US3635323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Work holders for use with apparatus for transferring work blanks and workpieces in bevel-gear-making machines
Assignee: Gleason Works
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Filing: 1970-02-24
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1990-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Work-holding devices for use with work loading and transferring apparatus for automatically handling and moving gear blanks and gear pieces from one station to another relative to gear-cutting machines. The work-holding devices, which are positioned at the ends of loading and transfer arms, each include a cup means for contacting and centering a gear piece relative to the holding device, and jaw members for effecting a tight grip on the workpiece. These different embodiments of the workholder device are disclosed, namely, (H-1) a basic device for handling work blanks which have not been cut at all, (H-2) a device similar to H-1 but including stock-dividing means suitable for orienting a rough cut workpiece for a further cutting operation, and (H-3) a device similar to H-2 but including a different form of stockdividing means for orienting a workpiece between two finishcutting operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence R Helfer
- 👤 Ernst J Hunkeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:09
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23F; B23F23/00; B23F23/12; B23F23/1218; B23F23/02; B23F23/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/17; Y10T279/17863; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/10; Y10T409/100795; Y10T409/100954
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for transferring bevel gear workpieces having tapered tooth portions from one station to another, the improvement in holding means for bevel gear workpieces, comprising: centering cup means for contacting the tapered tooth portion of a bevel gear piece which is oriented with its heel end lowermost to the remainder of said portion, at least two jaw members articulated relative to a main body portion of said work-holding means to move radially and vertically relative to centering cup means, said jaw members being of a configuration to engage said heel end of said bevel gear piece between the centering cup means and the jaw members, and actuating means to move jaw members radially about a fixed pivot pin in response to vertical movements of a yoke means connected to a lever end of each jaw member, each said jaw member further being mounted for limited vertical movement relative to said fixed pivot pin so that said actuating means operates to move said jaw members (a) radially into engagement with a workpiece and (b) vertically to draw the workpiece into said centering cup means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for transferring bevel gear workpieces having tapered tooth portions from one station to another, the improvement in holding means for bevel gear workpieces, comprising: centering cup means for contacting the tapered tooth portion of a bevel gear piece which is oriented with its heel end lowermost to the remainder of said portion, at least two jaw members articulated relative to a main body portion of said work-holding means to move radially and vertically relative to centering cup means, said jaw members being of a configuration to engage said heel end of said bevel gear piece between the centering cup means and the jaw members, and actuating means to move jaw members radially about a fixed pivot pin in response to vertical movements of a yoke means connected to a lever end of each jaw member, each said jaw member further being mounted for limited vertical movement relative to said fixed pivot pin so that said actuating means operates to move said jaw members (a) radially into engagement with a workpiece and (b) vertically to draw the workpiece into said centering cup means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a hydraulically operated piston means connected to said yoke means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and including a resilient means to urge said piston means in a direction which will release said jaw members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes (a) resilient means for urging said jaw members vertically to release a workpiece from said centering cup means, and (b) releasable pressure applying means for effecting opposite vertical motion and radial motion of the jaw members into engageable relation with a workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and including means for rotating a bevel gear piece contacted by said holding means to effect a stock division of said workpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rotating means includes a pin means carried by the centering cup means, said pin means functioning to rotate a bevel gear piece as it rides within a spiral groove of the bevel gear during vertical movements of the centering cup means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said rotating means comprises means to rotate the holding means relative to a loader and transfer means to which said holding means is attached.
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) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |