US3795155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Angular ind exing apparatus for a machine tool
Assignee: NUMICON Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract The angular indexing apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a multiple tooth face gear coupling pair, one section of which is rigidly secured to the spindle that supports the workpiece and the other section of which is axially slidable on the spindle, both into and out of engagement with the first, rotatable but non-axially movable section of the coupling. The spindle is rigidly supported by opposed bearings and cannot move in the axial direction. The spindle therefore is only capable of rotary motion. The indexing accuracy of the present invention is a function only of the grinding accuracy of the teeth formed on the opposed transverse surfaces of the coupling sections.
Inventors
- 👤 R Price
- 👤 R Hosterman
- 👤 W Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:54
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/19; G05B19/21; G05B19/23; G05B19/238; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/08; B23Q16/10; B23Q16/102; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1476; Y10T74/1488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
Angular indexing means for a workpiece said angular indexing means comprising: a. a rotatably journaled spindle for supporting the workpiece; b. coupling means mounted on said spindle, said coupling means including a first section that is limited to rotational movement together with said spindle and a second section that is limited to axial movement with respect to said spindle whereby said second section is arranged to move into and out of engagement with said first section; c. drive means for rotating said spindle said drive means being limited only to rotational movement; d. displacement means for moving said second coupling means section in an axial direction without axially displacing said spindle whereby, during engagement of said first and said second coupling means sections, said spindle is prevented from rotating, said displacement means comprising displacement means for moving said second coupling mean section in an axial direction without axially displacing said spindle whereby, during engagement of said first and said second coupling means sections, said spindle is prevented from rotating said displacement means comprising short stroke fluid powered cylinder means including piston means rigidly secured to said second coupling means section and arranged for movement in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
Angular indexing means for a workpiece said angular indexing means comprising: a. a rotatably journaled spindle for supporting the workpiece; b. coupling means mounted on said spindle, said coupling means including a first section that is limited to rotational movement together with said spindle and a second section that is limited to axial movement with respect to said spindle whereby said second section is arranged to move into and out of engagement with said first section; c. drive means for rotating said spindle said drive means being limited only to rotational movement; d. displacement means for moving said second coupling means section in an axial direction without axially displacing said spindle whereby, during engagement of said first and said second coupling means sections, said spindle is prevented from rotating, said displacement means comprising displacement means for moving said second coupling mean section in an axial direction without axially displacing said spindle whereby, during engagement of said first and said second coupling means sections, said spindle is prevented from rotating said displacement means comprising short stroke fluid powered cylinder means including piston means rigidly secured to said second coupling means section and arranged for movement in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second coupling means sections are comprised of a pair of discs positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spindle, each said disc having a plurality of radially extending teeth formed on the confronting faces thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises an air motor and a gear train for coupling the output shaft of said air motor to said spindle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 3 wherein said gear train comprises a first bevel gear rigidly secured to the output shaft of said air motor, a second bevel gear in meshing engagement with said first bevel gear, a shaft for supporting said second bevel gear on an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of said first bevel gear, a worm gear mounted on said shaft for rotation together therewith and a worm wheel rigidly secured to said spindle and in meshing engagement with said worm gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises: a. input means for setting the angle of indexing; b. means for detecting the actual angle through which said spindle rotates; and c. means for comparing the angle set with the actual angle detected and for producing a comparison signal when the two angles are equal, said drive means being responsive to said comparison signal for stopping the rotation of said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said circuit means further comprises means for preventing drive means from rotating said spindle when said second coupling means section is engaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The angular indexing means in accoradance with claim 6 wherein said preventing means comprises a switch means for producing a disengage signal when said second coupling means section is disengaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 7 wherein said preventing means is actuated either by an absence of said disengage signal or the presence of said comparison signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said detecting means comprises pulsing means coupled to said drive means and arranged to rotate therewith for producing a continuous sequence of pulses representative of the actual angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 9 wherein said pulsing means comprises a ring-like member rotated by said drive means and having a plurality of projections extending radially therefrom and switch means positioned so as to be actuated by successive ones of said projections during the rotation thereof whereby a pulse is produced as a result of each said engagement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said input means comprises a plurality of decade dials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 11 wherein said input means further comprises encoding means for converting a value set on said decade dials into an electrical signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said input means further comprises direction control means coupled to said drive means for controlling the direction of rotation of said spindle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 and wherein said displacement means is responsive to said comparison signal for moving said second coupling means section into engagement with said first coupling means section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said input means further comprises means adapted to be controlled by numerical control equipment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The angular indexing means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said input means further comprises start means for producing a first signal for causing said displacement means to disengage said first and said second coupling means sections and a second signal for causing said drive means to rotate said spindle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |