Means to actuate the turning tools of rotating cutter heads in automatic lathes

Claim 1

An apparatus for actuating the turning tools of an automatic lathe comprising: a. A stationary spindle head; b. A hollow spindle rotatably supported in said spindle head; c. A cutter head formed on one end of said spindle, said cutter head being disposed outside said spindle head; d. A plurality of rotatable tool shafts disposed in said cutter head in angularly spaced apart relationship; e. A plurality of tool holders, each of said tool holders being mounted on one of said rotatable tool shafts to rotate therewith; f. A plurality of pressure keys in said cutter head, said pressure keys having an inclined surface ascending in a direction away from said tool holders, said pressure keys being axially moveable; g. A plurality of levers in said cutter head, one end of each of said levers being connected with one of said tool shafts, the other end of each of said levers cooperating with said sloping surface of each of said pressure keys to effect movement of each of said levers and rotation of each of said tool shafts; h. A plurality of peripherally open, axial guide grooves in said spindle, each of said guide grooves being spaced the same radial distance from the axis of said spindle; i. A plurality of independently moveable push rods, each push rod being slidably disposed in one of said guide grooves, one end of each of said push rods engaging one of said pressure keys; j. A plurality of slide arms disposed in said spindle head for cooperation with said push rods, each of said slide arms extending radially outwardly from said push rods, said slide arms being angularly spaced from each other, and disposed at substantially identical radial distances from the axis of said spindle, said slide arms also being axially offset from each other and being adapted for movement parallel to said push rods; k. A plurality of sliding bearings being disposed between said first ends of said push rods and said slide arms, each of said sliding bearings having an interior ring and an exterior ring, said exterior ring of each of said slide bearings being secured to one of said slide arms, said interior ring of each of said sliding bearings being disposed about said spindle and being axially displaceable therealong, said interior ring of each of said sliding bearings also being secured to one of said push rods so that each of said sliding bearings will transfer motive force from one of said slide arms to one of said push rods.

Claim 2

An apparatus for actuating the turning tools of an automatic lathe comprising: a. A stationary spindle head; b. A hollow spindle rotatably supported in said spindle head; c. A cutter head formed on one end of said spindle, said cutter head being disposed outside said spindle head; d. A plurality of rotatable tool shafts disposed in said cutter head in angularly spaced apart relationship; e. A plurality of tool holders, each of said tool holders being mounted on one of said rotatable tool shafts to rotate therewith; f. A plurality of pressure keys in said cutter head, said pressure keys having an inclined surface ascending in a direction away from said tool holders, said pressure keys being axially moveable; g. A plurality of levers in said cutter head, one end of each of said levers being connected with one of said tool shafts, the other end of each of said levers cooperating with said sloping surface of each of said pressure keys to effect movement of each of said levers and rotation of each of said tool shafts; h. A plurality of peripherally open, axial guide grooves in said spindle, each of said guide grooves being spaced the same radial distance from the axis of said spindle; i. A plurality of independently moveable push rods, each push rod being slidably disposed in one of said guide grooves, one end of each of said push rods engaging one of said pressure keys; j. A plurality of slide arms disposed in said spindle head for cooperation with said push rods, each of said slide arms extending radially outwardly from said push rods, said slide arms being angularly spaced from each other, and disposed at substantially identical radial distances from the axis of said spindle, said slide arms also being axially offset from each other and being adapted for movement parallel to said push rods; k. A plurality of sliding bearings being disposed between said first ends of said push rods and said slide arms, each of said sliding bearings having an interior ring and an exterior ring, said exterior ring of each of said slide bearings being secured to one of said slide arms, said interior ring of each of said sliding bearings being disposed about said spindle and being axially displaceable therealong, said interior ring of each of said sliding bearings also being secured to one of said push rods so that each of said sliding bearings will transfer motive force from one of said slide arms to one of said push rods.