US4125932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple spindle machine tool
Assignee: Kearney and Trecker Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-20
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Granted: 1978-11-21
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Expires: 1997-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of multiple spindle toolheads are stored in a carousel-type toolhead magazine on top of a machine tool which includes a toolhead driver for driving any selected one of the toolheads. The toolhead driver is mounted for movement along a Z axis toward and away from a worktable. A rotary toolhead changer arm for transferring toolheads from the toolhead magazine to the toolhead driver and vice versa is mounted on the machine for rotation about an axis which is inclined at an angle of 45° to the Z axis. The toolhead changer arm has two diametrically opposed ends which are each inclined at an angle of 45° to the rotary axis of the toolhead changer arm. Clamps are mounted on both ends of the toolhead changer arm for clamping toolheads thereto. When the toolhead changer arm is rotated through 180°, one end moves a toolhead from a position adjacent to the toolhead driver to a position adjacent to the toolhead magazine while the other end moves a toolhead from a position adjacent to the toolhead magazine to a position adjacent to the toolhead driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Ervin J. Kielma
- 👤 Albin J. Schabowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:35
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q2003/1558; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1736; Y10T483/1738; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/1752; Y10T483/1755; Y10T483/1757
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
A multiple spindle machine tool comprising: a plurality of multiple spindle toolheads; a toolhead magazine for storing said toolheads;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multiple spindle machine tool comprising: a plurality of multiple spindle toolheads; a toolhead magazine for storing said toolheads;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
a worktable; a toolhead driver having means for receiving and driving any selected one of said toolheads, means supporting said toolhead driver for movement along a first axis toward and away from said worktable; and a rotary toolhead changer arm, toolhead shifter means positioned between said toolhead magazine and said toolhead changer arm for shifting said toolheads from said toolhead magazine to said toolhead changer arm and vice versa, said toolhead changer arm having means for transferring toolheads from said toolhead shifter means to said toolhead driver and vice versa, said toolhead changer arm being journalled to a frame for rotation about a second axis which is inclined at an angle of 45° to said first axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
a worktable; a toolhead driver having means for receiving and driving any selected one of said toolheads, means supporting said toolhead driver for movement along a first axis toward and away from said worktable; and a rotary toolhead changer arm, toolhead shifter means positioned between said toolhead magazine and said toolhead changer arm for shifting said toolheads from said toolhead magazine to said toolhead changer arm and vice versa, said toolhead changer arm having means for transferring toolheads from said toolhead shifter means to said toolhead driver and vice versa, said toolhead changer arm being journalled to a frame for rotation about a second axis which is inclined at an angle of 45° to said first axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 wherein said toolhead changer arm has two diametrically opposed ends which are each inclined at an angle of 45° to the rotary axis of said toolhead changer arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 and also comprising: a ring gear on said toolhead changer arm; a pinion gear journalled to said frame and engaging said ring gear; a bevel gear set coupled to said pinion gear; a spiroid gear set coupled to said bevel gear set; and a motor coupled to said spiroid gear set to cause rotation of said toolhead changer arm about its rotary axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 and also comprising: clamp means on both ends of said toolhead changer arm for clamping a toolhead thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The machine tool according to claim 4 wherein each of said clamp means comprises: a shaft journalled to an end of said toolhead changer arm, there being right hand threads on one end of said shaft and left hand threads on the other end thereof; a first clamp member having a threaded socket which is engaged with one threaded end of said shaft; a second clamp member having a threaded socket which is engaged with the other threaded end of said shaft; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for rotating said shaft to spread said clamp members apart or draw them together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for rotating said shaft to spread said clamp members apart or draw them together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine tool according to claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said shaft comprises: a first worm gear on said shaft; a second worm gear journalled to said end of said toolhead changer arm and engaging said first worm gear; and a motor coupled to said second worm gear for rotating it in either direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 and also including clamp means for clamping said toolhead to said toolhead driver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
The machine tool according to claim 7 wherein said clamp means comprises four clamping assemblies each located on a corresponding corner of said toolhead driver, each of said clamping assemblies comprising: a lug rotatably mounted on said toolhead driver; a pinion gear coupled to said lug; a rack slidably mounted on said toolhead driver and engaging said pinion gear; means for sliding said rack back and forth to cause rotation of said lug; a shaft extending transversely from said lug; a cam slot in said shaft; a wedge slidably mounted on said toolhead driver and engaging said cam slot; and means for sliding said wedge back and forth in said cam slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The machine tool according to claim 8 wherein said means for sliding said rack back and forth is a first hydraulic cylinder and wherein said means for sliding said wedge back and forth is a second hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 wherein said toolhead magazine and said toolhead changer arm are mounted on a frame which is supported in an elevated position above toolhead driver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The machine tool according to claim 1 wherein said toolhead shifter means comprises: a pair of horizontal rails mounted on said frame in position to receive a toolhead from either said toolhead magazine or said toolhead changer arm; means on said rail for slidably receiving said toolhead; means for raising and lowering said rails; and means for sliding said toolhead back and forth along said rails.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
122 words
The machine tool according to claim 11 wherein said means for raising and lowering said rails comprises: a pair of vertical arms supporting said rails; a rack gear on each of said vertical arms; a first shaft journalled to said frame transverse to said vertical arms adjacent to said rack gears; a pair of pinion gears on said shaft, each pinion gear being meshed with a corresponding one of said rack gears; a second shaft slidably mounted on said frame adjacent to one of said pinion gears; a second rack gear on said second shaft, said second rack gear being meshed with the adjacent pinion gear; and means for moving said second shaft back and forth to raise and lower said rails.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The machine tool according to claim 11 wherein said means for sliding said toolhead back and forth along said rails comprises: a carriage slidably mounted between said rails for movement along an axis parallel to said rails; means on said carriage for selectively engaging said toolhead; and means for moving said carriage back and forth along said axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
The machine tool according to claim 13 wherein said means for selectively engaging said toolhead comprises: a vertical pin slidably mounted on said carriage for upward and downward movement along a vertical axis; a first rack gear on said pin; a pinion gear rotatably mounted on said carriage in mesh with said first rack gear; a shaft slidably mounted on said carriage adjacent to said pinion gear; a second rack gear on said shaft in mesh with said pinion gear; and means for moving said shaft back and forth to raise and lower said pin.
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) | 1981-11-20 | 1982-05-22 | 1982-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-20 | 1986-05-22 | 1986-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-20 | 1990-05-22 | 1990-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |