Automatic tool changer

Claim 2

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said rack including a plate having an opening at each of said tool stations, an annular socket member secured aT one end to said plate and surrounding each such opening to provide a socket for a working tool, an index key on the inside of said socket member arranged to be received in an index keyway in a working tool when inserted in said socket, and latch means arranged adjacent said socket member for releasably supporting a working tool therein and including a transverse pivot pin mounted on said socket member at the other end thereof, a hook-shaped latch pivotally supported on said pin and spring means operatively arranged between said plate and latch, said plate having an opening through which said latch extends.

Claim 3

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said rack having a flat bottom surface, and said rack mounting means including a mount member, an anti-friction ring bearing on said mount member, a drive rotor supported on said bearing and having a flat upper surface frictionally engaging said bottom surface, means carried by said mount member for guiding said rack and rotor during rotation, means carried by said mount member for preventing separation of the stack comprised of said bearing, rotor and rack and means for rotating said drive rotor.

Claim 4

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said rack having a flat bottom surface, and said rack mounting means including a mount member, an anti-friction ring bearing on said mount member, a drive rotor supported on said bearing and having a flat upper surface frictionally engaging said bottom surface, means carried by said mount member for guiding said rack and rotor during rotation, means carried by said mount member for preventing separation of the stack comprised of said bearing, rotor and rack and means for rotating said drive rotor.

Claim 5

A machine tool according to claim 2 wherein said rotating means include a motor mounted on said mount member thereabove having a shaft extending downwardly through an opening in said mount plate and a drive arm fast at one end to said shaft below said mount plate and connected at its other end to said rotor.

Claim 6

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for indexing rotation of said rack to position selectively any of said tool stations at a predetermined pickup location, including a lug on said rack adjacent each of said tool stations, hook means adapted to engage any one of such lugs to stop rotation of said rack and means arranged to control operation of said hook means.

Claim 7

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for indexing rotation of said rack to position selectively any of said tool stations at a predetermined pickup location, including a lug on said rack adjacent each of said tool stations, hook means adapted to engage any one of such lugs to stop rotation of said rack and means arranged to control operation of said hook means.

Claim 8

A machine tool according to claim 4 wherein said hook means include a pivotal support member, a stop, return spring means biasing pivotal movement of said support member toward a position against said stop, a hook member pivotally mounted on said support member, spring means biasing pivotal movement of said hook member relative to said support member in one direction to an engage-position in which said hook member is disposed in the path of said lugs to engage one thereof and actuator means arranged to pivot said hook member relative to said support member in the opposite direction to a disengage-position in which said hook member is withdrawn from said path, engagement of said hook member with one of said lugs while said rack is rotating pulling said support member away from said stop against the urging of said return spring means to cause decelerating overtravel of said rack following which said return spring means becomes operative to return said support member to engagement with said stop thereby also to reverse rotation of said rack to position one of said tool stations at said pickup location.

Claim 9

A machine tool according to claim 5 wherein the position of said support member relative to said stop when engaging the same is adjustable whereby said pickup location is adjustable relative to said first angular position of said arm.

Claim 10

A machine tool according to claim 5 wherein said control means include a cam plate arranged for rotation with said rack and having a plurality of cam tracks arranged according to a binary code related to the number of said tool stations and microswitch means operatively associated with said cam tracks and said actuator means.

Claim 11

A machine tool according to claim 4 wherein said control means include a cam plate on said rack having a plurality of cam tracks arranged according to a binary code related to the number of said tool stations and microswitch means operatively associated with said cam tracks and said hook means.

Claim 12

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said rack mounting means including a frame member having posts the end faces of which are generally coplanar and generally perpendicular to the pivotal axis of said rack, an adjust plate arranged against said end faces and having elongated slots the direction of which in a plane generally parallel to said end faces is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said arm when in said first angular position and fasteners extending through said slots for securing said adjust plate to said posts, whereby with said fasteners loosened said adjust plate is adjustable in said direction relative to said arm following which said fasteners can be retightened to maintain said adjust plate in the desired adjusted position.

Claim 13

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said rack mounting means including a frame member having posts the end faces of which are generally coplanar and generally perpendicular to the pivotal axis of said rack, an adjust plate arranged against said end faces and having elongated slots the direction of which in a plane generally parallel to said end faces is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said arm when in said first angular position and fasteners extending through said slots for securing said adjust plate to said posts, whereby with said fasteners loosened said adjust plate is adjustable in said direction relative to said arm following which said fasteners can be retightened to maintain said adjust plate in the desired adjusted position.

Claim 14

A machine tool according to claim 9 wherein said rack mounting means further include a mount plate spaced from said adjust plate and having holes, adjustable leveling screws carried by said adjust plate abuttingly engaging said mount plate and clamping screws carried by said adjust plate and extending through said holes for clamping said mount plate against said leveling screws, said mount plate having access holes aligned severally with said leveling screws, whereby with said clamping screws loosened said leveling screws can be adjusted to level said mount plate following which said clamping screws can be retightened to maintain said mount plate in the desired adjusted position.

Claim 15

A machine tool according to claim 10 wherein said mount plate has further access holes aligned severally with said fasteners, whereby removing said fasteners permits removal of the rack assembly from said frame member without disturbing the level adjustment of said mount plate relative to said adjust plate.

Claim 16

A machine tool according to claim 11, further comprising means for indexing rotation of said rack to position selectively any of said tool stations at a predetermined pickup location adjacent the end of said arm when in said first angular position, including a lug on said rack adjacent each of said tool stations, and hook means adapted to engage any one of such lugs to stop rotation of said rack including a hook support lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said mount plate, an adjustable stop screw carried by said hook support lever at one end thereof and adapted to engage one of said posts, spring means operatively interposed between said mount plate and said one end of said hook support lever for urging said stop screw against said post, a hook lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the other end of said hook support lever and having a hook at one end, spring means operatively interposed between said mount plate and the other end of said hook lever for biasing pivotal movement thereof relative to said hook support lever in one direction to an engage-position in which said hook is disposed in the path of said lugs to engage one thereof and actuator means operatively interposed between said mount plate and said other end of said hook lever for pivoting said hook lever relative to said hook support lever in the opposite direction to a disengage-position in which said hook is withdrawn from said path.

Claim 17

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivOtal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member, means for retracting said hand member, and means mounting said hand member on said transfer arm for limited yielding movement relative thereto in a direction transverse of said transfer arm and generally parallel to said axes.

Claim 18

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivOtal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member, means for retracting said hand member, and means mounting said hand member on said transfer arm for limited yielding movement relative thereto in a direction transverse of said transfer arm and generally parallel to said axes.

Claim 19

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member and means for retracting said hand member, said extension means including gear crank means, link means operatively interposed between said hand member and gear crank means, gear rack means operatively engaging said gear crank means and actuator means for moving said gear rack means.

Claim 20

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member and means for retracting said hand member, said extension means including gear crank means, link means operatively interposed between said hand member and gear crank means, gear rack means operatively engaging said gear crank means and actuator means for moving said gear rack means.

Claim 21

A machine tool according to claim 14 wherein said retracting means includes return spring means operative upon deactivation of said extension means to retract said hand member.

Claim 22

A machine tool according to claim 13 wherein said mounting means for said hand member include a movable bracket slidably supporting said hand member and spring means yieldingly supporting said bracket.

Claim 23

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about A fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member, means for retracting said hand member, and means for delivering a blast of compressed air outwardly from the wall of said hand member defining said recess and directed generally toward the center of said recess.

Claim 24

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about A fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said grasper including a hand member having a recess adapted to embrace partially a working tool, means for guiding said hand member during said extension and retraction, means for extending said hand member, means for retracting said hand member, and means for delivering a blast of compressed air outwardly from the wall of said hand member defining said recess and directed generally toward the center of said recess.

Claim 25

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said first axial position of said transfer arm being an upper position and said second axial position of said transfer arm being a lower position, said grasper including a hand member having a generally semi-circular recess adapted to embrace a working tool, a finger member pivotally mounted on said hand member including a protrusible finger arranged when protruded to continue circumferentially the generally circular shape of said recess to provide a prehensile grip, spring means constantly urging said finger to such protruded condition and means responsive to translation of said arm from said lower position to said upper position for pivoting said finger member so as to withdraw said finger from said protruded condition.

Claim 26

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, and a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said first axial position of said transfer arm being an upper position and said second axial position of said transfer arm being a lower position, said grasper including a hand member having a generally semi-circular recess adapted to embrace a working tool, a finger member pivotally mounted on said hand member including a protrusible finger arranged when protruded to continue circumferentially the generally circular shape of said recess to provide a prehensile grip, spring means constantly urging said finger to such protruded condition and means responsive to translation of said arm from said lower position to said upper position for pivoting said finger member so as to withdraw said finger from said protruded condition.

Claim 27

A machine tool according to claim 18 wherein said responsive means include a slide guided foR movement on said arm having a cam surface engageable with said finger member to pivot the same against the urging of said spring means, a lever pivotally mounted on said arm and arranged to move operatively said slide and means for operatively pivoting said lever when said arm rises toward its said upper position.

Claim 28

A machine tool according to claim 19 wherein said finger member includes an actuating roller having an axis generally parallel to the pivotal axis of said finger member, said slide is a plate extending generally tangentially of said roller and has at least two slots therein, said arm has guide surfaces thereon for said slide, a retainer plate for said slide, means securing said retainer plate to said arm and extending through one of said slots, cam roller means mounted on said arm and retainer plate and including a cam roller arranged in the other of said slots, camming engagement between said cam roller and the wall edge of said other of said slots causing lateral displacement of said actuating roller and hence pivotal movement of said finger member.

Claim 29

A machine tool according to claim 20 wherein said lever pivoting means include a stop, a thrust element seated on said stop and additional spring means urging said thrust element against said stop, and said lever is a bell crank having a push arm arranged to push said slide and an actuating arm arranged for thrust engagement with said thrust element when said transfer arm rises toward its said upper position to cause pivotal movement of said bell crank.

Claim 30

A machine tool according to claim 19 wherein said finger member includes an actuating roller projecting through a slot in said hand member and movable in a direction generally transverse of said transfer arm within the limits permitted by the ends of said slot, said slide is movable longitudinally and laterally relative to said transfer arm, and said cam surface extends generally longitudinally of said transfer arm and engages said actuating roller.

Claim 31

A machine tool according to claim 22, further comprising anti-friction thrust means operatively interposed between said transfer arm and hand member and arranged on the side of said actuating roller opposite from said cam surface.

Claim 32

A machine tool according to claim 22 wherein said lever pivoting means include a stop, a thrust element seated on said stop and adapted to be thrusted toward an unseated condition by said lever and additional spring means urging said thrust element toward said seat.

Claim 33

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindlE, and means for pivoting said arm between said angular positions including drive motor means, rotary crank means driven by said motor means, geneva motion means, link means operatively interposed between said crank means and geneva motion means and step-up gear means operatively interposed between said geneva motion means and said arm.

Claim 34

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindlE, and means for pivoting said arm between said angular positions including drive motor means, rotary crank means driven by said motor means, geneva motion means, link means operatively interposed between said crank means and geneva motion means and step-up gear means operatively interposed between said geneva motion means and said arm.

Claim 35

A machine tool according to claim 25 wherein said arm rotating means further includes slip clutch means operatively interposed between said drive motor means and said crank means.

Claim 36

A machine tool according to claim 25 wherein said geneva motion means include a rotative drive member pivotally connected to said link means and having a drive pin, a rotative driven member having a groove arranged to receive said drive pin and means for locking said driven member against rotation at the extremes of the intermittent movement permitted by said geneva motion means to allow further rotation of said drive member.

Claim 37

A machine tool according to claim 27 wherein said link means include a link pivotally connected at one end to said geneva drive member and at its other end to said crank means and means for adjusting the effective length of said link whereby the rotative position of said crank means can be adjusted relative to said geneva drive member.

Claim 38

A machine tool according to claim 28 wherein said geneva drive member carries a link pin, and said link means further include an eccentric bushing rotatively mounted on said link and receiving said link pin and means for maintaining the adjusted rotative position of said bushing relative to said link.

Claim 39

A machine tool according to claim 25 wherein said drive pin is adapted to enter and leave said groove, and said locking means include a pair of locking pins on said driven member and a pair of locking grooves in said drive member severally adapted to receive said locking pins, one such locking pin and groove engaging at the end of travel of said driven member in one rotational direction and the other such locking pin and groove engaging at the end of travel of said driven member in the opposite rotational direction.

Claim 40

A machine tool according to claim 30 wherein each of said locking pins has an eccentric mounting portion rotatably received in a recess in said driven member and clamp means holds the adjusted angular position of each said mounting portion relative to said driven member, whereby properly aligned engagement between each such locking pin and its locking groove is attainable.

Claim 41

A machine tool according to claim 25 wherein said geneva motion means includes a rotative driven member, and said step-up gear means include a drive gear fast to said driven member for coaxial rotation therewith and a driven gear fast to said arm and meshing with said drive gear and having a pitch diameter smaller than that of said drive gear.

Claim 42

A machine tool according to claim 32, further comprising eccentric means mounting said driven grear thereby to permit adjustment of the mesh of said driven gear with said drive gear.

Claim 43

A machine tool according to claim 33 wherein said pivotal mounting means for said arm includes an elongated pivot member, said eccentric means include an eccentric end portion on said pivot member and means arranged to fix said pivot member in the desired adjusted angular position relative to a fixed support and also to fix said pivot member against longitudinal movement relative to said support, said arm being arranged for longitudinal movement on said pivot member to provide the axial translation of said arm.

Claim 44

A machine tool according to claim 32, further comprising means for permitting angular adjustment while maintaining coaxial alignment between said driven gear and arm thereby to adjust said second angular position of said arm to align with said spindle.

Claim 45

A machine tool according to claim 35, wherein said adjusting means includes a cylindrical end on said driven gear received in a cylindrical recess in the hub end of said arm, saiD cylindrical end and recess having opposing end faces, a lug projecting from said end face on said driven gear and received in an enlarged cavity in said hub recessed from said end face thereof, chordal adjusting screws carried by said hub on opposite sides of said lug and adapted to bear thereagainst and fasteners threaded into said end face of said driven gear and extending through enlarged slots in said end face of said hub.

Claim 46

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for translating said arm including drive motor means, rotary cam means driven by said motor means, arm lifter means, and lever means operatively interposed between said cam means and lifter means.

Claim 47

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for translating said arm including drive motor means, rotary cam means driven by said motor means, arm lifter means, and lever means operatively interposed between said cam means and lifter means.

Claim 48

A machine tool according to claim 37 wherein said arm translating means further includes slip clutch means operatively interposed between said drive motor means and said cam means.

Claim 49

A machine tool according to claim 37 wherein said arm lifter means further includes counterbalance spring means substantially counterbalancing the weight of said arm.

Claim 50

A machine tool according to claim 37 wherein said cam means includes a cam surface having throw in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said cam means, said lever means include a lever and means mounting said lever intermediate its ends for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of such cam axis, said arm lifter means includes an arm lifter, means securing one end of said arm lifter to said arm, means pivotally connecting the other end of said arm lifter to one end of said lever, and cam follower means on the other end of said lever arranged operatively to follow said cam surface.

Claim 51

A machine tool according to claim 40 wherein said arm lifter means further includes a clevis member arranged at said other end of said arm lifter and threadedly connected thereto whereby relative rotative movement therebetween adjusts the effective length of said arm lifter means and means for maintaining the adjusted rotative position between said clevis member and arm lifter, said securing means allows relative rotation between said arm and arm lifter, and said pivotally connected means pivotally connects said clevis member to said one end of said lever.

Claim 52

A machine tool according to claim 41 wherein said maintaining means includes a jam nut, and said arm lifter means further comprises counterbalance spring means including a helical compression spring surrounding said arm lifter and at one end bearing against said nut and operative to balance substantially the weIght of said arm.

Claim 53

A machine tool according to claim 42, further comprising pivotal mounting means for said arm including a tubular pivot surrounding said counterbalance spring, and said counterbalance spring means further includes means mounted on said pivot for supporting the other end of said spring.

Claim 54

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for rotating and translating said arm including drive motor means, rotary means driven by said drive motor means, and slip clutch means operatively interposed between said drive motor means and said rotary means, said drive motor means including a drive shaft, said rotary means including a rotary member, and said clutch means including a plurality of switch cam discs rotatable with said member, a plurality of friction discs rotatable with said shaft and alternately arranged between and contacting said cam discs and means for forcing the opposing faces of said cam discs and friction discs against each other to provide an slippable frictional drive therebetween.

Claim 55

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, and means for rotating and translating said arm including drive motor means, rotary means driven by said drive motor means, and slip clutch means operatively interposed between said drive motor means and said rotary means, said drive motor means including a drive shaft, said rotary means including a rotary member, and said clutch means including a plurality of switch cam discs rotatable with said member, a plurality of friction discs rotatable with said shaft and alternately arranged between and contacting said cam discs and means for forcing the opposing faces of said cam discs and friction discs against each other to provide an slippable frictional drive therebetween.

Claim 56

A machine tool according to claim 44 wherein said rotary member has an end face provided with circumferentially spaced internally threaded recesses the axes of which are generally parallel to the rotational axis of said member, and said clutch means further include studs severally screwed in said recesses and having externally threaded remote ends, a thrust plate mounted on said studs adjacent said end face, a pressure plate mounted on said studs adjacent said remote ends thereof, a nut on such threaded remote end of each of said studs and belleville spring means operatively arranged on each of said studs between its said nut and said pressure plate, said cam discs being mounted on said studs.

Claim 57

A machine tool according to claim 45 wherein the periphery of each of said cam discs is contoured to provide a timing cam surface, and further comprising stationary microswitch means for each of said cam discs and operatively associated with its said cam surface, whereby rotation of said cam discs with said rotary member controls operation of the various microswitch means.

Claim 58

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to tHe rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said spindle being tubular and having at one end an internally tapered tool-receiving end section, each of said working tools having an externally tapered spindle-insertable end portion adapted to be inserted into and seated on said tapered section and being further formed on the end face of said insertable end portion with a hook recess the mouth of which is formed by an inturned annular lip to provide a tool hook, means slidable in said spindle including a spindle hook adapted releasably to lockingly engage said tool hook, and means arranged to move said spindle hook into and out of locking engagement with said tool hook when said hooks are overlapped, said slidable means including a slide member and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers projecting axially from said slide member, the free end of each of said fingers being radially movable and formed to provide an external hook, all such external hooks collectively providing said spindle hook which is radially expandable and contractable, and cam means for moving said fingers radially in and out, said spindle hook when contracted being insertable through said mouth into hook recess past said lip by axial movement of said slide member in a direction toward said end portion and when in such relative axial position being expandable into locked engagement with said lip.

Claim 59

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to tHe rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said spindle being tubular and having at one end an internally tapered tool-receiving end section, each of said working tools having an externally tapered spindle-insertable end portion adapted to be inserted into and seated on said tapered section and being further formed on the end face of said insertable end portion with a hook recess the mouth of which is formed by an inturned annular lip to provide a tool hook, means slidable in said spindle including a spindle hook adapted releasably to lockingly engage said tool hook, and means arranged to move said spindle hook into and out of locking engagement with said tool hook when said hooks are overlapped, said slidable means including a slide member and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers projecting axially from said slide member, the free end of each of said fingers being radially movable and formed to provide an external hook, all such external hooks collectively providing said spindle hook which is radially expandable and contractable, and cam means for moving said fingers radially in and out, said spindle hook when contracted being insertable through said mouth into hook recess past said lip by axial movement of said slide member in a direction toward said end portion and when in such relative axial position being expandable into locked engagement with said lip.

Claim 60

A machine tool according to claim 47 wherein the free ends of said fingers are radially contractile, and said cam means include cam surfaces severally on the radially inner sides of said fingers at said free ends thereof and a cam mounted on said spindle within the cluster of said fingers and engageable with said cam surfaces.

Claim 61

A machine tool according to claim 48 wherein said cam means further include a sleeve mounted on said spindle and radial struts severally extending in the spaces between adjacent pairs of said fingers, said struts at their outer radial ends being connected to said sleeve and at their inner radial ends being connected to said cam.

Claim 62

A machine tool according to claim 49, further comprising a tool ejector member slidably mounted on said sleeve and having slots receiving said struts and pushed against said end portion by said slide member when axially moved in said direction.

Claim 63

A machine tool according to claim 47, further comprising tool ejection means responsive to said axial movement of said slide member in said direction for ejecting said inserted working tool upon disengagement of said spindle and tool hooks.

Claim 64

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to thE rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said spindle being tubular, means for axially holding a working tool in said spindle, and means for releasing such axial hold on said working tool, said tool holding means including a drawbar arranged within said spindle and having one end operatively associated with said working tool and its opposite end extending from said spindle and having a threaded section and a nut arranged on said threaded section in a tightened thrusting engagement against the end of said spindle so as to axially load said drawbar, and said tool hold releasing means including means for holding said spindle against axial displacement, means for pulling said drawbar while said spindle is held against axial displacement to relieve said thrusting engagement, means for rotating said nut to move it axially along said threaded section away from said spindle and thereby loosen it and means for pushing said drawbar toward said working tool.

Claim 65

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to thE rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, said spindle being tubular, means for axially holding a working tool in said spindle, and means for releasing such axial hold on said working tool, said tool holding means including a drawbar arranged within said spindle and having one end operatively associated with said working tool and its opposite end extending from said spindle and having a threaded section and a nut arranged on said threaded section in a tightened thrusting engagement against the end of said spindle so as to axially load said drawbar, and said tool hold releasing means including means for holding said spindle against axial displacement, means for pulling said drawbar while said spindle is held against axial displacement to relieve said thrusting engagement, means for rotating said nut to move it axially along said threaded section away from said spindle and thereby loosen it and means for pushing said drawbar toward said working tool.

Claim 66

A machine tool according to claim 52 wherein said thrust relieving means is operative to pull said drawbar with one level of force to facilitate loosening nut rotation, said nut rotating means is reversible for retightening said nut from a loosened condition, and further comprising additional means operative to pull said drawbar with a level of force lower than said one level during retightening nut rotation.

Claim 67

A machine tool according to claim 53 wherein said spindle holding means includes spindle yoke means fast to said spindle and spindle fork means releasably operatively associated with said spindle yoke means, said thrust relieving means includes drawbar yoke means fast to said drawbar, drawbar fork means releasably operatively associated with said drawbar yoke means and said nut is arranged between said spindle yoke means and said drawbar yoke means.

Claim 68

A machine tool according to claim 54 wherein during loosening rotation of said nut it moves axially toward said drawbar yoke means, and further comprising means for limiting the axial approach of said nut toward said drawbar yoke means to prevent axial jamming therebetween.

Claim 69

A machine tool according to claim 54 wherein said thrust relieving means include a first pivot member and a fluid operated actuator mounted on said first pivot member and operatively connected to said drawbar fork means, said nut rotating means including gear teeth on said nut, a pair of gear shafts on opposite sides of said drawbar and tiltable toward and away from each other severally in planes radial with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drawbar, a drive gear fast to each of said gear shafts adapted to mesh with said nut gear teeth, means constantly biasing said gear shafts toward each other, cam means for tilting said gear shafts away from each other including a second pivot member having a cam surface for each gear shaft, said spindle fork means being arranged on said second pivot member, means mounting said pivot members for pivotal movemEnt together about an axis extending generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said drawbar, means for pivoting said pivot members in one direction to engage said spindle fork means with said spindle yoke, to engage said drawbar fork means with said drawbar yoke and to allow said gear shafts to move toward each other under the urging of said biasing means, said pivoting means including an actuator, return spring means for pivoting said pivot members in the opposite direction to disengage said spindle fork means from said spindle yoke, to disengage said drawbar fork means from said drawbar yoke and to cam said gear shafts away from each other against the urging of said biasing means, and means for reversibly rotating said drive gears.

Claim 70

A machine tool according to claim 56, further comprising means frictionally holding said drawbar fork means relative to said first pivot member upon disengagement of said drawbar fork means from said drawbar yoke.

Claim 71

A machine tool according to claim 56 wherein said pivotal mounting means for said pivot members include a stationary post, a collar for supporting said pivot members surrounding said post and rotatable relative thereto and having a slanted transverse end face, a fixed support salient engaging said end face and adjustable means for securing said collar against rotative movement relative to said post in the desired adjusted angular position therebetween, whereby the level of said pivot members and hence said spindle fork means can be adjusted along the axis of said spindle.

Claim 72

A machine tool according to claim 53 wherein said thrust relieving means comprise a fluid operated actuator including a piston operatively connected to said drawbar fork means and having a first end area, and said additional means includes a second end area on said piston.

Claim 73

A machine tool according to claim 59 wherein said drawbar pushing means includes a third end area on said piston.

Claim 74

A machine tool according to claim 60 wherein said second and third end areas face axially of said piston in a direction opposite from that for said first end area, and means arranged to control the application of pressurized fluid against said first end area to produce said one level of pulling force, against said first and second end areas to produce said lower level of pulling force and against said third end area to produce a pushing force.

Claim 75

A machine tool according to claim 61 wherein said control means include four-way three position solenoid valve means operatively associated with said first and third end areas, two-way solenoid valve means operatively associated with said second end area and orifice means operatively associated with said two-way solenoid valve means and said second end area.

Claim 76

A machine tool according to claim 53 wherein said nut rotating means includes gear teeth on said nut and drive gear means movable into and out of driving engagement with said nut gear teeth.

Claim 77

A machine tool according to claim 63 wherein said drive gear means include a shaft tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis of said drawbar in a plane radial with respect to such axis, a drive gear fast to said shaft adapted to mesh with said nut gear teeth, means constantly biasing the tilt of said shaft in one direction toward meshing said drive gear with said nut gear teeth, cam means for tilting said shaft in the opposite direction and means for reversibly rotating said drive gear.

Claim 78

A machine tool according to claim 63 wherein said drive gear means include a pair of gear shafts on opposite sides of said drawbar and tiltable toward and away from each other severally in planes radial with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drawbar, a drive gear fast to each of said gear shafts adapted to mesh with said nut gear teeth, means constantly biasing said gear shafts toward each other, cam means for tilting said gear shafts away from each other and means for reversibly rotating said drive gears including a reversible motor having an outpUt shaft, a drive pulley, slip clutch means operatively interposed between said output shaft and drive pulley, a driven pulley fast to each of said gear shafts and a belt passing around said drive and driven pulleys.

Claim 79

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, means for axially holding a working tool to said spindle, means for releasing such axial hold on said working tool, and means for indexing said spindle prior to operating said means for releasing said axial hold on said working tool and comprising means providing a pawl recess on said spindle and pawl means including a pawl member having a pawl tooth adapted to enter said pawl recess while said spindle is being rotated to stop said spindle in a predetermined angular position, said pawl recess having a generally radial stop surface, said pawl tooth having a flat stop surface adapted to engage said radial stop surface, said pawl member having a pivot slot elongated in a direction generally perpendicular to said flat stop surface, a fixed pivot pin arranged in said slot and spring means urging said pawl member to move relative to said pivot pin so as to bottom the end of said slot remote from said flat stop surface against said pivot pin and applying a couple to said pawl member urging the same to pivot about said pivot pin in a direction so as to urge said pawl tooth toward said spindle, whereby a cushioned stopping of rotation of said spindle is permitted when said stop surfaces engage by relative sliding movement of said pawl member on said pivot pin to move the latter toward the other end of said slot against the urging of said spring means.

Claim 80

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for driven connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position, said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, means for axially holding a working tool to said spindle, means for releasing such axial hold on said working tool, and means for indexing said spindle prior to operating said means for releasing said axial hold on said working tool and comprising means providing a pawl recess on said spindle and pawl means including a pawl member having a pawl tooth adapted to enter said pawl recess while said spindle is being rotated to stop said spindle in a predetermined angular position, said pawl recess having a generally radial stop surface, said pawl tooth having a flat stop surface adapted to engage said radial stop surface, said pawl member having a pivot slot elongated in a direction generally perpendicular to said flat stop surface, a fixed pivot pin arranged in said slot and spring means urging said pawl member to move relative to said pivot pin so as to bottom the end of said slot remote from said flat stop surface against said pivot pin and applying a couple to said pawl member urging the same to pivot about said pivot pin in a direction so as to urge said pawl tooth toward said spindle, whereby a cushioned stopping of rotation of said spindle is permitted when said stop surfaces engage by relative sliding movement of said pawl member on said pivot pin to move the latter toward the other end of said slot against the urging of said spring means.

Claim 81

A machine tool according to claim 66, further comprising means for indexing said spindle prior to operating said means for releasing said axial hold on said working tool including means providing a pawl recess on said spindle, pawl means including a pawl member having a pawl tooth adapted to enter said pawl recess while said spindle is being rotated to stop said spindle in a predetermined angular position, said spindle being so rotated by said drive gears, and means operatively interposed between one of said pivot members and said pawl member to permit movement of said pawl tooth toward said spindle upon pivotal movement of said pivot members in said one direction and operative to withdraw said pawl tooth from said pawl recess upon pivotal movement of said pivot members in the opposite direction.

Claim 82

A machine tool according to claim 67 wherein said operatively interposed means include a cam lug carried by one of Said pivot members and a cam surface on said pawl member engageable with said cam lug, and said pawl means further include pivot means for said pawl member and spring means urging said pawl mmeber to pivot in a direction so as to urge said pawl tooth toward said spindle and also to urge said cam surface toward said cam lug.

Claim 83

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for drive connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, a drive shaft for said spindle, means for indexing said spindle, and means including centrifugal means responsive to the rotational decelerating speed of said shaft for preventing operation of said spindle indexing means until such speed falls to a predetermined level.

Claim 84

In a machine tool having a spindle, the improvement which comprises a tool rack having a plurality of tool stations for storing a plurality of working tools severally adapted for drive connection to said spindle, means mounting said rack for rotation about a fixed axis generally parallel to that of said spindle and radially spaced therefrom, a transfer arm pivotable about an axis radially spaced from but generally parallel to the rack and spindle axes between a first angular position adjacent said rack and a second angular position adjacent said spindle, means mounting said arm for such pivotal movement only between said angular positions as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said angular positions, means mounting said arm for translation axially of said axes only between a first axial position axially adjacent said rack and spindle and a second axial position axially remote from said rack and spindle as limits without stopping in moving from one to the other of said axial positions, a working tool grasper arranged on said arm for extension and retraction relative thereto and arranged to exert a prehensile grip only when said arm is in said second axial position but not when in said first axial position said arm when carrying a working tool carrying only a single working tool and removing a working tool from said spindle and returning it to said rack before said rack is rotated to present another working tool to said arm for pickup thereby and transfer to said spindle, a drive shaft for said spindle, means for indexing said spindle, and means including centrifugal means responsive to the rotational decelerating speed of said shaft for preventing operation of said spindle indexing means until such speed falls to a predetermined level.

Claim 85

A machine tool according to claim 69, further comprising a gear shifter assembly in the drive for said spindle shiftable into a neutral condition and having a control shaft rotatable to shift said assembly, sand means for rotating said shaft to shift said assembly into said neutral condition before said indexing means is operated.