Force limiting workpiece holding device
First Claim
1. A force limiting workpiece holding device for use in holding a workpiece in a workpiece processing assembly having a spindle and a hydraulic closer that applies a force, the workpiece holding device comprising:
- a workpiece holder slidably mountable to the spindle, the workpiece holder including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between gripping and released positions to grip and release a workpiece; and
a force limiting coupling structure including a biasing structure having a spring force, the coupling structure operatively mountable between the workpiece holder and the hydraulic closer such that a force applied by the hydraulic closer to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder from the released to the gripping positions is transferred to the workpiece holder through the biasing structure thereof, wherein the force limiting coupling structure is constructed and arranged to limit a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the hydraulic closer to move the segments toward the gripping position to the spring force of the biasing structure.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A force limiting workpiece holding device for holding a workpiece in a workpiece processing assembly having a spindle and a closer that applies a force, comprises a workpiece holder slidably mounted to the spindle. The workpiece holder includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between expanded and contracted positions to grip and release a workpiece. A force limiting coupling structure includes a biasing structure having a spring force. The coupling structure is operatively mountable between the workpiece holder and the closer such that a force applied by the closer to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder between the expanded and contracted positions is transferred to the workpiece holder through the coupling structure and the biasing structure thereof, whereby a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the closer is limited to the spring force of the biasing structure.
42 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A force limiting workpiece holding device for use in holding a workpiece in a workpiece processing assembly having a spindle and a hydraulic closer that applies a force, the workpiece holding device comprising:
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a workpiece holder slidably mountable to the spindle, the workpiece holder including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between gripping and released positions to grip and release a workpiece; and a force limiting coupling structure including a biasing structure having a spring force, the coupling structure operatively mountable between the workpiece holder and the hydraulic closer such that a force applied by the hydraulic closer to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder from the released to the gripping positions is transferred to the workpiece holder through the biasing structure thereof, wherein the force limiting coupling structure is constructed and arranged to limit a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the hydraulic closer to move the segments toward the gripping position to the spring force of the biasing structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A workpiece processing assembly comprising:
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a spindle; a hydraulic closer mounted to the spindle and structured to apply a force; and a force limiting workpiece holding device mounted to the spindle, the force limiting workpiece holding device comprising; a workpiece holder slidably mounted to the spindle, the workpiece holder including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between gripping and released positions to grip and release a workpiece; and a force limiting coupling structure including a biasing structure having a spring force, the coupling structure operatively mounted between the workpiece holder and the hydraulic closer such that a force applied by the hydraulic closer to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder from the released to the gripping positions is transferred to the workpiece holder through the biasing structure such that a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the hydraulic closer to move the segments toward the gripping position is limited to the spring force of the biasing structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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25. A method for holding a workpiece in a workpiece processing assembly having a spindle and a hydraulic closer that applies a force, the method comprising:
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slidably mounting a workpiece holder to the spindle, the workpiece holder including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced gripping segments that are movable between gripping and released positions to grip and release a workpiece; and applying a force with the hydraulic closer through a biasing structure to the workpiece holder so as to move the gripping segments of the workpiece holder from the released to the gripping positions, wherein a resultant force being applied to the workpiece holder by the hydraulic closer to grip the workpiece is limited to a spring force of the biasing structure.
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Specification