Apparatus for guiding a tool along a curved path
OwnerJohn R. McKibbin, Frederick B. Tyler, Jr.inventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for guiding a tool on a curved path which includes an elongated guide member elastically deformed in the shape of a spline curve and a means responsive to said elastically deformed curved guide member for directing or limiting the movement of the tool to a path responsive to the curved shape of the elastically deformed curved guide member.
Claims13
An apparatus for guiding a tool along a predetermined curved path in relation to a work piece, including:
- (a) A spline member elastically deformed in the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member;
- (b) A first means for holding said spline member in the shape of a curve, and
- (c) A second means responsive to said curved guide member for directing the movement of said tool in a predetermined curved path in relation to said work piece.
An apparatus for guiding a tool along a predetermined curved path in relation to a work piece, including:
- (a) An elongated strip capable of being elastically deformed in the shape of a curve and having a longitudinal track including a longitudinal groove in at least one surface of said elongated strip,
- (b) A base having a planar surface and including a curved groove in the planar surface of the said base, which curved groove restrainingly carries said elongated strip;
- and
- (c) A carriage carrying said tool and having at least one wheel in communication with said longitudinal track.
A method of manufacturing an apparatus for guiding a tool along a predetermined curved path in relation to a work piece, said apparatus including an elongated strip member elastically deformed in the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member, and a means for securing said elongated strip in the shape of a curve, which method includes the following steps:
- (a) Elastically deforming said elongated strip member into the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member;
- (b) Securing said elongated strip member in the shape of a curve;
- and
- (c) Providing a means responsive to said elongated strip member for guiding a tool in a predetermined path relative to said work piece.
A method of manufacturing an apparatus for guiding a tool along a predetermined curve path in relation to a work piece, including an elongated strip member elastically deformed in the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member, a securing means for securing said guide member in the shape of a curve, which securing means includes a base for carrying said tool having a curved groove in planar surface of said base, which method includes the following steps:
- (a) Elastically deforming said elongated strip member into the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member;
- (b) Securing said elongated strip member in the shape of a curve by fitting said elongated strip member into said curved groove in said base;
- and
- (c) Providing a means responsive to said elongated strip member for guiding said tool in a predetermined path relative to said work piece.
An apparatus for guiding a tool along a curved path in relation to the work piece, said apparatus including an elongated strip member, elastically deformed in the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member and a means for securing said guide member in the shape of a curve, which apparatus is manufactured according to the following method:
- (a) Elastically deforming said elongated strip member into the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member;
- (b) Securing said elongated strip member in said shape of a curve;
- and
- (c) Providing a means responsive to said elongated strip member for guiding said tool in a predetermined path relative to said work piece.
An apparatus for guiding a tool along a predetermined curved path in relation to work piece, including an elongated strip member elastically deformed in the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member, a securing means for securing said guide member in the shape of a spline curve which securing means includes a base upon which said tool is carried having a curved groove in a planar surface of said base, which apparatus is manufactured according to the following method:
- (a) Elastically deforming said elongated strip member into the shape of a curve to provide a curved guide member;
- (b) Securing a flexible elongated strip member into the shape of a curve by fitting said elongated strip member into said curved groove in said base;
- and
- (c) Providing a means responsive to said elongated strip member of guiding said tool in a predetermined path relative to said work piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.