Work holders – Work-underlying support – Support mounting means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-02
2001-03-27
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Work-underlying support
Support mounting means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206357
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to workpiece handling techniques and systems and, more particularly, to a kit of interchangeable sleeves that provides a unique bushing assembly, the mating elements of which feature precise tolerances for locating and aligning different screws, pins, or tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of workpiece handling, such as metal working, many types of time saving dies and fixtures are used for aligning and locating tools. Although fixtures and dies can be expensive to fabricate, the time that is saved reduces labor costs sufficiently to make their use advantageous and cost effective.
Most dies and fixtures have a specific function. That is, they are useful only in a single or limited manufacturing procedure and/or with a single machine tool or system. For example, a subplate assembly and tooling set up for a routing and cutting machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,215, issued to Coope et al, on Feb. 14, 1978, entitled SUB PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR MACHINE TOOLS. The subplate assembly of that invention locates and aligns the bushings in the machine tool table and tooling members, eliminating the time usually devoted to the alignment of a piece of work with respect to its directions of movement.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,267, issued on Apr. 12, 1977, to Hawley, entitled METHOD OF DIE CONSTRUCTION USING JOINT STRUCTURE, a series of die parts is precisely located upon a common die shoe to locate the die part on the shoe with respect to other die parts and with respect to the shoe. The assembly reduces the time required to assemble and precisely locate die parts on the die shoe. The fixture holds tolerances to ten thousandths of an inch.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,225, issued on Aug. 4, 1998 to Iwata et al., entitled BASE AND FIXTURE TO BE USED IN MACHINING OPERATION, a machining device is disclosed in which a fixture is disposed on a base which, in turn, is disposed on a pallet. Essentially, the present invention eliminates the need for a dedicated base, yet can be used to perform the same functions addressed by Iwata.
The present invention seeks to expand the usefulness of metal working plate sleeves, so that they are portable and interchangeable with a master bushing. The sleeves introduced into the master bushing provide alignment and securement of work pieces. The master bushing is also designed to receive different sized screws and locating dowels or pins by the use of these removable inserts. Specifically designed cylindrical locators with clearance holes through the center for screws or studs provide the unique capability of locating and accepting differently sized studs or screws.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a number of portable, interchangeable elements that form a bushing assembly. The bushing assembly holds precise tolerances between these interchangeable, insertable elements, so that a unique capability for locating and accepting a stud or screw is provided. The bushing assembly includes a master bushing that comprises a round cylinder having a shoulder and a threaded center hole that can receive a number of elements. A first element includes a top plate, the threaded outer diameter of which has a clearance hole through its center. A second element features a square nut comprising a substantially square piece of material having a threaded hole through its center. A third element includes a locating pin containing two juxtaposed cylinders of different outer diameters and longitudinal length. These cylinders are in alignment about a common axis. A fourth element features a through hole locating pin, which includes two cylinders of different outer diameter and longitudinal length, juxtaposed with respect to each other. A centrally located clearance hole passes through the two cylinders about a common longitudinal axis. A fifth element comprises a locating plug comprising a cylindrical piece having a threaded outer diameter and a smooth, cylindrical, flanged top of slightly larger diameter. A concentric hole passes through the top and the threaded cylindrical piece. A sixth element features a spacer comprising a thin disk with a clearance hole passing through its center. A seventh and final element features a pallet plug. The pallet plug includes a cylinder having a threaded outer diameter and a smooth, cylindrical, flanged top of slightly larger diameter. A stepped cylindrical bore passes through the center axis of the pallet plug, defining a countersunk hole therein.
The elements and master bushing can be assembled in a plurality of ways to provide a unique bushing assembly. For example, the master bushing can receive the second element and the first element and different variations of cylindrical locators defined by variations of third, fourth, fifth, and seventh elements therein. The bushing assembly can also be designed as a means to accept a screw, by threading the top plate into the master bushing, using the spacer, and then the appropriate screw or stud.
The bushing assembly can also function as a locator for dowel pins, T-pins, and conical or tapered pins. To provide this function, the locating plug is threaded into the master bushing. Another variation is utilizing the locating pin (the third element). Specifically designed cylindrical locators with clearance holes through the center for screws or studs provide a unique ability to locate and accept a stud or a screw. This is accomplished by installing the second element into the master bushing; then the first element. Thereafter, the fourth element is installed in the through hole locating pin. Thereafter, a screw or stud is introduced. Still another combination features inserting the square nut into the master bushing and then threading the seventh element (pallet plug) into the master bushing.
It is an object of this invention to provide a universal kit of interchangeable elements that, when inserted into a master bushing, provides different workpiece handling functions.
It is another object of the invention to provide a portable kit of interchangeable elements in combination with a master bushing for accomplishing a variety of workpiece handling objectives, such as locating and aligning objects.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4017267 (1977-04-01), Hawley
patent: 4073215 (1978-02-01), Coope et al.
patent: 4121817 (1978-10-01), Pavlovsky
patent: 4586702 (1986-05-01), Chambers
patent: 5788225 (1998-08-01), Iwata et al.
patent: 6022009 (2000-02-01), Hill
Salzman & Levy
Watson Robert C.
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