Multi-directional indexing apparatus

Claim 2

An indexing drive mechanism comprising: rotatably driven X-Y cam means having respective X and Y cam grooves, each having a spaced series of stepped index-defining portions, formed in at least one cam face thereof; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said cam means, and on the direction of rotation of said cam means; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly, and pivotal coupling means supported on and movable with said X cross-slide assembly, and indirectly connecting a Y cam follower communicating with said Y cam groove to said Y crossslide assembly, said coupling means facilitating displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly not only selectively in response to any angular orientation of any given stepped Y indexdefining cam groove portion communicating with said Y cam follower, relative to the axis of said cam means, but also selectively in response to any displacement of said X crossslide assembly.

Claim 3

An indexing drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said X and Y cam grooves each encompass more than 360* of curvature formed in at least one cam face of said rotatable cam means, and wherein said coupling means has an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane, and is pivotally mounted near the vertex thereof on a shaft secured to the X cross-slide assembly.

Claim 4

An indexing drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: indexable auxiliary work support means, and a rotational drive mechanism interposed between and secured to said Y cross-slide assembly and said work support means so as to allow the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 5

An indexing drive mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said X and Y cam grooves are formed in the peripheries of separate X and Y roll cams mounted on a common shaft in juxtaposition, and further comprising: an indexable work table, and a rotational drive mechanism interposed between and secured to said Y cross-slide assembly and said work table so as to allow the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 6

In a multi-directional indexing apparatus for use in successively indexing supported auxiliary apparatus along a selectively determined pattern of coordinate-non-coordinate index positions, relative to a stationary point, the combination comprising: a multi-revolution X roll cam having an X cam groove formed in and extending in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof, said cam groove having a series of stepped X index-defining portions spaced therealong; a multi-revolution Y roll cam having a Y cam groove with a plurality of convolutions formed in and extending in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof, said Y cam groove having a series of stepped Y index-defining portions spaced in successive convolutions therealong; means for rotatably driving said X and Y roll cams selectively in opposite directions; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said X roll cam, and on the direction of rotation of said X roll cam; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly, and an X floating pivotal coupling means for interconnecting said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, said coupling means including a coupler having an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane, and being pivotally supported at the vertex region thereof to said X cross-slide assembly, a terminating end region of one leg portion of said L-shaped coupler supporting a Y cam follower which communicates with said Y cam groove, and the terminating end of the other leg portion of said coupler being connected to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means allowing the direction and magnitude of displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly to be controlled selectively by both the degree of angular orientation of any given stepped X and Y cam groove index portions communicating with said associated X and Y cam followers, relative to the axes of said X and Y roll cams, respectively, and on the particular direction of rotation of said X and Y roll cams, whereby displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly may be initiated by displacement of said X cross-slide assembly independent of any Y roll cam initiated displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly.

Claim 7

In a multi-directional indexing apparatus for use in successively indexing supported auxiliary apparatus along a selectively determined pattern of coordinate-non-coordinate index positions, relative to a stationary point, the combination comprising: a multi-revolution X roll cam having an X cam groove formed in and extending in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof, said cam groove having a series of stepped X index-defining portions spaced therealong; a multi-revolution Y roll cam having a Y cam groove with a plurality of convolutions formed in and extending in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof, said Y cam groove having a series of stepped Y index-defining portions spaced in successive convolutions therealong; means for rotatably driving said X and Y roll cams selectively in opposite directions; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said X roll cam, and on the direction of rotation of said X roll cam; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly, and an X floating pivotal coupling means for interconnecting said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, said coupling means including a coupler having an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane, and being pivotally supported at the vertex region thereof to said X cross-slide assembly, a terminating end region of one leg portion of said L-shaped coupler supporting a Y cam follower which communicates with said Y cam groove, and the terminating end of the other leg portion of said coupler being connected to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means allowing the direction and magnitude of displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly to be controlled selectively by both the degree of angular orientation of any given stepped X and Y cam groove index portions communicating with said associated X and Y cam followers, relative to the axes of said X and Y roll cams, respectively, and on the particular direction of rotation of said X and Y roll cams, whereby displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly may be initiated by displacement of said X cross-slide assembly independent of any Y roll cam initiated displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly.

Claim 8

In an indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 5, the combination further comprising: indexable work support means, and a rotational drive mechanism secured to said Y cross-slide assembly and adapted to rotatably support said work support means in a manner that allows the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 9

In an indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 5, the opposite ends of said X and Y cam grooves terminate in continuous, closed loop portions so as to prevent jamming of the cross-slide assemblies should the respective X and Y roll cams not be reversed after the associated X and Y cam followers reach the last stepped X and Y index-defining cam groove portions formed at either end in the respective roll cams.

Claim 10

In an indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 7, said stepped X and Y index-defining cam groove portions being formed with smooth, cycloidal type curvatures so as to minimize cam pressure angles and cam follower bounce, and said coupling means further including a connecting linkage coupled between the terminating end of the leg portion of said L-shaped coupler not associated with said Y cam follower and the Y cross-slide assembly.

Claim 11

In an indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 7, said X and Y cams being mounted on a common shaft in juxtaposed relationship, said stepped X and Y index defining cam groove portions Being formed with sinusoidal curvatures so as to minimize cam pressure angles and cam follower bounce, and said combination further comprising: an indexable work table, and a rotational drive mechanism secured to said Y cross-slide assembly and adapted to rotatably support said work table in a manner that allows the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 12

A multi-directional indexing apparatus comprising: reversible rotatably driven X-Y roll cam means having respective X and Ycam grooves, each having a spaced series of stepped index-defining portions, formed in at least one cam face thereof; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of any angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said cam means, and on the direction of rotation of said cam means; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly; pivotal coupling means supported on and movable with said X cross-slide assembly, and indirectly connecting a Y cam follower communicating with said Y cam groove to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means facilitating displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly not only selectively in response to any angular orientation of any given stepped Y index-defining cam groove portion communicating with said Y cam follower, relative to the axis of said cam means, but also selectively in response to any displacement of said X cross-slide assembly, with any X roll cam initiated Y cross-slide assembly displacement having the effect of presenting a new Y cam groove profile to said Y cam follower, even for Y coordinate index positions laterally disposed along a common X coordinate axis, and auxiliary apparatus support means at least indirectly mounted on said Y cross-slide assembly so as to be selectively and simultaneously indexable in the X and Y directions in response to any X and Y displacements of the X and Y cross-slide assemblies, respectively.

Claim 13

A multi-directional indexing apparatus comprising: reversible rotatably driven X-Y roll cam means having respective X and Ycam grooves, each having a spaced series of stepped index-defining portions, formed in at least one cam face thereof; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of any angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said cam means, and on the direction of rotation of said cam means; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly; pivotal coupling means supported on and movable with said X cross-slide assembly, and indirectly connecting a Y cam follower communicating with said Y cam groove to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means facilitating displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly not only selectively in response to any angular orientation of any given stepped Y index-defining cam groove portion communicating with said Y cam follower, relative to the axis of said cam means, but also selectively in response to any displacement of said X cross-slide assembly, with any X roll cam initiated Y cross-slide assembly displacement having the effect of presenting a new Y cam groove profile to said Y cam follower, even for Y coordinate index positions laterally disposed along a common X coordinate axis, and auxiliary apparatus support means at least indirectly mounted on said Y cross-slide assembly so as to be selectively and simultaneously indexable in the X and Y directions in response to any X and Y displacements of the X and Y cross-slide assemblies, respectively.

Claim 14

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cam means comprises separate X and Y roll cams mounted on a common shaft in juxtaposition, with said X and Y cam grooves being formed in and extending in essentially helical fashion axially along the axes of said respective X and Y roll cams, and wherein said pivotal coupling means has an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane thereof, and is pivotally mounted near the vertex region thereof on a shaft secured to the X cross-slide assembly.

Claim 15

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further comprising: A rotational drive mechanism secured to said Y cross-slide assembly and being adapted to rotatably support said support means in a manner that allows the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 16

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further comprising: a rotational drive mechanism secured through a mounting platform to said Y cross-slide assembly, and being adapted to rotatably support said support means in a manner that allows the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 17

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the stepped index-defining portions of said X and Y cam grooves are formed with cycloidal curvatures so as to minimize pressure angles and cam follower bounce, and wherein the opposite ends of said X and Y cam grooves terminate in continuous, closed-loop portions so as to prevent jamming of the X and Y cross-slide assemblies should the respective X and Y cam followers be alloWed to pass beyond the last stepped X and Y index-defining cam groove portions formed in and located at either end region of the respective X and Y roll cams.

Claim 18

A multi-directional indexing apparatus for use in successively indexing supported auxiliary apparatus along a selectively determined pattern of coordinate-non-coordinate index positions, relative to a stationary point, said apparatus comprising: an X roll cam having an X cam groove formed in and disposed in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof so as to form a multi-revolution roll cam with no active, intermediate cam groove cross-overs, said X cam groove having a series of cycloidally stepped X index-defining portions spaced therealong; a Y roll cam having a Y cam groove formed with a plurality of convolutions in and disposed in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof so as to form a multi-revolution roll cam with no active, intermediate cam groove cross-overs, said Y cam groove having a series of cycloidally stepped Y index-defining portions spaced in successive convolutions therealong; means for rotatably driving said X and Y roll cams selectively in opposite directions; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of any angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said X roll cam, and on the direction of rotation of said X roll cam; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly; said Y an X floating pivotal coupling means for interconnecting said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, said coupling means including a coupler having an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane, and being pivotally supported at the vertex region thereof to said X cross-slide assembly, a terminating end region of one leg portion of said L-shaped coupler supporting a Y cam follower which communicates with said Y cam groove, and the terminating end of the other leg portion of said coupler being connected through a linkage to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means being capable of providing an indexing mechanical leverage and allowing the direction and magnitude of displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly to be controlled selectively by both the degree of angular orientation of said stepped X and Y cam groove index portions relative to the axes of said X and Y roll cams, respectively, and on the particular direction of rotation of said X and Y roll cams, whereby displacement of SAID said cross-slide assembly may be initiated by displacement of said X cross-slide assembly independent of any Y roll cam initiated displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly, and in a manner that effectively presents a new Y cam groove profile to the Y cam follower, even for Y coordinate index positions laterally disposed along a common X coordinate axis, and indexable work support means at least indirectly mounted on said Y cross-slide assembly so as to be selectively and simultaneously indexed in the X and Y directions in response to any X and Y displacements of said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, respectively.

Claim 19

A multi-directional indexing apparatus for use in successively indexing supported auxiliary apparatus along a selectively determined pattern of coordinate-non-coordinate index positions, relative to a stationary point, said apparatus comprising: an X roll cam having an X cam groove formed in and disposed in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof so as to form a multi-revolution roll cam with no active, intermediate cam groove cross-overs, said X cam groove having a series of cycloidally stepped X index-defining portions spaced therealong; a Y roll cam having a Y cam groove formed with a plurality of convolutions in and disposed in essentially helical fashion axially along the periphery thereof so as to form a multi-revolution roll cam with no active, intermediate cam groove cross-overs, said Y cam groove having a series of cycloidally stepped Y index-defining portions spaced in successive convolutions therealong; means for rotatably driving said X and Y roll cams selectively in opposite directions; an X cross-slide assembly, including an X cam follower communicating with said X cam groove, slidably mounted for X displacement, the direction and magnitude of said displacement being dependent on both the degree of any angular orientation of any given stepped X index-defining cam groove portion relative to the axis of said X roll cam, and on the direction of rotation of said X roll cam; a Y cross-slide assembly slidably mounted on and movable in a Y direction relative to the perpendicular movement of said X cross-slide assembly; said Y an X floating pivotal coupling means for interconnecting said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, said coupling means including a coupler having an L-shaped configuration in at least one plane, and being pivotally supported at the vertex region thereof to said X cross-slide assembly, a terminating end region of one leg portion of said L-shaped coupler supporting a Y cam follower which communicates with said Y cam groove, and the terminating end of the other leg portion of said coupler being connected through a linkage to said Y cross-slide assembly, said coupling means being capable of providing an indexing mechanical leverage and allowing the direction and magnitude of displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly to be controlled selectively by both the degree of angular orientation of said stepped X and Y cam groove index portions relative to the axes of said X and Y roll cams, respectively, and on the particular direction of rotation of said X and Y roll cams, whereby displacement of SAID said cross-slide assembly may be initiated by displacement of said X cross-slide assembly independent of any Y roll cam initiated displacement of said Y cross-slide assembly, and in a manner that effectively presents a new Y cam groove profile to the Y cam follower, even for Y coordinate index positions laterally disposed along a common X coordinate axis, and indexable work support means at least indirectly mounted on said Y cross-slide assembly so as to be selectively and simultaneously indexed in the X and Y directions in response to any X and Y displacements of said X and Y cross-slide assemblies, respectively.

Claim 20

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 15 further comprising: a reversible and sequentially operable rotational drive mechanism secured through a supporting platform to said Y cross-slide assembly, and being adapted to rotatably support said work support means in a manner that allows the latter to be selectively and simultaneously displaced in the angular, X and Y directions.

Claim 21

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said X and Y roll cams each have continuous, closed-looP cam groove portions formed at opposite ends thereof so as to allow the respective X and Y followers to continuously communicate therewith should said followers move past the last respective stepped X and Y cam groove index portions formed near either end of said associated roll cams.

Claim 22

An indexing apparatus in accordance with claim 15 further comprising: a frame for said apparatus including an oil confining reservoir for said X and Y roll cams, and a cover plate assembly including a slidable protective member supported about its peripheral edges within a recessed channel of an auxiliary member, with said protective and auxiliary members having suitable apertures formed therein so as to allow said work support means to be supported on said Y cross-slide assembly and to extend outwardly through said apertures.