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US5168787A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for trimming three-dimensional workpieces

Assignee: GFM Gesellschaft fuer Fertigungstechnik und Maschinenbau AG
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Filing: 1991-07-01
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-07-01
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for trimming three-dimensional workpieces made, e.g., of plastic comprises a bottom platen for supporting the workpieces and a cutter, which is movable relative to the bottom platen along a line of cut. To permit an automatic trimming by means of an inserted-tooth cutter, the bottom platen extends across the line of cut to support also that portion of the workpiece which is to be trimmed off. The bottom platen has a top surface for supporting the workpiece and is formed with a groove extending along the line of cut.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gottfried Blaimschein

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 14:58
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C37/00; B29C37/02; B26; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/01; B26D7/08; B26D7/086; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/909; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/914; Y10S83/956; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/748; Y10T83/7487; Y10T83/7573; Y10T83/768; Y10T83/7684; Y10T83/773

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 188 words
An apparatus for trimming an edge of a workpiece having a three-dimensional surface along a predetermined line of cut to remove a waste portion from the workpiece edge, which comprises (a) a bottom platen having a three-dimensional top surface conforming to the workpiece surface and including a planar support face for the workpiece edge and the waste portion, the top surface being adapted to support the three-dimensional workpiece surface including the workpiece edge and the waste portion in a position in which the line of cut extends between the workpiece edge and the waste portion, (1) the planar support face defining a groove extending under and along the predetermined line of cut, (b) an inserted-tooth cutter movable relative to, and over, the planar support face to cut through the workpiece edge along the line of cut whereby the waste portion is removed, and (c) an actuator connected to the cutter for moving the cutter in three dimensions along the line of cut, (1) the actuator being a robot arm holding the cutter and permitting an angular adjustment of the cutter about two axes extending perpendicularly to each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 188 words
An apparatus for trimming an edge of a workpiece having a three-dimensional surface along a predetermined line of cut to remove a waste portion from the workpiece edge, which comprises (a) a bottom platen having a three-dimensional top surface conforming to the workpiece surface and including a planar support face for the workpiece edge and the waste portion, the top surface being adapted to support the three-dimensional workpiece surface including the workpiece edge and the waste portion in a position in which the line of cut extends between the workpiece edge and the waste portion, (1) the planar support face defining a groove extending under and along the predetermined line of cut, (b) an inserted-tooth cutter movable relative to, and over, the planar support face to cut through the workpiece edge along the line of cut whereby the waste portion is removed, and (c) an actuator connected to the cutter for moving the cutter in three dimensions along the line of cut, (1) the actuator being a robot arm holding the cutter and permitting an angular adjustment of the cutter about two axes extending perpendicularly to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The edge trimming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elastic material filler in said groove and flush with the planar support face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The edge trimming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elastic material is polyurethane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The edge trimming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the filler is detachably held in the groove.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3172327A Cited
US3354769A Cited
US4096777A Cited
US4106379A Cited
US4277996A Cited
US4273738A Cited
US4485712A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-12-08 1996-06-08 1996-12-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-12-08 2000-06-08 2000-12-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-12-08 2004-06-08 2004-12-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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