US4481738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grinding machine
Assignee: Disco Corp
•
Filing: 1983-09-06
•
Granted: 1984-11-13
•
Expires: 2003-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A grinding machine adapted for grinding surfaces of thin workpieces comprises a rotating table provided with at least a workpiece holder on which a workpiece to be ground is held, and a plurality of grinding wheels having different grain sizes ranging from coarse to fine, and rotating independently of each other. The wheels are disposed above the table and in arrangement so that, as the table rotates, the wheels grind successively the surface of the workpiece to provide a desired total thickness of grind and a reasonable surface finish through one rotation of the table.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuji Tabuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:37
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B27/00; B24B27/0023; B24B7/00; B24B7/10; B24B7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A grinding machine for grinding a surface of a thin plate-like workpiece, comprising: a rotating table provided with at least a workpiece holder including a cup-shaped body being secured to the table and having a hollow interior portion, and a top plate attached to said body and closing the top opening of said body, said top plate being made of porous material and having a top flat surface on which the workpiece is placed and held, the holder being detachably and non-rotatably secured to the table with said top surface protruding above the table surface; vacuum means having a suction end member connected to and communicating with the interior hollow portion of the cup-shaped body for providing said workpiece holder with vacuum suction for holding the workpiece to the workpiece holder; and a plurality of cup-shaped grinding wheels having different grain sizes ranging from coarse to fine with a first grinding wheel having a grain size of less than 1,000 mesh and a final grinding wheel having a grain size of more than 1,000 mesh, each of the grinding wheels being rotated about an axis inclined at a slight angle to the axis of rotation of the table, the grinding wheels being disposed above the table in a circular arrangement with respect to the axis of rotation of the table and located in different axial positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the table, wherein, as the table rotates, the surface of the workpiece held to the workpiece holder is successively ground by the first grinding wheel to the last grinding wheel so that a desired total thickness is ground and a desired surface finish is obtained in one rotation of the table.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A grinding machine for grinding a surface of a thin plate-like workpiece, comprising: a rotating table provided with at least a workpiece holder including a cup-shaped body being secured to the table and having a hollow interior portion, and a top plate attached to said body and closing the top opening of said body, said top plate being made of porous material and having a top flat surface on which the workpiece is placed and held, the holder being detachably and non-rotatably secured to the table with said top surface protruding above the table surface; vacuum means having a suction end member connected to and communicating with the interior hollow portion of the cup-shaped body for providing said workpiece holder with vacuum suction for holding the workpiece to the workpiece holder; and a plurality of cup-shaped grinding wheels having different grain sizes ranging from coarse to fine with a first grinding wheel having a grain size of less than 1,000 mesh and a final grinding wheel having a grain size of more than 1,000 mesh, each of the grinding wheels being rotated about an axis inclined at a slight angle to the axis of rotation of the table, the grinding wheels being disposed above the table in a circular arrangement with respect to the axis of rotation of the table and located in different axial positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the table, wherein, as the table rotates, the surface of the workpiece held to the workpiece holder is successively ground by the first grinding wheel to the last grinding wheel so that a desired total thickness is ground and a desired surface finish is obtained in one rotation of the table.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A grinding machine according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece holder further comprises a support member for supporting said body removably secured to the table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A grinding machine according to claim 1, further comprises washing means for washing the surface of the holder on which the workpiece is held.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A grinding machine according to claim 3, wherein said washing means comprises a water ejection system adapted to eject water from the surface of the workpiece holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A grinding machine according to claim 3, wherein said washing means comprises a washing brush disposed above the table and on the middle of the path of the workpiece holder turning with the table said washing brush being adapted to rotate, while ejecting water to wash the surface of the workpiece holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A grinding machine according to claim 3, wherein said washing means comprises: a water ejection system adapted to eject water from the surface of the workpiece holder, and a washing brush disposed above the table and on the middle of the path of the workpiece holder turning with the table, said washing brush being adapted to rotate, while ejecting water, to wash the surface of the workpiece holder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The grinding machine of claim 1, wherein each of said grinding wheels has a ring-shaped grindstone attached to the lower circular surface of said grinding wheel cup-shaped body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The grinding machine of claim 1, wherin said wheels are adjustable to vary the distance between the holders and the wheels, whereby the desired total thickness to be ground through one rotation of the table can be further regulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A grinding machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least a workpiece holder comprises a plurality of holders for holding workpieces positioned in a circular arrangement with respect to the axis of rotation of the table.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A grinding machine according to claim 1, wherein said grinding wheels are independently rotatable with respect to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A grinding machine according to claim 9, wherein said grinding wheels are independently rotatable with respect to each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR615742A
Cited
US2405417A
Cited
FR2070621A5
Cited
FR2083971A5
Cited
US3824742A
Cited
US4222203A
Cited
US4141180A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-13 | 1988-05-14 | 1988-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-13 | 1992-05-14 | 1992-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-13 | 1996-05-14 | 1996-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |