US3717332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour cutting device
Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A contour cutting device where a torch or other cutting device is guided along a pattern followed by a photosensitive head wherein there is provided an improved means for maintaining parallel tracking of the main carriage in relation to the pattern support table. The machine is further characterized in that novel tool mounting devices, ready tool and tracing head access means, and tool spacing means are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 R Luker
- 👤 G Jewell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:40
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K7/00; B23K7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members, a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of cutting tools, and a combination tracing and driving head for moving said contour cutting device along a preselected pattern, the improvement comprising: a second main carriage member rigidly secured to and spaced apart from said main carriage, said second main carriage member aligned in parallel relation to said main carriage; pulley means near the outer ends of said second main carriage member; at least two continuous filaments, the first end of each fastened to diagonally opposite ends of each parallel supporting member, then extending in a direction substantially parallel to the respective supporting member to the closest pulley means, passing around the pulley means to the opposite pulley means then passing therearound and extending in a substantially parallel direction along the opposite parallel supporting member to the end thereof where a second end of each filament is attached, the point of attachment of the second end of each filament being diagonally opposite from the point of attachment of the first end of each respective filament.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members, a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of cutting tools, and a combination tracing and driving head for moving said contour cutting device along a preselected pattern, the improvement comprising: a second main carriage member rigidly secured to and spaced apart from said main carriage, said second main carriage member aligned in parallel relation to said main carriage; pulley means near the outer ends of said second main carriage member; at least two continuous filaments, the first end of each fastened to diagonally opposite ends of each parallel supporting member, then extending in a direction substantially parallel to the respective supporting member to the closest pulley means, passing around the pulley means to the opposite pulley means then passing therearound and extending in a substantially parallel direction along the opposite parallel supporting member to the end thereof where a second end of each filament is attached, the point of attachment of the second end of each filament being diagonally opposite from the point of attachment of the first end of each respective filament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members, a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of cutting tools, and a combination tracing and driving head for moving said contour cutting device along a preselected pattern, the improvement comprising: a second main carriage member rigidly secured to and spaced apart from said main carriage, said second main carriage member aligned in parallel relation to said main carriage; pulley means near the outer ends of said second main carriage member; at least two continuous filaments, the first end of each fastened to diagonally opposite ends of each parallel supporting member, then extending in a direction substantially parallel to the respective supporting member to the closest pulley means, passing around the pulley means to the opposite pulley means then passing therearound and extending in a substantially parallel direction along the opposite parallel supporting member to the end thereof where a second end of each filament is attached, the point of attachment of the second end of each filament being diagonally opposite from the point of attachment of the first end of each respective filament.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members, a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of cutting tools, and a combination tracing and driving head for moving said contour cutting device along a preselected pattern, the improvement comprising: a second main carriage member rigidly secured to and spaced apart from said main carriage, said second main carriage member aligned in parallel relation to said main carriage; pulley means near the outer ends of said second main carriage member; at least two continuous filaments, the first end of each fastened to diagonally opposite ends of each parallel supporting member, then extending in a direction substantially parallel to the respective supporting member to the closest pulley means, passing around the pulley means to the opposite pulley means then passing therearound and extending in a substantially parallel direction along the opposite parallel supporting member to the end thereof where a second end of each filament is attached, the point of attachment of the second end of each filament being diagonally opposite from the point of attachment of the first end of each respective filament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 1 wherein each filament includes adjacent one end thereof means to adjust the tension in the filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 1 wherein the means securing said main carriage to said second main carriage includes roller means for moving said carriage along said parallel support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members; a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of tools in a generally vertical position, and a combination pattern following and driving head on said transverse carriage for moving said contour cutting device along a pattern disposed beneath said pattern following and driving head, the improvement comprising: mounting said transverse carriage on said main carriage so that said transverse carriage can be rotated about its longitudinal axis thereby being able to position the underside of the tools and combination pattern following and driving head in a plane vertical to the plane of operation of the contour cutting device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a contour cutting device having a main carriage mounted on generally parallel supporting members for movement on a first axis generally parallel to said supporting members; a transverse carriage mounted on said main carriage for movement transversely of the main carriage, said transverse carriage adapted to position and support a plurality of tools in a generally vertical position, and a combination pattern following and driving head on said transverse carriage for moving said contour cutting device along a pattern disposed beneath said pattern following and driving head, the improvement comprising: mounting said transverse carriage on said main carriage so that said transverse carriage can be rotated about its longitudinal axis thereby being able to position the underside of the tools and combination pattern following and driving head in a plane vertical to the plane of operation of the contour cutting device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 4 wherein there is included means to lock said transvErse carriage to prevent rotation thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 5 wherein the transverse carriage is slidably mounted on an elongated boom having a generally circular cross-section said boom comprising the primary structural element of the main carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 4 wherein said tools are carried by a member slidably and lockably fastened to said transverse carriage whereby said tools can be readily positioned at varying horizontal distances from said transverse carriage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 4 wherein said tools are carried on said transverse carriage by compound swivel coupling means so that said tools can be oriented at an angle to the vertical and horizontal axis of the transverse carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 8 wherein said compound swivel coupling includes a shaft rotatably mounted in a bearing block said bearing block having a generally frusto-conical surface for insertion into a cup-shaped receiving member on said carriage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 9 wherein said block includes a single locking means for locking both said shaft to said block and said block to said cup.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A contour cutting device according to claim 4 wherein said cutting tools are disposed on said transverse carriage by means of brackets, said brackets having locking means therebetween for spacing said tools one from the other along said transverse carriage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3620521A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |