US3762036A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine tool with tool exchanging mechanism
Assignee: BW WEBER VERWALTUNGSG MBH DT
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Filing: 1971-05-19
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A tool exchanging mechanism for a machine tool having a reciprocating headstock and a tool head mounted on the headstock and adapted to be alternately turned to different positions about an axis of 45* to the direction of movement of the headstock. The tool head is provided with at least two tool supports on which multiple-spindle heads or individual tools may be removably mounted. When the tool head is turned so that one tool support and a multiple-spindle head or individual tool is in its working position in which it is movable by the headstock in the direction of movement of the latter and the tool or tools thereon carry out their work and are then returned, the other tool support is in its exchanging position at a right angle to the working position, or vice versa. In this exchanging position, a multiple-spindle head or an individual tool may therefore be exchanged for another during the period in which the headstock with another spindle head or individual tool in its working position carries out its working and return strokes. This tool exchanging mechanism preferably further comprises one or two separate magazines for a plurality of multiple-spindle heads and/or individual tools from which the next desired spindle head or tool may be selected and exchanged for a previously used spindle head or tool which is in the exchanging position of the respective tool support on the tool head.
Inventors
- 👤 H Goebel
- 👤 E Raiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:16
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15713; B23Q3/1572; B23Q3/15753; B23Q3/15766; B23Q2003/1558; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/36; Y10T408/37; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1736; Y10T483/1738; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/175; Y10T483/1783; Y10T483/179; Y10T483/1793; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1873; Y10T483/1891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism for a machine tool having a base, a headstock slidable along said base, and driving means for reciprocating said headstock in a working direction so as to carry out a working strokE and in the opposite direction to carry out a return stroke, said tool-exchanging mechanism comprising a tool head mounted on and rotatably connected to said headstock and having an axis of rotation extending at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of said headstock, said tool head having at least two tool supports, each of said tool supports having a supporting face adapted to be connected with one of a plurality of multiple spindle heads, said supporting faces extending at equal angles to said axis of rotation and arranged at equal angles about said axis, means for alternately turning said tool head about said axis of rotation from one to the other of at least two positions and for releasably locking said tool head in each of these positions, one of said supporting faces being in a working position and the other of said supporting faces being in an exchanging position, said tool-exchanging mechanism further comprising a magazine containing said plurality of multiple spindle heads, guide means connecting said magazine to said tool support with said supporting face in said exchanging positions, shifting means for moving said spindle head from said supporting face in said exchanging position via said guide means to said magazine and for moving another of said multiple spindle heads from said magazine to said supporting face in said exchanging position, and means for driving said shifting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism for a machine tool having a base, a headstock slidable along said base, and driving means for reciprocating said headstock in a working direction so as to carry out a working strokE and in the opposite direction to carry out a return stroke, said tool-exchanging mechanism comprising a tool head mounted on and rotatably connected to said headstock and having an axis of rotation extending at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of said headstock, said tool head having at least two tool supports, each of said tool supports having a supporting face adapted to be connected with one of a plurality of multiple spindle heads, said supporting faces extending at equal angles to said axis of rotation and arranged at equal angles about said axis, means for alternately turning said tool head about said axis of rotation from one to the other of at least two positions and for releasably locking said tool head in each of these positions, one of said supporting faces being in a working position and the other of said supporting faces being in an exchanging position, said tool-exchanging mechanism further comprising a magazine containing said plurality of multiple spindle heads, guide means connecting said magazine to said tool support with said supporting face in said exchanging positions, shifting means for moving said spindle head from said supporting face in said exchanging position via said guide means to said magazine and for moving another of said multiple spindle heads from said magazine to said supporting face in said exchanging position, and means for driving said shifting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said driving means for said shifting means are fluid-operated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sensing device, and means on said shifting means operatively associated with said sensing device for resiliently determining the proper position of one of said multiple spindle heads on a supporting face in said exchanging position at the end of the movement of said shifting means when moving said spindle head from said magazine toward and upon said tool head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 3, in which said sensing device comprises at least two switches mounted in fixed positions and connected to said driving means, said associated means comprising at least two cam projections on said shifting means having oppositely inclined cam surfaces extending in the direction of movement of said shifting means and adapted alternately to engage with and actuate said switches for at least once reversing the movements of said driving means for a short time and distance when said shifting means have moved said spindle head slightly beyond said proper position and for then switching off said driving means when said spindle head is in said proper position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said magazine for said multiple-spindle heads comprises an endless rail track and an endless train of carriages movable along said rail track and each being adapted to carry one of said spindle heads, and means for stopping said train when one of said carriages is in an exchanging position in alignment with a supporting face in its exchanging position so that said shifting means may then shift one of said spindle heads from said supporting face upon said carriage and vice versa.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said guide means comprise two rails equally spaced from each other, each of said rails consisting of a pair of inner rail sections and a pair of outer rail sections, said inner sections being telescopically slidable along said outer sections, one of said pairs being rigidly connected to said headstock and the other pair to said magazine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 6, in which said inner and outer rail sections of each rail are closely adjacent to each other, each of said multiple-spindle heads having guide means adapted to engage with and slide at least along said pair of said inner rail sections or said pair of outer rail sections, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a separate drive shaft rotatably mounted in said tool head for each of said tool supports for said multiple-spindle heads, each of said drive shafts having a recess in one end and each of said spindle heads having a projection adapted to engage into said recess in one of said shafts when said spindle head is moved to said exchanging position, drive means, and means for connecting said shaft for said spindle head located in said working position to said drive means and for disconnecting said shaft for said spindle head in said exchanging position from said drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second magazine containing a plurality of individual tools, and wherein said tool head comprises at least four tool supports, each of at least two of said tool supports being adapted to receive an individual tool, means for selecting one of said individual tools in said second magazine and for moving the same to an exchanging position of said second magazine, and tool-exchanging means for exchanging said selected tool for an individual tool on a tool support which is located in the exchanging position of said tool head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 9, in which each of said tool supports for an individual tool is located in a position intermediate two adjacent tool supports for multiple-spindle heads, as seen in the direction in which said tool head is turned about its axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 10, further comprising means for turning said tool head about its axis so as alternately to move any tool support carrying a multiple-spindle head and any tool support carrying an individual tool to said working position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 9, in which said two tool supports for individual tools, on the one hand, and said two tool supports for said multiple spindle heads, on the other hand, each are located in diametrically opposite positions on said tool head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 9, in which said second magazine is mounted on and movable with said headstock and forms an endless chain of individual tool carriers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 13, in which said second magazine has a substantially oval shape having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of movement of said headstock.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 14, in which said first magazine containing a plurality of said multiple-spindle heads is located laterally of said second magazine for said individual tools, and shifting means associated with said first magazine and movable in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of said headstock for exchanging a multiple-spindle head on a tool support in its exchanging position on said tool head for one of said spindle heads of said first magazine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tool exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 15, in which said first magazine is elongated and has a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the direction of movement of said headstock.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tool-exchanging mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of the tool head extends at an angle of 45* with respect to the direction of movement of the headstock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |