Rotary indexing table
OwnerJoseph J. Gilbertiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotary indexing table has a table defining a flat table surface. A dial having an upper surface and a lower surface is positioned over and generally parallel to the table surface. The dial further defines a circular inner edge and an outer edge. First bearings mounted to the table surface engage the inner edge of the dial to radially support the dial on the table. Second bearings axially support the lower surface on the table surface for rotation. The second bearings comprise circular grooves in the lower surface of the dial and concentric with the inner edge. Ball bearings are in the grooves and in contact with the flat table surface. A drive assembly comprising a belt engaging the outer edge and driven by a motor indexes the rotation of the dial.
Claims25
A rotary indexing table comprising:
- a table having a table surface;
- a rotatable dial positioned over said table, said dial having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said lower surface facing and generally parallel to said table surface, said dial further having an outer edge, a circular inner edge, and an axis of rotation centered within said inner edge;
- first bearing means mounted to said table and contacting said inner edge for radially supporting the rotation of said dial on said table;
- second bearing means for axially supporting said lower surface on said table surface for rotation of said dial over said table surface, said second bearing means including a plurality of concentric grooves in one of said lower surface and said table surface, said grooves having a center of curvature generally on said axis of rotation, and the other of said table surface and said lower surface defining a flat surface, and ball bearings in said grooves in contact with said flat surface of said other of said lower surface and said table surface permitting linear horizontal movement of said dial relative to said table;
- and
- drive means engaging said dial for indexing the rotation of said dial.
A rotary indexing table comprising:
- a table having a table surface;
- a rotatable dial positioned over said table, said dial having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said lower surface facing and generally parallel to said table surface, said dial further having and outer edge and a circular inner edge;
- first bearing means mounted to said table surface and contacting said inner edge for radially supporting the rotation of said dial over said table, said dial defining an axis of rotation;
- second bearing means for axially supporting said lower surface on said table surface for rotation of said dial on said table, said lower surface defining a bearing surface comprising concentric grooves and said table surface defining a generally flat surface, and ball bearings in said grooves in contact with said flat surface permitting linear horizontal movement of said dial relative to said table;
- and
- drive means engaging said outer edge for indexing the rotation of said dial.
A rotary indexing table comprising:
- a table having a table surface;
- a rotatable dial positioned over said table, said dial having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said lower surface facing and generally parallel to said table surface, said dial further having an outer edge and a circular inner edge;
- first bearing means mounted to said table surface and contacting said inner edge for rotation of said dial on said table, said dial defining an axis of rotation;
- second bearing means for axially supporting said lower surface on said table surface for rotation of said dial over said table;
- drive means for rotating said dial;
- an indexing mark on said dial;
- sensor means for sensing the position of said indexing mark and generating a signal in response to said sensing;
- and
- control means for controlling said drive means in response to said signal of said sensor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.