Coupling mechanism

• US 5,040,931 A
• Filed: 03/19/1990
• Issued: 08/20/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: McMurtry, David R., Spivey, Martin P., Trull, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schultz, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/495,751
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 279/1 E, 279/1 L, 279/83, 279/89, 279/1 TS, 279/32, 279/6, 279/1 J, 408/239 R, 408/239 A, 408/182, 408/183, 408/185, 408/181, 408/16, 408/75, 408/146, 408/150, 408/153, 409/234, 82/158, 82/160, 403/259-261, 403/362, 33/556, 33/559, 33/572, 33/503, 33/644, 33/626
• US Class Current: 408/185
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/1077 acting on a floating pin
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/36 with means for adjusting the chuck with respect to the working-spindle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/14 Eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17821 Set screw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/8598 Screw extending perpendicular to tool-axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/85995 with tool-holding clamp and clamp actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2585 Tool rest

Abstract

A mechanism for clamping a tool (e.g. a probe) and a shank together comprises a clamping pin (144), which bears against an annular lip (142) in the rear face of the probe. A shaft (148) of the pin (144) extends into the shank (150), and two diametrically opposite, radially extending clamping bolts (160) supported by the shank (150), bears against a frusto-conical clamping surface (158). The action of the bolts (160) on the surfaces (158) urges the probe and shank together. The probe and shank are adjusted laterally relative to each other by four adjusting bolts (166) supported in the annular lip (142) which bear against a flange (152). The flange (152) is provided on the shank (150) and extends into the probe (140).

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a coordinate positioning machine, said apparatus comprising a tool and a shank, said shank retaining the tool in a spindle of the coordinate positioning machine, the tool and shank being clamped by a clamping mechanism, said apparatus comprising:

a bore provided in one of the tool and shank, the bore defining an axis;

a shaft provided on the other of the tool and shank, the shaft projecting into the bore and being movable in said bore in a direction transverse to said axis;

a clamping element, supported on an end of the shaft for movement relative to the shaft in a direction transverse to said axis, the clamping element having a clamping surface inclined at an angle to said axis;

means for providing sliding engagement of the clamping element with the inside of the bore, thereby to enable movement of said clamping element in said bore in an axial direction, and to prevent movement of said clamping element in said bore in a direction transverse to said axis;

means provided on said one of the tool and shank for applying a force to said clamping surface in a direction transverse to said axis thereby to generate a clamping force acting substantially parallel to said axis for clamping said tool to said shank; and

means for adjusting the alignment of the tool and shank in a direction transverse to said clamping force.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a retaining pin connected to the end of the shaft, the retaining pin extending through an aperture provided in the clamping element, wherein said aperture is sufficiently large to allow movement of the clamping element relative to the retaining pin in a direction transverse to said axis.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bore has a cylindrical cross-section and the clamping element has a cylindrical outer surface which contacts the bore, thereby to provide said sliding engagement.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for resiliently urging the clamping element into contact with the end of the shaft.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of adjusting bolts, provided on said one of the tool and shank, for bearing against said shaft.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a clamping bolt provided on said one of the tool and shank, extending transversely to said axis and bearing against said clamping surface.