US3880048A — Apparatus for cutting irregular edge contours in …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 363 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, D. a rotary work holder holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder including 1. a vertically oriented body member, 2. a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface lying in a plane for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and 3. vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 363 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, D. a rotary work holder holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder including 1. a vertically oriented body member, 2. a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface lying in a plane for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and 3. vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface lying in a plane for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 53 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface lying in a plane for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vacuum means comprises a suction disc positioned within an aperture formed in said template with the upper surface of said suction disc being contiguous with the upper surface of said template, and conduit means including a rotary joint for connecting said suction disc with a source of vacuum while said work holder is rotating.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 112 words

wherein said first supporting means carrying said second supporting means and said work holder is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said cutting tool holding device, and E. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 112 words

wherein said first supporting means carrying said second supporting means and said work holder is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said cutting tool holding device, and E. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 49 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 154 words

means adjustably carried by said second horizontal supporting arm in spaced relation with said vertical column for supporting said work holder for rotation about said central vertical axis of said work holder, said work holder being located on said second horizontal arm such that said template is in juxtaposition with a cutting tool held by said holding device as aforesaid and with said means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 154 words

means adjustably carried by said second horizontal supporting arm in spaced relation with said vertical column for supporting said work holder for rotation about said central vertical axis of said work holder, said work holder being located on said second horizontal arm such that said template is in juxtaposition with a cutting tool held by said holding device as aforesaid and with said means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 49 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

a template carried by the upper end of said body member and having a flat upper surface for supporting the piece of sheet material to be cut and having an outer edge which defines a predetermined configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut, and

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 136 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means comprising means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation abOut a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, said last named means comprising

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 136 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means comprising means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation abOut a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, said last named means comprising

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 146 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material seCured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, said last named means comprising

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 146 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material seCured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, said last named means comprising

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 224 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 224 words

vacuum means disposed adjacent said upper end of said body member and being adjacent to and lying parallel to said plane and operable through said template on the undersurface of a piece of sheet material supported by said template for releasably securing the piece of sheet material to said upper surface of said template, E. means for supporting said work holder at a lower elevation than said cutting tool holding device such that said template with a piece of sheet material secured thereon is in operative association with a cutting tool held by said holding device, said supporting means including means for movably supporting said work holder for simultaneous rotation about a central axis of said work holder and for translation relative to said cutting tool holding device in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said work holder, and F. means disposed adjacent said cutting tool holding device and operatively associated with said outer edge of said template for determining the extent and direction of translational movement of said template in accordance with the configuration of said outer edge of said template, whereby, by a combination of rotary and translational movement of said work holder, said template is moved along the cutting tool and the sheet material is cut along a contour as determined by said outer edge of said template.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 79 words

A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body member is a spindle freely rotatably mounted on said work holder supporting means, and wherein said conduit means is disposed partly within said rotary spindle and said rotary joint is mounted on the lower end of said spindle, said conduit means communicating between said suction disc and an external source of suction whereby suction is applied to said suction disc while said disc and said template are rotating.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 110 words

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said cutting tool holding device comprises a vertical column and a horizontal arm fixedly connected to said vertical column, said cutting tool holding device and said driving means therefor being mounted on said horizontal arm adjacent the free end thereof, and wherein said work holder supporting means comprises a first supporting means mounted for linear reciprocatory movement toward and away from said cutting tool holding device and a second supporting means mounted on said first supporting means for rotary movement about the central axis of said second supporting means, said second supporting means supporting said work holder.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 70 words

A machine as set forth in claim 4 further including drive means engaged with said work holder for rotating said work holder on said second supporting means And moving said first and second supporting means linearly toward and away from said cutting tool holding device from a work loading position to a work cutting position and back respectively at the commencement and termination of a cutting cycle of said machine.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 138 words

A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said guide means of said work holder comprises a template secured to said second supporting means and having a flat upper surface for supporting the piece of sheet material, the template having an outer edge which defines a predetermined irregular configuration to which the piece of sheet material is to be cut and further having a depending flange surrounding said outer edge, and wherein said drive means includes a first driving device engageable with said flange for moving said flange past said first driving device to thereby rotate said template and a second driving device connected to said first driving device for moving the latter toward and away from said cutting tool holding device to thereby move said template linearly toward and away from said cutting tool holding device.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 85 words

A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first driving device comprises a pair of rollers disposed on opposite sides of said flange in tight frictional engagement therewith, said rollers being mounted on a block which is pivotally mounted on a bar movable between two limit positions corresponding to said loading and cutting positions of said work holder, and means for driving one of said rollers when said bar is in said limit position corresponding to said cutting position of said work holder.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 48 words

A machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said last named means comprises a driven gear coaxially mounted with one of said rollers and engageable with a fixed driving gear when said bar is in said limit position corresponding to said cutting position of said work holder.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 64 words

A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second driving device comprises means for moving said bar between said limit positions to thereby move said template between said cutting and loading positions and to cause engagement and disengagement of said driven gear with said driving gear respectively to stop rotation of said template when said template is not in said cutting position.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 119 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, said means comprising a vertical column and a first horizontal arm adjustably fixedly connected to said vertical column, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, said cutting tool holding device and said driving means therefor being mounted on said first horizontal arm in spaced relation with said vertical column, D. a rotary work holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder comprising

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 119 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, said means comprising a vertical column and a first horizontal arm adjustably fixedly connected to said vertical column, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, said cutting tool holding device and said driving means therefor being mounted on said first horizontal arm in spaced relation with said vertical column, D. a rotary work holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder comprising

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 61 words

A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vertically oriented body member comprises a rotary spindle mounted on said means carried by said second horizontal arm in the location aforesaid for rotation about the central vertical axis of said spindle, said spindle having means for connecting said template and said vacuum means to the upper end of said spindle.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 43 words

A machine as set forth in claim 11 further including handle means connected to said spindle for manually moving said second horizontal arm in a back and forth pivotal movement about said vertical column and for independently rotating said spindle about its axis.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 102 words

A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first support means comprises a pair of rails mounted on said machine and extending longitudinally toward and away from said cutting tool holding device, and an elongate member extending transversely across said rails and including means providing for movement of said elongate member on said rails, and wherein said second supporting means comprises a rotary spindle mounted on said elongate member for rotation about the central vertical axis of said spindle, said spindle having means for connecting said guide means and said releasable securing means to the upper end of said spindle.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 77 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, D. a rotary work holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder including

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 77 words

A machine for cutting irregular shapes in relatively flat sheet material comprising: A. a cutting tool holding device adapted to removably hold a cutting tool, B. means for supporting said cutting tool holding device in a fixed predetermined position, C. means for driving said cutting tool holding device while the latter is supported in said fixed predetermined position, D. a rotary work holder for supporting a piece of sheet material to be cut, said work holder including

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-04-28	1978-10-28	1979-04-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-04-28	1982-10-28	1983-04-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-04-28	1986-10-28	1987-04-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for cutting irregular edge contours in relatively flat workpieces

Abstract

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