Supports: cabinet structure – With movable components – Horizontally movable
Patent
1990-08-21
1992-12-08
Dorner, Kenneth J.
Supports: cabinet structure
With movable components
Horizontally movable
312205, 384 15, 160202, A47B 8800
Patent
active
051692236
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a telescopic cover apparatus mounted on a machine tool or the like, and more particularly, to a telescopic cover apparatus having a telescopic cover capable of smooth extension and contraction.
Conventionally known is a telescopic cover for protection which, composed of a plurality of cover members, is capable of extension and contraction. In the case of mounting the protective telescopic cover on a machine tool, for example, the opposite ends of the telescopic cover are fixed individually to a stationary saddle of the machine tool and a movable table slidably mounted on the saddle, so that the telescopic cover extends or contracts as the table moves, thereby protecting the sliding surfaces of the saddle and the table from dust, for example.
The conventional telescopic cover, however, is only designed so that each two adjacent ones of the plurality of cover members are slidably fitted with each other. Thus, when the telescopic cover extends or contracts, the individual cover members slide without cooperation, so that the sliding directions and sliding strokes of the individual cover members are irregular, and the cover is liable to undergo a twist or the like. As a result, the telescopic cover sometimes may produce noise or be damaged when it extends or contracts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic cover apparatus having a telescopic cover capable of smooth extension and contraction and enjoying a long working life.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a telescopic cover apparatus, which is mounted on a machine having a stationary section and a movable section. The telescopic cover apparatus includes: a telescopic cover having a plurality of cover members which are slidably fitted with one another, and which include two cover members on a machine stationary section side and a machine movable section side fixed to the stationary section and the movable section of the machine, respectively; and a pantograph drive mechanism for extending or contracting the telescopic cover, the drive mechanism including a plurality of quadrilateral link mechanisms continuously arranged in a direction along which the telescopic cover extends and contracts, and connected individually to their corresponding ones of the plurality of cover members.
Preferably, the telescopic cover apparatus includes a linear guide member extending in the telescopic cover extension/contraction direction, and adapted to guide at least one of the plurality of cover members.
As described above, according to the present invention, since the telescopic cover apparatus is arranged to extend and contract the telescopic cover, composed of the cover members which are slidably fitted with one another, by means of the pantograph drive mechanism, which includes the plurality of link mechanisms continuously arranged in the telescopic cover extension/contraction direction, the individual cover members can smoothly slide in cooperation with one another. As a result, the sliding motion of the individual cover members can be controlled, so that the telescopic cover can be prevented from producing noise or being twisted or damaged as it extends or contracts, thus enjoying a longer working life.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional front view showing a machine tool, which is furnished with a telescopic cover apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cutaway perspective view showing one of the cover members shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a telescopic cover, a pantograph drive mechanism, and a pair of guide rails of FIG. 1, with the drive mechanism in a contracted state; and
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the pantograph drive mechanism in an extended state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a machine tool furnished with a telescopic cover apparatus acco
REFERENCES:
patent: 3565153 (1971-02-01), Loos et al.
patent: 3578061 (1971-05-01), Hascheck et al.
patent: 3751120 (1973-08-01), Kietz
patent: 3788377 (1974-01-01), Knowles
"Improving Sllideway-protection Devices", Stanki Instrument, vol. 45, Issue 5, 1974, pp. 17-18.
Fujimoto Akihiko
Okamoto Shinya
Suzuki Ryuji
Dorner Kenneth J.
Fanuc Ltd.
Green Brian K.
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