US3851380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine tool with tool module storage and changing means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-13
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A machine tool is provided with a polygonal storage magazine which is mounted on and rotatable about a horizontal pivot provided by a frame. The storage magazine has a plurality of axial guide ways on the periphery thereof, each of the guide ways slidably carrying in a queue line a plurality of tool modules to be used in a rotatable spindle in sequence to perform a number of different machining operations on a workpiece. A first transfer means conveys a new tool module from the storage magazine for use in the spindle, while a second transfer means conveys another tool module which has just been used by the spindle back to the storage magazine. An index device rotatably indexes the storage magazine so as to connect a selected guide way to the first and the second transfer means in the same plane. A feed device operates to feed the new tool module from the front or beginning of the queue line to the first transfer means and immediately to also feed the used tool module from the second transfer means to the end of the queue line.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kurimoto
- 👤 Y Ochiai
- 👤 K Nomura
- 👤 T Inagaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:50
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q2003/1558; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1736; Y10T483/1738; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/1752; Y10T483/1755; Y10T483/1757; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1873; Y10T483/1882
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A machine tool, comprising: a column; a housing slidably mounted on said column, said housing having a rotatable spindle; a frame providing a horizontal pivot; a polygonal storage magazine mounted rotatably about said horizontal pivot and having a plurality of axial guide ways on the periphery thereof, each of said guide ways slidably carrying in a queue line a plurality of tool modules to perform a number of different machining operations on a workpiece; a first transfer means located between one side of said polygonal storage magazine and said column for conveying a new tool module from said storage magazine for use at said rotatable spindle; a second transfer means located between another side of said storage magazine and said column for conveying a tool module which has just been used at said rotatable spindle back to said storage magazine; an index means for rotatably indexing said polygonal storage magazine so as to connect a selected guide way to said first and said second transfer means at both ends thereof; a feed means mounted on said frame for feeding said new tool module from the front of said queue line on said selected guide way to said first transfer means and immediately to feed said used tool module from said second transfer means to the end of said queue line; and a changing means mounted on said column to remove said used tool module from said rotatable spindle and immediately to move said new tool module to said rotatable spindle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A machine tool, comprising: a column; a housing slidably mounted on said column, said housing having a rotatable spindle; a frame providing a horizontal pivot; a polygonal storage magazine mounted rotatably about said horizontal pivot and having a plurality of axial guide ways on the periphery thereof, each of said guide ways slidably carrying in a queue line a plurality of tool modules to perform a number of different machining operations on a workpiece; a first transfer means located between one side of said polygonal storage magazine and said column for conveying a new tool module from said storage magazine for use at said rotatable spindle; a second transfer means located between another side of said storage magazine and said column for conveying a tool module which has just been used at said rotatable spindle back to said storage magazine; an index means for rotatably indexing said polygonal storage magazine so as to connect a selected guide way to said first and said second transfer means at both ends thereof; a feed means mounted on said frame for feeding said new tool module from the front of said queue line on said selected guide way to said first transfer means and immediately to feed said used tool module from said second transfer means to the end of said queue line; and a changing means mounted on said column to remove said used tool module from said rotatable spindle and immediately to move said new tool module to said rotatable spindle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine tool according to claim 1, wherein each tool module has tool spindles extending therefrom in a first direction perpendicular to the transfer direction thereof and an input shaft extending in a second direction thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
A machine tool according to claim 2, further comprising: a first turning platform mounted between said first transfer means and said changing means for positioning said new tool module with said input shaft thereof being disposed parallel to said rotatable spindle, whereby said new tool module may be moved along a line parallel to said input shaft and toward said rotatable spindle by said changing means; and a second turning platform mounted between said changing means and said second transfer means for positioning said used tool module with said input shaft thereof being disposed perpendicular to said rotatable spindle, whereby said used tool module may be moved along said line in the opposite direction and thereafter conveyed by said second transfer means back to said storage magazine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine tool according to claim 3, further comprising: a clamp means mounted on said housing for clamping said tool module to said housing; and a clutch means driven by said clamp means for causing said input shaft to cOme into driving engagement with said rotatable spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A machine tool according to claim 3, wherein said changing means comprises: a transfer rod slidably mounted on said column; a pair of spaced pawls pivoted on said transfer rod for engaging said new tool module on said first platform and said used tool module on said housing respectively; and an actuator for axially moving said transfer rod to feed said new tool module to said rotatable spindle and simultaneously to feed said used tool module to said second platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |