Detachable parts holder
AssigneeEngineered Abrasives, Inc.
InventorMichael J. Wern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure includes a shaft and spindle assembly for retaining a part in a part processing assembly. The part is retained on the shaft via a downward force from a part hold-down assembly. The shaft is retained in the spindle assembly that is coupled to a turntable of the part processing assembly. The shaft includes an annular step that abuts against a portion of the spindle assembly to block downward movement of the shaft when the downward force is applied. In this way, the part is retained in a precise location relative to processing nozzles of the part processing assembly even after multiple parts are held down by the part hold-down assembly and processed.
Claims20
A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
- a turntable;
- at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path;
- a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft;
- a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path;
- and
- a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably attach the parts holder to the slotted shaft.
A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
- a spindle assembly configured to retain a part being process and configured to permit rotation of the part, the spindle assembly comprising:
- a bearing assembly;
- and a shaft that rotates within the bearing assembly, wherein:
- the shaft includes an annular step that extends circumferentially outward from the shaft and is configured to abut against an outer edge of the bearing assembly to block movement of the shaft through the bearing assembly.
A parts processing apparatus, comprising:
- a turntable;
- at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path;
- a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft;
- a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path;
- and
- a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder and engageable with the slotted shaft, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:
- a sidewall defining a recess and having a first hole and a second hole;
- and
- a securement member engageable with the slotted shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is slidably engageable through the first hole and the second end is slidably engageable through the second hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.