Lapping machine

Claim 2

A lapping machine for lapping a spherical surface comprising in combination: two counter-rotating surfaces defining a plane; means for orbiting and counterrotating surfaces in the defined plane; first and second means for engaging the spherical surface; means supporting said first and second means for individual axial rotation; and two drive wheels respectively coupled to said first and second means with said drive wheels being selectively in friction contact with said rotating surfaces so as to impart axial rotation to said first and second means, said orbiting means causing said counter-rotating surfaces to selectively make contact with said drive wheels so as to periodically reverse the direction and speed of rotation of said first and second means.

Claim 3

The sphere lapping machine of claim 1 wherein said two counter-rotating surfaces are substantially concentric circular plates having different diameters, with the smaller diameter plate positioned to rotate within an opening defined by the larger diameter plate.

Claim 4

The sphere lapping machine according to claim 1 further comprising: drive means operatively coupled to said counter-rotating surfaces for rotating said surfaces at speeds independent of each other.

Claim 5

The sphere lapping machine according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second means comprises: a cup-shaped chuck for engaging the spherical surface; a shaft connected at one end to said chuck; cylindrical bearing surface means rigidly connected to an associated one of said drive wheels, said cylindrical bearing surface means having a hollow portion for receiving said shaft therewithin; at least one indent on said shaft; at least one indent in the hollow portion of said cylindrical bearing surface means; a ball bearing positioned in each indent of said shaft and said cylindrical bearing surface means for rotationally locking said shaft to said associated drive wheel while allowing radial movement of said shaft to compensate for misalignments; and an outer member for rotatably mounting said cylindrical bearing surface means in said supporting means.

Claim 6

A sphere lapping machine comprising: a first shaft having a crankshaft offset on one end thereof; a first disc fixedly attached to said crankshaft offset at the center of symmetry of said first disc; a second disc having an opening defined thru the center thereof for receiving said first disc, said second disc rotatably mounted on said crankshaft offset; first means coupled to said first shaft for rotating said first shaft in a first direction to cause said first and second discs to orbit around said shaft and to further cause said first disc to rotate in the first direction; second means coupled to said second disc for rotating said second disc in a second direction counter to the first direction of said first disc; third and fourth means for engaging a spherical surface; support means coupled to said third and fourth means for allowing the individual axial rotation of said third and fourth means; and first and second drive wheels respectively coupled to third and fourth means with said drive wheels being in friction contact with the rotating surfaces of said discs so as to impart axial rotation to said third and fourth means, the rotational and orbital movement of said discs causing the friction contact to selectively oscillate between the counter-rotating surfaces so as to periodically reverse the direction and speed of rotation of said third and fourth means.

Claim 7

A sphere lapping machine comprising: a first shaft having a crankshaft offset on one end thereof; a first disc fixedly attached to said crankshaft offset at the center of symmetry of said first disc; a second disc having an opening defined thru the center thereof for receiving said first disc, said second disc rotatably mounted on said crankshaft offset; first means coupled to said first shaft for rotating said first shaft in a first direction to cause said first and second discs to orbit around said shaft and to further cause said first disc to rotate in the first direction; second means coupled to said second disc for rotating said second disc in a second direction counter to the first direction of said first disc; third and fourth means for engaging a spherical surface; support means coupled to said third and fourth means for allowing the individual axial rotation of said third and fourth means; and first and second drive wheels respectively coupled to third and fourth means with said drive wheels being in friction contact with the rotating surfaces of said discs so as to impart axial rotation to said third and fourth means, the rotational and orbital movement of said discs causing the friction contact to selectively oscillate between the counter-rotating surfaces so as to periodically reverse the direction and speed of rotation of said third and fourth means.

Claim 8

The sphere lapping machine according to claim 5 wherein each of said third and fourth means cOmprises: a cup-shaped chuck for engaging the spherical surface; a second shaft connected at one end to said chuck; cylindrical bearing surface means rigidly connected to an associated one of said drive wheels, said cylindrical bearing surface means having a hollow portion for receiving said second shaft therewithin; at least one indent on said second shaft; at least one indent in the hollow portion of said cylindrical bearing surface means; a ball bearing positioned in each indent of said second shaft and said cylindrical bearing surface means for rotationally locking said second shaft to said associated drive wheel while allowing radial movemement of said second shaft to compensate for misalignments; and an outer member for rotatably mounting said cylindrical bearing surface means in said supporting means.

Claim 9

A sphere lapping machine comprising in combination: two oppositely rotating surfaces defining a plane and rotating about a common center; means for orbiting the common center of said surfaces; first and second means for engaging a spherical surface; means supporting said first and second means for individual axial rotation; and first and second drive wheels respectively coupled to first and second means, with said drive wheels being selectively in friction contact with said rotating surfaces such that the radii between the common center and the locations of friction contact of said drive wheels selectively vary to vary the speed and direction of rotation of said first and second means.

Claim 10

A sphere lapping machine comprising in combination: two oppositely rotating surfaces defining a plane and rotating about a common center; means for orbiting the common center of said surfaces; first and second means for engaging a spherical surface; means supporting said first and second means for individual axial rotation; and first and second drive wheels respectively coupled to first and second means, with said drive wheels being selectively in friction contact with said rotating surfaces such that the radii between the common center and the locations of friction contact of said drive wheels selectively vary to vary the speed and direction of rotation of said first and second means.

Claim 11

The sphere lapping machine of claim 7 wherein said two rotating surfaces are circular plates having different diameters, with the smaller diameter plate positioned to rotate within an opening defined by the larger diameter plate and in a direction opposite to the larger diameter plate.

Claim 12

The sphere lapping machine according to claim 7 further comprising: drive means operatively coupled to said rotating surfaces for rotating said surfaces at speeds independent of each other.

Claim 13

The sphere lapping machine according to claim 7 wherein each of said first and second means comprises: a chuck for engaging the spherical surface; a shaft connected at one end to said chuck; a cylindrical bearing surface means rigidly connected to an associated one of said drive wheels, said cylindrical bearing surface means having a hollow portion for receiving said shaft therewithin; at least one indent on said shaft; at least one indent in the hollow portion of said cylindrical bearing surface means; a ball bearing positioned in each indent of said shaft and said cylindrical bearing surface means for rotationally locking said shaft to said associated drive wheel while allowing radial movement of said shaft to compensate for misalignments; and an outer member for rotatably mounting said cylindrical bearing surface means in said supporting means.