US3771509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer table and base structure for shaping
Assignee: True Tech Equipment Ltd
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Filing: 1971-11-26
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1991-11-26
Abstract
Abstract In a machine for shaping workpieces such as abrasive wheels, a transfer table is rotatably mounted on a base. Rotatably mounted in the transfer table are four collets for holding workpieces. Each collet is biased to a rear position by a spring acting against a push rod connected to each collet. The transfer table is rotated in 90* increments and is located between turns by a plunger fixed to the base and moveable forwardly to engage a depression in the rear surface of the push rod located in front of the plunger. The plunger moves forward sufficiently not only to locate the transfer table but also to push the push rod and collet forwardly to open the collet and free the workpiece therein. Air is injected through the plunger and push rod to clear the collet. The remaining collets are spun by resilient gears connected thereto and which, as the transfer table turns to an indexed position, move into mesh with rotating resilient gears mounted on the base. The gears have teeth and roots of circular profile to facilitate meshing.
Inventors
- 👤 J Murchie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B5/00; B24B5/02; B24B5/025; B24B27/00; B24B27/0023; B24B53/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
504 words
In a machine for shaping workpieces: a. a transfer table, b. a fixed base for said transfer table, c. means mounting said transfer table on said base for rotation about an axis of said transfer table, and means for rotating said transfer table about said axis, d. said transfer table having a plurality of workpiece holding stations spaced in a circular pattern around the axis of said transfer table, each said station comprising: 1. a collet housing, and means mounting said collet housing in said transfer table, 2. a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece, 3. a push rod connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, said push rod having a rear surface, 4. means biasing said collet and said push rod to a rearward position, so that said collet is normally retracted in said housing to clamp a workpiece, e. said base having a loading and unloading station comprising: 1. a plunger having a forward tip, said tip and said rear surface of each push rod having co-operating detent means preventing rotation of said transfer table when said tip is engaged with the rear surface of a said push rod, 2. means mounting said plunger for forward and rearward movement, in a position such that the rear surfaces of said push rods move in front of the tip of said plunger as said transfer table is rotated, so that said tip may be moved forwardly to engage the rear surface of a push rod positioned in front of said plunger, 3. means for moving said plunger forwardly when the rear surface of a said push rod is aligned with said plunger, for said tip of said plunger to engage the rear surface of such push rod and then to push such push rod forwardly, whereby said plunger both locates said transfer table relative to said base and opens said collet at said housing loading and unloading station, 4. means for moving said plunger rearwardly out of engagement with such push rod, whereby to close the collet of such push rod and to free said transfer table for rotation, 5. said tip of said plunger including an opening thErein, said plunger including a passage therethrough from said opening to a position at the rear of said plunger, 6. means connected to said rear of said plunger for admitting compressed air to said passage, f. each said push rod including an opening in its rear surface co-operating with said opening in said tip of said plunger, and a passage from said opening in said rear surface extending to said collet, whereby compressed air can be introduced through said plunger and said push rod into said collet to clear said collet of particles and to expedite removal of said workpiece, when said plunger is located in the depression of such push rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
504 words
In a machine for shaping workpieces: a. a transfer table, b. a fixed base for said transfer table, c. means mounting said transfer table on said base for rotation about an axis of said transfer table, and means for rotating said transfer table about said axis, d. said transfer table having a plurality of workpiece holding stations spaced in a circular pattern around the axis of said transfer table, each said station comprising: 1. a collet housing, and means mounting said collet housing in said transfer table, 2. a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece, 3. a push rod connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, said push rod having a rear surface, 4. means biasing said collet and said push rod to a rearward position, so that said collet is normally retracted in said housing to clamp a workpiece, e. said base having a loading and unloading station comprising: 1. a plunger having a forward tip, said tip and said rear surface of each push rod having co-operating detent means preventing rotation of said transfer table when said tip is engaged with the rear surface of a said push rod, 2. means mounting said plunger for forward and rearward movement, in a position such that the rear surfaces of said push rods move in front of the tip of said plunger as said transfer table is rotated, so that said tip may be moved forwardly to engage the rear surface of a push rod positioned in front of said plunger, 3. means for moving said plunger forwardly when the rear surface of a said push rod is aligned with said plunger, for said tip of said plunger to engage the rear surface of such push rod and then to push such push rod forwardly, whereby said plunger both locates said transfer table relative to said base and opens said collet at said housing loading and unloading station, 4. means for moving said plunger rearwardly out of engagement with such push rod, whereby to close the collet of such push rod and to free said transfer table for rotation, 5. said tip of said plunger including an opening thErein, said plunger including a passage therethrough from said opening to a position at the rear of said plunger, 6. means connected to said rear of said plunger for admitting compressed air to said passage, f. each said push rod including an opening in its rear surface co-operating with said opening in said tip of said plunger, and a passage from said opening in said rear surface extending to said collet, whereby compressed air can be introduced through said plunger and said push rod into said collet to clear said collet of particles and to expedite removal of said workpiece, when said plunger is located in the depression of such push rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
a collet mounted in said housing for forward movement in said housing to open said collet to release a workpiece and for rearward movement in said housing to clamp a workpiece,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means mounting said collet housings in said transfer table includes bearing means permitting rotation of each said collet housing about its own axis in said transfer table, said apparatus further including means operative, when a said push rod is aligned with said plunger, for rotating each collet, except the collet the push rod of which is aligned with said plunger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
means mounting said plunger for forward and rearward movement, in a position such that the rear surfaces of said push rods move in front of the tip of said plunger as said transfer table is rotated, so that said tip may be moved forwardly to engage the rear surface of a push rod positioned in front of said plunger,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
means mounting said plunger for forward and rearward movement, in a position such that the rear surfaces of said push rods move in front of the tip of said plunger as said transfer table is rotated, so that said tip may be moved forwardly to engage the rear surface of a push rod positioned in front of said plunger,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
means for moving said plunger forwardly when the rear surface of a said push rod is aligned with said plunger, for said tip of said plunger to engage the rear surface of such push rod and then to push such push rod forwardly, whereby said plunger both locates said transfer table relative to said base and opens said collet at said housing loading and unloading station,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
means for moving said plunger forwardly when the rear surface of a said push rod is aligned with said plunger, for said tip of said plunger to engage the rear surface of such push rod and then to push such push rod forwardly, whereby said plunger both locates said transfer table relative to said base and opens said collet at said housing loading and unloading station,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said collets includes: f. a resilient gear mounted at the rear of each collet housing and coaxial with its associated housing, for rotation therewith, g. a plurality of second gears, one less in number than the number of collets, and means mounting said second gears on said base in a position such that when the tip of said plunger is aligned with said depression of a selected collet, said second gears of said base mesh with said first gears of said remaining collets, h. and means for rotating said second gears thus to rotate said first gears of the collets other that the collet located at said loading and unloading station, whereby to rotate said workpieces except the workpieces at said loading and unloading station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
a push rod connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, said push rod having a rear surface,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
a push rod connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, said push rod having a rear surface,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
292 words
push means connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, e. said base having a loading and unloading station located for alignment with successive collets as said transfer table is rotated about its axis, said loading and unloading station including means co-operating with said push means for opening a collet aligned with said loading and unloading station, f. said means mounting said collet housings in said transfer table including bearing means permitting rotation of each said collet housing about its own axis in said transfer table, g. and drive means operative, when a said collet is aligned with said loading and unloading station, for rotating each collet except the collet aligned with said loading and unloading station, said drive means comprising i. a first gear mounted at the rear of each collet housing and coaxial with its associated housing, for rotation therewith, ii. a plurality of second gears, one less in number than the number of collets, and means mounting said second gears on said base in a position such that when said loading and unloading station is aligned with a selected collet, said second gears of said base mesh with said first gears of said remaining collets, iii. and means for rotating said second gears thus to rotate said first gears of the collets other than the collet located at said loading and unloading station, whereby to rotate said workpieces except the workpiece at said loading and unloading station, iv. said first and second gears being of a resilient compressible material, said first and second gears each having relatively large teeth, said teeth having circular profiles and the grooves between said teeth having circular profiles, thus to facilitate meshing of said gears.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
292 words
push means connected to the rear of said collet to move said collet forwardly and rearwardly in said housing, e. said base having a loading and unloading station located for alignment with successive collets as said transfer table is rotated about its axis, said loading and unloading station including means co-operating with said push means for opening a collet aligned with said loading and unloading station, f. said means mounting said collet housings in said transfer table including bearing means permitting rotation of each said collet housing about its own axis in said transfer table, g. and drive means operative, when a said collet is aligned with said loading and unloading station, for rotating each collet except the collet aligned with said loading and unloading station, said drive means comprising i. a first gear mounted at the rear of each collet housing and coaxial with its associated housing, for rotation therewith, ii. a plurality of second gears, one less in number than the number of collets, and means mounting said second gears on said base in a position such that when said loading and unloading station is aligned with a selected collet, said second gears of said base mesh with said first gears of said remaining collets, iii. and means for rotating said second gears thus to rotate said first gears of the collets other than the collet located at said loading and unloading station, whereby to rotate said workpieces except the workpiece at said loading and unloading station, iv. said first and second gears being of a resilient compressible material, said first and second gears each having relatively large teeth, said teeth having circular profiles and the grooves between said teeth having circular profiles, thus to facilitate meshing of said gears.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
means biasing said collet and said push rod to a rearward position, so that said collet is normally retracted in said housing to clamp a workpiece, e. said base having a loading and unloading station comprising:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
means biasing said collet and said push rod to a rearward position, so that said collet is normally retracted in said housing to clamp a workpiece, e. said base having a loading and unloading station comprising:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
means for moving said plunger rearwardly out of engagement with such push rod, whereby to close the collet of such push rod and to free said transfer table for rotation,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
means for moving said plunger rearwardly out of engagement with such push rod, whereby to close the collet of such push rod and to free said transfer table for rotation,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first and second gears are of a resilient compressible material, said first and second gears each having relatively large teeth, said teeth having circular profiles and the grooves between said teeth having circular profiles, thus to facilitate meshing of said gears.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said gears are polyurethane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
said tip of said plunger including an opening thErein, said plunger including a passage therethrough from said opening to a position at the rear of said plunger,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
said tip of said plunger including an opening thErein, said plunger including a passage therethrough from said opening to a position at the rear of said plunger,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said transfer table is circular in outline and includes four said collets spaced at 90* intervals therearound, said second gears thus being three in number and also being spaced at 90* intervals around said base.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
means connected to said rear of said plunger for admitting compressed air to said passage, f. each said push rod including an opening in its rear surface co-operating with said opening in said tip of said plunger, and a passage from said opening in said rear surface extending to said collet, whereby compressed air can be introduced through said plunger and said push rod into said collet to clear said collet of particles and to expedite removal of said workpiece, when said plunger is located in the depression of such push rod.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
92 words
means connected to said rear of said plunger for admitting compressed air to said passage, f. each said push rod including an opening in its rear surface co-operating with said opening in said tip of said plunger, and a passage from said opening in said rear surface extending to said collet, whereby compressed air can be introduced through said plunger and said push rod into said collet to clear said collet of particles and to expedite removal of said workpiece, when said plunger is located in the depression of such push rod.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the height of said teeth from their tips to their root spaces is approximately 0.155 inches, the spacing of said teeth from the centre of the tip of one tooth to the centre of the tip of another tooth along their outside circle is approximately 0.375 inches, the radius of the tips of said teeth is 0.081 inches, and the radius of said roots is approximately 0.103 inches.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the height of said teeth from their tips to their root spaces is approximately 0.155 inches, the spacing of said teeth from the centre of the tip of one tooth to the centre of the tip of another tooth along their outside circle is approximately 0.375 inches, the radius of the tips of said teeth is 0.081 inches, and the radius of said roots is approximately 0.103 inches, the pitch diameter of said gear being approximately 3.5 inches and said teeth being 30 in number.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said push rod includes a plate at its rear end, the rear surface of said plate constituting the rear end of each push rod, said detent means comprising a depression in each said plate, the tip of said plunger being shaped to fit snugly within a said depression, said means (4) comprising for each station a plurality of disc springs encircling said push rod at the rear thereof and restrained between said plate and said collet hoUsing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a machine for shaping workpieces: a. a transfer table, b. a fixed base for said transfer table, c. means mounting said transfer table on said base for rotation about an axis of said transfer table, and means for rotating said transfer table about said axis, d. said transfer table having a plurality of workpiece holding stations spaced in a circular pattern around the axis of said transfer table, each said station comprising:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a machine for shaping workpieces: a. a transfer table, b. a fixed base for said transfer table, c. means mounting said transfer table on said base for rotation about an axis of said transfer table, and means for rotating said transfer table about said axis, d. said transfer table having a plurality of workpiece holding stations spaced in a circular pattern around the axis of said transfer table, each said station comprising:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said material is polyurethane.
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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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |