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US3581602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Indexing apparatus
Assignee: The Birken Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1969-02-03
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1989-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like and having a rotatable index table, a compact rack and pinion drive mechanism including a unitary clutch for indexably moving said table to a plurality of approximate index positions relative to a work station, and mechanism for accurate positioning and holding the table in its various index positions and comprising a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from the table and one or more pin-engaging elements or yokes for selective engagement with the aforesaid pins. The table is angularly adjustable relative to the drive mechanism so that the number of index positions and the angular spacing therebetween may be readily varied.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene P Bachmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:16
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q16/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1418; Y10T74/1424; Y10T74/1453; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately aligned and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means movable in one and an opposite direction for indexably moving said table, a unitary clutch mechanism drivingly connecting said index table and said drive means, said clutch mechanism having concentric inner and outer parts and means for rotating one of said parts in only one direction in response to rotation of said other part in one and an opposite direction, said other part being drivingly connected to said drive means, said one part being drivingly connected to said index table for intermittently rotating said table in said one direction in response to the movement of said drive means in said one and an opposite direction, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately aligned and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means movable in one and an opposite direction for indexably moving said table, a unitary clutch mechanism drivingly connecting said index table and said drive means, said clutch mechanism having concentric inner and outer parts and means for rotating one of said parts in only one direction in response to rotation of said other part in one and an opposite direction, said other part being drivingly connected to said drive means, said one part being drivingly connected to said index table for intermittently rotating said table in said one direction in response to the movement of said drive means in said one and an opposite direction, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pins are generally cylindrical and said one positioning and holding means comprises a holding element movable radially inwardly and outwardly relative to said one pin between pin engaging and releasing positions, said element having generally opposing pin-engaging surfaces for tangential contact with said one pin in said engaging position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said element comprises a yoke having an inwardly opening pin receiving recess, said pin-engaging surfaces diverging inwardly and partially defining said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a switch having an actuating member and a plurality of circumaxially spaced cam members associated with said table for preselected engagement with said actuating member, each of said cam members corresponding to an associated one of said index positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said table comprises two coaxially supported pLates, one of said plates being drivingly connected to said drive means and the other of said plates being angularly movable relative to said one plate, and means for releasably retaining said plates in a plurality of selected angular positions relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an indexing apparatus the combination comprising a rotatable index table, drive means movable in one and an opposite direction, and a unitary clutch mechanism drivingly connecting said index table and said drive means, said clutch mechanism including concentrically arranged annular inner and outer parts and means for rotating one of said parts in only one direction in response to rotation of said other part in one and an opposite direction, said other part drivingly connected to said drive means, said one part drivingly connected to said index table to rotate said table in said one direction in response to the movement of said drive means in said one and said opposite direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
In an indexing apparatus the combination comprising a rotatable index table, drive means movable in one and an opposite direction, and a unitary clutch mechanism drivingly connecting said index table and said drive means, said clutch mechanism including concentrically arranged annular inner and outer parts and means for rotating one of said parts in only one direction in response to rotation of said other part in one and an opposite direction, said other part drivingly connected to said drive means, said one part drivingly connected to said index table to rotate said table in said one direction in response to the movement of said drive means in said one and said opposite direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said drive means include a rotatable drive member and means for rotating said drive member in one and an opposite direction, said drive member being drivingly connected to said other part, said one part comprising the hub of said drive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said drive member is a pinion concentrically mounted on said other part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position, and another positioning and holding means for engaging another of said pins and sequentially operable relative to said one positioning and holding means for moving said table to and holding said table in another index position angularly spaced from said selected index position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
182 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position, and another positioning and holding means for engaging another of said pins and sequentially operable relative to said one positioning and holding means for moving said table to and holding said table in another index position angularly spaced from said selected index position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
168 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, a switch having an actuating member and operable to stop said table and move said positioning and holding means into engagement with an associated one of said pins, and a plurality of circumaxially spaced cam members associated with said table for preselected engagement with said actuating member to operate said switch, each of said cam members corresponding to an associated one of said index positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
168 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, a switch having an actuating member and operable to stop said table and move said positioning and holding means into engagement with an associated one of said pins, and a plurality of circumaxially spaced cam members associated with said table for preselected engagement with said actuating member to operate said switch, each of said cam members corresponding to an associated one of said index positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said cam members comprises a screw threadably adjustable relative to said table between projected and retracted positions, and engageable with said actuating member in said projected position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
185 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, said indexing table including two coaxially supported plates, one of said plates being angularly movable relative to the other, and means for releasably retaining said plates in a plurality of selected angular positions relative to each other, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means drivingly connected to the other of said plates for indexably moving said table, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
185 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, said indexing table including two coaxially supported plates, one of said plates being angularly movable relative to the other, and means for releasably retaining said plates in a plurality of selected angular positions relative to each other, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means drivingly connected to the other of said plates for indexably moving said table, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
An indexing apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said one plate has a pin-receiving aperture therethrough and said other plate has a plurality of circumaxially spaced apertures therein for selective alignment with said aperture in said one plate and said means for releasably retaining said plates comprises a pin inserted through said aperture in said one plate, and selectively engaging one of said apertures in said other plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
179 words
An indexing apparatus adapted for connection to and operation in timed relation with a machine tool or the like having a work station, said apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position, and sensing means associated with said holding and positioning means and responsive to movement of said table to said selected index position for controlling the operation of the machine tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
179 words
An indexing apparatus adapted for connection to and operation in timed relation with a machine tool or the like having a work station, said apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a plurality of circumaxially spaced pins projecting from said table, each of said pins corresponding to an associated one of said index positions, at least one positioning and holding means for operatively engaging an associated one of said pins to accurately align and releasably retain said table in an index position corresponding to said one pin, drive means for indexably moving said table, sensing means responsive to movement of said table to an approximate selected index position for stopping said table and moving said positioning and holding means into engagement with the pin corresponding to said selected index position, and sensing means associated with said holding and positioning means and responsive to movement of said table to said selected index position for controlling the operation of the machine tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
117 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a first positioning and holding means for accurately aligning and releasably retaining said table in one index position, second positioning and holding means sequentially operable relative to said first positioning and holding means for moving said table to and holding said table in another index position angularly spaced from said one index position, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to a position proximate said one index position for operating said positioning and holding means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
117 words
An indexing apparatus for a machine tool or the like having a work station and comprising a rotatable indexing table adapted to support a workpiece for selective indexable movement to a plurality of index positions relative to the work station, a first positioning and holding means for accurately aligning and releasably retaining said table in one index position, second positioning and holding means sequentially operable relative to said first positioning and holding means for moving said table to and holding said table in another index position angularly spaced from said one index position, and sensing means responsive to movement of said table to a position proximate said one index position for operating said positioning and holding means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |