US2007953A - Boring machine - Google Patents

Description

www

J. S. BARNES EK M. Y

July 16, 1935.

'BORINQ MACHINE Filed Jan. l0. 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet Y 1 July 16,' 1935.

J. s BARNEs En' mf BORING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 www# SN July M, 135. J. s. BARNES m AL 90973953 BORING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y @NN @NN NNN www Y `www www? q /VEUTPAL FEED APPROACH/ RAP/D APPROACH J. s. BARNES Er M BORING MACHINE Filed Jan. l0, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 40 1760 jg l J6@ 76 Q 144 72m v 162 il 0 ZM H I l lg@ l i I 0 g U g 20 gl i HAP/0 fz/PoAc/,f Z0 .-Fffa APPR.

7915 w #275% l 156 J7@ .l

J. s. BARNES Er AL BoRIm MACHINE July 16, 1 935.

Filed Jam.A 1o, 1931 6 Shpets-Sheet 5 www 7 A 0 m @e I ZZU/enof July 16, 1935.

J. s.; BARNES ETYAL BORING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10. 1951 6 sheets-sheet la Patented July i6, 1 *935 4Pri'iirrlr oFFicE BORING MACHINE John S. Barnes and Paul R. Guirl, Rockford, Ill.; Hope Barnes executrix of said John S. Barnes,

deceased applicati@ .vamiary 1o, 1931, serian No. 507,812

22 Claims.

This invention relates to material working apparatus and more particularly to hydraulically operated automatic boring machines.

Material working apparatus, such as boring machines, are `frequently employed for heavy duty Work, as, for example, for boring heavy castings and the like. Due to the weight of these castings, it is not possible to manually lift and shift them', and therefore means must be provided for mechanically controlling the shifting of the work piece or casting to be acted upon by the boring machine, l

i It is one of the important objects of the present invention to provide a machine, whereby the necessity for manual control or manipulation is reduced to a minimum, and to this end We propose to provide an automatically operable machine, in which cutting operations may be automatically performed with a minimum amount of skill and effort on the part of an operator.

' Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine, as above set forth, in which practically no time is lost in changing the Work` pieces or castings upon the completion of one cycle of operation, and in this connection We propose to provide a shiftable table or support, which Will enable a work piece or casting pre- Vviously acted upon bythe boring tools, to be removed and another substituted in its place While a boring operation is being automatically performed upon another work piece carried by the table. In this manner the operator may employ the time required for the machine to complete a cycle of operation, for removing a finished Work piece and mounting another in its place. This time element, coupled with the fact that one operator may control the mounting of the Work piece, as well as theoperation of the machine, makes for a decided increase in operating efficiency and economic production.

More specifically, it may be stated that our invention contemplates the provision of. a material working apparatus, such as a boring machine, which may be controlled by the mere shifting of a control handlein a given2 direction, the shifting of this handle by an operator serving to initiate a cycle of operation, which consists in the rapid advancement of a sipndle head toward the workpiece, the automatic coupling "of the spindles with 0, the boring tools, the automatic changing from rapid to feeding movement for cutting purposes, the automatic rapid reversal upon the completion of the cutting operation, and the automatic disengagement of the spindles from the boring tools.

(Ci. 'T7-3) A still further and more specific object is'to provide', in combination with machines as above s t forth, an improved automatically operable c uck mechanism which serves as an effective coupling means between the driving spindles and the boring tools.

Another object of the presentv invention-is to provide, in combination with a machine of the general nature set forth above, a hydraulic con? trol which serves to effect the automatic reciprocation of the spindle head.

A further objectief the present invention is to eliminate the performance off manual operations which have .been necessary heretofore in connection with the manipulation of conventional types of boring machines and the like, and to this end we propose to render the operation of the machine, during each complete cycle, fully auto-- matic.- L

A still further andmore specific object of the present invention is to provide, in combination with a self-contained spindle or boring head, means for automatically controlling a cycle of reciprocation of said head and an automatically operable chuck mechanism, which is adapted to couple and uncouple boring bars with respect `to the spindles of said head during a proper predetermined interval ofthe cycle of operation.

The foregoing and numerous other objects andadvantages will be more apparent from the fol-v lowing detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein- Y Figure l is a front elevational view of a boring machine, which is illustrative of one embodiment of'my invention, the boring head thereof being shown in an advance position in readiness to begin its feeding approach movement;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the rotary work supporting table and associated mechanism for lifting same, said view being taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a planview of, the device shown in Figure 1, with the spindle head shown in its starting position as distinguished from Figure 1, wherein the spindle head is shown inoperative engagement with the boring tools;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the chuck mechanisms, said view disclosing the chuck in operative driving relation with the boring tool;

Figure 5 is an elevational view, shown partly in section, of the chuck mechanisms, boring tools,

and retainer bars;

vline 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a verticaltransverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 5: e

Figure 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the mechanism for controlling the hydraulic actuator;

Figure 11 discloses said control mechanism viewed from the right of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-I2 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational view to more lclearly illustratefthe structural and functional characteristics of the notched lever ann; Figure 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the spindle or boring head taken substantially along the line |4-'-|4 of Figures 3 and 15;

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view of the spindle head taken substantially along th'line |6| 5 of Figures 3 and 14; and

Figure 16 is a semi-diagrammatic view disclosing the hydraulic system of control for reciproeating the spindle or boring head.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed that for the purpose of illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention, we have shown the same in association with a material or metal working apparatus of the type which is commonly referred to as a boring machine. 'Ihis boring machine as shown in the drawings includes a frame or bed 20, which serves as a support for a reciprocable spindle or boring head, which is designated generally by the numeral 22, Figures 1 and 3,'1ater to be described. Positioned adjacent the right end of the bed 20, Figure l, is a second frame or bed 24, which serves as a support for a rotary work supporting table 26.

Work supporting table This table 26 is of circular construction and is centrally supported by means of an upright hollow support member 28, Figure 2. The lower extremity of this support member 28 is mounted upon an anti-friction or friction-reducing bear? ing 30. A sleeve 32 mounted upon a'cylindrical central portion of the bed 24 serves as a bearing for the rotary upright support 28 and' permits said support to not only rotate therein, but also to be vertically shifted with respect thereto. 'I'he vertical shifting of the support 28 is accomplished through the agency of a foo't pedal 34, which is pivoted at its inner extremity upon a member 36. The pedal 24 is connected by means ofa link38 withanarm40,whichisinturn mounted upon a shaft 42. This shaft 42 carries a cam 44 and when the pedal 34 is urged downwardly, the cam is rotated so as to effect the upward movement of the support 2l and consequently the raising'of the table 26.

Upon lowering the foot pedal 24, a latch pin 46 is urged downwardly against a spring 4l, said pin being connected with the pedal I4 by means of a link 5l. Thus, when the table-26 is raised, it automatically becomesv disengaged "from the latch pin 46 so as to permit the free rotation thereof. The table 26 serves as a support i'ora pair of fixtures 52.` These fixtures are identical in construction, and are designed to support a work piece, such as a Work piece or casting 54 shown in Figures 1 and 3. The xtures 52 are each provided with upright sections 56, 58, 60, and 62, Figure 1, which serve as supports for boring tools or bars 64 and 64a. The work piece or casting as shown in the drawings, namely, the Work piece 54 comprises three spaced walls or sections 66, .68, and 10, Figure 1, which are provided with apertures to be bored.A Tool bits 12 mounted within the bars 64 and 64a are adapted, when rotation is imparted to the bars and said bars are urged longitudinally to the right; Fig- 4ure |to bore into the bearing surfaces of the Work piece. The operation of the boring bars will be more apparent asV the description progres'ses. It will be noted that the fixtures 52 are so disposed upon the rotary table 26, that, when the table occupies the position shown in Figure 3, the boring bars 64 and 64a associated with one of the work pieces will be positioned in alinement with companion spindles 14 and 14a respectively of the boring' head 22. 'I'he latch pin 46 serves to secure the table 26 against rotation, and as soon as an operation upon the Work piece has been completed, the operator depresses the pin 46 by stepping upon the pedal 34, thereby enabling the boring bars of the other work piece to be shifted into alinement with the above mentioned spindles. Clamping members 15 pivotally supported upon suitable brackets 11, Figure 1, may be employed to further secure the table 26 lagainst rotation. 'I'hese clamping members may be swung out of engagement with the table when not in use. Obviously, in order to rotate the table when these clamping members occupy the position shown in Figure 1, it is necessary to disengage said members from the table.

Spindle or boring head The spindle or boring head 22 includes a main housing or casting 16 which is mounted upon suitable guide ways 18, Figure 3, provided along the upper surface of the bed 20. The housing 16 encloses and supports the spindles 1 4 and 14a, as clearly shown in Figures 14 and 15. Rotation is imparted to4 these spindles in any suitable manner, as, for example, through the agency of gears and 80a which are driven from a common gear 82. This gear 82 is mounted upon a shaft 84 which is driven from a drive shaft 86 through a pair of bevel gears 88 and 90, Figures 14 and 15. 'I'he bevel gear 90 is mounted upon a drive shaft 92, and suitable pick-off gears 94 and 96 provide the driving connectionsbetween the shaft 92 and a second drive shaft 98. These pick-off or change gears 94 and .96 may be changed in accordance with required spindle speeds. Power is supplied to the shaft 98 from an electric motor |60 which is connected with the shaft by means of a suitable chain |02 meshing with a large drive. gear |04., 'I'hus it will be apparent4 that Power for rotating the spindles 14 and 14a is supplied from the electric motor |00 and. the entire mechanism presents a self-contained or unitary structure which is adapted to )Se reciprocated along the guide ways 18. A cover plate |06 may be removed to facilitate the/changing of the gears s4 and ss. A bracket log/(Figure 14, depending from the boring head is coupled with one end of a piston rod H0, and this piston rod ||0 forms a part of a hydraulic actuator desighated generally by the numeral il2, Figure 16. 75

in the hydraulic actuator system. Power is sup- Hydraulic actuator system ,The actuator ||2 includes a suitable cylinderv l||4 and a. piston I|6 which is provided at the inner end of the piston rod ||0, Figure 16. The cylinder II4 is mounted in any suitable'manner within the bed 20 beneath the ways 18, as indicated in Figure 15. It will be apparent that fluid under pressure introduced Within the right end of the actuator cylinder I I4, Figure 16, will cause the boring head to be shifted to the left, while iluid introduced within the left end of said cylinder will cause the head to be shifted to the right. The present invention is not concerned with the particular type of means for delivering fluid, such as oil under pressure, to the actuator H2, except in so far as such means or mechanism enters into the general combination of the remaining machine elements. Therefore, it is not essential for a clear understanding of the present invention that hydraulic mechanisms, such as fluid pumps and the like or valves for controlling fluid froim said pumps, be specifically described in this ap- Y plication. In order to explain the functioning of the hydraulic actuator H2, we have showna pumping and valve unit designated generally by the numeral |18, Figure 16, which is of conven- 4 tional design. This equipment is commonly re- -ment of the pumping mechanism housed within the casing |22, and when a shiftable member or rod |26 of the valve |20 occupies the position shown in Figure 16, no fluid is delivered to the actuator ||2. This position is commonly referred to as the neutral `position of the valve. The varions shifted positions of the valve member |26, which are employed in connection with the present invention, are designated in Figure 16. It will s uilice to say that when the valve member |26 is shifted to its extreme left position, Figure 16, fluid will be delivered to the actuator ||2 for the purpose of imparting rapid traverse or rapid approach movement to the boring head 22, that is, rapid-movement to the right, Figures l, 3, andA 16. When the valve member |26 is shifted to the position designated as feed approach position, fluid is delivered to the actuator so as to impart a slower or feeding approach movement to the boring head. When the valve member is shifted to its extreme right position designated as rapid reverse position, Figure 16, fluid will be delivered at a rapid rate in a reverse direction to the actuator so as to eect the rapid reverse movement Aof the boring or spindle head to the left. Suitable pipe lines |20 and |30, Figure 16, serve to conduct the uid toward `and away from the actuator cylinder II4, while a pressure gauge |32 serves to indicate the pressure of the iiuid withplied to the/pumping unit I8 from a suitable electric `motor |34, Figure 3, which is connected by means of a chain |36 with the mechanism housed within the casing |22.

Control mechanism n 16, and to 13 inclusive. This mechanism includes a main control handle |40, which is pivotally carried by a shaft |42 on the front side of the bed 20. A short arm |44 formed integral with and extending at substantially right angles to the handle |40 is pivotally connected at its outer extremity with the upper end of an extensible shifter rod |46. The lower end of this extensible rod |46 is pivotally connected with the free end of a lever arm |48 which is mounted upon a shaft |50. This shaft |50 extends transversely of the bed 20 and is connected at its rearward extremity with a second arm |52. The outer end of this arm |52 makes a slotted connection with one extremity of a connecting rod |54 which is pivotally connected with the valve member |26, as clearly shown in Figure 16. A coiled spring |56 is interposed .between the free end of the arm |44 and an anchor member |56 which is secured to the bed 20. This-spring |56 constantly urges the arm |44 downwardly, thereby serving to continuously urge lthe control handle |40 to the right, Figures 1, 10,

and 16.

Carried on the inner side of the handle |40 is a lugor finger |60, which' cooperates with a horizontally disposed pivoted arm or lever |62 to secure the control handle in various positions of adjustment. Referring to Figures 10 and 13, it will be seen that the lever arm |62 is provided with a plurality of stops |60, |66, |68, and |10. When the handle |40 occupies the substantially vertical position shown in Figure 10, the linger or lug |60 will be positioned against the stop |60, the spring |56 serving in this instance to. urge tne finger against the stop, and a second coiled spring |12 serving to urge the lever arm |62 upwardly against the finger |60. This spring |12 is interposed between the lower side of 'the arm |62 and a suitable bracketor socket |10, Figure l0. If the handle |40 is swung to its extreme left position, which position is indicated by the line in Figures 10 and13, designated by the term Rapid approach, the finger |60 will be lodged against the'stop |68. The shifting of thehandle |40 to this position causes the valve |20 to be conditioned so as to eiect the rapid traverse or approach movement of the actuator'and consequently the rapid approachof the,.bpring head 22. As the boring head reaches the limit of its rapidv approach movement, which is determined by the position of the boring bars 64 and lilla.,- a dog |16, adjustably supported along the front side ol' the head22, is moved into engagement with a companion abutment |12'carried by the arm |62 Figure 10. This causes said arm to be depressed sufficiently to effect the clearance of the finger |60 past the stop |68, thereby causing said iinger to be shifted into engagement with the stop |66. This position of the handle |40 is designated as the feed approach position, Figures 10 and 13. In this position the valve |20 is conditioned to im.- part a feeding, forward or approach movement to the boring'head 2,2, which movement is employed during the cutting operation of the boring bars. When the boring bars reach the limit of their cutting stroke, a seconddog |80 eng/ages the abutment |10, thereby furthermiepressin/g the lever |62. This shifting of the arm |62 suii'icient to cause the finger |60 toclear the/'neutral stop |64 and to be carried into engagement with the rapid reverse stop |10. With the control handle |40 in this position, the valve |20 is conditioned to effect rapid reverse movement to the boring head. As the head approaches its starting position, a. dog |82 shifts the handle ,|40 to the left. As soon'as the handle reaches the neutral position designated in Figure 10, the valve |20 is thrown into neutral, thereby arresting the movement of the hydraulic actuator I2. In the manner described above, a complete cycle of operation or reciprocation of the head 22 is automatically eiected by merely shifting the control handle to its extreme left or rapid approach,

