US3730634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material
Assignee: Gerber Technology LLC
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Filing: 1970-11-27
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1990-11-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cutting and drilling layups of sheet material and including a table for supporting a layup, a main carriage supported for movement in one coordinate direction relative to the table, and cutting and drilling heads supported on the carriage for movement therewith and relative thereto and to each other in at least one other coordinate direction. The main carriage and the cutting and drilling heads move in response to positioning signals supplied by a numerically controlled or computerized controller. A movable cutting tool or blade driven by the cutting head is adapted to advance in cutting engagement with the layup to form a cut therein. A trepanning or drilling tool carried by the drilling head removes material from the layup at selected points to form openings therethrough. The shape of the drilling tool is such that the drilling operation is performed with a minimum of applied pressure, so that substantially no compressive force is applied to the layup by the drilling tool to cause movement of upper layers of the layup relative to the cutting tool.
Inventors
- 👤 H Gerber
- 👤 D Pearl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:53
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06H; D06H7/00; D06H7/24; B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10S83/936; Y10S83/939; Y10S83/94; Y10S83/941; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/08; Y10T408/34; Y10T408/55; Y10T408/554; Y10T408/561; Y10T408/5612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material comprising means defining a layup supporting surface, a main carriage supported above said supporting surface, means for moving said main carriage and said supporting surface relative to one another in at least one coordinate direction, a cutting head carried by said main carriage and supported for movement relative thereto and to said surface in at least one other coordinate direction, said cutting head including a cutting tool adapted to move in cutting engagement with a layup supported on said supporting surface, a drilling head carried by said main carriage and supported thereon for movement relative thereto and to said surface and said cutting head in said other coordinate direction, said drilling head including a hollow axially elongated drilling tool drivingly supported at one end by said drilling head for axial rotation and movement in an axial direction generally toward and away from said supporting surface, said drilling tool having a coaxial bore opening through the free end thereof and including a generally radially disposed circular cutting edge at said free end and partially defined by said bore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material comprising means defining a layup supporting surface, a main carriage supported above said supporting surface, means for moving said main carriage and said supporting surface relative to one another in at least one coordinate direction, a cutting head carried by said main carriage and supported for movement relative thereto and to said surface in at least one other coordinate direction, said cutting head including a cutting tool adapted to move in cutting engagement with a layup supported on said supporting surface, a drilling head carried by said main carriage and supported thereon for movement relative thereto and to said surface and said cutting head in said other coordinate direction, said drilling head including a hollow axially elongated drilling tool drivingly supported at one end by said drilling head for axial rotation and movement in an axial direction generally toward and away from said supporting surface, said drilling tool having a coaxial bore opening through the free end thereof and including a generally radially disposed circular cutting edge at said free end and partially defined by said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for cutting aNd drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bore has a diametrically enlarged portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of said circular cutting edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bore includes a cylindrical portion of relatively short axial extent at said free end having a diameter substantially equal to and terminating at said circular cutting edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material as set forth in claim 3 wherein said free end includes a generally conical portion diverging to and terminating at said circular cutting edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 1 wherein the free end portion of said drilling tool is diametrically enlarged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 5 wherein said free end portion has a generally bulbous configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material as set forth in claim 5 wherein said free end portion includes a cylindrical portion and a generally conical portion diverging from said cylindrical portion and terminating at said circular cutting edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drilling tool has a deflecting surface axially spaced from said free end and extending transversely of the axis of said bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material as set forth in claim 8 wherein said drilling tool has a passageway formed therein communicating with said bore and opening radially outwardly therethrough in spaced relation to said free end, said passageway defining said deflecting surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drilling tool is made of metal and the surfaces thereof are at least partially coated with plastic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said plastic material is Teflon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drilling tool comprises two parts, one of said parts including said one end and having means associated therewith for releasably retaining the other of said parts in assembly with said one part, said other part defining said circular cutting edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 12 wherein said other part is generally cylindrical and has a generally cylindrical bore extending coaxially therethrough, said cylindrical bore including a first portion of relatively short axial extent having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said circular cutting edge, said cylindrical bore including a second portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of said first portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling sheet material as set forth in claim 13 wherein said one part has a passageway formed therein and opening radially outwardly therefrom and said cylindrical bore communicates with said passageway when said other part is in assembly with said one part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 1 including a presser foot associated with said drilling head and movable with said drilling tool and relative thereto generally toward and away from said supporting surface, said presser foot being adapted to engage the layup of sheet material and at least partially surround said drilling tool when said tool is in drilling engagement with said layup.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 15 including means for biasing said presser foot toward said supporting surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for cutting and drilling a layup of sheet material as set forth in claim 15 including a bushing carried by said presser foot, said bushing receiving and supPorting said free end for axial movement relative thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3626799A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |