Multi-curve generator

Claim 2

In combination with a milling machine having a movable work table supporting a workpiece on a work plane perpendicular to a tool axis and means for imparting longitudinal movement to the work table, means for milling curves of variable radius on the workpiece comprising at least two guides mounted on the work table fixedly spaced from each other, a pair of bars slidably extending through said guides, hinge means interconnecting the bars at a preselected angle to each other adjacent the workpiece supporting plane and support means holding the hinge means at a fixed location with respect to the tool axis for constraining pivotal and cross travel movement of the work table in response to longitudinal movement imparted thereto to generate a curve at the intersection of the tool axis and the workpiece supporting plane.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said tool axiS intersects the work plane at a location radially spaced from the projection of a circular arc interconnecting the hinge means and the guides in the work plane.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein said guides are pivotally connected to the work table for accommodating angular adjustment of the bars relative to the hinge means to preselect the radius of curvature of the circular arc interconnecting the hinge means and the guides.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein said guides are pivotally connected to the work table for accommodating angular adjustment of the bars relative to the hinge means to preselect the radius of curvature of the circular arc interconnecting the hinge means and the guides.

Claim 6

Means for generating a curve on a plane surface of a workpiece in response to relative movement between the surface and a curve tracing point on a tool, comprising support means, means for imparting linear movement to said support means in one direction relative to the tool, means for establishing a hinge point fixedly spaced from the tracing point by an amount (d), guide means operatively positioned relative to the support means and said plane surface for constraining relative movement between the hinge point and the surface to a circular path of constant radius (r) having a movable center of curvature (O), and means supporting the hinge point establishing means for constraining angular movement ( Alpha ) of said center of curvature of constant radius relative to the hinge point at an initial position of the tool.

Claim 7

Means for generating a curve on a plane surface of a workpiece in response to relative movement between the surface and a curve tracing point on a tool, comprising support means, means for imparting linear movement to said support means in one direction relative to the tool, means for establishing a hinge point fixedly spaced from the tracing point by an amount (d), guide means operatively positioned relative to the support means and said plane surface for constraining relative movement between the hinge point and the surface to a circular path of constant radius (r) having a movable center of curvature (O), and means supporting the hinge point establishing means for constraining angular movement ( Alpha ) of said center of curvature of constant radius relative to the hinge point at an initial position of the tool.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 wherein said guide means includes a pair of pivots mounted adjacent the surface at fixedly spaced pivot points, and a pair of bars interconnected at the hinge point and slidably extending through the pivots.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 wherein the locus of tracing points on the plane surface is a curve having a variable radius which is a determinable function of ( Alpha ).

Claim 10

The combination of claim 7 wherein said variable radius deviates from a radius (r+ d) at the initial position of the tracing point by an amount ( Delta ) which is a funtion of ( Alpha ).

Claim 11

The combination of claim 5 wherein the locus of tracing points on the plane surface is a curve having a variable radius which deviates from a constant radius by an amount ( Delta ) which approximates (rd/r+ d) (1- cos Alpha ).