Patent US2524017A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4254554A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4254554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Connection unit for mounting a tool with precision and reliability on a machine, particularly a measuring machine
Assignee: DEA Digital Electronic Automation SpA
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Filing: 1979-03-14
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A connection unit for mounting a tool with precision and accuracy on a machine, particularly a measuring machine, but which at the same time does not provide a rigid connection between the tool and the machine so that if the tool undergoes accidental collision, it does not suffer damage, is described. The main feature of this connection unit is to comprise first and second members which can be fixed respectively to the machine and the tool, said first and second members being connected together by mutual positioning means, under the action of constraint means which allow a limited relative movement between said first and second members as a result of a displacement force exceeding a predetermined value and acting along directions and senses of movement allowed by said mutual positioning means.
Inventors
- 👤 Francesco Germano
- 👤 Ugo Cavicchioli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D43/00; F16D43/02; F16D43/20; F16D43/202; F16D43/204; F16D43/206; B; B23; B23B; B23B31/00; B23B31/02; B23B31/38; G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/0002; G12; G12B; G12B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A connection unit for mounting a tool with precision and reliability on a machine, particularly a measuring machine, comprising first and second members which are adapted to be fixed respectively to said machine and said tool, mutual positioning means effective between said first and second members, and constraint means which comprise a substantially unextendable element locked at one end to one of said first and second members and resiliently constrained at the other end to the other of said first and second members, and which urge the first and second members together into relative positions determined by said mutual positioning means while allowing limited relative movement between said first and second members as a result of a displacement force exceeding a predetermined value and acting along directions and senses of movement allowed by said mutual positioning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A connection unit for mounting a tool with precision and reliability on a machine, particularly a measuring machine, comprising first and second members which are adapted to be fixed respectively to said machine and said tool, mutual positioning means effective between said first and second members, and constraint means which comprise a substantially unextendable element locked at one end to one of said first and second members and resiliently constrained at the other end to the other of said first and second members, and which urge the first and second members together into relative positions determined by said mutual positioning means while allowing limited relative movement between said first and second members as a result of a displacement force exceeding a predetermined value and acting along directions and senses of movement allowed by said mutual positioning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein said mutual positioning means define an isostatic support between said first and second members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein said mutual positioning means comprise at least one first element pertaining to one of said first or second members, disposed in contact with one or more positioning surfaces of a second element pertaining to the other of said first and second members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connection unit of claim 3, wherein in said positioning means, said first element is disposed in contact with positioning surfaces of said second element which converge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connection unit of claim 3, wherein there are comprised three of said first elements, each disposed between a respective pair of said second elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connection unit of claim 5, wherein each of said three first elements is in the form of a roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connection unit of claim 5, wherein each of said second elements is in the form of a ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein aid substantially unextendable element is a metal cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein said substantially unextendable element is locked to one of said first or second members by being inserted into cavities in the one of said first or second members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein said substantially unextendable element is resiliently constrained at its other end to the other of said first or second members, by means of a spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connection unit of claim 10, wherein said spring is a cylindrical spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The connection unit of claim 10, wherein said substantially unextendable element is resiliently constrained by means of a cable terminal fixed to one end of said element and connected to a member on which one end of said spring rests, its other end resting against said other of said first or second members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connection unit of claim 10, wherein said spring is an undulated spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The connection unit of claim 13, wherein said substantially unextendable element is elastically constrained by means of a cable terminal fixed to one end of said element and to one end of said spring, the other end of which is fixed to a member connected to said other of said first or second members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connection unit of claim 10, wherein there are comprised means for adjusting the preloading of said spring, and thus for establishing said predetermined value of said displacement force.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The connection unit of claim 10, wherein there are comprised means carried by said other of said first or second members for stopping the deformation of said spring, and thus for establishing a maximum value of the relative movement allowable between said first and second members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The connection unit of claim 16, wherein said maximum movement allowable between said first and second members, along any one of the machine axes, exceeds the maximum movement which can be made by said tool along the same axis when said machine undergoes emergency braking.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The connection unit of claim 17, comprising detection means disposed between said first and second members and arranged to detect any relative displacement between said first and second members and to originate an electrical control signal for activating emergency braking conditions for said machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connection unit of claim 18, wherein said detection means comprise at least one microswitch cooperating with a position regulator element for the contacts, said microswitch and said regulator element being disposed respectively on said first and second members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein one of said first or second members comprises a connection shank for its connection towards said machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein one of said first or second members comprises a flat plate for its connection towards said machine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connection unit of claim 1, wherein one of said first or second members comprises an annular rimmed plate for its connection towards said machine.
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) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |