US3711212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Travel limit mechanism and method
Assignee: Genesis Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-19
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A travel limit mechanism is disclosed which is usable with a machine tool having a plurality of tools movable into an operative position to work on a workpiece. A reference position is first established at which the tip of a first tool clears a workpiece and a first dog just actuates a switch. This establishes a first tool-limit position. THe tool is removed from the operative position and placed in an adjustable holder with the tip of the tool abutting a tool tip locator and the tool tip locator abutting the first dog. A second tool-limit position then may be easily set by placing a second tool in the adjustable holder and moving the tool tip locator into abutment with the tip thereof and also into abutment with a second dog of a second set of dog and switch means. Depth stops for setting depth of cut of the tools may also be readily set using the same mechanism. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kuck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:35
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q15/00; B23Q15/20; B23Q15/22; B23Q15/24; B23Q16/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/08; Y10T408/18; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/30784; Y10T409/307952; Y10T409/308176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A travel limit mechanism for use with a movable member of a machine tool having a given plurality of different tools movable into an operative position for working on a workpiece, said travel limit mechanism comprising, in combination, control means, dog means to actuate said control means, one of said means being a plurality to establish sets of control and dog means with at least one set for each of the given plurality of tools, means to relatively index said control and dog means to select a set of said control and dog means, means providing relative movement along a first path between said control and dog means of said selected set in accordance with movement of the movable member, means to relatively fix along said first path an adjusted reference position of said selected set of control and dog means at which said control means is actuated to establish a first limit position of the movable member for a first tool in the operative position, actuation of said control means by said dog means of said selected set being capable of controlling movement of the movable member, and means to utilize said reference position to establish another tool limit position of the movable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A travel limit mechanism for use with a movable member of a machine tool having a given plurality of different tools movable into an operative position for working on a workpiece, said travel limit mechanism comprising, in combination, control means, dog means to actuate said control means, one of said means being a plurality to establish sets of control and dog means with at least one set for each of the given plurality of tools, means to relatively index said control and dog means to select a set of said control and dog means, means providing relative movement along a first path between said control and dog means of said selected set in accordance with movement of the movable member, means to relatively fix along said first path an adjusted reference position of said selected set of control and dog means at which said control means is actuated to establish a first limit position of the movable member for a first tool in the operative position, actuation of said control means by said dog means of said selected set being capable of controlling movement of the movable member, and means to utilize said reference position to establish another tool limit position of the movable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes a means to sense the length of the first tool relative to the length of a second tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes means to sense the location of the tool tip of the first tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said sensing means includes means to sense the length of a second tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes means to abut the tip of the first tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of the tools has a holder, and said utilization means includes means to abut the holder of the first tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein said utilization means includes means to determine the difference in length between first and second tools.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A travel limit mEchanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said utilization means includes an adjustable toolholder to hold tools adjacent the first path, and a tool tip locator to abut the tip of the first tool while in said adjustable holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein said adjustable holder is movable parallel to said first path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tool tip locator is movable parallel to said first path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 10, wherein said tool tip locator is movable to abut said plurality of control means or dog means in each set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 10, wherein said plurality of means is a plurality of dog means, and wherein said tool tip locator is movable to abut tips of tools and also abut dog means of sets corresponding to the respective tools.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 12, wherein said plurality of means is a plurality of dog means, and a drum carrying said plurality of dog means to be longitudinally movable along the surface of said drum parallel to said first path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 13, wherein said utilization means includes slide ways parallel to said first path and to the axis of said drum, and means mounting said tool tip locator and said adjustable holder on said slideways.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein said utilization means includes means to fix said tool tip locator and said adjustable holder in adjusted positions along said slideways.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 8, including first and second groups in said plurality of means, and wherein said utilization means includes a length measuring instrument for measuring along said first path, said tool tip locator being abuttable with said one of said plural means and with the tip of a tool in said adjustable toolholder, and said tool tip locator being movable a predetermined distance as measured by said length measuring instrument to set one of said plural means of the second group along said first path to establish a second tool-limit position of the first tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 8, including a length measuring instrument on said tool tip locator, said tool tip locator being movable a predetermined distance along said first path as determined by said length measuring instrument to set the position of another of said plural means of a second selected set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A travel limit mechanism as set forth in claim 8, including a length measuring instrument on said tool tip locator, said adjustable toolholder and tool tip locator being movable a predetermined distance along said first path as determined by said length measuring instrument to set the position of another of said plural means of a second selected set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of setting travel limits for a movable member of a machine tool having a given plurality of tools movable into an operative position for working on a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of establishing a plurality of control means or dog means for a plurality of sets of control and dog means with at least one set for each of the given plurality of the tools, indexing relative to one another the control and dog means to select a set of said control and dog means, relatively moving along a first path the control and dog means of the selected set in accordance with movement of the movable member, adjustably fixing along the first path at a reference position one of the plural means of the selected set of control and dog means at which the control means is actuated to establish a first tool-limit position of the movable member for a first tool in the operative position, and utilizing said reference position to establish another tool-limit position of The movable member.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of setting travel limits for a movable member of a machine tool having a given plurality of tools movable into an operative position for working on a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of establishing a plurality of control means or dog means for a plurality of sets of control and dog means with at least one set for each of the given plurality of the tools, indexing relative to one another the control and dog means to select a set of said control and dog means, relatively moving along a first path the control and dog means of the selected set in accordance with movement of the movable member, adjustably fixing along the first path at a reference position one of the plural means of the selected set of control and dog means at which the control means is actuated to establish a first tool-limit position of the movable member for a first tool in the operative position, and utilizing said reference position to establish another tool-limit position of The movable member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes the establishing of a first limit position of the movable member for a second tool in the operative position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said utilizing step includes sensing the length of the first tool relative to the length of the second tool.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes the establishing of a second limit position of the movable member for the first tool in the operative position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes holding the first tool in a position adjacent the first path, and locating the tip of the first tool in accordance with the reference position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes holding the first tool in an adjustable tool holder adjacent the first path, abutting the tip of the first tool against a first stop determined by said reference position, providing a length measuring instrument for movement relative to said first path, selecting a second set of control and dog means, and using the length measuring instrument in moving the adjustable toolholder to set one of said plural means of said second set along said first path to establish a second tool-limit position of the first tool.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes holding the first tool in an adjustable holder in a position adjacent the first path, abutting the tip of the first tool with a tool tip locator which also abuts said one of said plural means in the selected set to establish said reference position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as set forth in claim 25, wherein said utilizing step includes placing a second tool in the adjustable holder, moving the tool tip locator into abutment with the tip of the second tool, and setting the dog means of the second set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method as set forth in claim 25, wherein said utilizing step includes providing a length measuring instrument of said tool tip locator relative to said first path, using the length measuring instrument in moving the adjustable toolholder and tool tip locator a pre-determined distance along said first path, selecting a second set of control and dog means, and setting the position of one of the plurality of means of said second set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method as set forth in claim 25, wherein said utilizing step includes providing a length measuring instrument of said tool tip locator relative to said first path, zeroing the length measuring instrument with the tool tip locator in abutment with the tip of the first tool, using the length measuring instrument in moving the adjustable toolholder and tool tip locator a pre-determined distance along said first path and clamping same in a new location, selecting a second set of control and dog means, and setting the position of one of the plurality of means of said second set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
132 words
The method as set forth in claim 25, wherein said utilizing step includes providing a length measuring instrument on said tool tip locator, zeroing the length measuring instrument with the tool tip locator in abutment with the tip of the first tool, moving the adjustable toolholder and tool therein away from the tool tip locator, using the length measuring instrument in moving the tool tip locator a pre-determined distance along said first path and clamping same in a new location, moving the tool so its tip touches the tool tip locator and clamping the adjustable toolholder along said first path, selecting a second set of control and dog means, and setting the position of the one of the plurality of means of said second set in abutment with said tool tip locator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein said utilizing step includes holding the first tool in an adjustable holder in a position adjacent the first path, and locating the tip of the first tool in accordance with the reference position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said utilizing step includes abutting the tip of the first tool with a tool tip locator which also abuts the one means of the plurality of means in the selected set.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said utilizing step includes abutting the tip of the first tool against a first stop determined by said reference position, establishing first and second groups in said plurality of means, abutting the tool tip locator with one of the plural means of the selected set of the first group and fixing said one of said plural means along said first path for a first limit position of the movable member, providing a length measuring instrument for movement relative to said first path, and using the length measuring instrument to set one of said plural means of the second group along said first path to establish a second tool-limit position of the first tool.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said utilizing step includes abutting the tip of the first tool with a tool tip locator, establishing first and second groups in said plurality of means, abutting the tool tip locator with one of the plural means of the selected set of the first group in establishing said first tool-limit position of the movable member, providing a length measuring instrument of said tool tip locator relative to said first path, using the length measuring instrument to move the tool tip locator a pre-determined distance from the first tool limit position, and setting one of said plural means of the second group in abutment with the tool tip locator and fixed along said first path to establish a second tool-limit position of the first tool.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
165 words
The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said utilizing step includes abutting the tip of the first tool with a tool tip locator, establishing first and second groups in said plurality of means, abutting the tool tip locator with one of the plural means of the selected set of the first group fixing said one of said plural means along said first path for a first limit position of the movable member, providing a length measuring instrument of said tool tip locator relative to said first path, zeroing the length measuring instrument while the tool tip locator is in abutment with said one of said plural means of the first group, using the length measuring instrument to move the tool tip locator a pre-determined distance from the zero position, and setting one of said plural means of the second group in abutment with the tool tip locator and fixed along said first path to establish a second limit position of the first tool.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
177 words
The method as set forth in claim 23, wherein said utilizing step includes abutting the tip of the first tool with a tool tip locator, establishing first and second groups in said plurality of means, abutting the tool tip locator with one of the plural means of the selected set of the first group and fixing said one of said plural means along said first path for a first limit position of the movable member, providing a length measuring instrument on said tool tip locator, zeroing the length measuring instrument while the tool tip locator is in abutment with said one of said plural means of the first group, relieving the tool tip locator away from the tool tip, removing the tool from the holder, using the length measuring instrument to move the tool tip locator a pre-determined distance from the zero position, and setting one of said plural means of the second group in abutment with the tool tip locator and fixed along said first path to establish a second limit position of the first tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3478624A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |