US3838865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixture for supporting a workpiece in a machine tool
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
•
Filing: 1973-08-24
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1993-08-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a fixture for supporting a thinwalled workpiece defined by a surface of revolution in a ''''free'''' state during a machining operation. The fixture utilizes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart vacuum heads for supporting the workpiece with each head being pivotally mounted and selectively radially adjustable for contacting the surface of the workpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 A Roberts
- 👤 G Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:33
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23B; B23B31/00; B23B31/02; B23B31/24; B23B31/30; B23B31/307; B23B31/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A fixture for supporting a hollow workpiece defined by a surface of revolution in a working relationship to a machining tool, comprising an annular frame having an axis of rotation, a plurality of vacuum heads circumferentially spaced apart about the inner surface of the frame, displaceable means coupled to each of said vacuum heads for providing selective displacement of each of said vacuum heads in a radial direction with respect to said axis for effecting contact of said vacuum heads with the outer surface of said workpiece, and swivel means joining each of said vacuum heads to said displaceable means for providing pivotal movement of said vacuum heads to effect the contact of the latter with said outer surface of the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A fixture for supporting a hollow workpiece defined by a surface of revolution in a working relationship to a machining tool, comprising an annular frame having an axis of rotation, a plurality of vacuum heads circumferentially spaced apart about the inner surface of the frame, displaceable means coupled to each of said vacuum heads for providing selective displacement of each of said vacuum heads in a radial direction with respect to said axis for effecting contact of said vacuum heads with the outer surface of said workpiece, and swivel means joining each of said vacuum heads to said displaceable means for providing pivotal movement of said vacuum heads to effect the contact of the latter with said outer surface of the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fixture claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said displaceable means comprises an elongated member carried by said frame, and wherein releasable means are disposed contiguous to said member for releasing said elongated segment for said selective displacement and for locking said elongated member in a selected position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fixture claimed in claim 2, wherein said swivel means comprises a ball-and-socket coupling disposed between said elongated segment and said vacuum head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The fixture claimed in claim 3, wherein a conduit means is connected to each of said vacuum heads and is in registry with a vacuum source, and wherein valve means are disposed in each of said conduit means for selectively coupling the vacuum head associated therewith to the vacuum source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The fixture claimed in claim 4, wherein the frame comprises a discoidal base portion and an annulus connected thereto at a location laterally spaced therefrom, said annulus has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, throughgoing passageways disposed in a plane parallel to said base, each passageway houses one of said elongated members, and wherein said releasable means are disposed in said annulus for locking said elongated member to said annulus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1616188A
Cited
US2729040A
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 |