Positive Feed Tool with a Modular Architecture

• US 20160001436A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apex Brands Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apex Brands Inc.
• Inventors: Myhill, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,707,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/04 Arrangements preventing overload of tools, e.g. restricting load
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/261 for spindles
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/263 with means to control the feed rate by controlling the fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/265 this regulation depending upon the position of the tools or work
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/326 screw-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/00 Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose machines B23P19/06
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/001 Gearings, speed selectors, clutches or the like specially adapted for rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/34 Cutting-off parts, e.g. valve members, seats F16K1/06, F16K1/12, F16K1/14, F16K1/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/02 of lift valves for reducing the flow resistance of screw-spindle lift-valves F16K1/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1225 with a plurality of pistons

Abstract

Positive feed tools that include gear heads configured to be driven by a motor. The gear heads further include a pneumatic manifold that provides for access to input/output signals to add on additional components that include additional air logic functionality. The gear head includes first and second interface positions. Each interface is configured to receive either the motor for powering the gear head or an add-on component to provide additional functionality to the tool.

Claims

1. A gear head for a positive feed tool that is configured for engagement with a motor and an add-on component, the gear head including:

a spindle having an elongated shape and configured to move in advance and retract directions along a feed path;

a plurality of gears configured to be driven to rotate the spindle and move the spindle along the feed path;

an air manifold;

first and second manifold interfaces each in communication with the air manifold and including a common number and arrangement of ports to receive either the motor or the add-on component.

2. The gear head of claim 1, wherein the first manifold interface is aligned perpendicular to the second manifold interface.

3. The gear head of claim 1, further comprising a separate input spaced away from each of the first and second manifold interfaces to receive air from an outside source, the input being in communication with the air manifold.

4. The gear head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gears are operated based on signals received through one of the first and second manifold interfaces.

5. The gear head of claim 1, wherein the gear head includes logic to control motor start, spindle advance, spindle retract, and motor stop.

6. The gear head of claim 5, wherein the first and second manifold interfaces are configured to receive signals to operate a pneumatic clamp.

7. The gear head of claim 5, wherein the first and second manifold interfaces are configured to receive signals to activate a counter.

8. The gear head of claim 5, wherein the first and second manifold interfaces are configured to receive signals to operate a pneumatic clamp.

9. A method of operating a positive feed tool comprising:

aligning a motor interface of a motor that includes a first port arrangement with a first manifold interface on a gear head that includes a second port arrangement and attaching the motor to the gear head at the first manifold interface;

aligning a component interface of a component that includes a third port arrangement with a second manifold interface on the gear head that includes a fourth port arrangement and attaching the component to the gear head at the second manifold interface;

wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth port arrangements include the same number of ports and the same layout of the ports;

activating the motor and driving a spindle in the gear head along a feed path; and

activating an input on the component and controlling the spindle.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising detaching each of the motor and the component from the gear head and subsequently aligning the first port arrangement of the motor interface with the second manifold interface on the gear head and attaching the motor to the gear head at the second manifold interface.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising detaching each of the motor and the component from the gear head and subsequently aligning the third port arrangement of the component interface with the first manifold interface on the gear head and attaching the component to the gear head at the first manifold interface.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching the motor and the component to the gear head with the motor positioned at an angle that is perpendicular to the component.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing air signals to both the motor and the component through air stored in a common interface in the gear head.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising removing one of the motor and the component from the gear head and attaching a cover across the exposed manifold interface.