US3798722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling assembly
Assignee: Warner and Swasey Co
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Filing: 1973-01-24
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A machine tool constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an improved coupling assembly which is operable between an engaged condition in which the coupling assembly holds a turret against rotation and a disengaged condition in which the turret can be rotated to index tools relative to a workpiece. The coupling assembly includes a first coupling member on which there is an annular array of teeth. A housing is fixedly connected to the first coupling member and forms a main chamber in which a second coupling member is disposed. This second coupling member is fixedly connected with a turret bar and is movable in the main chamber under the influence of fluid pressure to operate the coupling assembly between engaged and disengaged conditions. When the coupling assembly is to be disengaged, fluid pressure is applied against a surface on the second coupling member to move the second coupling member in the main chamber in a direction away from the first coupling member to disengage the two sets of teeth. When the coupling assemblies are to be reengaged, fluid pressure is applied against another surface on the second coupling member to move the second coupling member toward the first coupling member and move the two sets of teeth into meshing engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:34
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/08; B23Q16/10; B23Q16/102; B23B; B23B29/00; B23B29/24; B23B29/32; B23B29/323; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5152; Y10T29/5165; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1476; Y10T74/1494; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/25; Y10T82/2585; Y10T82/2587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
470 words
A machine tool for operating on a workpiece, said machine tool comprising a base, turret means rotatably mounted in said base for holding a plurality of tools for operating on the workpiece, said turret means including a movable turret bar, means for supporting said turret bar for axial and rotational movement relative to said base, and a turret head connected with one end portion of said turret bar, coupling means operable between an engagement condition holding said turret bar against rotation relative to said base and a disengaged condition in which said turret bar is rotatable relative to said base to rotate said turret head and change the position of tools on said turret means relative to a workpiece, said coupling means including a first coupling member connected with said base, a first set of teeth disposed in an annular array on said first coupling member, housing means fixedly connected with said first set of teeth and disposed in engagement with said turret bar for defining a main chamber, a second coupling member fixedly connected with said turret bar and disposed in said main chamber, and a second set of teeth disposed in an annular array on said second coupling member, said second coupling member cooperating with said housing means to form said main chamber into a first operating chamber disposed between said first and second coupling members and a second operating chamber disposed between said second coupling member and housing means, first surface means disposed on said first coupling member for partially defining said first operating chamber, second surface means disposed on said second coupling means in a fixed positional relationship with said turret bar for further defining said first operating chamber, third surface means disposed on said second coupling member in a fixed positional relationship with said turret bar for partially defining said second operating chamber, and fourth surface means disposed on said housing means in a fixed positional relationship with said first surface means for further defining said second operating chamber, control means for porting fluid under pressure to said first operating chamber to effect movement of said second coupling member in said main chamber in a direction away from said first coupling member under the influence of fluid pressure forces applied against said second surface means to separate said first and second sets of teeth to operate said coupling means from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition and for porting fluid under pressure to said second operating chamber to effect movement of said second coupling member in said main chamber in a direction toward said first coupling member under the influence of fluid pressure forces applied against said third surface means to move said first and second sets of teeth into engagement to operate said coupling means for the disengaged condition to the engaged condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
470 words
A machine tool for operating on a workpiece, said machine tool comprising a base, turret means rotatably mounted in said base for holding a plurality of tools for operating on the workpiece, said turret means including a movable turret bar, means for supporting said turret bar for axial and rotational movement relative to said base, and a turret head connected with one end portion of said turret bar, coupling means operable between an engagement condition holding said turret bar against rotation relative to said base and a disengaged condition in which said turret bar is rotatable relative to said base to rotate said turret head and change the position of tools on said turret means relative to a workpiece, said coupling means including a first coupling member connected with said base, a first set of teeth disposed in an annular array on said first coupling member, housing means fixedly connected with said first set of teeth and disposed in engagement with said turret bar for defining a main chamber, a second coupling member fixedly connected with said turret bar and disposed in said main chamber, and a second set of teeth disposed in an annular array on said second coupling member, said second coupling member cooperating with said housing means to form said main chamber into a first operating chamber disposed between said first and second coupling members and a second operating chamber disposed between said second coupling member and housing means, first surface means disposed on said first coupling member for partially defining said first operating chamber, second surface means disposed on said second coupling means in a fixed positional relationship with said turret bar for further defining said first operating chamber, third surface means disposed on said second coupling member in a fixed positional relationship with said turret bar for partially defining said second operating chamber, and fourth surface means disposed on said housing means in a fixed positional relationship with said first surface means for further defining said second operating chamber, control means for porting fluid under pressure to said first operating chamber to effect movement of said second coupling member in said main chamber in a direction away from said first coupling member under the influence of fluid pressure forces applied against said second surface means to separate said first and second sets of teeth to operate said coupling means from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition and for porting fluid under pressure to said second operating chamber to effect movement of said second coupling member in said main chamber in a direction toward said first coupling member under the influence of fluid pressure forces applied against said third surface means to move said first and second sets of teeth into engagement to operate said coupling means for the disengaged condition to the engaged condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1 further including sensor means connected with said housing means for detecting axial movement of said turret bar relative to said housing means to detect operation of said coupling means between the engaged and eisengaged conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1 further including passage means extending through said housing means for conducting fluid to and from said first and second operating chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second surface means includes an annular surface disposed on one side of said second coupling members inwardly of said second set of teeth and said third surface means includes an annular surface disposed on a side of said second coupling member opposite from said one side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A machine tool as set forth in claim 1 further including connectors means for fixedly connecting said second coupling member to said turret bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3593597A
Cited
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 |