US4571813A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tool changing apparatus for multi-spindle machine tool
Assignee: SAKAZAKI TEKKO (SAKAZAKI MACHINERY WORKS Co Ltd IN ENGLISH) KK
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Filing: 1983-08-22
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Granted: 1986-02-25
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Expires: 2003-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tools changing method and apparatus for a multi-spindle machine tool, in which a tools changing operation between spindles and a tool magazine or magazines is carried out simultaneously through at least one tool-changing arm movable between the spindles and the tool magazine or magazines. For this reason, the spindles are arranged at predetermined intervals and pots of the tool magazine or magazines for storing tools and grasping members on the tool-changing arm or arms are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the spindles to receive or deliver the tools simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayuki Fukuoka
- 👤 Satoshi Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/157; B23Q3/15793; B23Q3/15713; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1748; Y10T483/175; Y10T483/18; Y10T483/1845; Y10T483/1873; Y10T483/1891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool, having a head stock on which is disposed four or more spindles linearly having equal intervals with respect to each other at the lower portion of said head stock which is provided with an outer side, and comprising: a plurality of tool-changing arms having inner sides, each arm of which is provided with a straight form, and the respective arms are disposed in vertically and horizontally movable directions at the outer side of said lower portion of said head stock; grasping members disposed linearly on each inner side of said tool-changing arms and having a spacing equal to that of said spindles, and the number of said grasping members being half that of the number of said spindles; tool magazines being provided adjacent to both sides of said head stock and each said tool magazine having a plurality of tool pots; a first driving means provided on said head stock to rotate said tool-changing arms in a horizontal direction by 90° from said lower portion of said head stock to positions where tool changing is carried out between said arms and the corresponding tool magazines; and a second driving means provided on said head stock to move said tool-changing arms in a vertical direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool, having a head stock on which is disposed four or more spindles linearly having equal intervals with respect to each other at the lower portion of said head stock which is provided with an outer side, and comprising: a plurality of tool-changing arms having inner sides, each arm of which is provided with a straight form, and the respective arms are disposed in vertically and horizontally movable directions at the outer side of said lower portion of said head stock; grasping members disposed linearly on each inner side of said tool-changing arms and having a spacing equal to that of said spindles, and the number of said grasping members being half that of the number of said spindles; tool magazines being provided adjacent to both sides of said head stock and each said tool magazine having a plurality of tool pots; a first driving means provided on said head stock to rotate said tool-changing arms in a horizontal direction by 90° from said lower portion of said head stock to positions where tool changing is carried out between said arms and the corresponding tool magazines; and a second driving means provided on said head stock to move said tool-changing arms in a vertical direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, wherein said tool changing arms, and the plurality of grasping members which are disposed on said tool changing arms, and said tool magazines are moved synchronously with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between two adjoining pots of a tool magazine along their transfer direction is half of the spacing of said grasping members of said tool changing arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the interval between said spindles is a multiple of the space between said pots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, wherein a reduction in the spacing between said tool pots proportionally increases the number of tools which can be stored in said tool magazines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the number of tool-changing arms is two; and the number of tool magazines is two.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The automatic tool changing apparatus for a vertical type multi-spindle machine tool according to claim 1, including further driving means for opening and closing said spindles.
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) | 1989-02-24 | 1989-08-26 | 1990-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-24 | 1993-08-26 | 1994-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-08-26 | 1998-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |