US3599998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring-actuated chuck assembly
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1969-07-16
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1989-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A chuck assembly including a first ring element secured to a base structure such as a spindle with a second ring element being movable relative to the first element. A chucking element or collet sleeve is associated with one element and arranged for interaction with the other element so that the chucking member is actuated for engaging a workpiece by spring means acting between the two elements. The chucking member is preferably designed with a backup plate permitting axial forces applied to the chucking member through the workpiece to cooperate with the spring for further tightening the chucking member upon the workpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Jozef Kiwalle
- 👤 Frederick M Lamb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K20/00; B23K20/12; B23B; B23B31/00; B23B31/02; B23B31/10; B23B31/12; B23B31/20; B23B31/201; B23B31/204; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/12; Y10T279/1241; Y10T279/1249; Y10T279/1266; Y10T279/17; Y10T279/17411; Y10T279/17529
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a base structure, comprising a collet sleeve for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element with means for securing it to the base structure, the first chuck element having a tapered surface arranged for interaction with the collet sleeve, a second chuck element supported in floating relation with the first element, the collet sleeve being secured for axial movement with the second chuck element, the collet sleeve also being secured for rotation with the first chuck element while being axially movable relative to the first chuck element, spring means arranged for interaction between the two elements with the spring means normally urging the two elements apart so that the collet sleeve, upon interaction with the first chuck element, is caused to grip the workpiece, a backup plate coupled with the chucking member for axially receiving the workpiece so that axial force applied against the backup plate through the workpiece cooperates with the spring means in urging the two elements apart from each other and furthEr increasing gripping action of the collet sleeve on the workpiece, and motor means effectively coupled with the two chuck elements for urging them toward each other against the spring means and permitting the workpiece to be freely inserted into and removed from the collet sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a base structure, comprising a collet sleeve for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element with means for securing it to the base structure, the first chuck element having a tapered surface arranged for interaction with the collet sleeve, a second chuck element supported in floating relation with the first element, the collet sleeve being secured for axial movement with the second chuck element, the collet sleeve also being secured for rotation with the first chuck element while being axially movable relative to the first chuck element, spring means arranged for interaction between the two elements with the spring means normally urging the two elements apart so that the collet sleeve, upon interaction with the first chuck element, is caused to grip the workpiece, a backup plate coupled with the chucking member for axially receiving the workpiece so that axial force applied against the backup plate through the workpiece cooperates with the spring means in urging the two elements apart from each other and furthEr increasing gripping action of the collet sleeve on the workpiece, and motor means effectively coupled with the two chuck elements for urging them toward each other against the spring means and permitting the workpiece to be freely inserted into and removed from the collet sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the chuck assembly is arranged on the spindle of a friction welding machine for mounting one of a pair of relatively rotatable workpieces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising an adapter element for securing the first chuck element to the base structure, the second chuck element being supported between the first chuck element and adapter element in coaxial relation with the chucking member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the spring means is a coil spring coaxially arranged about the chucking member for interaction between the two chuck elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the spring means is a plurality of coil springs circumferentially arranged about the chucking member for interaction between the two chuck elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the chucking member is keyed for rotation with the first chuck element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a base structure, comprising a collapsible chucking member for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element with an adapter element for securing the first chuck element to the base structure, the first chuck element having circumferentially arranged projections by which it is secured to the adapter element, a second chuck element supported in floating relation between the first chuck element and the adapter element in coaxial relation with the chucking member, the second chuck element having circumferentially arranged fingers extending radially outwardly between the projections of the first chuck element, spring means arranged between the two chuck elements with a tendency to urge them axially away from each other, the chucking member being secured for axial movement with the second chuck element and interacting with the first chuck element so that the chucking member is caused to grip the workpiece by means of axial movement of the two elements under influence of the spring means, and motor means effectively coupled with the fingers of the second chuck element for urging it toward the first chuck element and against the spring means in order to permit insertion or removal of the workpiece from the chucking member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
204 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a base structure, comprising a collapsible chucking member for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element with an adapter element for securing the first chuck element to the base structure, the first chuck element having circumferentially arranged projections by which it is secured to the adapter element, a second chuck element supported in floating relation between the first chuck element and the adapter element in coaxial relation with the chucking member, the second chuck element having circumferentially arranged fingers extending radially outwardly between the projections of the first chuck element, spring means arranged between the two chuck elements with a tendency to urge them axially away from each other, the chucking member being secured for axial movement with the second chuck element and interacting with the first chuck element so that the chucking member is caused to grip the workpiece by means of axial movement of the two elements under influence of the spring means, and motor means effectively coupled with the fingers of the second chuck element for urging it toward the first chuck element and against the spring means in order to permit insertion or removal of the workpiece from the chucking member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a friction welding machine having means for mounting another workpiece in axially movable relatively rotatable relation with the one workpiece, comprising a collapsible collet sleeve for receiving the one workpiece, the collet sleeve having a backup plate secured at an axially inner end thereof for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element and an adapter plate for securing the first chuck element to a spindle of the machine, a second chuck element supported in axially floating relation between the first chuck element and adapter plate in coaxial relation with the collet sleeve, the collet sleeve being secured to the second chuck element, spring means arranged for interaction between the two chuck elements, the spring means tending to urge the two chuck elements apart and thereby constrict the collet sleeve, and motor means operable to urge the two chuck elements toward each other against the spring means, the first chuck element having circumferentially spaced-apart projections for securing it to the adapter plate, the second chuck element having circumferentially arranged fingers extending radially outwardly between the projections for operative association with the motor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
A spring-actuated chuck assembly for mounting a workpiece on a friction welding machine having means for mounting another workpiece in axially movable relatively rotatable relation with the one workpiece, comprising a collapsible collet sleeve for receiving the one workpiece, the collet sleeve having a backup plate secured at an axially inner end thereof for receiving the workpiece, a first chuck element and an adapter plate for securing the first chuck element to a spindle of the machine, a second chuck element supported in axially floating relation between the first chuck element and adapter plate in coaxial relation with the collet sleeve, the collet sleeve being secured to the second chuck element, spring means arranged for interaction between the two chuck elements, the spring means tending to urge the two chuck elements apart and thereby constrict the collet sleeve, and motor means operable to urge the two chuck elements toward each other against the spring means, the first chuck element having circumferentially spaced-apart projections for securing it to the adapter plate, the second chuck element having circumferentially arranged fingers extending radially outwardly between the projections for operative association with the motor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the spring means is a coil spring coaxially arranged about the collet sleeve for axial interaction between the two chuck elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the spring meAns comprises a plurality of coil springs circumferentially arranged about the collet sleeve for axial interaction between the two chuck elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |