34a1 provided continuously over the entire circumference within an axial area of the outer peripheral portion 34a2 fitted into an inner peripheral portion 34b3 of the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a thin-wall portion 34a5. Also, a space surrounded by the annular groove 34a5 and the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a pressure chamber 34d communicating with a fluid control circuit. A predetermined gap 34d2 is provided between an inner peripheral surface 31b4 of the through hole 31b1 of the frame and an outer peripheral surface 34b2 of the pressure-receiving member 34b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tatsuda, Youichi Nishida
  • Publication number: 20090212506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool holder, adapted to hold a tool for working at least a portion of a work piece, which portion extends substantially in a plane. The tool has a working tip which is located in an apex position of the tool holder when the tool holder holds the tool. The tool holder comprises an arm which is pivotable around a first axis of rotation and a fastening device adapted to carry the tool. The fastening device is connected to the arm and the tool is pivotable around a second axis of rotation when the fastening device carries the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: IGEMS SOFTWARE AB
    Inventor: Bo Goran Johansson
  • Patent number: 7566061
    Abstract: A workpiece gripping apparatus comprising a base, two centering jaws displaceably guided on the base so as to be movable toward and away from one another, and an actuator jaw displaceably guided on both of the centering jaws. The actuator jaw is movable toward and away from the base, with movement of the actuator jaw causing movement of both of the centering jaws, which are adapted to center a workpiece between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: SMW Autoblok Corporation
    Inventor: Charles W. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20080302208
    Abstract: A table plate has a coolant channel including at least a pipe that is in contact with at least one of a back surface and an outer peripheral surface of the table plate or a path disposed in the table plate. At least a portion of the coolant channel is in areas outside a reference hole, which is formed in the table plate coaxially with the rotating shaft, the areas corresponding to two or more of four quadrants, which are defined by two perpendicular lines intersecting at an axial center of the rotating shaft in a plan view. The coolant channel has inlet and outlet ends that open in the outer peripheral surface of the table plate or an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft. The inlet and outlet ends are respectively connected to a coolant-supplying path and a coolant-collecting path through a rotary joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Yonenaga
  • Patent number: 7448868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool holder (1) which is intended to receive a flexibly-deformable tool (12), such as an injection needle or a cutting tool. The operating direction (15) of the tool is not parallel to the axis (14) of the tool holder (1) . The inventive tool holder (1) is characterised in that it ends in a part (4) of a channel that opens out onto the outside of the body (2) of the tool holder, comprising a surface having generatrices that are essentially parallel to the axis of the body and enabling the tool (12) to be introduced by moving same in relation to the axis (14) of the body of the tool holder. Said tool holder (1) comprises forms that enable the safe introduction of the needle, simple cleaning, inexpensive manufacture and a quality connection between the needle and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventors: Alain Delval, Yannic Rosset, Jean-Claude Volckmann
  • Patent number: 7445214
    Abstract: A drive motor for driving a tool such as a grinding tool through a right angle drive has a rotatable head mounted on the housing and having a detent on the rotatable head for engaging a fixed component of the angled drive coupling so as to hold the axis of the angled drive coupling at a required angle around the axis of the housing and for adjusting the angle without removal of the right angle drive from the motor. The rotatable head includes an annular disk which surrounds the axis of the motor and has a central hole through which the driven member extends into the chuck. The disk is driven by an adjustment motor having a sprocket which engages gear teeth on the exterior of the disk and has a series of holes through the disk member at angularly spaced locations around the axis so that a locking pin driven by a locking pin motor engages into a selected one of the holes to lock the head at the required angle when rotated to the required angle by the adjustment motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: M.A.A.C. Group Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Henry Grodecki
  • Patent number: 7407349
    Abstract: The boring tool having a basic body (2) in which a tool bit (27) is arranged which has a cutting edge (29) at a front end (27b). The basic body (2) has an opening (3) in which the tool bit (27) is pivotably mounted. Setting means (7) serve to set the pivoted position of the tool bit (27) relative to the basic body (2). Means (16) serve to fix the tool bit (27) in the set pivoted position. The tool bit (27) is pivotable about a pivot point (P) which is essentially neutral in terms of unbalance. The tool bit (27) is preferably connected at a rear end (27a) to a radially adjustable slide (7). The slide (7) can be finely adjusted radially, for example with a micrometer screw (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Heinz Kaiser AG
    Inventors: Heinz Kaiser, Ernst Hänggi, Ralph Stadelmann
  • Publication number: 20080012245
    Abstract: A driving tool assembly includes a drive component adapted to be connected to a power tool or hand tool. A driven component is pivotally connected to the drive component and is adapted to receive a tool bit, drill bit, or otherwise provide a nut driver or socket wrench. A locking mechanism is provided for lockingly engaging the driven component to be in co-axial alignment with the drive component. The drive component includes a shaft or a mandrel having a driving shank formed or provided on one end thereof. The driving shank has a non-circular cross-section formed or defined by three or more curved and planar sidewalls. The number of sidewalls preferably includes three, four or six sidewalls, for engaging with a non-circular cavity of the driven component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Peters
  • Patent number: 6948720
    Abstract: A computer controlled positioning table for use in automatically rotating a large diameter article into which an evenly spaced circle of bolt holes are to be drilled. The article to be drilled is centered and clamped onto a table top of the table and then the computer rotates the table top incrementally to precisely position the article relative to an associated stationary drill stand that is used to drill the desired holes in the article. Rotation of the table top is computer controlled, allowing the operator to select the number of bolt holes for each article. Once the table top has rotated to the proper position, locking mechanisms and support roller provided under the table top hold the table top stationary in the proper position while a hole is drilled in the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: James D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6854367
    Abstract: A cutting tool system includes a clamping device and a cutting tool mounted therein. The cutting tool carries a cutting edge and includes a shaft clamped within an aperture of the clamping device. Prior to being clamped, the shaft is movable relative to the clamping device in either a longitudinal or rotational direction, in order to locate the cutting edge in a desired position. Either the clamping device or the cutting tool carries a spring-loaded device which engages a recess formed in the other of the cutting tool and clamping device when the cutting tool and its cutting edge are in a desired position, to provide an indication that the cutting tool is in such desired position by providing a sudden increase in a force necessary to displace the cutting tool out of such desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Håkan Ericksson, Tryggve Sörlund
  • Patent number: 6824142
    Abstract: A method of alignably supporting an eccentric work piece for rotary movements uses a work piece holder that supports the work piece in alignment during rotary operations. A plurality of cooperating aligning members mounted along the rotary axis of a rotary unit, provides pivoting movements relative to the rotary axis while bearing the work piece. These pivoting movements of the aligning members enable the work piece to be aligned during rotary operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Meissner, Randolph C. Brost
  • Patent number: 6647879
    Abstract: A sleeve is provided with a clamp for removably clamping the sleeve on a mandrel. A rigid ring is mounted inside of the sleeve at each end of the sleeve. Each ring has a generally cylindrical inside surface which includes a curved contact portion which extends for less than 180 degrees and which is engageable with the outside surface of the mandrel. A curved clamp arm is pivotally secured at one end thereof to each ring. An eccentric shaft extends through an opening in the other end of the clamp arm. Rotation of the eccentric shaft moves the clamp arm toward the contact portion of the ring so that the mandrel can be clamped between the clamp arm and the contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Paper Converting Machine Co.
    Inventors: Jeremy James Michael Papadopoulos, Robert W. Braun, Joseph R. Bero
  • Patent number: 6557860
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of passages in a fixture has a piston movable therein and cooperating with a collet therein to simultaneously move each collet to its workpiece retaining position and to release each collet from its workpiece retaining position. A recess in the bottom of the fixture supports a locking nut for each passage. Each locking nut has a circular passage extending therethrough to receive an end of the collet having threads on its outer surface. The circular passage has threads of the same pitch but the threads have an interrupted portion in the circumferential and axial directions. The locking nut has a first portion movable relative to a second portion to take up the pitch clearance in the threads on the collet due to the interrupted portion of threads in the circular passage to prevent rotation of the collet prior to the piston moving the collet to its workpiece retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lexair, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford W. Allen, III, Theodore P. O'Canna, Marshall B. Reynolds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6540235
    Abstract: A graduated rotation control chuck assembly includes a base, a holding-down rod axially slidably mounted in the base, and a graduated rotation control unit, the graduation unit including a rotary shaft, mounted in the base and axially aimed at the holding-down rod to hold with the holding-down rod the workpiece to be processed, the rotary shaft having a first contact portion and a second contact portion, a first piston rod, and a second piston rod axially inserted through the first piston rod and mounted with the first piston rod in the base and being alternatively reciprocated against the first contact portion and second contact portion of the rotary shaft to rotate the rotary shaft step by step at a fixed angle per step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Shang-Shiun Wu
  • Publication number: 20030011146
    Abstract: A graduated rotation control chuck assembly includes a base, a holding-down rod axially slidably mounted in the base, and a graduated rotation control unit, the graduation unit including a rotary shaft, mounted in the base and axially aimed at the holding-down rod to hold with the holding-down rod the workpiece to be processed, the rotary shaft having a first contact portion and a second contact portion, a first piston rod, and a second piston rod axially inserted through the first piston rod and mounted with the first piston rod in the base and being alternatively reciprocated against the first contact portion and second contact portion of the rotary shaft to rotate the rotary shaft step by step at a fixed angle per step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shang-Shiun Wu
  • Patent number: 6502835
    Abstract: A work piece holder with clamping and rotation mechanisms in a support. A holder or brake exists next to a collet and sleeve assembly to restrain the assembly from rotating. Hydraulic pumps and connections operate on the mechanisms for the clamping and rotating actions. An electronic controller is connected with the mechanisms and operates the system in a sequence for selective machining on the work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Beere Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Clair L. Tiede
  • Publication number: 20020020259
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool for the turning of workpieces with eccentric sections, comprising a tool support, a workpiece spindle which comprises a workpiece chuck, in which the workpiece can be clamped with a variably adjustable eccentricity, wherein the workpiece chuck has a chuck housing, a collet actuation and a collet support arranged in the chuck housing and having a collet held therein, the collet being adapted to be brought into concentric or eccentric adjustable positions relative to the spindle axis, in such a manner that the adjustment of the collet support relative to the chuck housing can be brought about more simply it is suggested that an adjusting element be provided on the machine tool which is movable towards the workpiece chuck for the adjustment or the respective adjustable position of the collet and may be brought into operative connection with the collet support and that in this operative connection the relative movement between the collet support and the chuck housing for alterin
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
    Inventor: Mahmoud Ragab
  • Patent number: 5964016
    Abstract: In the case where a product having a free-curved surface is obtained, a machining work is performed by separate machine tools. Therefore, works of attaching and removing a half-machined product are necessary. Consequently, a lot of working time and labor are required. Also in an automatic production system, productivity is lowered if the system is stopped by failure in gripping during the attaching and removing works and an enormous equipment cost is required. A machining apparatus M comprises a main chuck head 1 having a control axis for holding and rotating a long bar member W, a head stock assembly 3 having three or more control axes, and a bar member feeder 5 for feeding the long bar member W to the head stock assembly 3. These four axes are simultaneously controlled to manufacture a plurality of products V having free-curved surfaces from the long bar member W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Ito, Goro Yamazaki, Toshiro Yamasaki, Masahiro Awai
  • Patent number: 5911420
    Abstract: A chuck spindle apparatus comprises a chuck spindle mounted for rotation about a central rotational axis, a chuck main body integrally connected to a forward end of the chuck spindle for rotation therewith, and an indexing device. The chuck main body has a chuck portion for bringing any one of a series of fabrication centers of a workpiece into coincidence with the central rotational axis to thereby chuck the workpiece. The indexing device is disposed within the chuck main body for moving the chuck portion of the chuck main body to bring another one of the fabrication centers of the workpiece into coincidence with the central rotational axis while the workpiece is chucked by the chuck portion of the chuck main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Seiko Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigehiro Arai, Masaharu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5575488
    Abstract: A hand-held, chuck-type part holder provides holding means for a machine part. The hand-held part holder may be secondary holding means for a part which itself is then inserted into a primary machine clamp. The chuck uses standard replaceable collets which may be easily interchanged for different size parts. The collet is actuated by a rod which is moved in turn by an air cylinder which is supported by a handle. The part-gripping collet may be actuated by a tilt switch which provides the automatic clamping action of the collet as the operator turns the holder to the vertical position before inserting or removing a part from the end of the collet. Additionally, a fixture mounted to the bed of the processing machine may be used which guides the part holder into alignment with the primary clamp as it is inserted. The fixture includes pivot and slide means which both support and direct the movement of the part holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: SRW Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Sholly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5520078
    Abstract: A holding device for cutting an ophthalmic lens includes a holding member which has a spherical sliding surface. A support member is provided with a spherical receiving surface which slidably supports the spherical sliding surface of the holding member. In addition, a fixing assembly is provided for adjustably positioning the lens holding member with respect to the support member. The fixing assembly includes a guide member which is rotatable about a support center axis, with the guide member including an eccentric guide hole, such that pins disposed between the guide hole and an extension of the lens holding member move (or adjust the position of) the lens holding member in response to rotation of the guide member. Rotation of the guide member thus results in sliding movement of the lens holding member with respect to the support member to thereby position the holding member with respect to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenshiro Hattori, Hiroyuki Oyama
  • Patent number: 5501123
    Abstract: An indexing apparatus for indexing an article about an axis. The indexing apparatus is adapted to be removably attached to the article and is constructed to axially displace the article along the axis to a disengaged position upon the initial application of a rotary force to an indexing assembly housed within the indexing apparatus. When in the disengaged position, the article can be selectively rotated about the axis by the further application of rotary force to the indexing assembly so that the article may be positioned in a predetermined angular position. The indexing apparatus further includes a device for locking the article in a plurality of predetermined angular positions when the application of rotational force to the indexing assembly is discontinued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Chick Machine Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Swann, Eric R. Moore
  • Patent number: 5494303
    Abstract: A rotatable chuck or work holder is provided with a pair of opposed jaws operated for simultaneous movement toward and away from each other and the centerline of rotation of the chuck to effect self-centering action of a workplace held between the chuck jaws. One of the chuck jaws has a rotatable and indexable work holding insert and the other having a rotatable work holding insert which cooperate to permit controlled rotation of a work piece held therebetween without releasing the grip on the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Royal Machine and Tool Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Darling
  • Patent number: 5295700
    Abstract: A compliant workpiece support assembly for a microrobotic apparatus for aligning three workpieces and welding them into an assembled package, includes a lower support assembly having a ball and socket joint with a polymer ball seat cast around the ball. The ball has a radial bore containing a lower collet axially movable in the bore to grip one of the workpieces. The other two workpieces are held in telescoping arrangement, respectively in inner and outer collets of an upper support assembly, the collets being disposed coaxially one within the other and respectively having camming housings for opening and closing the collets. The outer collet housing supports the entire upper support assembly and is axially driven so that when the outer collet bottoms on the outer workpiece the continued movement of the outer housing closes the collet to grip the workpiece. The inner collet is closed over the inner workpiece by a pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Dukane Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel F. Crews, Gregory R. O'Brien, Alan L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5224716
    Abstract: In a workpiece support for use with a laser beam machine tool, in which the workpiece is rotated about an axis tiltable through 90.degree. or more to either side of a vertical condition, the workpiece is held by a chuck driven through a right-angle speed reducer by a servomotor. The chuck, reducer and motor are all supported on a shaft rotatably mounted in bearings on a frame. The shaft is coupled to a disc having angle markings and lockable at discrete rotational positions on the frame. Fine adjustment of the rotational position of the shaft relative to the disc is effected by engagement of an offset protrusion on the end of the shaft by a screw-shifted operating member on the disc. Two such operating members are provided in opposed relationship on opposite sides of the protrusion so that they can be used to lock the shaft and disc securely together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koichi Saeda, Shunji Sakura, Tatsuya Hirai
  • Patent number: 5174586
    Abstract: A work rotating device for use with a laser beam machine tool comprises an L-shaped frame from which a servo motor, speed reducer, and a rotatable work holder are supported in cantilever fashion by a shaft rotatable in bearings provided in a hole in the frame. The shaft has an end plate haivng a spring-loaded indexing pin engageable with any selected one of several indexing holes in an indexing plate fixed to the frame. The angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of the work is read from a scale on the end plate, by means of an indexing mark on the indexing plate. The indexing plate and end plate exert axial pressure respectively on outer and inner rings of the bearings to eliminate play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koichi Saeda, Shunji Sakura, Tatsuya Hirai
  • Patent number: 5158125
    Abstract: A carving jig (10) is provided with a base (11) having a bearing (17) in which a projecting spindle (18) is journalled for rotation, the spindle having facilities to allow a workpiece (24) to be attached, either directly or through the provision of an intermediate chuck (23), the jig also having a flat mounting surface (12, 13), which is normal to the axis of spindle (18) rotation, and the spindle (18) having an indexing disc (26) attached to it, so that it can be rotated in increments, but restrained against rotation during carving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Woodfast Machinery Co.
    Inventor: Bronte N. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5136896
    Abstract: A rotary indexing apparatus includes a housing and an indexing member in the form of a plate mounted for rotation in the housing. Locating pins are received in apertures in the indexing plate to effectively lock the indexing plate and an affixed spindle in an indexed position. The apparatus also includes a rotary cylinder assembly including a pair of diametrically opposed rotary vanes mounted for reciprocation within a cavity formed in the housing. A partition plate divides the cavity into two separate compartments with each of the compartments divided by the rotary vane into a pair of variable volume chambers. Each of the rotary vanes also includes a piston assembly having an integral indexing pin that may be selectively extended into the apertures in the indexing plate thereby displacing the locating pins. A pressurized fluid source is provided to displace the rotary vanes through a selected angle and thereby index the indexing plate and attached spindle in the desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Versa Tech Engineering
    Inventor: Eric S. Burka
  • Patent number: 4922777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a band saw machine having the capability to produce finished piece parts by employing a rotatable collet and an index vise to rotate and longitudinally position the piece part, a band saw blade positioned in a blade twist assembly capable of making straight, angular, and arcuate cuts on the work piece, and a motor means to move the saw blade perpendicular to the work piece, all under the direction of a pre-programmed computer control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Contour Saws, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kawabata
  • Patent number: 4856234
    Abstract: A carrier is disclosed for holding an optical lens blank while forming optical surfaces on the blank. The carrier includes a clamp for holding the periphery of the lens blank while exposing a central area of the blank. An outer peripheral surface and one of two spaced end surfaces on the carrier are used in a method for locating and positioning said carrier/lens blank in a lathe, milling machine or other machine tool such that the exposed lens blank surfaces may be precisely and accurately cut to form optical lens surfaces with minimal error or misalignment. Holders for mounting the carrier in a lathe or milling machine and having locating surfaces engaging the outer peripheral and one end surface on the carrier are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Research Machine Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Goins
  • Patent number: 4811963
    Abstract: An automatic indexing chuck comprises a dividing pivot separately and in succession, operated by a dividing shaft and a locking sleeve. The dividing shaft is slideably and sealingly accommodated in a cavity of the locking sleeve which has retention planes for the dividing pivot and is in turn sealingly accommodated in a mandrel body cavity defining two adjacent chambers; the dividing shaft and the locking sleeve defining independent pistons operated by a single hydraulic circuit with reversible inlet and outlet ports, the pistons moving in opposite directions to perform consecutively unlocking, rotation and locking of the dividing pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Autoblok S.p.A.
    Inventors: Walter Bronzino, Pier M. Bronzino
  • Patent number: 4771521
    Abstract: A dual position chuck and turning machine method allow automatic shifting of a workpiece from a first to a second turning axis by actuation of a draw bar through the spindle of the turning machine. A linkage in the chuck drives a movable jaw assembly having peripheral fixed keys thereon in an arcuate keyway responsive to the draw bar movement. The arcuate keyway allows moving the workpiece to second axes which are not merely rotations of the jaw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Smith, William H. Rupnik, Bryan L. Maxwell, Robert J. Kups
  • Patent number: 4747609
    Abstract: A chuck with two oppositely disposed clamping jaws, each of which includes a base jaw and a top jaw. The base jaws are guided in an annular chuck body that has a central clamping space in such a way as to be movable in a radial direction. Each base jaw is driven by a wedge-type member that is mounted in the chuck body in such a way as to be essentially axially movable. In order to provide such a centrally clamping two-jawed chuck with a small overall axial length and a large clamping space, each wedge-type member is driven by a piston of a pressure-medium cylinder. The stroke movements of the two pistons are automatically synchronized by a mechanical coupling element that is disposed in the chuck body parallel to the clamping axis of the two clamping jaws. The coupling element is preferably a coupling shaft. Each base jaw can be provided with a rotatably mounted intermediate jaw, but at least one of the latter being mounted in such a way as to be rotatable via a pivot drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Paul Forkardt GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Scharfen
  • Patent number: 4730837
    Abstract: The chuck has a mounting body with an associated chuck assembly and a pivot device. For clamping of a workpiece at least one chucking jaw can adjustably be swung away from its chuck assembly, and the clamped workpiece, together with the chucking jaws can be turned about a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly with respect to the axis of rotation of the operational spindle of the lathe and with respect to the axes of operation of the workpiece, into pivot positions determined by the directions of the axes of operation. For workpieces with a pair of axes of operation, which are disposed at a distance with respect to one another, the mounting body is comprised of a base member and a turning member. The turning member is journaled for rotation at the base member so as to be able to revolve about a turning axis which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the operational spindle and which intersects the pivot axis at predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventor: Gunter H. Rohm
  • Patent number: 4692974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector block used for placing an electrical connector in precise position for receiving the ends of wire segments that are inserted therein by a robotic device. The connector block includes a socket upon which the connector is supported. The socket (hence the supported connector) can be selectively positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the robotic device. The connector block also includes a lock pin for both securing the socket in position and for providing a readily detectable indication of which particular rotational orientation in which the socket is disposed. The connector block also includes a reference pin usable for establishing the particular orientation of the connector block relative to the form board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Dan A. Cross