Machine tool table

Claim 2

A machine tool table adapted for multiple positioning in a horizontal plane comprising: a base member adapted to be secured to a machine tool and provided with guide means on its upper surface; an intermediate table member having guide elements on its lower surface cooperatively associated with said guide means for providing horizontal movement thereof in a first horizontal direction and further provided with guide means on its upper surface transverse to the first-mentioned guide means; an upper table member having guide elements on its lower surface cooperatively associated with the second-mentioned guide means providing horizontal movement thereof in a second horizontal direction; stop means limiting the travel of said intermediate table member; locating means including a locating guide with a plurality of locating openings therein mounted on one of said table members for positioning said upper table member in a plurality of positions relative to said intermediate table member; electromagnetic locking means for securing said upper table member fixed relative to said intermediate table member in each of said plurality of positions; and handle means for moving said upper table member actuatable to release said pin and simultaneously energize said magnetic means.

Claim 3

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means includes electromagnetic means having an electric winding carried by one table member and operatively positioned to clamp against a surface of magnetizable material of the other table member.

Claim 4

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrOmagnetic means includes at least one electromagnet having an annular frame of U-shaped cross section, the legs of said U-shaped structure defining the poles of said magnet, said electric winding being annular and positioned within said U-shaped structure.

Claim 5

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 3 wherein said magnet includes a ring-shaped layer of friction material across its open end adapted to be magnetically biased against said surface of magnetizable material.

Claim 6

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 2 including means for varying the magnetic force output of said electromagnetic means.

Claim 7

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 2 wherein there is provided a brush-type contact and a sliding contact connection between said table members in the electric circuit of said electric winding.

Claim 8

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 1 including power means for selectively moving said intermediate table member against said stop means.

Claim 9

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power means includes means for holding said intermediate table member against the selected stop means.

Claim 10

A machine tool table adapted for multiple positioning in a horizontal plane comprising: a base member adapted to be secured to a machine tool and provided with a pair of parallel guide tracks on its upper surface; an intermediate table having guide elements on its lower surface riding on said guide tracks for providing horizontal movement thereof in a first horizontal direction and further provided with a pair of parallel guide tracks on its upper surface transverse to the first mentioned guide tracks; an upper table having guide elements on its lower surface riding on the second mentioned guide tracks providing horizontal movement thereof in a second horizontal direction; spaced stops limiting the travel of said intermediate table; handle means on said upper table providing for gripping said upper table; a locating guide defined on the upper surface of said intermediate table parallel to the first-mentioned guide tracks provided with a plurality of locating openings; a pin member engageable in a selected one of said locating openings and removable therefrom by the mere actuation of said handle means; electromagnetic locking means carried by said intermediate table; electric control means for said electromagnetic locking means operatively associated with said handle means; and circuit means interconnecting said electromagnetic locking means and said electric control means including a sliding contact carried by said upper table member and a brush-type contact carried by said intermediate table electrically engaging said sliding contact.

Claim 11

A machine tool table adapted for multiple positioning in a horizontal plane comprising: a base member adapted to be secured to a machine tool and provided with a pair of parallel guide tracks on its upper surface; an intermediate table having guide elements on its lower surface riding on said guide tracks for providing horizontal movement thereof in a first horizontal direction and further provided with a pair of parallel guide tracks on its upper surface transverse to the first mentioned guide tracks; an upper table having guide elements on its lower surface riding on the second mentioned guide tracks providing horizontal movement thereof in a second horizontal direction; spaced stops limiting the travel of said intermediate table; handle means on said upper table providing for gripping said upper table; a locating guide defined on the upper surface of said intermediate table parallel to the first-mentioned guide tracks provided with a plurality of locating openings; a pin member engageable in a selected one of said locating openings and removable therefrom by the mere actuation of said handle means; electromagnetic locking means carried by said intermediate table; electric control means for said electromagnetic locking means operatively associated with said handle means; and circuit means interconnecting said electromagnetic locking means and said electric control means including a sliding contact carried by said upper table member and a brush-type contact carried by said intermediate table electrically engaging said sliding contact.

Claim 12

A machine tool table as set forth in claim 9 including power means for reciprocal movement of said intermediate table between said stops, said power means including a rack gear defined on the lower surface of said intermediate table, a fluid motor carried by said base member including a plunger, a second rack gear connected to said plunger, and an idling gear interconnecting said rack gears.