Universal workholding V fixture convertable to other applications

• US 20010045695A1
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andronica, Randall C.
• Original Assignee: Andronica, Randall C.
• Inventors: Andronica, Randall C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,554,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/268
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2452 with supplementary jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/006 Supporting devices for clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/147 for pipes

Abstract

A workholding device for holding a workpiece securely for machining. One embodiment comprises a V fixture. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to be versatile and to provide the ability to accomplish other tasks beyond workholding, for example, enabling the punching of parts, the dressing of diamond wheels, sharpening drills of a wide range of sizes, and enabling deep hole center drilling.

Claims

1. A V fixture comprised of a block with square sides any of which may be used as a reference surface, said block having a single central V cavity on one side parallel to a flat planar base on the other, said block having a series of perpendicular thru holes on either side of said V, said holes may be threaded, counterbored or countersunk, said counterbore holes providing means to accept and locate sine bases or other accessories on any side of said block.

2. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a tangent contact clamping plate, comprising a flat planar plate having a series of thru holes which may be countersunk or counterbored, to communicate with said V fixture in

claim 1

, at least two of the holes in said plate accommodating fixed pins that locate and adjust the height of said plate in said V fixture in

claim 1

, the remaining holes being counterbored or countersunk to recess screws used to secure the workpiece.

3. A V fixture according to

claim 2

wherein said locating pins are internally and coaxially threaded.

4. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a keyway style clamping plate comprised of a rectangular planar plate having a series of thru holes to communicate with said V fixture of

claim 1

in which at least two of the holes in said plate accommodate fixed pins, said keyway plate having an inclined surface running along the underside of the long axis of said plate to make contact with the workpiece.

5. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a V style clamping member comprised of identical dimensions to said V fixture in

claim 1

having a series of thru holes on either side of the V which communicate with said holes of said V fixture in

claim 1

wherein at least two of the holes of said V clamping member accommodate fixed locating pins, the remaining holes being countersunk or counterbored to recess the securing screws.

6. A V fixture according to

claim 1

in which said keyway clamp comprises an additional inclined surface machined along the opposite surface, the fixed pins being asymmetrically located in said keyway clamp so that said keyway clamp may be reversed giving greater access or accommodating larger work.

7. A V fixture according to

claim 1

wherein said V block fixture is constructed from laminations of alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic material.

8. A V fixture according to

claim 1

wherein said V block fixture is constructed from alternating segments of magnetic and non-magnetic material forming a checkerboard pattern.

9. A V fixture according to

claim 2

wherein said tangent clamp comprises a clear material.

10. A V fixture according to

claim 2

comprising a motor mounted atop the plate to drive a spindle.

11. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a male V member, said male V precisely matching the female V cavity of said V fixture, said male V having means to accommodate a diamond dressing tool, or a dovetail slide fixture and which may have a gear rack to facilitate linear motion.

12. A V fixture according to

claim 11

wherein said plate has bearing means to facilitate the relative reciprocating linear motion between said V fixture and said male V member.

13. A V fixture according to

claim 2

wherein each end of the V fixture is equipped with outboard bearings forming three point contact supporting a rotating spindle or workpiece.

14. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a center finder for locating the V fixture in and workpiece directly under the spindle of a machine tool, said center finder comprised of a chuckable shank portion centrally located in a block having a V shaped profile matching the cavity in said V fixture, said center finder shank having a coaxial thru hole accommodating a headed pin having a conical point on the opposite end.

15. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a detachable sine base, said sine base having locating holes corresponding to mounting holes in said V fixture, said sine base may have sine rolls oriented in X, Y, or Z axis.

16. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a dovetail slide mechanism for use with the male V member, said dovetail slide mechanism consisting of a shank portion for mounting, a female dovetail member, and an L shaped male dovetail member, said L shaped dovetail member having mounting holes and a strip of magnetic tape on its surface for mounting a drill fixture, said dovetail slide moves relative to female dovetail by screw means engaging said male dovetail.

17. A V fixture according to

claim 1

comprising a V block and tangent clamp wherein the components are arranged to form a lathe or center drilling machine, the headstock being formed by a V fixture and V clamp mounted back to back, the motor atop the tangent clamp driving a spindle which revolves in a cartridge or outboard bearing, holding the workpiece, the tailstock arrangement being formed in the same manner as said headstock, said head and tailstock being aligned by male V member forming the bed, axial movement along the bed being accomplished by beating and rack and pinion means in said tangent clamp and mate V member.

19. A tangent clamping plate comprising a flat planar plate having a series of thru holes to communicate with said holes in said tailstock in

claim 14

, four of the holes accommodating fixed pins locating said plate in said tailstock, said tangent plate having bearing and pinion members to accomplish relative motion between said quill and tailstock, said movement being actuated thru a lever having ratcheting means, said tangent clamp also having a threaded thru hole and a knob to lock said quill.

20. A male V member according to

claim 11

in combination with a V fixture and tangent clamp wherein the assembled components are separated by caged roller bearings between surfaces.

18. A V fixture arrangement forming the tailstock of a lathe, said tailstock having a V cavity with a land on either side of said V, said land having a series of holes on either side of said V, at least 4 holes being accurately sized and two holes being threaded, and a quill member formed from square or rectangular stock having a mating V on one side and a flat portion opposite said V, said flat portion having a gear rack to facilitate relative movement.