US3978745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Numerically controlled automatic lathe
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-09-25
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A tool actuating mechanism in which first and second main cam shafts are driven by first and second numerically controlled drive means, respectively, and at least one auxiliary cam shaft is selectively engageable with one of the first and second main cam shafts by a clutch means. A plurality of master cams are carried on the first, second and auxiliary cam shafts and a plurality of connecting mechanisms including actuators are associated with the master cams, respectively. The clutch means and the actuators are operable to transmit the motions of selected ones of the master cams carried on the first, second and auxiliary cam shafts to selected ones of a plurality of tool holders, whereby the selected ones of the tool holders are allowed to be concurrently fed toward a workpiece by the first and second drive means at given feed rates.
Inventors
- 👤 Shouichi Okamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:49
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23B; B23B7/00; B23B7/02; B23B7/06; B23Q; B23Q5/00; B23Q5/22; B23Q5/34; B23Q5/341; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T82/00; Y10T82/13; Y10T82/135; Y10T82/25; Y10T82/2502; Y10T82/2514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe comprising, in combination: a headstock having a rotatable spindle to support a workpiece; a plurality of tool holding means movable toward and away from said workpiece; numerically controlled first and second drive means; a first main cam shaft drivably connected to said first drive means; a second main cam shaft drivably connected to said second drive means; at least one auxiliary cam shaft drivably connectable to one of said first and second main cam shafts; a plurality of master cams having uniform-motion cam lobes and carried on said first, second and auxiliary cam shafts; a plurality of connecting means connected to said plurality of tool holding means, respectively; first means for selectively providing drive connections between those of said plurality of master cams carried on said first and second main cam shafts and corresponding ones of said connecting means; and second means for selectively drivably connecting said auxiliary cam shaft to said one of first and second main cam shafts; said first and second means being operative to drivably connect selected ones of said plurality of master cams to corresponding ones of said plurality of tool holding means whereby selected ones of said plurality of tool holding means may be concurrently fed toward said workpiece at given feed rates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe comprising, in combination: a headstock having a rotatable spindle to support a workpiece; a plurality of tool holding means movable toward and away from said workpiece; numerically controlled first and second drive means; a first main cam shaft drivably connected to said first drive means; a second main cam shaft drivably connected to said second drive means; at least one auxiliary cam shaft drivably connectable to one of said first and second main cam shafts; a plurality of master cams having uniform-motion cam lobes and carried on said first, second and auxiliary cam shafts; a plurality of connecting means connected to said plurality of tool holding means, respectively; first means for selectively providing drive connections between those of said plurality of master cams carried on said first and second main cam shafts and corresponding ones of said connecting means; and second means for selectively drivably connecting said auxiliary cam shaft to said one of first and second main cam shafts; said first and second means being operative to drivably connect selected ones of said plurality of master cams to corresponding ones of said plurality of tool holding means whereby selected ones of said plurality of tool holding means may be concurrently fed toward said workpiece at given feed rates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, in which said first and second main cam shafts and said auxiliary cam shaft are disposed in concentric relationship with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for determining a predetermined angular position of said auxiliary cam shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, in which said headstock is operatively connected to numerically controlled feed means by which said headstock is horizontally movable along the axis of said spindle on a numericially controlled basis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, in which said first means includes electrically controlled actuators disposed between those of said plurality of master cams carried on said first and second main cam shafts and corresponding ones of said plurality of connecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, in which said second means includes clutch means for selectively drivably connecting said auxiliary cam shaft to said one of first and second main cam shafts, and electrically controlled actuators operatively connected to said clutch means for selectively engaging and disengaging said clutch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 6, in which said second means further includes at least one electrically controlled actuator disposed between at least one of said plurality of master cams carried on said auxiliary cam shaft and corresponding one of said plurality of connecting means and operative to selectively provide drive connection therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 6, in which each of said electrically controlled actuators includes a solenoid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A numerically controlled automatic lathe according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for determining predetermined angular positions of said first and second main cam shafts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |