Quill interlock

• US 5,791,841 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry Zones
• Original Assignee: Harry Zones
• Inventors: Zones, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, A. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIRKMAN, CHRISTOPHER HUNTER
• Application Number:
  US08/732,512
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 409/134, 409/132, 409/218, 364/474.19 (U.S. only), 408/10, 408/11, 408/4, 82/152, 451/451, 451/457
• US Class Current: 409/132
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 15/22 Control or regulation of position of tool or workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 16/001 Stops, cams, or holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2233 for adjusting the tool relative to the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/58 Safety devices protecting the operator B23Q11/0089
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34388 Detect correct moment, position, advanced, delayed, then next command
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/10 with interlock between machine elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/172 Responsive to Tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/303808 including infeeding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30392 with means to protect operative or machine [e.g., guard, safety device, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/308624 with limit means to aid in positioning of cutter bit or work [e.g., gauge, stop, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2572 Attachment

Abstract

The present invention is a quill interlock for a milling machine. Structurally, the present invention includes a clasp or other attachment means attachable to a milling machine. The clasp carries a switch which is activated when the quill of the milling machine reaches a predetermined, user selected, position on the Z-axis. The switch is connected to the computer controlling the milling machine, causing the computer to relocate the milling machine table to a new X and Y location each time the quill is raised to the predetermined position on the Z-axis.

Claims

1. A quill interlock system for a milling machine, the milling machine including a quill movable along a Z-axis and a table movable along X and Y axes with the movement of the table being under the control of a computer, the system comprising:

a switch electrically connected to the computer controlling the X and Y location of the milling machine table; and

a hand-actuable clasp for attaching the switch to a first part of the milling machine, the location of the switch and clasp being selectable to place the switch in contact with a second part of the milling machine when the quill reaches a user selectable position along the Z-axis, contact between the second part of the milling machine and the switch activating the switch and causing the computer to relocate the table to a new X and Y location.

2. A quill interlock system for a milling machine, the milling machine including a quill movable along a Z-axis and a table movable along X and Y axes with the movement of the table being under the control of a computer, the system comprising:

detection means connected to the computer controlling the X and Y location of the milling machine table; and

hand-actuable attachment means for attaching the detection means to a first part of the milling machine, the location of the attachment means being selectable to cause activation of the detection means when the quill reaches a user selectable position along the Z-axis, activation of the detection means causing the computer to relocate the table to a new X and Y location.

3. A method for using a milling machine, the milling machine including a quill movable along a Z-axis and a table movable along X and Y axes with the movement of the table being under the control of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a quill interlock, the quill interlock including detection means connected to the computer controlling the X and Y location of the milling machine table, and hand-actuable attachment means for attaching the detection means to a first part of the milling machine;

preprogramming the computer to cause the table to traverse a sequence of X and Y locations under control of the quill interlock; and

attaching the quill interlock to a first part of the milling machine, the location of the attachment means being selected to cause activation of the detection means when the quill reaches a user selectable position along the Z-axis, activation of the detection means causing the computer to relocate the table to the next X and Y location in the sequence of X and Y locations.