US3911540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool interchange system with break-away shoes
Assignee: Giddings and Lewis LLC
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Filing: 1973-03-16
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1993-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A machine tool having automatic tool changing apparatus including a tool storage magazine formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced socket recesses each having a generally U-shaped tool support shoe that is adapted to be broken away from the magazine to prevent damage to the tool changing apparatus in the event of unintended overtravel of the tool transfer mechanism at the magazine during a tool change operation. Limit switch means are provided for interrupting the feed drive of the machine in the event of such unintended overtravel of the tool transfer mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl E Johnson
- 👤 Calvin Gladoske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:03
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15713; B23Q3/1572; B23Q3/15722; B23Q3/15506; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/11; Y10T483/13; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A tool interchange system for a machine tool comprising a. a tool storage magazine formed with at least one socket recess, b. tool support means within each socket recess for removably receiving and supporting a tool, c. tool engaging means for engaging a tool held by said tool support means, removing said tool from said magazine for use in a machining operation, and returning the tool to said magazine upon completion of a machining operation, and d. yieldable and frangible connecting means for securing said tool support means within each socket recess, said connecting means when subjected to a force having a yielding point below that of said tool support means and said magazine for permitting said tool support means to be moved relative to said socket recess in the event of unintended overtravel of said tool engaging means during a tool removal or return operation prior to said tool engaging means exerting a force on said tool support means of a magnitude that would damage said magazine or tool engaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A tool interchange system for a machine tool comprising a. a tool storage magazine formed with at least one socket recess, b. tool support means within each socket recess for removably receiving and supporting a tool, c. tool engaging means for engaging a tool held by said tool support means, removing said tool from said magazine for use in a machining operation, and returning the tool to said magazine upon completion of a machining operation, and d. yieldable and frangible connecting means for securing said tool support means within each socket recess, said connecting means when subjected to a force having a yielding point below that of said tool support means and said magazine for permitting said tool support means to be moved relative to said socket recess in the event of unintended overtravel of said tool engaging means during a tool removal or return operation prior to said tool engaging means exerting a force on said tool support means of a magnitude that would damage said magazine or tool engaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 in which said connecting means is yieldable when subjected to forces substantially greater than the forces exerted during the normal removal and return of a tool at said magazine to permit said tool support means to be broken away from said socket recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The tool interchange system of claim 2 in which said tool engaging means is movable in a vertical direction relative to said tool storage magazine for engaging a tool in said magazine and is movable in a lateral direction relative to the magazine for returning a tool to said magazine, and said connecting means releases said shoe from said magazine socket in the event of unintentional overtravel of said engaging means relative to said magazine in either said horizontal or vertical directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The tool interchange system of claim 3 in which said connecting means is a plurality of lugs each secured at opposite ends between said shoe and said magazine, said lugs having sufficient strength to withstand forces exerted on said shoe during the normal removal and return of a tool at said magazine but insufficient strength to withstand substantially greater forces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tool interchange system of claim 4 in which relatively small screws secure said lugs to said shoes and magazine, and said screws have sufficient strength to withstand forces exerted on said shoes during the normal removal and return of a tool at said magazine but insufficient strength to withstand substantially greater forces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 in which said connecting means are deflectable to permit limited movement of said tool support means relative to said socket without disengagement from said socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 in which said socket recesses each are generally U-shaped and said tool support means is a generally U-shaped shoe having a pair of outwardly extending legs and a curved rear portion, said shoes each being supported within said socket recess so that said legs are in close relation to the sides of said recess and said curved shoe portion is spaced a distance from the end of said recess so as to permit either vertical or lateral movement of said shoe relative to said magazine upon overtravel of said tool engaging means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The tool interchange system of claim 7 in which each said tool comprises a cutting member and a tool adapter, said tool adapter being formed with an annular slot about its outer periphery and supported in said magazine with said shoe engaging said annular slot, and said shoes each having spring loaded plungers supported within the legs thereof for releasably engaging and retaining a tool adapter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The tool interchange system of claim 7 in which each said tool comprises a cutting member and a tool adapter and the tool adapter of each tool is formed with a guide notch, and each said shoe has a key centrally located on its rear curved portion for engaging the notch of a tool adapter that is returned to said magazine to angularly orient said adapter into predetermined relation relative to said magazine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tool interchange system of claim 9 in which the outer ends of said shoe legs are formed with tapered surfaces for guiding a tool adapter being returned to said magazine into position in said shoe, and said shoe key is formed with beveled surfaces for camming said tool adapter into final angular relation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 including means for automatically stopping the operation of said machine tool in the event of unintended overtravel of said tool engaging means relative to said magazine during the removal or return of a tool at said magazine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
The tool interchange system of claim 11 in which said tool engaging means is movable in a vertical direction relative to said tool storage magazine for engaging a tool in said magazine and is movable in a lateral direction relative to the magazine for returning a tool to said magazine, and said stopping means includes a first limit switch which is activated by movement of said tool engaging means beyond a predetermined point relative to said magazine in a horizontal direction and a second limit switch which is activated by movement of said tool engaging means in a vertical direction beyond a second predetermined position relative to said magazine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 in which said tool engaging means is a tool supporting ram of a vertical lathe, said magazine being rotatably mounted about a vertical axis, and said ram being supported for vertical and horizontal movement relative to said magazine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tool interchange system of claim 1 in which said magazine is mounted for rotational movement and has a plurality of said socket recesses circumferentially spaced about its periphery.
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) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |