Tool block slide assembly for automated cutting tool
AssigneeDonato L. Ricci
InventorsDonato L. Ricci, Brent Place
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shield slide mechanism for moving the cutting tool of a clamshell lathe is provided. By shielding the mechanism, metal chips created during the cutting process are precluded from jamming the mechanism and preventing the controlled movement of the cutting tool. The tool block slide assembly incorporates a cam lever actuated feed screw operating through a unidirectional roller clutch rather than a conventional star wheel to provide a more controlled movement of the tool block slide.
Claims9
An improved tool block slide assembly adapted for use with a clamshell lathe, the lathe having a stationary ring adapted to be clamped to a cylindrical workpiece and a rotatable ring journaled for rotation on the stationary ring, the tool block slide assembly comprising:
- (a) a base plate adapted to be affixed to the rotatable ring;
- (b) a guide plate attached to the base plate, the guide plate having a longitudinal channel formed therein a first and second, parallel beveled longitudinal side edges;
- (c) a slide block having a guideway formed in a bottom surface thereof for receiving the guide plate therein, the slide block adapted to support a cutting tool;
- (d) an internally threaded feed nut captured in the slide block and extending into the longitudinal channel of the guide plate;
- (e) a feed screw journaled for rotation in the slide block, the feed screw being externally threaded along a predetermined length thereof and cooperating with the threaded feed nut so that clockwise rotation of the feed screw causes the slide block to be displaced with respect to the guide plate in a first direction and counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw causes the slide block to be displaced with respect to the guide plate in an opposite direction;
- and
- (f) means for periodically rotating the feed screw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.