US3841187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for holding sheet material
Assignee: Gerber Technology LLC
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Filing: 1972-08-21
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-08-21
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus for holding sheet material while it is worked upon by a tool employ a support table having a surface on which the sheet material is spread and a cage which holds a plurality of spherical weights over a given portion of the sheet material. The weights rest either directly or indirectly on the material and press the material against the support surface. The spherical weights are held within the cage so that they rotate freely over the material when the cage is moved relative to the material. By connecting the cage to the carriage from which the working tool such as a cutting blade is suspended, the region of the sheet material which is subjected to the pressure of the spherical weights may be localized in that region which is immediately adjacent the tool and, accordingly, there is less opportunity for the sheet material to move or shift under the influence of the tool during the work operation.
Inventors
- 👤 H Gerber
- 👤 D Pearl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:09
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/38; B26F1/3806; B26F1/3813; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/01; B26D7/02; B26D7/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10S83/936; Y10S83/939; Y10S83/94; Y10S83/941; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/748; Y10T83/7487; Y10T83/7573
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material comprising: support means defining a work surface on which sheet material is positioned during a cutting operation; a cutting tool suspended above the work surface and having a sharp cutting edge; movable carriage means connected to the tool and the support means for moving the cutting tool and the sheet material positioned on the work surface relative to one another back and forth in two coordinate directions parallel to the work surface and with the cutting edge engaging the material; control means connected to the movable carriage means for controlling the relative movement of the cutting tool and the support means to advance the cutting edge of the tool rElative to the material along a desired line of cut; holding means positioned adjacent the cutting tool for applying pressure to the sheet material to cause the sheet material to be pressed against the work surface, the holding means including a cage suspended with the cutting tool above the work surface and circumscribing the tool and a plurality of spherical weights held in the cage in a closely packed planar array extending in both of the two coordinate directions and at each side of the cutting tool; and a sheath also suspended above the work surface within the periphery of the cage and interposed between the cutting blade and the array of spherical weights extending in the two coordinate directions to capture the weights in the region between the cage and the sheath and separate the cutting tool and weights during relative movement of the tool and sheet material in the two coordinate directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material comprising: support means defining a work surface on which sheet material is positioned during a cutting operation; a cutting tool suspended above the work surface and having a sharp cutting edge; movable carriage means connected to the tool and the support means for moving the cutting tool and the sheet material positioned on the work surface relative to one another back and forth in two coordinate directions parallel to the work surface and with the cutting edge engaging the material; control means connected to the movable carriage means for controlling the relative movement of the cutting tool and the support means to advance the cutting edge of the tool rElative to the material along a desired line of cut; holding means positioned adjacent the cutting tool for applying pressure to the sheet material to cause the sheet material to be pressed against the work surface, the holding means including a cage suspended with the cutting tool above the work surface and circumscribing the tool and a plurality of spherical weights held in the cage in a closely packed planar array extending in both of the two coordinate directions and at each side of the cutting tool; and a sheath also suspended above the work surface within the periphery of the cage and interposed between the cutting blade and the array of spherical weights extending in the two coordinate directions to capture the weights in the region between the cage and the sheath and separate the cutting tool and weights during relative movement of the tool and sheet material in the two coordinate directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material as defined in claim 1 wherein the spherical weights of the holding means are metallic balls freely rotatable within the cage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material as defined in claim 2 wherein the metallic balls are steel balls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material as defined in claim 1 wherein: the movable carriage means comprises a first carriage movable over the work surface of the support means in a first of the two coordinate directions and a second carriage mounted on the first carriage and movable along the first carriage and over the work surface in a second of the two coordinate directions perpendicular to the first coordinate direction; the cutting tool is suspended from the second carriage for movement in each coordinate direction over the work surface; and the cage of the holding means and the sheath are also suspended from the second carriage adjacent the cutting tool for movement with the tool in each coordinate direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for cutting sheet material as defined in claim 1 wherein: the support means comprises a support table defining the work surface on which the sheet material is positioned; the carriage means includes a carriage mounted on the support table and movable over the work surface in at least one coordiante direction; the cutting tool is suspended from the carriage; and the cage and the sheath are also suspended from the carriage for movement with the tool.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |