US3790236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alignment means and method
Assignee: Merrow Machine Co
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Filing: 1972-03-06
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Two separable members are aligned by bringing them together while guiding one side of both members into alignment with respect to a linear axis, and guiding the other side of the members into an aligned position in an arcuate path centered about the aforesaid linear axis without interfering with movement in a direction normal to the linear axis. Guidance with respect to the linear axis is performed by an axial alignment pin frictionally retained in one of the bearing segments and having a projecting conical surface for engaging within an aperture in the other member. Guidance in the arcuate path is performed by a tapered lateral positioning pin frictionally retained in one of the members and engaging an aperture in the other member only at spaced apart portions so as not to interfere with the guiding function performed by the first pin. On the first occasion when the members are assembled, the untapered end of the pins are forced into their supporting member to locate accurately the projecting tapered portion.
Inventors
- 👤 B Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B19/00; F16B19/02; F16C; F16C9/00; F16C9/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49643; Y10T29/49647; Y10T29/49668; Y10T29/49696; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49895; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/53848; Y10T29/53857; Y10T29/53878; Y10T29/53883; Y10T29/53909; Y10T29/53913; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2142; Y10T74/2162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of aligning a pair of separable members comprising the steps of bringing the members together in a given direction while: a. guiding one side of the members into alignment with a linear axis which lies parallel to the given direction, and said guiding step (a) being performed by engaging a tapered portion of an axial alignment pin on one member with the wall of an aperture in the other member while b. guiding the other side of the members in an arcuate path centered about the said linear axis without interfering with its movement in a direction normal to said linear axis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of aligning a pair of separable members comprising the steps of bringing the members together in a given direction while: a. guiding one side of the members into alignment with a linear axis which lies parallel to the given direction, and said guiding step (a) being performed by engaging a tapered portion of an axial alignment pin on one member with the wall of an aperture in the other member while b. guiding the other side of the members in an arcuate path centered about the said linear axis without interfering with its movement in a direction normal to said linear axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the members are the segments of a split ring bearing assembly, said method including the further step of machining a bearing surface in the aligned bearing segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the axial alignment pin is frictionally retained in an aperture in one member and projects a distance such that the tapered portion contacts the wall of an aperture in the other member prior to contact between the members, and moving the axial alignment pin axially in the aperture in the one said member after engaging the tapered portion of the axial alignment pin with the wall of the aperture in the other member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) is performed by means of a lateral positioning pin previously attached to one said member and having projecting, outwardly converging tapered portions, said other member having an aperture for receiving the lateral positioning pin, said guiding step (b) being performed by engaging the wall of the aperture with only spaced apart said tapered portions to position the other side of the other member rotatively with respect to the linear axis without interfering with its movement in a direction normal to said linear axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the members are the segments of a split ring bearing assembly, said method including the further step of machining a bearing surface in the aligned bearing segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the lateral positioning pin is frictionally retained in an aperture in the one member and projects a distance such that the tapered portion contacts the wall of the aperture in the other member prior to contact between the members, and moving the lateral positioning pIn axially in the aperture in the one said member after engaging the wall of the aperture with only spaced apart said tapered portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the axial alignment pin is frictionally retained in an aperture in one member and projects a distance such that the tapered portion contacts the wall of an aperture in the other member prior to contact between the members, and moving the axial alignment pin axially in the aperture in the one said member after engaging the tapered portion of the axial alignment pin with the wall of the aperture in the other member.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of providing for repeatable alignment between a pair of separable members each having a pair of parallel apertures spaced apart a given distance comprising the steps of placing an axial alignment pin in a first said aperture, said axial alignment pin having a tapered projecting portion which is engageable in a second said aperture in the second said member to produce alignment between the first aperture and the second aperture along a given axis; placing a lateral positioning pin in a third said aperture which is in one of the members, said lateral positioning pin having spaced apart tapered portions which are engageable with only portions of the wall of a fourth said aperture in the other said member to provide angular orientation of the members with respect to the given axis; moving the members toward each other until each pin engages its respective aperture in the other member, and then forcing the members together to displace the axial alignment pin axially into the first aperture and to displace the lateral positioning pin axially into the third aperture.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of providing for repeatable alignment between a pair of separable members each having a pair of parallel apertures spaced apart a given distance comprising the steps of placing an axial alignment pin in a first said aperture, said axial alignment pin having a tapered projecting portion which is engageable in a second said aperture in the second said member to produce alignment between the first aperture and the second aperture along a given axis; placing a lateral positioning pin in a third said aperture which is in one of the members, said lateral positioning pin having spaced apart tapered portions which are engageable with only portions of the wall of a fourth said aperture in the other said member to provide angular orientation of the members with respect to the given axis; moving the members toward each other until each pin engages its respective aperture in the other member, and then forcing the members together to displace the axial alignment pin axially into the first aperture and to displace the lateral positioning pin axially into the third aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
An assembly comprising a pair of separable members which are assembled and disassembled by relative movement along a given axis, first alignment means operable between confronting first sides of the respective separable members for guiding the first sides of the separable members together into alignment with a linear axis which lies parallel to the given axis, said first alignment means comprising an axial alignment pin attached to one member and having a projecting tapered portion engageable within an aperture in the other member, second alignment means operable between confronting second sides of the respective separable members for guiding the second sides of the separable members in an arcuate path centered about said given axis without interfering with their relative movement in a direction normal to said given axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
An assembly comprising a pair of separable members which are assembled and disassembled by relative movement along a given axis, first alignment means operable between confronting first sides of the respective separable members for guiding the first sides of the separable members together into alignment with a linear axis which lies parallel to the given axis, said first alignment means comprising an axial alignment pin attached to one member and having a projecting tapered portion engageable within an aperture in the other member, second alignment means operable between confronting second sides of the respective separable members for guiding the second sides of the separable members in an arcuate path centered about said given axis without interfering with their relative movement in a direction normal to said given axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein the second alignment means is a lateral positioning pin attached to one said member and having a projecting tapered portion for engaging only spaced apart portions of an aperture in the other member so as not to interfere with relative movement of the bodies in directions normal to the given axis established by the axial alignment pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein both of said pins are axially displaceable in the member or members to which they are attached, and including means for retaining the pins in the positions to which they are displaced during the initial alignment of the members, whereby the pins will project the precise distance needed for alignment after separation of the members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the separable members are halves of a split ring bearing assembly, said members having mutually confronting recesses of semicircular cross-sections located between said pins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said pins are axially displaceable in the member or members to which they are attached, and counterbore means around the pin in one of the members to receive any particles shaved from the pins as they are axially displaced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein the projecting tapered portion of the axial alignment pin has a taper angle which is more than a few degrees and less than that which would produce axial dislacement of the axial alignment pin in response to forces disposed at right angles theretO.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 10 having threaded fasteners for holding the separable members together, said threaded fasteners and said alignment pins being located to prevent inadvertent reversal of the separable members during reassembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the tapered projecting portions of both said pins have a taper angle which is more than a few degrees and less than that which would produce axial displacement of the axial alignment pin in response to forces disposed at right angles thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |