US 6,619,872 B2 · Modular tooling coupling apparatus

Abstract

A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein said base member is adjustably located along a predetermined path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second rotational axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member. In an alternative embodiment, the midportion is integrally connected to the end member wherein the end member provides an aperture for matingly engaging a first spline rod. The first spline rod may be rotatably adjusted about a second rotational axis. A spline bracket may be adjustably connected to the opposite end of the first spline rod while also engaging one end of a second spline rod. The spline bracket provides rotational adjustment of the two spline rods wherein the axes of the spline rods are substantially perpendicular and axially spaced from one another. A workpiece mounting bracket having a base member, midportion, and end member, may then be used to matingly engage and adjustably connect the second spline rod to a workpiece handling device.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members comprising:

a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount and having a first contoured surface;
a midportion having a second contoured surface that matingly engages and is adjustably connected to said first contoured surface of said base member for rotatably adjusting said midportion about a first axis;
and
an end member integrally connected to said midportion and having a third contoured surface that matingly engages and is adjustably connected to a first spline rod for rotatably adjusting said spline rod about a second axis.

1 more element

A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members comprising:

a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount for adjustable movement along a substantially horizontal axis, and said base member having a plurality of V-shaped serrated teeth formed therein;
a midportion bracket having a plurality of V-shaped serrated teeth formed therein that matingly engage and are adjustably connected to said serrated teeth of said base member for rotatably adjusting said midportion 360° with respect to said base member about a first rotational axis;
and
an end member integrally connected to said midportion and having an aperture extending therethrough for adjustably receiving a first spline rod, and said end member having at least one spline formed therein and extending into said aperture for matingly engaging and adjustably connecting said first spline rod to said end member wherein said first spline rod may be rotatably adjusted 360° about a second rotational axis.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular tooling coupling apparatus

Life of this patent

Modular tooling coupling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22