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US 5,379,554 AGranted
Grinding and finishing worm
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDan L. Thurman, Michael L. Gilham, John C. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus of unitary construction to fine-finish gear teeth. The apparatus is a worm having first and second end portions and first and second outer surfaces. The first and second surfaces define a common tooth profile. The first end portion is adapted for grinding and the second end portion is adapted for finishing.
Claims7
An apparatus for grinding and finishing a metal member, comprising:
- a single unitary composite grinding and finishing worm having an axis, first and second end portions, a middle portion, and first and second outer surfaces, said first and second outer surfaces each defining a preselected tooth profile, a continuous common preselected lead, said middle portion being free of said tooth profile over a preselected distance as measured along the axis, said preselected distance being substantially equal to lead dimension of said first and second end portions;
- and
- one of said end portions being adapted for grinding and the other end portion being adapted for finishing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.