LOCATING MEANS

• US 20090230635A1
• Filed: 01/09/2006
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastland Medical Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Eastland Medical Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Sims, Douglas, Bunce, Philip
• Application Number:
  US11/813,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230635A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 279/17
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/06 Work-clamping means
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/103 Constructional elements used for constructing work holders
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/06 Arrangements for positively actuating jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/08 using cams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17025 Radially reciprocating jaws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17179 Wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/1906 with indicator

Abstract

A locating means (13) adapted to be supported from one element (11) for engagement with another element to retain the two elements in engagement with each other, the locating means comprising a lug (39) to be displaceable between an extended position at which it extends from the locating means and a retracted position at which it is located inward of the extended position, a driving member (29) slidably supported from the one element the lug and driver having at least two opposed faces, the other element having an abutment which is intended in use to be engaged by the lug when the lug is in the extended position and the two elements are in engagement with each other in order to retain the elements in said engagement with each other, the opposed faces being configured such that movement of the driving member relative to the lug causes the displacement of the lug. A supporting arrangement to support a rotary gig which is adapted to support at least one work-piece from a drive head (11) to enable machining of the work-piece in which the supporting arrangement utilises the locating means is also claimed.

Claims

1. A locating means adapted to be supported from one element for engagement with another element to retain the two elements in engagement with each other, the locating means comprising a lug to be displaceable between an extended position at which it extends from the locating means and a retracted position at which it is located inward of the extended position, a driving member slidably supported from the one element the lug and driver having at least two opposed faces, the other element having an abutment which is intended in use to be engaged by the lug when the lug is in the extended position and the two elements are in engagement with each other in order to retain the elements in said engagement with each other, the opposed faces being configured such that movement of the driving member relative to the lug causes the displacement of the lug.

2. A locating means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the one element comprises an elongate member and the lug is movable away from the elongate member in its movement to the extended position, the elongate member in use to be received within an aperture provided in the other member whereby the abutment surface of the other member comprises a surface axially inward of the aperture which extends laterally from the edge of the opening.

3. A locating means as claimed at claim 2 wherein the aperture has a configuration which is complementary to the cross-section of the elongate member.

4. A locating means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the lug is slidably supported within the elongate body for slidable movement relative to the elongate body along an axis which is substantially transverse to the elongate body.

5. A locating means as claimed at claim 4 wherein the driving member is slidably supported by the elongate body to be movable relative to the elongate body along an axis which is substantially parallel or coincidental with the central axis of the elongate body.

6. A locating means as claimed at claim 5 wherein the lug is formed with a generally transverse passage and the driving member is formed with a shank portion which is slidably received in the transverse passage, said transverse passage having the opposed faces and the shank portion having the supporting surfaces, the opposed faces and the supporting faces being oblique to the central axes of the lug and the elongate member and to the direction of relative movement of the lug and the driving member in the elongate member.

8. A locating means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the driving member is biased to cause the lug to occupy its extended position.

10. A supporting arrangement to support a rotary gig which is adapted to support at least one work-piece from a drive head to enable machining of the work-piece wherein at least one locating means of the form described above is supported form the drive head shaft to retain the two elements in engagement with each other and wherein the locating means is of the form as claimed at claim 1 and is intended in use to engage with and support the rotary jig from the drive head.

11. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 10 wherein the one element comprises an elongate member and the lug is movable away from the elongate member in its movement to the extended position, the elongate member in use to be received within an aperture provided in the other member whereby the abutment surface of the other member comprises a surface axially inward of the aperture which extends laterally from the edge of the opening.

12. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 11 wherein aperture has a configuration which is complementary to the cross-section of the elongate member.

13. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 11 wherein the lug is slidably supported within the elongate body for slidable movement relative to the elongate body along an axis which is substantially transverse to the elongate body.

14. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 13 wherein the driving member is slidably supported by the elongate body to be movable relative to the elongate body along an axis which is substantially parallel or coincidental with the central axis of the elongate body.

15. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 14 wherein the lug is formed with a generally transverse passage and the driving member is formed with a shank portion which is slidably received in the transverse passage, said transverse passage having the opposed faces and the shank portion having the supporting surfaces, the opposed faces and the supporting faces being oblique to the central axes of the lug and the elongate member and to the direction of relative movement of the lug and the driving member in the elongate member.

16. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 15 wherein one end of the driving member extends from the elongate member and is adapted to be engagable to cause the displacement of the driving member relative to the elongate member.

17. A supporting arrangement as claimed at claim 11 wherein the driving member is biased to cause the lug to occupy its extended position.

9. (canceled)

7. A locating means as claimed at claim 9 wherein one end of the driving member extends from the elongate member and is adapted to be engagable to cause the displacement of the driving member relative to the elongate member.

18. (canceled)