Control apparatus for metalworking tools

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises: a. arm means rotatably driven about a center thereof by said drive means; b. said arm means having a receiving slot formed therein; c. linkage means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween; and d. means for mounting said linkage means in saId receiving slot of said arm means.

Claim 4

gas outlet means for dispensing the gas from said inner housing means; and

Claim 5

gas outlet means for dispensing the gas from said inner housing means; and

Claim 6

linkage means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween; and

Claim 7

linkage means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween; and

Claim 8

means for mounting said linkage means in said receiving slot of said arm means.

Claim 9

means for mounting said linkage means in said receiving slot of said arm means.

Claim 10

sealing means adjacent said gas outlet means for preventing leakage of the gas; c. outer support means rotatably movable with respect to said inner support, said outer support means comprising gas conduit means for conveying gas to the working tool from said gas outlet means during rotational movement of the working tool, wherein the working tool receives electrical energy and gas during continuing rotational movement of the working tool with respect to the work; d. carriage means for supporting the tool adjacent the workpath; e. motor means for moving the tool along the workpath; f. drive means responsive to said motor means; and g. control means driven by said drive means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween as the tool is moved along the workpath, said control means comprising:

Claim 11

sealing means adjacent said gas outlet means for preventing leakage of the gas; c. outer support means rotatably movable with respect to said inner support, said outer support means comprising gas conduit means for conveying gas to the working tool from said gas outlet means during rotational movement of the working tool, wherein the working tool receives electrical energy and gas during continuing rotational movement of the working tool with respect to the work; d. carriage means for supporting the tool adjacent the workpath; e. motor means for moving the tool along the workpath; f. drive means responsive to said motor means; and g. control means driven by said drive means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween as the tool is moved along the workpath, said control means comprising:

Claim 12

The structure of claim 2, wherein said means for mounting comprises: means for eccentrically mounting said linkage means in said receiving slot of said arm means.

Claim 13

The structure of claim 2, further including: means for adjusting the spacing between said means for mounting and said center of said arm means wherein the amount of movement of said carriage means by said linkage means is adjusted.

Claim 14

The structure of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises: a. rotatable means responsive to said drive means; and b. linkage means responsive to said rotatable means for controlling the spacing between said carriage means and the workpiece.

Claim 15

The structure of claim 1, further including: means for adjusting the spacing between the tool and said carriage means wherein the apparatus may be used with workpieces of different sizes.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 2, wherein the workpath is a curvilinear workpath and wherein: a. said motor means comprises means for rotatably moving the tool along the curvilinear workpath; and b. said linkage means comprises means for moving said carriage means substantially vertically with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween as said motor means rotatably moves the tool along the workpath.

Claim 17

A metalworking tool for controlled movement and spacing with respect to a workpath along a work-piece during metalworking operations, comprising: a. metalworking tool means; b. carriage means for supporting said tool means adjacent the workpath; c. motor means for moving said tool means along the workpath; d. control means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween as said tool means is moved along the workpath; e. drive means responsive to said motor means for driving said control means; f. inner support means mounted on the workpiece; g. outer support means rotatably mounted on said inner support means; h. rack means mounted on said outer support means for supporting said carriage means during movement thereof; and i. resilient means mounted between said rack means and said carriage means for exerting a continual force on said carriage means wherein the load exerted by said carriage means is maintained substantially constant.

Claim 18

A metalworking tool for controlled movement and spacing with respect to a workpath along a work-piece during metalworking operations, comprising: a. metalworking tool means; b. carriage means for supporting said tool means adjacent the workpath; c. motor means for moving said tool means along the workpath; d. control means for moving said carriage means with respect to the workpiece to control the spacing therebetween as said tool means is moved along the workpath; e. drive means responsive to said motor means for driving said control means; f. inner support means mounted on the workpiece; g. outer support means rotatably mounted on said inner support means; h. rack means mounted on said outer support means for supporting said carriage means during movement thereof; and i. resilient means mounted between said rack means and said carriage means for exerting a continual force on said carriage means wherein the load exerted by said carriage means is maintained substantially constant.

Claim 21

The structure of claim 9, further including: a. rack means mounted on said outer support means for supporting said carriage means during movement thereof; and b. resilient means mounted between said rack means and said carriage means for exerting a continual force on said carriage means wherein the load exerted by said carriage means on said control means is maintained substantially constant.