US3877322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indexer with diaphragm type disc brake
Assignee: Kennametal Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-01
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An indexer comprising a housing having an indexing spindle journalled therein in preloaded bearings and adapted to mount thereon a work holding chuck or fixture, the spindle having the radially inner portion of an axially flexible disc brake element or diaphragm affixed thereto, and the housing having a fluid pressure actuated ring non-rotatably but axially movable secured to the housing which axially flexes the radially outer portion of the disc into frictional engagement between the ring and said housing thus to securely lock the spindle in each of its indexed positions to prevent imposition of radial load on the spindle bearings and torque load on the locking pin of the indexing mechanism during the machining of a workpiece held by the chuck or fixture. The indexer herein is further characterized in the provision of a sealing ring in the chamber between preloaded spindle bearings, said sealing ring having an axial passage therethrough which intercommunicates the bearing chambers with a source of lubricant and having a radial passage for conducting fluid under pressure from the housing to the spindle for operation of a fluid pressure operated chuck on the spindle.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton L Benjamin
- 👤 David D Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:07
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/70; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/26; B23Q1/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/13; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1418; Y10T74/1424; Y10T74/1429; Y10T74/1453; Y10T74/1459; Y10T74/1465
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In an indexer of the type wherein a housing has a spindle journalled in axially spaced apart bearings and operatively connected at one end to an indexing mechanism in said housing for imparting rotary indexing movement to said spindle about its longitudinal axis and to a workpiece adapted to be mounted on the other end of said spindle, the improvement which comprises an annular laterally flexible brake disc having an inner peripheral portion non-rotatably and axially fixedly secured in coaxial relation to said spindle and having an outer peripheral portion axially adjacent to an annular portion of said housing; and a fluid pressure actuated ring axially movable with respect to said spindle to engage the outer peripheral portion of said disc to laterally flex said disc to frictionally engage said outer peripheral portion with said housing thus to prevent transmission of spindle torque and radial loads to said indexing mechanism and bearings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an indexer of the type wherein a housing has a spindle journalled in axially spaced apart bearings and operatively connected at one end to an indexing mechanism in said housing for imparting rotary indexing movement to said spindle about its longitudinal axis and to a workpiece adapted to be mounted on the other end of said spindle, the improvement which comprises an annular laterally flexible brake disc having an inner peripheral portion non-rotatably and axially fixedly secured in coaxial relation to said spindle and having an outer peripheral portion axially adjacent to an annular portion of said housing; and a fluid pressure actuated ring axially movable with respect to said spindle to engage the outer peripheral portion of said disc to laterally flex said disc to frictionally engage said outer peripheral portion with said housing thus to prevent transmission of spindle torque and radial loads to said indexing mechanism and bearings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The indexer of claim 1 wherein said disc has its inner peripheral portion integrally secured to a ring portion which is secured by screw means to a flange on said spindle; said fluid pressure actuated ring being engaged with said outer peripheral portion in radially spaced relation to said inner peripheral portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indexer of claim 2 wherein said fluid pressure actuated ring is axially slidable on the ring portion of said disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The indexer of claim 1 wherein a cylinder block is fixedly secured to said housing and defines therewith an annular cylinder chamber coaxially around said bearings; and wherein an annular piston in said chamber is actuated by fluid pressure and is operatively connected to said ring to axially move the latter thus to laterally flex said disc as aforesaid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
The indexer of claim 1 wherein said housing and said spindle define therebetween and between said bearings an annular chamber; and wherein an exteriorly and interiorly grooved sealing ring is disposed in said chamber in sealed engagement with the radially outer and inner walls thereof; said housing having a lubricant supply passage leading to said chamber between one bearing and said sealing ring; said housing further having a fluid pressure supply passage leading to the exterior groove of said sealing ring; said spindle having a passage leading to the interior groove of said sealing ring; said sealing ring having an axial passage therethrough for passage of lubricant to the other bearing and having a radial passage intercommunicating said grooves whereby fluid pressure in said housing passage is transmitted through said sealing ring to said spindle passage for actuating a fluid pressure actuated chuck or the like adapted to be mounted on said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The indexer of claim 1 wherein said bearings are preloaded; and wherein lateral flexing of the outer peripheral portion of said disc imposes an axial force on said inner peripheral portion thus to enhance such preloading while the outer peripheral portion is in frictional engagement with said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The indexer of claim 5 wherein a cylinder block is fixedly secured to said housing and defines therewith an annular cylinder chamber coaxially around said bearings, said cylinder block having another fluid pressure supply passage leading into said cylinder chamber; and wherein an annular piston in said chamber is actuated by fluid pressure from said another passage and is operatively connected to said fluid pressure actuated ring to axially move the latter thus to laterally flex said disc as aforesaid.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |