US 4,899,993 A · Breakaway tool assembly

Abstract

A breakaway mounting assembly for a cutting torch or other non-contact tool includes a tool mounting collar with an outer frustoconical bearing surface adapted to be received in an annular support ring having a complimentary inner frustoconical bearing surface providing precision torch positioning. Resilient spring-biased detents hold the torch and mounting collar in the operating position, but are deflected in the event the torch collides with an obstruction, allowing the torch to be dislodged from the mounting without damage. The dislodged torch can be remounted with a simple snap-in action and precise realignment is automaticaly established. A switch which is activated by displacement between the supporting frustoconical bearing surfaces may be used to signal the operator or cause an appropriate response in the torch carriage operating system.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In an apparatus for mounting a noncontact tool for movement with a carriage mechanism relative to a workpiece normally spaced from the tool, a breakaway tool mounting assembly comprising:

an annular mounting collar supporting the tool generally on the axis of the collar, said collar having a downwardly facing outer frustoconical surface;
a support ring attached to the carriage mechanism and having an annular opening defined by an upwardly facing inner frustoconical surface;
said outer and inner frustoconical surfaces each defining the same cone angle such that the mounting collar is received in the annular opening in the support ring with said surfaces in direct bearing contact and with the tool depending generally downwardly through said annular opening;
and,
resiliently biased retaining means attached to the support ring and in engagement with an outer circumferential portion of the mounting collar to maintain direct bearing contact between said surfaces and to allow the collar to be dislodged from said bearing contact in response to unintended contact between the tool and an object in its path of movement.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Breakaway tool assembly

Life of this patent

Breakaway tool assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14