Indexing apparatus

An indexable workholding apparatus comprising:

• a longitudinal column member having a first longitudinal axis, said longitudinal column member operably supporting at least one pair of selectively movable jaw members for selectively clamping at least one workpiece therebetween, each said pair of selectively movable jaw members being selectively movable along a corresponding second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis;
• first and second upstanding support members for rotatably and axially supporting said longitudinal column member therebetween for selective axial and rotational movement with respect to said first longitudinal axis;
• and
• an indexing assembly attached to said second support member and communicating with said longitudinal column member, said indexing assembly having a first toothed ring non-rotatably attached to said second support member and a second toothed ring axially and rotatably supported by said second support member and arranged in confronting relationship with said first toothed ring for selective meshing engagement therewith, said second toothed ring being attached to said longitudinal column member, said indexing assembly further comprising a piston member rotatably supported within said second support member and adapted to receive a rotary force, said piston member defining at least one first ramped surface, said indexing assembly comprising a displacement assembly attached to said second toothed ring and having a corresponding displacement member cooperating with each said first ramped surface of said piston member such that when a rotary force is initially applied to said piston member, each said first ramped surface causes said corresponding displacement member to axially bias said second toothed ring out of meshing engagement with said first toothed ring to a disengaged position and thereafter permitting said second toothed ring and longitudinal column member to be selectively rotated about said first longitudinal axis upon the further application of said rotary force to said piston member to rotate said longitudinal column member to a desired angular position about said first longitudinal axis, and biasing means supported by said second support member for selectively biasing said second toothed ring into said meshing engagement with said first toothed ring when said further application of said rotary force is discontinued.

Apparatus for selectively indexing an article about a first axis, comprising:

• a housing member;
• a first toothed ring non-rotatably attached to said housing member;
• a second toothed ring axially and rotatably supported by said housing member and arranged in confronting relationship with said first toothed ring for selective meshing engagement therewith, said second toothed ring being attached to said article;
• a piston member rotatably supported within said housing member and adapted to receive a rotary force, said piston member having at least one roller member operably attached thereto, said roller member arranged to rotate about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
• a displacement assembly attached to said second toothed ring and having a ramped surface corresponding to each said roller member and cooperating therewith such that when a rotary force is initially applied to said piston member about said first axis, each said roller member causes said corresponding ramped surface on said displacement assembly to axially bias said second toothed ring out of meshing engagement with said first toothed ring to a disengaged position and thereafter permitting said second toothed ring and article to be selectively rotated about said first axis upon the further application of said rotary force to said piston member to a desired angular position about said first axis;
• and
• biasing means supported by said housing member for selectively biasing said second toothed ring into said meshing engagement with said first toothed ring when said further application of said rotary force is discontinued.

An indexable workholding apparatus comprising:

• a longitudinal column member having a first longitudinal axis, said longitudinal column member operably supporting at least one pair of selectively movable jaw members for selectively clamping at least one workpiece therebetween, each said pair of selectively movable jaw members being selectively movable along a corresponding second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis;
• first and second upstanding support members for rotatably and axially supporting said longitudinal column member therebetween for selective axial and rotational movement with respect to said first longitudinal axis;
• and
• an indexing assembly attached to said second support member and communicating with said longitudinal column member, said indexing assembly having a first toothed ring non-rotatably attached to said second support member and a second toothed ring axially and rotatably supported by said second support member and arranged in confronting relationship with said first toothed ring for selective meshing engagement therewith, said second toothed ring being attached to said longitudinal column member, said indexing assembly comprising a piston member rotatably supported within said second support member and adapted to receive a rotary force, said piston member having at least one roller member attached thereto and being rotatable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis, said indexing assembly further comprising a displacement assembly attached to said second toothed ring and having a ramped surface corresponding to each said roller member and cooperating therewith such that when a rotary force is initially applied to said piston member, each said roller member rolls on said corresponding ramped surface to axially displace said second toothed ring out of meshing engagement with said first toothed ring to a disengaged position and thereafter permitting said second toothed ring and longitudinal column member to be selectively rotated about said first longitudinal axis to a desired angular orientation about said first longitudinal axis upon the further application of said rotary force to said piston member and biasing means supported by said second support member for selectively biasing said second toothed ring into said meshing engagement with said first toothed ring when said further application of said rotary force is discontinued.