Work holders – With fluid means – Vacuum-type holding means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-07
2003-07-01
Wilson, Lee D. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
With fluid means
Vacuum-type holding means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06585244
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a machine table for a processing machine for holding at least one workpiece which is to be processed or at least one work accessory.
A workpiece of wood, for example, metal, plastic or glass can be fastened directly on such machine tables so that it can be worked by a processing machine, such as a router or the like. In addition, it is also possible to mount work accessories on the machine table, by means of which the workpiece, which is to be processed, is then held, or which, in turn, can be used to process the workpiece. For fastening the workpiece or a work accessory, suitable means are provided at the upper side of the machine table and interact with the workpiece or the work accessory, enabling the workpiece or work accessory to be clamped. Such means may comprise, for example, a groove-grid structure which is produced in the table surface and is connected with a source of vacuum so that a vacuum can be brought into the structure. By means of sealing cords inserted in the grooves, a bounded vacuum space can thus be created on which the workpiece is placed and thus held by suction. Instead of a groove grid structure, it is also possible to provide vacuum channels which discharge at the upper side and are also connected to a source of vacuum and can be sealed by suitable sealing elements. If a workpiece or a work accessory is to be clamped, the necessary openings are simply opened, so that the vacuum can be applied to the workpiece or work accessory. Moreover, magnetic surfaces are also known on which work accessories which have a metallic holding section can be placed and held. These are only some of the known clamping techniques which can be used in order to be able to hold workpieces or work accessories on a machine table. The list is not complete and other, appropriate clamping techniques are, of course known to those skilled in the art.
Each machine table is designed for a particular clamping technique, that is, the worker can use only one clamping technique at the table assigned to a processing machine. Consequently, when there is a change in the workpieces which are to be processed, for example, within the scope of a series production process, a device of the machine table, which is selected for workpiece A and on which, for example, appropriate work accessories in the form of vacuum suction elements are set down, which in their arrangement are placed in accordance with the shape of the workpiece A, must be changed in order to set up the table in accordance with the shape and the requirements of the workpiece B, which is to be processed subsequently. This is expensive and time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a machine table which can be used more flexibly and variably.
Pursuant to the invention, this object is accomplished by a machine table having at least one table element which is mounted so that it can rotate about an axis and has at least two sides which can be brought into a working position by rotating the table element and at which the workpiece and/or the work accessory can be held.
The rotatability of the table element, which has at least two working sides at each of which a workpiece or a work accessory can be fastened, makes variable and very flexible working possible. At each side of the table, appropriate means for holding the workpiece or the work accessory, no matter of what type, are provided. Similar or different operating holding means can be provided at the respective sides. For the worker, there is the appreciable advantage that, for example, he can set up the first side of the table in accordance with a workpiece A having a first shape and the second or any additional side in accordance with the requirements of a further workpiece B, C, etc. which is to be processed. In the event that there is a change in workpieces, he need only rotate the table element so that the respectively set up working side faces upward. If, for example, in the case of a table element with two working sides, similar holding means in the form of a groove-grid structure, over which a vacuum can be applied to the workpiece, are provided on either side, then it is possible to use the sealing cord at a first side in accordance with the shape of workpiece A and to close off the vacuum channel openings which open up outside of the area surrounded by the sealing cords. At the opposite side, the sealing cord or cords can be placed in accordance with the shape of a workpiece B. In the event that there is a change in workpieces, an immediate change in the table side is possible, without having to undertake any other devices.
On the other hand, if different clamping techniques or different clamping means are realized at the sides, it is possible to clamp a workpiece A at the first side. If subsequently workpiece B is to be clamped and cannot be held with the clamping technique provided at the first side, the table element can be rotated and the second side with the other type of clamping technique, at which or by means of which the other workpiece B can be clamped, can be rotated to the top. Of course, the same applies also to mounting a work accessory. In this case, the machine table can be used for numerous functions by the worker in view of the possibility of clamping different types of workpieces with one and the same machine table using different clamping techniques or different holding means, and of processing these workpieces with one and the same processing machine. In the past, different combinations of machine tables and processing machines have always been required for this purpose, since the inventive variability of the clamping technique at one machine table did not exist.
Overall, the machine table in accordance with the invention offers the worker the possibility of working extremely rapidly and variably.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the table element can be constructed as a tabletop with a large surface. In this embodiment, only one table element which is held at an appropriate table frame is used. It can be swiveled about an axis which, in the case of a conventional, rectangular construction of the tabletop, preferable extends in the longitudinal direction of the tabletop.
On the other hand, in embodiment of the invention, the table element is constructed in the form of a console, several console-like table elements, which are disposed parallel to one another, being provided at a table frame. In this embodiment of the invention, the table or clamping plane is formed by means of several table elements, which in each case have several sides which can be brought into an appropriate working position. A workpiece can be clamped at only one table element or, overlapping two or more table elements, clamped to these, either directly or with the insertion of appropriate work accessories, such as a vacuum suction apparatus or the like. Since each table element is mounted so that it can be rotated, turning in this way does not require much space and, at the same time, the possibility exists of forming very large table planes.
Moreover, each console-like table element can be essentially triangular at cross section and have three sides, at which appropriate holding means can be provided. In this manner, the worker can chose between three working sides. As an alternative to the triangular construction, each table element can be constructed essentially with a quadrilateral cross section and thus have four sides. Table elements with more than four sides are also conceivable.
Biangular, triangular or quadrilateral table elements are advantageous especially if, as can be provided pursuant to the invention, the console-like table elements are mounted displaceably at the table frame. The displaceable mounting offers the possibility that each table element can be positioned anywhere close to another table element, in order to be able, without any problems, to clamp also smaller workpieces which must be clamped using two table elements which are disposed next to one
Goeckel Karl
Goeckel Martin
J. Schmalz GmbH
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Wilson Lee D.
LandOfFree
Work table for supporting a workpiece does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Work table for supporting a workpiece, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Work table for supporting a workpiece will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3017803