US3824742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toric surface generating method and apparatus
Assignee: Camelot Industries Corp
•
Filing: 1972-07-07
•
Granted: 1974-07-23
•
Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for generating a true toric surface on a lens or other work piece. In accordance with the invention, a cup-shaped surfacing tool is adapted to be moved across a lens blank in a compound motion comprised of an oscillating movement in a first curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of one major meridian of the surface coupled with a sweeping movement in a second curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of the second major meridian of the surface. The tool is aligned relative to the lens surface such that the oscillating movement will be within a plane parallel to the tool axis such that substantially the entire abrasive surface of the tool will operate on the lens surface. This will avoid the formation of ridges on the surface and, at the same time, permit the generation of high quality toric surfaces of any desired curvature with a single tool and with relatively simple kinematics.
Inventors
- 👤 W Rupp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:06
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/04; B24B13/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for generating a toric surface on a workpiece comprising: a. means for supporting a workpiece upon which said toric surface is to be generated; b. means for supporting a cup-shaped surfacing tool adjacent said workpiece for generating said toric surface thereupon, the surfacing face of said tool being symmetrical about a central tool axis; c. first drive means for transversely oscillating said tool and said workpiece relative to one another in a first curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature to be generated along a first major meridian of said toric surface, said first drive means including means for oscillating said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a plane that always includes said tool axis; and d. second drive means for transversely sweeping said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a second curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature to be generated along a second major meridian of said toric surface and about an axis that extends through the vertex axis of the toric surface to be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for generating a toric surface on a workpiece comprising: a. means for supporting a workpiece upon which said toric surface is to be generated; b. means for supporting a cup-shaped surfacing tool adjacent said workpiece for generating said toric surface thereupon, the surfacing face of said tool being symmetrical about a central tool axis; c. first drive means for transversely oscillating said tool and said workpiece relative to one another in a first curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature to be generated along a first major meridian of said toric surface, said first drive means including means for oscillating said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a plane that always includes said tool axis; and d. second drive means for transversely sweeping said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a second curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature to be generated along a second major meridian of said toric surface and about an axis that extends through the vertex axis of the toric surface to be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the radius of said first curved path is less than the radius of said second curved path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first drive means includes means for driving said tool and said work piece relative to one another at a faster rate than said second drive meAns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second drive means drive said tool and said work piece relative to one another in parallel planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second drive means drive said tool and said work piece relative to one another in planes that are perpendicular to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 and further including third drive means for rotating said tool about said tool axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said tool comprises a grinding tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said work piece comprises a lens blank.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for generating a toric surface on a work piece comprising: a. supporting a work piece upon which said toric surface is to be generated; b. supporting a cup-shaped surfacing tool adjacent said work piece for generating said toric surface thereupon; c. oscillating said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a plane that includes the axis of said tool and along a first curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of a first major meridian of said toric surface; and d. simultaneously sweeping said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a second curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of a second major meridian of said toric surface and about an axis that extends through the vertex axis of said toric surface to be generated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for generating a toric surface on a work piece comprising: a. supporting a work piece upon which said toric surface is to be generated; b. supporting a cup-shaped surfacing tool adjacent said work piece for generating said toric surface thereupon; c. oscillating said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a plane that includes the axis of said tool and along a first curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of a first major meridian of said toric surface; and d. simultaneously sweeping said tool and said work piece relative to one another in a second curved path having a radius equal to the radius of curvature desired in the direction of a second major meridian of said toric surface and about an axis that extends through the vertex axis of said toric surface to be generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said tool and said work piece are oscillated relative to one another in a plane parallel to and including said tool axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said tool and said work piece are oscillated relative to one another in a curved path having a radius that is less than the radius of the curved path along which said tool and work piece are swept relative to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said tool and work piece are oscillated relative to one another about an axis that extends through the center of curvature of the curved surface desired in the direction of said first major meridian.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said oscillating and sweeping steps are performed in planes that are parallel to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said oscillating and sweeping steps are performed in planes that are perpendicular to one another.
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) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |