Patent US3841782A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3841782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the production of connectors for space frameworks or the like
Assignee: Mero AG
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Filing: 1974-02-06
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1994-02-06
Abstract
Abstract In producing spherical and polyhedral connectors for space frameworks from blanks a tapped through hole is first formed through the center of the blank. The blank is then engaged by its through hole in a clamping device that is rotatable along the axis of the through hole, the clamping device being mounted on an element that is rotatable on an axis at right angles to the axis of the through hole and which intersects the axis of the through hole at right angles. Tool means positioned adjacent the clamp to work on the blank engaged thereby operate along an axis disposed perpendicular to the first two mentioned axes, the tool means being operative to machine the blank at fixed spatial positions to which the blank is adjusted by movement about the first two axes, the tool means boring holes in the blank, machining flats around said holes at right angles to the holes and tapping the holes. Between these machining operations the tool means are moved relative to the clamping device and the connector blank about a further axis common to the tool means and the clamping device. The connector blank is then positioned to a new predetermined spatial position by the clamping device and the tool means produce another hole while the blank is maintained in the original clamping device by its through hole whereby a plurality of accurate spaced holes are produced in the connector blank.
Inventors
- 👤 M Mengeringhausen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:30
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/50; B23Q1/54; B23Q1/5406; B23Q1/5437; B23B; B23B39/00; B23B39/14; B23Q39/00; B23Q39/04; B23Q39/042; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/18; E04B1/19; E04B1/1903; E04B1/1906; E04B2001/1957; E04B2001/196; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S408/00; Y10S408/01; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/36; Y10T408/38; Y10T408/3833; Y10T408/3844; Y10T408/52; Y10T408/54; Y10T408/545; Y10T408/55; Y10T408/557; Y10T408/563; Y10T408/5638
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for forming and producing accurately spaced holes in spherical and polyhedral connector blanks comprising, support means, a plurality of clamping means disposed laterally in spaced relationship on said support means, each of said clamping means adapted to engage a respective connector blank and having an axis (I) about which said clamping means and its respective clamped blank are rotatable relative to said support means, means connected to said support means for rotating said support means about a further axis (II), the axes (I) of the clamping means being disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation (II) of said support means, drive means for rotating said clamping means about the axes of rotation (I), machining means positioned adjacent said support means, said machining means including a plurality of tools disposed laterally in spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of said clamping means, and each of said tools having a rotational axes (III) intersecting the axis (I) of the corresponding clamping means and axis of rotation (II) of the support means at one point, whereby the connector blanks may be oriented in space about their respective centers to thereby permit machining of each connector blank over its entire peripheral area without requiring rechucking thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for forming and producing accurately spaced holes in spherical and polyhedral connector blanks comprising, support means, a plurality of clamping means disposed laterally in spaced relationship on said support means, each of said clamping means adapted to engage a respective connector blank and having an axis (I) about which said clamping means and its respective clamped blank are rotatable relative to said support means, means connected to said support means for rotating said support means about a further axis (II), the axes (I) of the clamping means being disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation (II) of said support means, drive means for rotating said clamping means about the axes of rotation (I), machining means positioned adjacent said support means, said machining means including a plurality of tools disposed laterally in spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of said clamping means, and each of said tools having a rotational axes (III) intersecting the axis (I) of the corresponding clamping means and axis of rotation (II) of the support means at one point, whereby the connector blanks may be oriented in space about their respective centers to thereby permit machining of each connector blank over its entire peripheral area without requiring rechucking thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises an angle plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein each clamping means comprises, a center plug mounted on one flange of the angle plate and another plug operatively connected to the other flange of said angle plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said center plug is rotatably mounted on a stub axle aligned with the axis (I), and an arm having one end pivotally connected to said other flange of said angle plate, the second-mentioned plug being mounted on the other end of said arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein gear means are connected to said stub axle, shaft means connected to said gear means, and motor means connected to said shaft means, whereby the clamped blank is rotatable about the axis (I).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the means for rotating the support means comprises, a bearing block, wheel means rotatably mounted in said bearing block, said angle plate being mounted on said wheel means, and motor means connected to said wheel means for rotating the wheel means and associated angle plate about the axis (II).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the wheel means comprises a pair of discs spaced longitudinally of the axis (II), said motor means being connected to one of said discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the angle plate is interposed the discs and connected to the faces thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2269946A
Cited
US3689165A
Cited
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 |