Turning – Lathe – Tool rest
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-20
2001-05-15
Tsai, Henry (Department: 3722)
Turning
Lathe
Tool rest
C082S158000, C082S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230595
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to supports for tooling for use with lathes, and more particularly to tool posts.
Tool posts are devices that are adapted to be mounted on machine tool beds or compounds of lathes or other machine tools to support tool holders. The tool holders in turn hold the tools which actually work on the workpiece. Tool posts have been provided with a main body having on two sides horizontally-projecting tongues or mounts in a dovetail configuration. Tool holders are provided with a mating slot so as to permit the tool holders to be mounted on the dovetail mounts. A tool post and tool holder with this type of configuration is shown for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,972,272 of Sirola.
Tool holders are engaged on the sides of the tool posts by wedge-shaped gibs that form one surface of the dovetail-shaped tongue. The wedge-shaped gibs are integrated with a cam follower surface that is adapted to be engaged by a helical cam surface on a vertical screw in the center of the tool post body block. By turning a handle mounted on the screw, the gibs are moved vertically to lock and unlock the tool holders from the dovetail mounts.
The inventor has noted a variety of disadvantages associated with prior art designs of tool posts with dovetail mounts. The tool posts are prone to rotation with respect to the compound on the lathe, as only friction between the bottom surface of the body block and the top surface of the compound of the lathe holds the body block in place. The tool holders cannot be indexed and cannot be selectively removed and added. This results in periods of time when the tool post, and as a result the lathe on which it is mounted, is out of service while tool holders are changed. Accurate indexing and rotation of the tool post requires moving of the body block relative to an index plate. Tool posts of the prior art have very limited options as to the height of the tool holders on the tool posts.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a tool post that permits selective disengaging of tool holders.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a tool post that resists rotation relative to the surface on which it is mounted.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a tool post that is readily indexable.
It is an advantage of the invention that it provides a tool post that permits selective disengaging of tool holders.
It is a further advantage of the invention that it provides a tool post that resists rotation relative to the surface on which it is mounted.
It is a further advantage of the invention that it provides a tool post that is readily indexable.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from perusal of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, a tool post has a body block with tool mounts on an outer side surface thereof. Each mount has a substantially vertical planar side wall and vertically undercut grooves. In each of the grooves, there is mounted a tapered gib having a wedge shape which moves vertically the groove. The vertical range of movement of the gib is at least about one-quarter inch. The gib and the mount are adapted to lock a tool holder of suitable size to the mount in a range of vertical positions of more than about one-quarter inch.
In another aspect of the invention, a tool post has a body block having a generally vertical outer surface and tool holder mounts on the outer surface. A gib is associated with each of the mounts. Each gib is movable with respect to the corresponding mount so that movement of said gib effectively alters a dimension of said mount. Each gib has attached thereto a helically scribed curving surface. Helically threaded screws are rotatably mounted in the body block, and each screw is threaded and mounted to engage with the curving surface of one of the gibs. As a result, rotation of one of said screws moves one and only one of said gibs. Rotation of the gibs permits locking and unlocking of tool holders mounted on each of the mounts on the tool post independently of tool holders on any other mounts.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tool post includes a body block which has a central vertical axis, a top surface, a bottom surface, and tool holder mounts on an outer side surface thereof. A selected angular distance about the axis separates adjacent pairs of mounts. A central vertical bore is defined in the body block. An indexing plate is positioned below the body block, and is selectively engageable with the bottom surface of, and coaxial with, the body block. A vertical cylindrical sleeve is attached at its lower end to the indexing plate, is located in the bore and extends above the top surface of the body block. A handle is rotatably mounted on the sleeve. The handle has, rotatably mounted thereon and depending downward therefrom a pawl, which is rotatable between first and second positions. Rods project upward from the top surface. The pawl and the rods are so mounted and dimensioned that the pawl engages the rods in its first position and does not engage said rods in its second position. The angular separation between the rods corresponds to the positions of tool holder mounts on each side of the tool post. The pawl permits rough adjustment of the tool post when it is desired to cease using a tool held by a tool holder mounted on one side of the tool post and commence using a tool held by a tool holder mounted on a different side of the tool post.
In another aspect of the invention, A tool post has a body block having a mounts for tool holders, an indexing plate located below the body block, and a non-circular element rigidly attached to and depending downward from the indexing plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 939976 (1909-11-01), Carr
patent: 2335712 (1943-11-01), Vitale
patent: 2403405 (1946-07-01), Sirola
patent: 2972272 (1961-02-01), Sirola
patent: 4126067 (1978-11-01), Giannetti
patent: 4286485 (1981-09-01), Dezvane et al.
patent: 5214989 (1993-06-01), Giannetti
patent: 5560272 (1996-10-01), Bolger
Aloris Tool Technology Co., Inc.
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
Tsai Henry
LandOfFree
Tool post does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tool post, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tool post will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2539110