Indexing device for a machine tool

A device for machining a work piece, comprising:

• a control member operatively connected to a machine tool;
• at least one support member;
• a rotary member rotatably mounted to said at least one support member, said rotary member including a work holding fixture coupled thereto;
• a plurality of pins extending from said rotary member, each pin being angularly spaced about an axis of rotation of said rotary member with respect to the remaining ones of said plurality of pins;
• a stop assembly moveable between a first position wherein said stop assembly engages said rotary member to a second position wherein said stop assembly is disengaged from said rotary member;
• and
• a trigger pivotally coupled to said at least one support member, wherein said control member is positionable to actuate said trigger to move said stop assembly to said second position while contacting one of the plurality of pins to rotate said rotary member.

A method of machining a work piece, comprising:

• providing an indexing device including a rotary member rotatable about an axis and having a plurality of index pins extending therefrom, the indexing device further including a trigger coupled to a stop assembly, the stop assembly having a portion contactable with the rotary member when the stop assembly is in a first position to prevent rotation of the rotary member;
• engaging a work holding fixture to the rotary member;
• mounting a work piece to the work holding fixture;
• contacting the trigger with a control member to move the stop assembly from the first position to a second position allowing rotation of the rotary member;
• and
• contacting one of the plurality of index pins with the control member while also maintaining contact of the control member with the trigger to rotate the rotary member.

An indexing device for use with a machine tool including a control member, the indexing device comprising:

• a support member;
• a rotary member having a plurality of index pins extending therefrom, said rotary member coupled to said support member and having an axis of rotation, said rotary member being further coupled to a work holding fixture;
• and
• a trigger pivotally mounted to said support member, said trigger being coupled to a stop assembly movable between a first position in contact with said rotary member and a second position allowing rotational movement of said rotary member, said trigger having a contact surface with a length that is at least as great as the length between adjacent ones of said plurality of index pins, wherein the control member is positionable to simultaneously contact said trigger to move said stop assembly from said first position to said second position and one of said plurality of index pins and rotate said rotary member by translating said control member along said trigger contact surface.