Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Clamped members
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-06-12
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Clamped members
C403S097000, C409S234000, C408S240000, C279S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244780
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tool coupling of the kind that comprises a holder and an adapter for at least one cutting machining element, said adapter including a first serration intended to co-operate with a second serration of the holder, more precisely by bringing the serrations into engagement by means of a clamping means while providing a torque resistant connection between the adapter and the holder.
PRIOR ART
Within the field of chip removing machining there are tool couplings of the general kind defined above in several different applications, however, usually in turning tools of different type. Thus under the trade name COROMANT CAPTO® (Manufacturer: Sandvik AB, Sweden) boring bars are marketed, said boring bars utilizing such couplings. The holder of the coupling constitutes, for instance, a bar for receiving an adapter in the form of a cutting head, the coupling being mountable in a multipurpose lathe. The cutting head has one or more machining elements in the shape of exchangeable inserts. In connection with previously known boring bars of this kind, a first serration is provided at an essentially planar inner end surface of the cutting head, while a co-operating second serration is provided at an external or free end surface of the bar. In order to bring the serrations into engagement with each other several loose screws are used as clamping means, said screws having heads and being tightened in axial threaded holes disposed in the serrated end surface of the bar. More precisely, in this end surface of the bar four equidistant separated holes are recessed, of which the two upper holes permanently receive screws that are inserted through holes in the cutting head, and one or the other of the two lower holes receives a screw, depending on whether the cutting head is of a left-hand type or a right-hand type.
By urging together (meshing) the above-mentioned serrations in the two end surfaces of the bar and the cutting head respectively, a very reliable, torque resistant connection is achieved between the bar and the cutting head. This in turn guarantees that the active insert is given and maintains a correct position. However, a disadvantage in connection with the previously known tool coupling is that the exchange of the cutting head is complicated and time-consuming. Thus, not less than three screws must initially be loosened and then again tightened to complete a tool exchange, which might take several minutes. The tool exchanges become especially difficult in cases when the screws are hard to reach and/or have chips, dirt, grease deposits or the like in their key recesses. Under such circumstances the operational shutdowns for tool exchanges may be very time-consuming and expensive. Further, there is a risk of screws becoming lost since they must be loosened completely in order to allow dismounting of the cutting head.
Tool couplings using co-operating serrations in combination with screws as clamping means are further known from Publication WO 93/10929 and German Document No. 3 026 513. Even if the number of screws for fastening the adapter to the holder in these cases is reduced to one and two, respectively, the operation to initially loosen a comparatively long screw and then again tighten said screw, after a tool exchange has been effected, results in the exchange taking a comparatively long time. Also in this case the screws may become lost.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims at removing the shortcomings mentioned above in connection with previously known tool couplings of the type in question and at providing an improved coupling. Thus, a primary object of the invention is to create a tool coupling by means of which the necessary tool exchanges are effected in a quick and simple way. A further object is to create a tool coupling that makes it possible to design one and the same holder in such a way that it may be used in a flexible way not only for cooperation with different types of adapters, but also for positioning adapters in several different positions. Still a further object of the invention is to create a tool coupling where there is no risk of losing said clamping means.
According to the invention at least the primary object is attained by a tool coupling comprising first and second bodies, and a clamping mechanism. The first body includes a first surface having a first serration formed therein, a first hole extending through the first surface, and a side surface having a second hole extending therethrough and intersecting the first hole. The second body includes a second surface facing the first surface and including a second serration configured to mesh with the first serration. The second body further includes a pulling member projecting from the second surface and extending into the first hole. The pulling member includes at least one first wedge surface. The clamping mechanism is disposed in the second hole and includes a clamp member movable toward and away from the pulling member. The clamp member includes at least one second wedge surface arranged to engage the at least one first wedge surface to displace the second body toward the first body in a manner bringing the first and second serrations into meshing engagement with one another.
Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a screw extending in the second hole and having a thread. The clamp member comprises a nut threadedly disposed on the thread of the screw for movement toward and away from the first hole in response to rotation of the screw.
REFERENCES:
patent: 920713 (1909-05-01), Auster
patent: 3901613 (1975-08-01), Andersson
patent: 4221142 (1980-09-01), Minder
patent: 4632614 (1986-12-01), Rall et al.
patent: 4655655 (1987-04-01), Schürfeld
patent: 4725173 (1988-02-01), Hoffman et al.
patent: 5244301 (1993-09-01), Kurke et al.
patent: 5555784 (1996-09-01), Muendlein et al.
patent: 30 26 513 (1982-01-01), None
patent: 508454 (1920-10-01), None
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Kim Harry C.
Sandvik AB
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