Versatile workpiece holding system utilizing connectors selectively positional on work table

• US 5,653,038 A
• Filed: 11/15/1994
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DOE Run Tooling
• Original Assignee: DOE Run Tooling
• Inventors: Hunter, Jerry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US08/340,193
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 33/568, 33/569, 33/570, 33/573, 33/537, 33/613, 33/645, 269/74, 269/70, 269/71, 269/101, 269/900, 409/224, 409/903, 403/161, 403/162, 403/163, 192/56 C
• US Class Current: 33/573
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/0063 Connecting non-slidable parts of machine tools to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 13/08 with a helical band or equivalent member, which may be built up from linked parts, with more than one turn embracing a drum or the like, with or without an additional clutch actuating the end of the band F16D13/02 takes precedence; similar slip couplings F16D7/022; similar clutches electromagnetically actuated F16D27/025, F16D27/105 ; similar free-wheel clutches F16D41/20; similar brakes F16D49/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/206 having axially adjacent coils, e.g. helical wrap-springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/022 with a helical band or equivalent member co-operating with a cylindrical torque limiting coupling surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/90 Supporting structure having work holder receiving apertures or projections

Abstract

A workpiece holding system includes a connector for mounting a workpiece-holding pallet or upper plate to a workstation with the high degree of accuracy that is necessary for workpiece machining operations. The upper plate connects to the workstation via a pair oppositely directed, extendable/retractable connectors aligned along an axis of connection, with a total of four connectors and two spaced axes of connection, though three such connectors may also be used. At least one of the connectors includes a pin, an actuating knob and a wrap spring, thereby to permit extension and retraction along the respective axis by rotation of the actuating knob. The wrap spring interconnects the actuating knob to the pin in a slippable manner. The wrap spring acts as a torque limiting device during rotation of the knob to extend the pin into engagement with the upper plate, and it acts as a clutch during rotation of the knob to retract the pin from engagement with the pallet. The wrap spring provides advantage in automating work-holding operations. Additional versatility in work-holding operations may be achieved by mounting a plurality of the connectors to a like number of pillars which are selectively positionable to a work table, thereby to hold a workpiece in three dimensional space.

Claims

1. A work-holding system for rigidly holding a work member during a work operation comprising:

a work table having a plurality of recesses formed in an exposed surface thereof;

a plurality of pillars, each pillar having a first end sized to be received within one of the recesses, the pillars being selectively positionable to the work table at desired locations to define a workholding location therewithin; and

a plurality of connectors, each connector being secured to a respective pillar and extending toward the work-holding location, a first connector being further extendable and retractable with respect to a first pillar associated therewith, in directions toward and away from the work-holding location, respectively, whereby a plurality of connectors mounted to a like number of pillars are adapted to engagably hold a work member at the work-holding location by extension of the first connector into engagement with the work member at the work-holding location, the first connector spirally engaging the first pillar and thereby being extendable and retractable toward and away from the work-holding location by rotation with respect to the first pillar, the first connector further including a pin, an actuating knob and a wrap spring operatively interconnecting the pin and the actuating knob in a slippable manner, the wrap spring serving as a torque limiting device during rotation of the knob with respect to the pillar in a first direction, thereby to extend the pin toward the work-holding location, and serving as a clutch during rotation of the knob with respect to the pillar in a second direction, thereby to retract the pin from the work-holding location.

2. The work-holding system of claim 1 wherein the work table is oriented horizontally, the pillars are oriented vertically and the connectors are oriented horizontally.

3. The work-holding system of claim 1 wherein the work member comprises a workpiece.

4. The work-holding system of claim 1 wherein the work member comprises a workpiece-holding pallet.

5. The work-holding system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge removably mountable to one of the pillars, the connectors mounted to the cartridges.