US3989405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool feeding device having signal control feed clutch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-03
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A tool spindle is rotatably driven by a drive motor with the spindle being mounted axially movable in a feed and retraction stroke. The drive motor also rotates a lead screw through a drive train with the lead screw moving the spindle in the feed stroke upon engagement of nuts therewith and permitting spring retraction of the spindle in the retraction stroke when the nuts are disengaged therefrom. A clutch in the drive train transmits a normal rotational force therethrough to the lead screw during a normal tool feed stroke, but disengages and interrupts normal rotational forces therethrough upon an abnormal resistance to the normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through the lead screw to the clutch. Such abnormal resistance to the tool feed stroke could result from a selectively preset stop or an unforeseen obstruction or a tool dulled beyond proper use. Furthermore, upon disengagement, the clutch automatically actuates a valve disengaging the nuts from the lead screw and permitting spring retraction of the tool spindle in its retraction stroke.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Quackenbush
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D7/00; F16D7/04; F16D7/042; F16D7/044; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q11/00; B23Q11/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/16; Y10T408/17; Y10T408/172; Y10T408/173; Y10T408/65; Y10T408/675; Y10T408/6771
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
In a tool feeding device for feeding a constantly rotating tool in feed and retraction strokes, said tool being of the type having cooperable lead screw and nuts operably connected moving said tool without regard to said tool constant rotation in said feed stroke during lead screw and nut relative rotation therebetween and at least permitting movement of said tool still without regard to said tool constant rotation in said retraction stroke upon lead screw and nut lack of relative rotation therebetween, the combination of: drive means operable for producing driving rotation; drive train means operably connected to said drive means and operably connected transmitting rotation to said lead screw and nut for producing said relative rotation in carrying out a normal tool feed stroke, said drive train means rotation transmission to said lead screw and nut being independant of any rotation transmission to said tool; rotatable clutch means in said drive train means operably connected transmitting normal rotational forces therethrough for said lead screw and nut relative rotation in said normal tool feed stroke and therefore normal tool axial feed thrust in said normal tool feed stroke, said clutch means comprising a rotatable clutch member automatically retained in an engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and automatically moving axially to a disengaged position interrupting said clutch means normal rotational force transmission upon an abnormal axial thrust resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means tending to abnormally resist rotation transmission through said clutch means; signal means movable between first and second control positions operably connected to said clutch means moving from said first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
In a tool feeding device for feeding a constantly rotating tool in feed and retraction strokes, said tool being of the type having cooperable lead screw and nuts operably connected moving said tool without regard to said tool constant rotation in said feed stroke during lead screw and nut relative rotation therebetween and at least permitting movement of said tool still without regard to said tool constant rotation in said retraction stroke upon lead screw and nut lack of relative rotation therebetween, the combination of: drive means operable for producing driving rotation; drive train means operably connected to said drive means and operably connected transmitting rotation to said lead screw and nut for producing said relative rotation in carrying out a normal tool feed stroke, said drive train means rotation transmission to said lead screw and nut being independant of any rotation transmission to said tool; rotatable clutch means in said drive train means operably connected transmitting normal rotational forces therethrough for said lead screw and nut relative rotation in said normal tool feed stroke and therefore normal tool axial feed thrust in said normal tool feed stroke, said clutch means comprising a rotatable clutch member automatically retained in an engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and automatically moving axially to a disengaged position interrupting said clutch means normal rotational force transmission upon an abnormal axial thrust resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means tending to abnormally resist rotation transmission through said clutch means; signal means movable between first and second control positions operably connected to said clutch means moving from said first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said signal means is operably connected to said clutch member of said clutch means movable directly by said clutch member from said first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said signal means is operably connected to said clutch member of said clutch means movable axially directly by said clutch member from said first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for controlling said lead screw and nut relative rotation and lack thererof; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for controlling said lead screw and nut relative rotation and lack thereof; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said control means, said fluid directing means being operably connected to said clutch member of said clutch means movable directly by said clutch member from said signal means first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for controlling said lead screw and nut relative rotation and lack thereof; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said control means, said fluid directing means being operably connected to said clutch member of said clutch means and being directly axially movable from said signal means first to said second control position upon said clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means between said first and second clutch members engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means generally axially between and projecting generally axially from each of said first and second clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch member in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement means angled surfaces riding one up on the other moving said clutch members axially apart and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means projecting generally axially from each of said clutch members generally axially between said clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement means angled surfaces riding up on each other moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially away from its engaged position with said second clutch member and to its disengaged position, retention means including an axially reacting compression spring against said first clutch member normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and compressing permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means between said first and second clutch members engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged portion interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; and in which said signal means is operably connected to said first clutch member of said clutch means movable directly by said first clutch member from said first to said second control position upon said first clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means generally axially between and projecting generally axially from each of said first and second clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement angled surfaces riding one up on the other moving said clutch members axially apart and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; and in which said signal means is operably connected to said first clutch member of said clutch means movable axially directly by said first clutch member from said first to said second control position upon said first clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
287 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means projecting generally axially from each of said clutch members generally axially between said clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement means angled surfaces riding up on each other moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially away from its engaged position with said second clutch member and to its disengaged position, retention means including an axially reacting compression spring against said first clutch member normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and compressing permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for engaging and disengaging said nuts from said lead screw; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said control means, said means being operably connected to said first clutch member of said clutch means movable axially directly by said first clutch member from said signal means first to said second control position upon said first clutch member moving axially from said engaged to said disengaged position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for engaging and disengaging said nuts from said lead screw, said control means including cam means acting against said nuts and movable between nut engaged and disengaged positions, fluid cylinder means for urging said cam means between its positions; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said fluid cylinder means of said control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means between said first and second clutch members engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for engaging and disengaging said nuts from said lead screw, said control means including cam means acting against said nuts and movable between nut disengaged positions, fluid cylinder means for urging said cam means between its positions; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said fluid cylinder means of said control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
261 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means generally axially between and projecting generally axially from each of said first and second clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement means angled surfaces riding one up on the other moving said clutch members axially apart and moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially to its disengaged position, retention means normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for engaging and disengaging said nuts from said lead screw, said control means including cam means acting against said nuts and movable between nut engaged and disengaged positions, fluid cylinder means for urging said cam means between its positions; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said fluid cylinder means of said control means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
275 words
In a tool feeding device as defined in claim 1 in which said clutch member of said clutch means is a first rotatable clutch member and said clutch means includes a second rotatable clutch member axially facing said first clutch member, engagement means projecting generally axially from each of said clutch members generally axially between said clutch members having angled surfaces axially and circumferentially engaged transmitting rotation between said clutch members in said first clutch member engaged position, said engagement means angled surfaces riding up on each other moving said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position interrupting transmission of rotation between said clutch members upon said first clutch member being permitted to move axially away from its engaged position with said second clutch member and to its disengaged position, retention means including an axially reacting compression spring against said first clutch member normally retaining said first clutch member in its engaged position during said clutch means normal rotational force transmission and compressing permitting movement of said first clutch member axially to its disengaged position as forced by said engagement means upon said abnormal resistance to said normal tool feed stroke reacting reversely through said lead screw and nut to said clutch means; in which fluid actuated control means is operably connected for engaging and disengaging said nuts from said lead screw, said control means including cam means acting against said nuts and movable between nut engaged and disengaged positions, fluid cylinder means for urging said cam means between its positions; and in which said signal means includes a fluid directing means controlling fluid flow to said fluid cylinder means of said control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1950509A
Cited
US2418220A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |