US3838542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens polishing machine
Assignee: ASS DEV CORP
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A high speed lens grinding and polishing machine comprising a gimbal mounted polishing element mounted at its lower extreme in a spherical bearing permitting an upper lens clamping element to follow the contour of the lens during the polishing process. Eccentric movement of the polishing element is accomplished by the cooperative movement of a breakup and main drive means. In addition, the machine includes a labyrinth seal to prevent slurry compound from flowing into the gimbal and drive means during operation of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hodges
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:54
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B13/00; B24B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A high-speed lens polishing machine comprising a cabinet and a polishing element mounted thereon, said polishing element including spindle means and lens holding means configured to retain a lens blank, first drive means attached to said cabinet operatively coupled to said polishing element, tool holding means attached to said cabinet, said tool holding means configured to retain a lap tool, said tool holding means in operative communication with said lens holding means, said first drive means moving said lens holding means relative to said tool holding means, said spindle means including a substantially circular bearing means and said first drive means including a substantially spherical bearing means, said substantially circular bearing means being movably disposed within said substantially spherical bearing means such that said spindle means moves within said drive means to change the virtual length of said spindle means relative to said tool holding means whereby tool holding means follows the contour of lens during the polishing process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A high-speed lens polishing machine comprising a cabinet and a polishing element mounted thereon, said polishing element including spindle means and lens holding means configured to retain a lens blank, first drive means attached to said cabinet operatively coupled to said polishing element, tool holding means attached to said cabinet, said tool holding means configured to retain a lap tool, said tool holding means in operative communication with said lens holding means, said first drive means moving said lens holding means relative to said tool holding means, said spindle means including a substantially circular bearing means and said first drive means including a substantially spherical bearing means, said substantially circular bearing means being movably disposed within said substantially spherical bearing means such that said spindle means moves within said drive means to change the virtual length of said spindle means relative to said tool holding means whereby tool holding means follows the contour of lens during the polishing process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 1 further including a second drive means operatively connected to said tool holding means to move said tool holding means laterally relative to said lens holding means during the polishing process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 1 further including a gimbal assembly means interconnected to said cabinet said spindle means being operatively coupled to said gimbal assembly means and wherein said drive means comprises a main drive assembly means and breakup drive assembly said lens holder in a substantially circular orbit and said breakup drive assembly means constantly changing the center point of the circular orbit relative to said lap tool holder whereby said lens holding means follows an eccentric orbit relative to said tool holding means during the polishing process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 3 further including a slurry polish supply means comprising manifold means, tube means and nozzle means, said nozzle means in operative communication with said lap tool holding means and said lens holding means to provide slurry polish during the polishing operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 4 further including a seal means isolating said lens holding means, said tool holding means and said slurry polish supply means from said gimbal assembly means and said first drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 5 wherein said seal means comprises a cup-shaped labyrinth including outer cup-shaped member affixed to said spindle and inner cup-shaped member affixed to said outer cup-shaped member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 6 wherein said seal means further includes a baffle engaging said inner cupshaped member to seal said spindle means, said gimbal means and first drive means from said slurry polish.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 7 wherein said baffle comprises a resilient substantially annular member including a groove formed about the circumference thereof and said inner cup-shaped member includes a substantially annular aperture from therein such that the inner periphery of said annular aperture sealingly engages the inner periphery of said groove to cooperatively form a seal therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 1 further including a fluid pressure means attached to said tool holding means to maintain a substantially constant predetermined pressure between said lens blank and said lap tool during the polishing process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 5 wherein said seal means comprises an enclosure including a sleeve portion affixed to said spindle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 1 further including motor means operatively interconnected to said main drive assembly means to drive said main drive assembly means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 11 wherein said motor means coupled by flexible belt means to said main drive assembly means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The high-speed lens polishing machine of claim 12 wherein said motor means is attached to said mahcine by mounting means, said mounting means comprising biasing means such that said mounting means follows the movement of said spindle assembly during the polishing process.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3552899A
Cited
US3665651A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |