Milling machine power feed

Claim 1

Power feed apparatus adapted for mounting on a milling machine having a movable table, means including a feed screw for moving said table parallel to the axis of said screw, and a drive gear mounted on one end of said feed screw, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted for mounting on said movable milling machine table, a motor supported by said housing, an output gear disposed in the housing and driven by said motor, connecting means for interruptibly connecting said output gear and said drive gear so as to rotate said feed screw, said connecting means comprising an idler gear rotatably mounted on a lever pivotally attached to and extending out of said housing, said lever being movable between a first raised position wherein said idler gear is disengaged from said feed screw drive gear, a second middle position wherein said idler gear is engaged with said feed screw drive gear, and a third lowered position wherein said idler gear is disengaged from said feed screw drive gear, and a pressure lock mounted on said housing so as to engage and detain said lever when it is in said second position, said pressure lock automatically releasing said lever, enabling it to move from the second position to either the first or third position when the output gear rotates and the drive gear is stationary.