US3683490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tool loader for a machine tool
Assignee: CNMP Berthiez SA
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tool loader for a machine tool comprises a magazine containing a plurality of tool holders at respective locations therein, a handling device for removing a required tool holder from the magazine and for supplying the tool holder to a machine tool, the magazine and the handling device being relatively movable to select the required tool holder, the magazine comprising for each tool holder a retaining device which engages and retains the tool holder in the magazine with a limited resiliently biased retaining force which the handling device must overcome to supply the required tool holder to the machine tool, the handling device comprising a connecting device which connects the required tool holder to the handling device with a limited resiliently biased connecting force, said force being sufficient to enable the handling device to supply to tool holder to the machine and to subsequently remove the tool holder from the machine tool when it is released thereby, said force being overcome by the handling device when the tool holder is retained by the machine tool for use or when the tool holder is returned to its location in the magazine, whereby to disconnect the handling device from the tool holder.
Inventors
- 👤 Martial Chabrier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:40
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15713; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5104; Y10T29/5105; Y10T29/5107; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1809; Y10T483/1818; Y10T483/1827
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
An automatic tool loader for a machine tool, comprising a magazinE, a plurality of tool holders at respective locations therein, a handling device for removing a required tool holder from the magazine and for supplying the tool holder to a machine tool, means supporting the magazine and the handling device for relative movement to select the required tool holder, the magazine comprising for each tool holder a retaining device to engage and retain the tool holder in the magazine with a limited resiliently biassed retaining force which the handling device must overcome to supply the required tool holder to the machine tool, the handling device comprising a connecting device to connect the required tool holder to the handling device with a limited resiliently biassed connecting force, said force being sufficient to enable the handling device to supply the tool holder to the machine and to subsequently remove the tool holder from the machine tool when it is released thereby, said force being overcome by the handling device when the tool holder is retained by the machine tool for use or when the tool holder is returned to its location in the magazine, whereby the handling device is disconnected from the tool holder, and wherein said retaining device comprises a detent, the tool holder having means defining a recess therein which is engaged by the detent, a leaf spring supporting the detent from the magazine and resiliently biasing the detent into the recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
An automatic tool loader for a machine tool, comprising a magazinE, a plurality of tool holders at respective locations therein, a handling device for removing a required tool holder from the magazine and for supplying the tool holder to a machine tool, means supporting the magazine and the handling device for relative movement to select the required tool holder, the magazine comprising for each tool holder a retaining device to engage and retain the tool holder in the magazine with a limited resiliently biassed retaining force which the handling device must overcome to supply the required tool holder to the machine tool, the handling device comprising a connecting device to connect the required tool holder to the handling device with a limited resiliently biassed connecting force, said force being sufficient to enable the handling device to supply the tool holder to the machine and to subsequently remove the tool holder from the machine tool when it is released thereby, said force being overcome by the handling device when the tool holder is retained by the machine tool for use or when the tool holder is returned to its location in the magazine, whereby the handling device is disconnected from the tool holder, and wherein said retaining device comprises a detent, the tool holder having means defining a recess therein which is engaged by the detent, a leaf spring supporting the detent from the magazine and resiliently biasing the detent into the recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An automatic tool loader as claimed in claim 1 in which the recess is a notch having a retaining face perpendicular to the relative motion between the tool holder and the magazine which occurs when the tool holder is supplied to the machine tool, the detent having a face which engages the retaining face when the detent is in the notch, and is inclined to the retaining face at an angle slightly greater than the angle of friction existing between the engaged faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An automatic tool loader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a detent, the tool holder having means defining a recess therein which is engaged by the detent, a leaf spring supporting the detent from the handling device and resiliently biassing the detent into the notch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
An automatic tool loader as claimed in claim 3 in which the recess is a notch having a retaining face perpendicular to the relative motion between the tool holder and the handling device during disconnection thereof, the detent having a face which engages the retaining face when the detent is in the notch, and is inclined to the retaining face at an angle slightly greater than the angle of friction existing between the engaged faces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic tool loader as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handling device comprises a forked member, each tool holder having shoulders which are engaged by the forked member to support the tool holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic tool loader as claimed in claim 5 wherein each tool holder comprises respective inclined surfaces on the shoulders thereof, the fork member having corresponding inclined surfaces which engage the inclined surfaces on the said shoulders to lift the tool holder.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |