US3798720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-spindle machine tool
Assignee: DMG Mori AG
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Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A multiple-spindle automatic machine tool wherein the frame supports a discrete cross slide and a discrete main tool slide for each rotary work spindle. The cross slides and the main tool slides are respectively movable radially and axially of the workpieces at the respective working stations by discrete hydraulic drives whose reciprocable piston rods or feed screws are separably coupled with the corresponding slides by split nuts having two sets of threads of similar inclination but different leads and respectively meshing with external threads of the piston rods or feed screws and the respective slides to allow for accurate adjustment of slides in response to rotation of the nuts.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ledergerber
- 👤 R Crachy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:50
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q5/00; B23Q5/22; B23Q5/225; B23B; B23B9/00; B23B9/08; B23Q5/28; B23Q5/34; B23Q5/38; B23Q5/40; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124; Y10T29/5127; Y10T29/5129; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/25; Y10T82/2524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a multiple-spindle machine, a combination comprising a frame; an indexable carrier rotatably mounted in said frame; means for indexing said carrier; a plurality of equi-distant axially parallel driven work spindles rotatably mounted in said carrier and having work-engaging elements movable to a plurality of successive working stations in response to indexing of said carrier; a plurality of cross slides slidably mounted on said frame adjacent to at least some of said working stations and reciprocable substantially transversely of the work spindles at the respective stations; a stationary support mounted in said frame; a plurality of main tool slides reciprocably mounted on said support for movement in parallelism with the work spindles to move tools into and from engagement with workpieces held by the work-engaging elements at least at some of said stations; discrete drive means provided on said frame for each of said cross slides and main tool slides and operative to advance the respective slides; and coupling means for individually connecting each of said slides with the respective drive means and for adjusting each of said slides along their reciprocal path relative to the work pieces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a multiple-spindle machine, a combination comprising a frame; an indexable carrier rotatably mounted in said frame; means for indexing said carrier; a plurality of equi-distant axially parallel driven work spindles rotatably mounted in said carrier and having work-engaging elements movable to a plurality of successive working stations in response to indexing of said carrier; a plurality of cross slides slidably mounted on said frame adjacent to at least some of said working stations and reciprocable substantially transversely of the work spindles at the respective stations; a stationary support mounted in said frame; a plurality of main tool slides reciprocably mounted on said support for movement in parallelism with the work spindles to move tools into and from engagement with workpieces held by the work-engaging elements at least at some of said stations; discrete drive means provided on said frame for each of said cross slides and main tool slides and operative to advance the respective slides; and coupling means for individually connecting each of said slides with the respective drive means and for adjusting each of said slides along their reciprocal path relative to the work pieces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said drive means is adapted to advance the respective slide, and including control means for determining the extent of movement of said slides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said control means includes switch means which controls the indexing of said carrier and the operation of said drive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said drive means comprises a feed screw, means for coupling said feed screw to the respective slide, and motor means for moving said feed screw axially.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said slides are movable between spaced first and second end positions and further comprising mechanical stop means provided on said frame for arresting said slides in the respective end positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising switch means for said drive means, said slides being movable between spaced first and second end positions and said switch means comprising means for generating signals in response to movement of said slides to said end positions thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said slides are movable between spaced end positions and through intermediate positions between such end positions, said control means including means for generating signals in response to movement of said slides to said intermediate positions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one of said signal generating means is adjustable in the direction of movement of the respective slides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said slides are movable to and from end positions nearest to the respective working stations, and further comprising stop means at least partially concealed in said frame and arranged to arrest said slides in said end positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said drive means comprises a reciprocable first portion having external threads and the respective slide comprises a second portion coaxial with said first portion and having external threads inclined in the same direction as but having a lead different from that of threads on said first portion, the common axis of said portions being parallel to the direction of movement of the respective slide relative to said frame, said coupling means including a nut having first and second sets of threads which respectively mesh with the threads of said first and second portions so thaT the distance between said portions changes in response to an angular movement between said portions and said nut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said nut comprises a plurality of sections which are movable together and apart to thereby allow for attachment of said nut to and for its separation from said portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, further comprising clamping means for releasably holding said sections together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said drive means for said main tool slides comprises a reciprocable motion transmitting portion which is coaxial with one of said work spindles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said drive means comprises a reciprocable motion transmitting member connected with the respective slide and having an axial bore, and further comprising an attachment provided on said frame and having a rotary shaft received in said bore and arranged to transmit torque to a tool on the respective slide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a frame member having a surface adjacent to said work-engaging elements, and further comprising a support for each of said cross slides, said last mentioned supports being mounted on said surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein each of said last mentioned supports comprises a bracket fixed to said frame member and a plate-like member secured to said bracket and having ways for the respective cross slide, said drive means for said cross slides being mounted on the respective plate-like members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said last mentioned supports are separably and interchangeably mounted on said frame member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a frame member located opposite and spaced from said work-engaging elements, said support having end portions separably supported by said carrier and said frame member and said support being provided with ways for said main tool slides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 19, further comprising fastener means for fixedly securing one end of said support to said frame member and a sleeve provided at the other end of said support and surrounding a coaxial projection of said carrier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 20, wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of sections and further comprising fastener means separably securing said sections to each other.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |