Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A workpiece positioning table comprising in combination: a generally channel-shaped base member having a bottom web element and a pair of laterally spaced side wall elements projecting upwardly therefrom, at least one of said side wall elements being pre-tensioned under the influence of a predetermined load so as to provide a spring force tending to flex said side wall element inwardly towards the other of said side wall elements; a V-shaped notch formed in the inner face of each of said side wall elements at a location above said bottom web element and in vertically aligned relation, said notches extending lengthwise of the respective side walls; an elongated carriage member carried by said side wall elements for reciprocatory movement therealong, a V-shaped notch formed in each of the longitudinally extending outer edges of said carriage extending lengthwise of said respective outer edges; sets of cross-mounted roller elements positioned within the adjacently aligned V-notches of said carriage and base members so as to rollably mount said carriage on the side walls of said base member; means for reciprocably moving said carriage member; and means for determining the extent of linear movement of said carriage member; whereby the pre-tensioning force of said at least one side wall element is sufficient to maintain said carriage member in aligned mounted relation on said side wall elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A workpiece positioning table comprising in combination: a generally channel-shaped base member having a bottom web element and a pair of laterally spaced side wall elements projecting upwardly therefrom, at least one of said side wall elements being pre-tensioned under the influence of a predetermined load so as to provide a spring force tending to flex said side wall element inwardly towards the other of said side wall elements; a V-shaped notch formed in the inner face of each of said side wall elements at a location above said bottom web element and in vertically aligned relation, said notches extending lengthwise of the respective side walls; an elongated carriage member carried by said side wall elements for reciprocatory movement therealong, a V-shaped notch formed in each of the longitudinally extending outer edges of said carriage extending lengthwise of said respective outer edges; sets of cross-mounted roller elements positioned within the adjacently aligned V-notches of said carriage and base members so as to rollably mount said carriage on the side walls of said base member; means for reciprocably moving said carriage member; and means for determining the extent of linear movement of said carriage member; whereby the pre-tensioning force of said at least one side wall element is sufficient to maintain said carriage member in aligned mounted relation on said side wall elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein said base and carriage members are formed of a nodular cast iron and each of said V-notches has been heat-treated to a hardness greater than the hardness of the adjacent surfaces of said carriage and base members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A positioning table according to claim 2, wherein said V-notches have a hardness of at least Rc 55.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein first and second sets of cross-mounted roller elements are positioned within the adjacently aligned V-notches of said carriage and base members, said first set of roller elements comprising a plurality of rollers disposed such that the axes thereof are substantially perpendicular to one pair of opposed parallel faces of the respective V-notches of said carriage and base members, said second set of roller elements comprising a plurality of rollers disposed such that the axes thereof are substantially perpendicular to the other pair of opposed parallel faces of the respective V-notches of said carriage and base members, the rollers of said first set being interposed between the adjacent rollers of said second set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein said means for reciprocably moving said carriage member includes a drive screw mounted on said base member, a nut element cooperable with said drive screw mounted on said carriage member, and motor means operatively connected to said drive screw for driving same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein said means for determining the extent of linear movement of said carriage member includes an optical encoder scale carried by said carriage member for movement therewith and in depending relation thereto, an optical encoder being mounted fixedly and adapted to read said scale and provide a signal representative of the linear movement of said carriage member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein said one side wall element is pre-loaded in an amount of approximately 100 pounds per 12 inch lineal section thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A positioning table according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional base member and associated carriage member reciprocably carried thereon is mounted on the table for movement therewith, said additional carriage member being reciprocable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the underlying carriage member.