Quick tool release mechanism for vertical milling machines
OwnerMarc H. Boisvertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention comprises a vertical milling machine having a J-head and a manually adjustable spindle for the rapid change of a tool held in said spindle, including a milling machine head having a motor means for rotatively moving the spindle about its longitudinal axis. An elongated draw bar is rotatively supported within the spindle. A compressive spring is arranged between the top end of the draw bar and the top end of the spindle. An enclosure cap is attached to the head, so as to limit vertical advance of the draw bar, a coupling arranged at the lower end of the draw bar, and a collet with a pull stud thereon, is arranged in mating engagement with the coupling, wherein the collet and a tool therein are released as the spindle is moved longitudinally upwardly with respect to the collet.
Claims12
A vertical milling machine having a J-head and a manually adjustable spindle for the rapid change of a tool held in said spindle, comprising:
- a milling machine head having a motor means for rotatively moving said spindle about its longitudinal axis;
- an elongated draw bar rotatively supported within said spindle;
- a compressive spring arranged between the top end of said draw bar and the top end of said spindle;
- a draw bar movement-stopping enclosure cap attached to said head, so as to limit vertical advance of said draw bar;
- a coupling arranged at the lower end of said draw bar;
- and
- a collet with a pull stud thereon, arranged in mating engagement with said coupling, wherein said collet and a tool therein are released when said spindle is moved longitudinally upwardly with respect to said collet upon said draw bar engaging said cap.
A method of changing a milling tool on a manually operable vertical milling machine having a machine head and a spindle rotatively supported therein, said spindle being movable vertically by a manually adjustable handle connected by a rack and pinion gear arranged therebetween, comprising the steps of:
- arranging a draw bar within said spindle in said head, said draw bar having a threaded upper end, and a coupling arranged at its lower end;
- pushing said handle so as to cause said draw bar into stopped vertical motion engagement with a rigid cup attached to the upper end of said head above said draw bar;
- and
- moving said spindle with respect to stopped draw bar, so as to permit said coupling to loosen its grip on said collet and tool therewith, thus permitting a new collet and tool to be placed into said coupling.
A collet for a vertical milling machine having a J-head and a manually adjustable spindle for the rapid change of a tool held in said spindle, said milling machine head having a motor means for rotatively moving said spindle about its longitudinal axis;
- an elongated draw bar rotatively supported within said spindle;
- a compressive spring arranged between the top end of said draw bar and the top end of said spindle;
- an enclosure cap attached to said head above said draw bar, so as to limit vertical advance of said draw bar and release said collet;
- a coupling arranged at the lower end of said draw bar, wherein said collet includes:
- a pull stud thereon, arranged in mating engagement with said coupling, wherein said collet and a tool therein are released when said spindle is moved longitudinally upwardly with respect to said collet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.