US3951273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable attachment for automating milling machines
Assignee: Allen Bradley Co LLC
•
Filing: 1974-01-24
•
Granted: 1976-04-20
•
Expires: 1994-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A portable bracket assembly capable of being attached to the spindle carriage of a milling machine. A self-contained indexing table and indexing means is located on the assembly together with a transfer arm having three degrees of freedom and articulated fingers for selecting a tool holder from the indexing table and inserting the selected tool holder into the spindle of the milling machine when operated in a first direction and reversing the sequence when operated in the opposite direction. The assembly attachment allows a numerical controlled milling machine to perform sequential operations on a work piece that requires the use of a plurality of different individual tools.
Inventors
- 👤 David Edward deCaussin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:59
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15713; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q16/06; B23Q3/1552; B23Q3/1554; B23Q2003/155404; B23Q2003/155407; B23Q2003/155411; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18296; Y10T74/18304; Y10T74/18312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
In combination, a transfer arm having three degrees of freedom and articulated fingers, a rotatable spiral fluted main drive cam having a plurality of flutes located within a cylinder which is connected to said arm and has means slidably engaged in said flutes, said cam being rotatable alternately in a first direction and then a second direction, and means to partially restrain said cylinder to cause said three degrees of movement of said arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
In combination, a transfer arm having three degrees of freedom and articulated fingers, a rotatable spiral fluted main drive cam having a plurality of flutes located within a cylinder which is connected to said arm and has means slidably engaged in said flutes, said cam being rotatable alternately in a first direction and then a second direction, and means to partially restrain said cylinder to cause said three degrees of movement of said arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A transfer arm according to claim 1 in which said cylinder is restrained to move in a first axial direction, then rotate and then move in the same axial direction for a given rotation of said main drive cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A transfer arm according to claim 1 in which said cylinder is restrained by an external cam and cam follower to move in a predetermined direction regardless of the rotation of said main drive cam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A transfer arm according to claim 1 which includes a fixed horizontal portion attached to the lower-most portion of said cylinder and a rotatable portion having articulated fingers at one end and rotatably mounted to said fixed horizontal portion at the other end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A transfer arm according to claim 4 in which said rotatable portion contains a spiral fluted shaft inserted within said fixed horizontal portion and in which a split piston centrally located within said fixed horizontal portion has a plurality of fixed members mating with said fluted shaft at one end and is adapted to be moved axially by cam follower at the other end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transfer arm according to claim 5 which includes a straight fluted shaft mechanically coupled to said main drive cam at one end for rotational movement and at the other end attached to a rotatable cam coupled to said cam follower for moving said split piston in an axial direction thereby rotating said articulated fingers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transfer arm according to claim 6 in which said straight fluted shaft is geared to run at substantially three times the rotational speed of said main drive cam.
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) | 1979-04-20 | 1979-10-20 | 1980-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-20 | 1983-10-20 | 1984-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-20 | 1987-10-20 | 1988-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |