US5367754A — Gang tooling for a computerized numerically contr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 178 words

A gang tooling for a machine tool having a main spindle with an axis of rotation, a longitudinal carriage movable along a z-axis parallel to the main spindle axis and cross-slide carried by the longitudinal carriage and movable along a x-axis transverse to the main spindle axis, said gang tooling comprising: longitudinal plate; first means for removably securing said plate to the cross-slide such that said plate is transversely disposed relative to the main spindle axis when secured to the cross-slide; a plurality of tool holders removably secured to said plate along a row, second means for removably securing said plurality of tool holders to said plate along the row such that each of the tool holders is individually removably secured to any one of a plurality of adjustable longitudinal positions along said plate; said first means cooperating with the cross-slide such that said plate can be removed from the cross-slide without disturbing and removing the tool holders installed on said plate, thereby permitting the tool holders to remain secured to said plate at their original relative positions.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 178 words

A gang tooling for a machine tool having a main spindle with an axis of rotation, a longitudinal carriage movable along a z-axis parallel to the main spindle axis and cross-slide carried by the longitudinal carriage and movable along a x-axis transverse to the main spindle axis, said gang tooling comprising: longitudinal plate; first means for removably securing said plate to the cross-slide such that said plate is transversely disposed relative to the main spindle axis when secured to the cross-slide; a plurality of tool holders removably secured to said plate along a row, second means for removably securing said plurality of tool holders to said plate along the row such that each of the tool holders is individually removably secured to any one of a plurality of adjustable longitudinal positions along said plate; said first means cooperating with the cross-slide such that said plate can be removed from the cross-slide without disturbing and removing the tool holders installed on said plate, thereby permitting the tool holders to remain secured to said plate at their original relative positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

A gang tooling as in claim 1, wherein: a) said first means includes a recess in said plate for cooperating with a projection on the cross-slide; and b) means for locking said plate to the cross-slide projection.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 48 words

A gang tooling as in claim 2, wherein: a) said recess is disposed downwardly and includes a top wall and first and second inclined opposite walls extending from said top wall; and b) said first and second walls are inclined inwardly into and outwardly from said recess, respectively.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

A gang tooling as in claim 3, wherein: a) said locking means includes a wedge disposed within said recess along said second wall; and b) said wedge is tapered downwardly from narrow to wide.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

A gang tooling as in claim 4, wherein: a) said wedge includes a third surface inclined downwardly into said recess and a fourth surface inclined outwardly downwardly from said recess; and b) said wedge fourth surface cooperates with said recess second surface.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

A gang tooling as in claim 5, wherein: a) said wedge third surface cooperates with said recess top wall and said first surface for defining a dovetail mortise adapted to fit into a dovetail tenon disposed in the cross-slide.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

A gang tooling as in claim 2, wherein: a) said plate includes a longitudinal projection extending upwardly therefrom for securing at least one tool holder.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A gang tooling as in claim 7, wherein: a) said plate projection includes a top surface and fifth and sixth surfaces extending inwardly therefrom.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gang tooling as in claim 7, wherein: a) said plate projection is a dovetail tenon in cross-section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

A gang tooling as in claim 7, wherein: a) said plate recess and projection are disposed along a line parallel to the cross-slide projection.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 77 words

A gang tooling as in claim 1, wherein: a) each of said tool holders includes a recess disposed downwardly; b) said tool holder recess includes a tool holder top wall and a tool holder first and second inclined opposite walls extending from said tool holder top wall; c) said tool holder first and second walls are inclined inwardly into and outwardly from said tool holder recess, respectively; and d) a wedge disposed within said tool holder recess.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 127 words

A gang tooling as in claim 1, wherein: a) each of said tool holders includes a body; b) means for securing a tool bit to said body; c) said body includes a recess disposed downwardly and including a top wall and first and second opposite side walls extending from said top wall; d) said first and second side walls extends inwardly into and outwardly from said recess, respectively; e) a clamping member disposed within said recess and movable between locked and unlocked positions for removably securing said body to the plate; and f) means for actuating said clamping member into one of said locked and unlocked positions and for releasing said clamping member from said recess, thereby to permit said body to be lifted from the plate.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) said clamping member is a wedge.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

A gang tooling as in claim 13, wherein: a) said wedge has a first surface disposed inwardly into said recess and a second surface cooperating with said recess second surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) each of said tool holders includes means for positioning the tool bit at a preselected height.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gang tooling as in claim 13, wherein: a) said wedge is trapezoidal in cross-section.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) said recess and said wedge defines a dovetail mortise.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) said tool bit securing means includes an opening; and b) clamping means for securing the tool bit within said opening.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 50 words

A gang tooling as in claim 18, wherein: a) said opening includes a ramp surface; and b) a wedge having a horizontal surface and a ramp surface engaging said opening ramp surface such that said horizontal surface changes height as said wedge member is moved along said opening ramp surface.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 56 words

A gang tooling as in claim 19, wherein: a) said wedge includes a slot; b) a threaded member having a flange operably associated with said slot; c) said body includes a threaded hole operably associated with said threaded member; d) whereby axial movement of said member within said threaded hole causes said wedge to move therewith.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

A gang tooling as in claim 19, and further comprising: a) means for locking said wedge.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, and further comprising: a) removable identification tag disposed on said body.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gang tooling as in claim 18, wherein: a) said opening is circular in cross-section.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 13 words

A gang tooling as in claim 18, wherein: a) said opening is "C"-shaped.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

A gang tooling as in claim 18, wherein: a) said opening is parallel to the main spindle axis when secured to the cross-slide.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 23 words

A gang tooling as in claim 18, wherein: a) said opening is transverse to the main spindle axis when secured to the cross-slide.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 21 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) said body includes first and second parts removably secured to each other.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gang tooling as in claim 27, wherein: a) said opening is transverse to the main spindle axis.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gang tooling as in claim 12, wherein: a) said body includes an offset recess along the z-axis.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 159 words

A machine tool, comprising: a bed; a main spindle disposed on said bed, said spindle having an axis of rotation; a first carriage operably associated with said bed and movable along a z-axis parallel to said spindle axis; a second carriage carried by said first carriage and movable along a x-axis perpendicular to said z-axis; a longitudinal plate disposed parallel to said x-axis when secured to said second carriage; a plurality tool holders removably securable to any one of a plurality of adjustable positions along said plate; first means operatively associated with said plate for individually removably securing said tool holders to any one of a plurality of adjustable longitudinal positions along said plate; and second means cooperating between said plate and said second carriage for removably securing said plate to said second carriage such that said top plate can be removed from said second carriage while maintaining and without first removing said tool holders installed on said plate.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 159 words

A machine tool, comprising: a bed; a main spindle disposed on said bed, said spindle having an axis of rotation; a first carriage operably associated with said bed and movable along a z-axis parallel to said spindle axis; a second carriage carried by said first carriage and movable along a x-axis perpendicular to said z-axis; a longitudinal plate disposed parallel to said x-axis when secured to said second carriage; a plurality tool holders removably securable to any one of a plurality of adjustable positions along said plate; first means operatively associated with said plate for individually removably securing said tool holders to any one of a plurality of adjustable longitudinal positions along said plate; and second means cooperating between said plate and said second carriage for removably securing said plate to said second carriage such that said top plate can be removed from said second carriage while maintaining and without first removing said tool holders installed on said plate.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 37 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, and further comprising: a) a housing including a door; and b) said second carriage is positionable in front of said door, thereby to permit removal and installation of said plate.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 41 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, wherein: a) said second means comprises a projection disposed on said second carriage; b) said plate includes a recess cooperating with said projection; and c) means for locking said top plate to said projection.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

A machine tool as in claim 32, wherein: a) said projection has a longitudinal axis transverse to said main spindle axis of rotation.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 48 words

A machine tool as in claim 32, wherein: a) said recess is disposed downwardly and includes a top wall and first and second inclined opposite walls extending from said top wall; and b) said first and second walls are inclined inwardly into and outwardly from said recess, respectively.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 34 words

A machine tool as in claim 32, wherein: a) said locking means includes a wedge disposed within said recess along said second wall; and b) said wedge is tapered downwardly from narrow to wide.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 42 words

A machine tool as in claim 35, wherein: a) said wedge includes a first surface inclined downwardly into said recess and a second surface inclined outwardly downwardly from said recess; and b) said wedge second surface cooperates with said recess second surface.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 44 words

A machine tool as in claim 36, wherein: a) said projection is a dovetail tenon; and b) said wedge first surface cooperates with said recess top wall and said recess first surface for defining a dovetail mortise adapted to fit into said dovetail tenon.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 18 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, wherein: a) said first means includes a longitudinal projection extending upwardly.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 25 words

A machine tool as in claim 38, wherein: a) said longitudinal projection includes a top surface and first and second opposite surfaces extending inwardly therefrom.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 18 words

A machine tool as in claim 38, wherein: a) said longitudinal projection is a dovetail tenon in cross-section.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 63 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, wherein: a) said first means includes a dovetail tenon; b) said second means includes dovetail mortise disposed in said plate and a cooperating dovetail tenon disposed in said second carriage; and c) said first means dovetail tenon and said second means dovetail mortise and said second carriage dovetail tenon are disposed longitudinally along the same line.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 61 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, wherein: a) said at least one tool holder includes an opening disposed downwardly and including a top wall and first and second inclined opposite walls extending from said top wall; b) said first wall and second walls are inclined inwardly into outwardly from said opening, respectively; and c) a wedge disposed within said opening.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, and further comprising: a) at least one live tool removably secured to said second carriage.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 38 words

A machine tool as in claim 32, wherein: a) said second carriage projection includes a stop means for insuring that said plate is installed to said second carriage at the same position every time said plate is reinstalled.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 23 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, and further comprising: a) telescoping way covers operably associated with said bed and said first carriage.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 115 words

A machine tool as in claim 30, and further comprising: a) a live tool including a base; b) tool spindle operably associated with said base, said tool spindle having an axis of rotation; c) means for removably securing said base to said second carriage at one of first and second positions such that said tool spindle axis of rotation is parallel and transverse, respectively, to said main spindle axis of rotation when secured to said second carriage; d) drive means for said tool spindle; and e) means for aligning said tool spindle axis of rotation relative to the main spindle axis of rotation when said base is in one of said first and second positions.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 58 words

A machine tool as in claim 46, wherein: a) said securing means includes a mounting block; b) said mounting block includes an opening disposed downwardly and includes a top wall and opposite first and second walls extending from said top wall; and c) said first and seconds walls are disposed inwardly into and outwardly from said opening, respectively.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 19 words

A machine tool as in claim 47, wherein: a) said first and second walls are parallel to each other.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 28 words

A machine tool as in claim 47, wherein: a) said mounting block includes a wedge disposed within said opening; and b) means for locking and unlocking said wedge.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 15 words

A machine tool as in claim 49, wherein: a) said wedge is trapezoidal in cross-section.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 30 words

A machine tool as in claim 49, wherein: a) said wedge includes a first surface disposed inwardly into said opening and a second surface cooperating with said opening second surface.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 45 words

A machine tool as in claim 47, wherein: a) said mounting block has a top surface; and b) said locking and unlocking means is operable from said top of said mounting block, thereby permitting said mounting block to be lifted up from said second carriage.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 30 words

A machine tool as in claim 47, wherein: a) said means for aligning includes a diamond dowel and a pin dowel operably associated with said base and said mounting block.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 42 words

A machine tool as in claim 47, wherein: a) said base includes first and second end portions; b) said tool spindle is operably associated with said first end portion; and c) said mounting block is operably associated with said second end portion.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 47 words

A machine tool as in claim 54, wherein: a) said base second end portion is positionable in one of third and fourth positions, whereby said third position is to the left of said tool spindle and said fourth position is to the right of said tool spindle.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 67 words

A machine tool as in claim 54, wherein: a) each of said base second end portion and said mounting block includes three cooperating holes; b) a respective number of screws received in said holes for securing said base to said mounting block; and c) said holes disposed in said mounting block is arranged in a triangular pattern that is duplicated in said base at 90 degrees orientation.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 26 words

A machine tool as in claim 46, wherein: a) said drive means includes a shaft; b) said tool spindle is parallel to said drive means shaft.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 27 words

A machine tool as in claim 46, wherein: a) said drive means includes a shaft; and b) said tool spindle is transverse to said drive means shaft.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 31 words

A machine tool as in claim 46, wherein: a) a tool bit holder operably associated with said tool spindle; and b) said tool bit holder is slidable relative to said spindle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-11-28	1998-05-30	1998-11-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-11-28	2002-05-30	2002-11-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-11-28	2006-05-30	2006-11-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Gang tooling for a computerized numerically controlled lathe

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