US3685915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for machining elongated workpieces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-05-07
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1989-05-07
Abstract
Abstract Elongated workpieces such as structural profile members are machined on apparatus suitable for drilling holes or performing other operations at predetermined points by equipment comprising a support with rollers on which the workpiece can be displaced, said support comprising a portal member spanning the workpiece and embodying a tool-carrying cross member having suitable driving tool spindles. The workpiece is located on the support rollers and held in position by vertical and horizontal guide rollers on the portal unit which are pressed into engagement with the workpiece. The cross member which may carry drills or the like is operable towards the workpiece with a cutting feed by means of hydraulic piston devices, and locating means are provided for correctly positioning the workpiece on the rollers. Lengthwise positioning of the cross member is effected by means of an indicator device with a floating zero system which is operated by the displacement of the portal member on the support and is thus available for determining the position of the portal member for effecting drilling at the required points of the workpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Vierstraete
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:29
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23B; B23B41/00; B23B41/003; B23B41/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5104; Y10T29/5105; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/21; Y10T408/34; Y10T408/352; Y10T408/36; Y10T408/38; Y10T408/3811; Y10T408/3839; Y10T408/52; Y10T408/55; Y10T408/561; Y10T408/5612; Y10T408/91; Y10T408/93; Y10T408/935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for machining elongated workpieces comprising a main support, means on said support for displaceably carrying the workpiece, a portal member independently displaceable on said support and spanning the workpiece, a tool-carrying cross member on said portal member, means for driving tools mounted on said cross member, means for vertically displacing said cross member on said portal member, presser elements on the portal member for engagement with the workpiece to exert a predetermined bearing pressure on the workpiece during machining, means supporting the cross member on the portal member to provide limited shift and rotational movement, locating means and gripper jaw means engageable with the workpiece for locating and positioning the latter, and a position indicating device operating by geared engagement between the portal member and the support for positioning the portal member and the cross member at desired measured points of the length of the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for machining elongated workpieces comprising a main support, means on said support for displaceably carrying the workpiece, a portal member independently displaceable on said support and spanning the workpiece, a tool-carrying cross member on said portal member, means for driving tools mounted on said cross member, means for vertically displacing said cross member on said portal member, presser elements on the portal member for engagement with the workpiece to exert a predetermined bearing pressure on the workpiece during machining, means supporting the cross member on the portal member to provide limited shift and rotational movement, locating means and gripper jaw means engageable with the workpiece for locating and positioning the latter, and a position indicating device operating by geared engagement between the portal member and the support for positioning the portal member and the cross member at desired measured points of the length of the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for machining elongated workpieces comprising a support on which the workpieces to be machined are supported, a portal member surrounding them and displaceable along said support, a tool-carrying cross member adjustable in position on said portal member, a support axle for supporting said tool-carrying cross member, measuring means for checking the position of the portal member, means for supporting said portal member on said support and on the workpiece, said tool-carrying cross member being shiftable laterally and vertically and rotatable around said support axle to follow the configuration of said workpiece, and bearing means on said portal member engaging the workpiece being adjustable laterally and rigid with said cross member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for machining elongated workpieces comprising a support on which the workpieces to be machined are supported, a portal member surrounding them and displaceable along said support, a tool-carrying cross member adjustable in position on said portal member, a support axle for supporting said tool-carrying cross member, measuring means for checking the position of the portal member, means for supporting said portal member on said support and on the workpiece, said tool-carrying cross member being shiftable laterally and vertically and rotatable around said support axle to follow the configuration of said workpiece, and bearing means on said portal member engaging the workpiece being adjustable laterally and rigid with said cross member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising self-centering means on said portal member for engaging the workpiece and for displacing it longitudinally at the same time as said portal member is displaced, centering it relatively to the support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising severing means on said support for the workpiece, and said severing means being displaceable on the support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising combined fixing and gripper means on said support for the workpiece being machined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the travel path of said portal member on said support is substantially at the same level as said workpiece being machined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for locating the position of said portal member and incorporating an iNdicating device, a rack rigid with said support and suspended from the portal member and displaceable slightly laterally and vertically relative to said portal member and said indicating device having a pinion engaging said rack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for supporting said portal member on the support comprises profiled rollers resting on a rolling guide, at least one grip pad, said profiled rollers having ribs and said rolling guide being engageable by said at least one grip pad, and compensating connector means for connecting said profiled rollers to said portal member and for ensuring a constant force of said portal member on the workpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for supporting said portal member on the workpiece to be machined comprises rollers, lead screw means having opposed screw threaded portions for adjusting the positions of said rollers, and said lead screw means being fixed to said tool-carrying cross member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a center joint means for connecting said tool-carrying cross member at its center part to said portal member and for permitting slight oscillation and horizontal displacement in the vertical plane of the said cross member, and vertical guides on which the ends of said cross member are slidable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said center joint of the tool-carrying cross member is formed by a center part rigid with said cross member and including, a spindle rotating in two slide blocks rigid with said portal member on two sides of said center part, and said center part is formed with arcuate slots concentric with said spindle, pins traversing said arcuate slots and connecting said two slide blocks for restricting oscillation of said center part by said arcuate slots and pins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising circulating roller track means for facilitating sliding motion of said slide blocks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising compensating connecting means comprising hydraulic piston means for actuating said tool carrying cross-member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising hydraulically controlled locking pad means for preventing lifting of said cross member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said hydraulic piston means for controlling compensation and for operating the locking pads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising severing means comprising a saw mounted on a carriage, an abutment, positioning means for said portal member and said severing means, and said positioning means being coordinated with the position of said abutment when at different positions separated by a fixed increment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said cutting means has an index means including a floating zero means for positioning the portal member and for determining a cut length by said zero preselected on said portal member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising combined means for fixing and locating the workpiece and comprising pairs of retractable jaws which are retractable at the end of an opening movement, and a locating finger movable in two directions operatively connected with said each of said pairs of retractable jaws.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising screw means, two torque limiting clutches, a motor and gear box means for driving through two torque-limiting clutches said screw means, and said screw means being used for controlling each pair of jaws and finger.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said indicating device comprises means for urging said pinion constantly against said rack rigid with a rolling track independently of the movements of said portal member relatively to the rack.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, whErein said rack is stationary, said indicator device comprises an indicator drive pinion means and engagement roller means urged constantly against said rack for centering the pinion relatively to said rack, a pivot joint, a rotary scale member connected to said pinion and supported by said pivot joint operative on an axis parallel to said rack and constituting part of a horizontal plate, resilient blade spring means for suspending said horizontal plate from said portal member, said resilient blade spring means being used for constantly pressing said plate and said rotary scale member towards said rack.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising vertical guide means for restricting movements of said scale member in a direction parallel to said rack, said vertical guide means being rigid with said plate and positioned close to said rack, said guide means being used for guiding said indicator device for sliding movement thereof and for maintaining engagement of said pinion and said rack during displacement of said portal member.
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) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |