US 5,697,739 A · Angle spindle attachment

Abstract

An angle spindle attachment for a vertically movable spindle unit is provided for rotating a cutting tool in a generally horizontal orientation. The attachment includes a spindle assembly having a drive train that is mechanically independent from the drive train of the vertically movable spindle unit, and a connector block for detachably connecting the spindle assembly at a transverse angle with respect to the vertically movable spindle unit. The connector block may include an angular adjustment mechanism that allows the spindle assembly to be oriented at an angle above or below the horizontal, as well as a rotational adjustment assembly that allows the spindle assembly to be pivotally adjusted about the axis of rotation of the vertically movable spindle unit. The independent drive train of the spindle assembly may be either electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically powered, and allows the cutting tool to be held more rigidly, operated with less eccentric movement, and turned at speeds that are not limited by the drive train of the vertically movable spindle unit.

Claims28

Dependent claims

An angle spindle attachment for a spindle unit that is vertically operable with respect to a workpiece, said unit including a spindle shaft rotatably mounted with respect to a headstock, and a drive train for rotating said shaft, comprising:

a spindle assembly having a drive train that is mechanically independent from the drive train of the vertically operable spindle unit, a housing containing said independent drive train, and a tool coupling means rotatably mounted in said housing and connected to the mechanically independent drive train for holding a turning tool, and
a connector block means for detachably connecting said spindle assembly to said vertically operable spindle unit such that the axis of rotation of said shaft and said tool coupling are transverse to one another,
wherein said connector block means includes a tapered shank, which is detachably connectable to a female adapter at an end of said spindle shaft, and a stop block assembly detachably connectable to said headstock for preventing said connector block means from rotating relative to said headstock and
wherein said drive train of said spindle assembly includes an electric motor, and said stop block assembly includes an electrical connector for connecting a source of electrical power to said motor.

1 more element

a spindle assembly having a drive train that is mechanically independent from the drive train of the vertically operable spindle unit, a housing containing said independent drive train, and a tool coupling rotatably mounted in said housing and connected to the mechanically independent drive train for holding a turning tool, and
a connector block for detachably connecting said spindle assembly to said vertically operable spindle unit such that the axis of rotation of said shaft and said tool coupling are transverse to one another,
wherein said connector block includes a tapered shank, which is detachably connectable to a female adapter at an end of said spindle shaft, and a stop block assembly detachably connectable to said headstock for preventing said connector block from rotating relative to said headstock and
wherein said drive train of said spindle assembly includes an electric motor, and said stop block assembly includes an electrical connector for connecting a source of electrical power to said motor.

1 more element

a spindle assembly having a drive train that is mechanically independent from the drive train of the vertically operable spindle unit, a housing containing said independent drive train, and a tool coupling rotatably mounted in said housing and connected to the independent drive train for holding a turning tool, and
a connector block for detachably connecting said spindle assembly to said vertically operable spindle unit such that the axis of rotation of said shaft and said tool coupling are transverse to one another, including a tapered shank at one end that is detachably connectable to a female adapter at an end of said spindle shaft, a clamping mechanism at an opposite end for securing said spindle assembly, a stop block assembly detachably connectable to said headstock for preventing said connector block from rotating, and an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle between the axis of rotation of said shaft and the axis of rotation of said tool coupling.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Angle spindle attachment

Life of this patent

Angle spindle attachment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28