Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In an apparatus for supporting a tool on a rotatable spindle of a machine tool, including a frame adapted to be secured to the spindle, a slider supported on the frame for movement radially of the axis of rotation of the spindle, having means for supporting the tool thereon and having a toothed first rack thereon extending in the direction of movement thereof, an adjusting member movably supported on said frame and having teeth thereon which operatively engage the teeth of said first rack, movement of said adjusting member effecting radial movement of said slider and said slider being urged radially outwardly by centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the spindle, and counteracting means for exerting a radially inwardly directed force on said slider to counteract centrifugal forces acting thereon, the improvement comprising wherein said counteracting means includes a toothed second rack on said slider extending in the direction of movement thereof, pinion means rotatably supported on said frame and having teeth operatively engaging the teeth of said second rack, an axially extending third rack having teeth operatively engaging teeth of said pinion means and means supporting said third rack for axial movement relative to said frame, and resilient means cooperable with said third rack and one of said frame and adjusting member for yieldably urging axial and rotational movement of said third rack and pinion means, respectively, in directions which correspond to radially inward movement of said slider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In an apparatus for supporting a tool on a rotatable spindle of a machine tool, including a frame adapted to be secured to the spindle, a slider supported on the frame for movement radially of the axis of rotation of the spindle, having means for supporting the tool thereon and having a toothed first rack thereon extending in the direction of movement thereof, an adjusting member movably supported on said frame and having teeth thereon which operatively engage the teeth of said first rack, movement of said adjusting member effecting radial movement of said slider and said slider being urged radially outwardly by centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the spindle, and counteracting means for exerting a radially inwardly directed force on said slider to counteract centrifugal forces acting thereon, the improvement comprising wherein said counteracting means includes a toothed second rack on said slider extending in the direction of movement thereof, pinion means rotatably supported on said frame and having teeth operatively engaging the teeth of said second rack, an axially extending third rack having teeth operatively engaging teeth of said pinion means and means supporting said third rack for axial movement relative to said frame, and resilient means cooperable with said third rack and one of said frame and adjusting member for yieldably urging axial and rotational movement of said third rack and pinion means, respectively, in directions which correspond to radially inward movement of said slider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The tool support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient means includes a spring cooperable with said third rack and with said adjusting member which urges axial movement of said third rack relative to said adjusting member, and wherein said second and third racks both engage the same set of teeth on said pinion means, whereby said radially inward force exerted by said counteracting means on said slider is substantially constant in all operational positions of said slider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tool support apparatus of claim 2, including means for adjusting the tension of said spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The tool support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient means includes a spring cooperable with said third rack and with said adjusting member for urging relative movement therebetween, and wherein said pinion means includes first and second coaxial pinions fixed against relative rotation, said second pinion being of greater diameter than said first pinion and the teeth of said second and third racks respectively engaging the teeth of said first and second pinions, whereby said radially inward force exerted by said counteracting means on said slider increases as said slider is moved radially outwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The tool support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient means includes a spring cooperable with said third rack and with said frame which urges axial movement of said third rack relative to said frame, and wherein said second and third racks both engage the same set of teeth on said pinion means, whereby said spring is compressed and said radially inward force exerted by said counteracting means on said slider increases as said slider is moved radially outwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The tool support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said teeth of said first rack are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of said spindle and wherein said adjusting member includes a toothed fourth rack extending axially and supported for axial movement, said teeth on said adjusting member being the teeth of said fourth rack and being inclined to the axis of rotation of said spindle at the same angle as said teeth of said first rack.