US 6,681,464 B1Granted

Tooling apparatus

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsChristian Dupuis, Robert Allan Ahti, Larisa Alexandra Elman

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Abstract

A modular tooling apparatus for performing a metalworking operation on a workpiece, having a base comprising an attachment surface having a locating feature, a removable insert separably secured to the attachment surface, having a locating feature and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof, and an extraction/locking device movable between a first position wherein the insert is secured to the attachment surface, whereby the locating feature of the insert associates with the locating feature of the attachment surface, and a second position wherein the insert is at least partially extracted from the attachment surface. The extraction/locking device alternately secures an insert to the base and assists in extracting the insert from the base. The device provides for ease of removal of an insert when the upper portion does not provide convenient surfaces for a technician to grab.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An improved modular tooling apparatus for performing a metalworking operation on a workpiece, wherein the apparatus comprises:

(a) a base comprising an attachment surface, the attachment surface comprising a pocket and a locating feature;
(b) a removable insert associated with the pocket, the insert comprising a locating feature and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;
and
(c) an extraction/locking device movable between a first position and a second position, the extraction/locking device comprising:
(1) a means for pivoting the device between the first position wherein the insert is secured to the pocket, whereby the locating feature of the insert associates with the locating feature of the attachment surface to define a location of the workpiece support feature relative to the base, and the second position wherein the insert is at least partially extracted from the pocket;
(2) a locking feature configured to engage the insert and secure it in the pocket whenever the extraction/locking device is pivoted to the first position;
and
(3) an extraction feature configured to at least partially extract the insert from the pocket whenever the extraction/locking device is pivoted away from the first position to the second position.

5 more elements

An improved modular tooling apparatus for performing a metalworking operation on a workpiece, wherein the apparatus comprises:

(a) a base configured for semi-permanent attachment to a table of a metalworking machine, the base comprising an attachment surface, the attachment surface comprising a locating feature;
(b) a removable insert associated with the attachment surface by insertion, whereby the insert is unsecured by the attachment surface itself in only one direction from which the insert was associated with the pocket, the insert comprising a locating feature and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;
and
(c) an extraction/locking device comprising a first configuration wherein the insert is secured to the attachment surface, whereby the locating feature of the insert associates with the locating feature of the attachment surface to define a location of the workpiece support feature relative to the base, and a second configuration wherein the insert is at least partially extracted from the attachment surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/370,868Filed 20 Feb 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 30 Dec 2002
Granted: 27 Jan 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B23Q 37/00
Metal-working machines, or constructional combinations thereof, built-up from units designed so that
B23Q 3/103
Auxiliary devices, e.g. bolsters, extension members: constructional elements used for constructing work holders
B25B 5/003
Clamps: combinations of clamps
B25B 5/006
Clamps: supporting devices for clamps