position. Upon the completion of this cycle of operation, the operator elevates the table 26 by A Automatic chuck mechanismsi Thus far the cycle of operation of the boring head has been described, but no description has been given of our improved automatically operable chuck mechanisms designated generally by the numerals |84 and |84a, Figures 1, and 3 to 9 inclusive. These mechanisms are sometimes referred to as automatic pick-up chucks because it is their function to automatically pick up or grip their respective boring bar as the head 22 reaches the limit of its rapid approach position. It will be seen that these pickup chucks or chuck mechanisms |84 and |84a are identical in construction, and therefore a description of one will suiice for both. Each of said chuck mechanisms includes a sleeve |86, which is mounted upon and keyed to the outer extremity of its companion spindle. Each of the spindles '|4 and 14a is reduced to receive one of said sleeves, as clearly shown in Figures to '7 inclusive, anda -set screw |88 serves as an additional means pforsecuring said sleeves upon the spindle. A collar |90 encircles the sleeve. |86, and a coiled :sprin'g |92 is interposed between an annular shoulder |94 and said collar. An annular member |96 which is' depressed within the sleeve |86, serves as an abutment to prevent the collar |90 from moving beyond the position shown in Figures 4 Vand 5.

The collar |90 carries a plurality of equally spaced radially disposed pins |98, and these pins are urged inwardly by means of suitable coiled' springs 200. An annular member or ring 202 serves to prevent the outward displacement of the pins. These pins |98 are companion to pins `|98a mounted within the sleeve |86.

Before the clutch mechanisms |84 and |84a are moved into operative association with their companion boring bars 64 and 64a, the collar |90 occupies the position shownin Figure 6. In this position the pins |98 are urged within companion recesses 204 of the sleeve |86, and thus secure the collar against movement to the right in response to the action of the coiled spring |92. As the sleeve |86 is moved toward the adjacent end of its companion boring bar, a cap 206 secured to the bar is sheathed by the sleeve |86, as clearly shown in Figure 7. The outer end of the cap 208 is provided with a conical surface 208, and it will be seen that as the sleeve passes over the cap, locking balls 2|0 housed within the sleeve |86 are urged outwardly to the position shown in Figure 7, and the conical surface 208 engages the inner ends of the pins |98a. Continued movement to the right of the sleeve |86 causes the pins |98a to be urged outwardly, therebyV causing the pins |98 to clear the outer ends of the recesses 204. The spring |92 urges the collar |90 to the right, and when the semi-spherical cavities 2|0a provided withinthe cap 206 register with the balls 2|0, the collar |90 is automatically shifted to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5, thereby causing the balls tobe urged into the cavities 2|0a. This establishes a driving connection between the sleeve |86 and the cap 206. The cap 206 is coupled with the boring bar by means of suitable keys 2|2 and also by means of screws 2|4. 'Ihe setting of the dog |16, Figure 10, is such as to effect the shifting of the control handle |40 to the feed approach position contemporaneously with the coupling of the sleeve |86 with the cap 206, so that as the boring head is advanced at a feeding rate, the boring bars 64 and 61|a are rotated.

The extremities of the boring bars 64 and 64a oppositely disposed from the clutch mechanisms |84 and |84a bear against companion retainer bars 2|6 and 2|6a respectively. These retainer bars are housed within suitable supports 2|8 mounted upon the upright section 62 of the fixture 52, and are provided with annular recesses or grooves 220 and 222. A pin 224 is continuously urged toward the retainer bars through the action of a spring 226, Figure 5. As the clutch mechanisms are initially carried into ope'rative association with the boring bars, the retainer bars are positioned as shown in Figure 5 with the pins 224 lodged within the annular recesses 220. The resistance against longitudinal displacement of the retainer bars 2 |6 to the right, Figure 5, which is set up by the pins 224, is greater than the resistance experienced by the entrance of the boring bars within the sleeve |86, and thus serves as a temporary abutment to in sure the coupling of the sleeve with the boring bar. provided to prevent longitudinal displacement of the bars to the right as said bars are initially engaged by the clutch mechanisms, the resistance set up by the pins |98a and the balls 2|0 acting against the cap 86 might be sufficient to urge the bars to the right and thereby prevent the completion of the coupling action of said clutch mechanisms. When the clutching operation has been completed and the bars are positively urged at a feeding rate to the right, Figure 5, the force kof the pins 224 is overcome and the retainer bars are shifted to the right. The annular grooves 222 receive the pins 224 when the boring operation has been completed. v

As the boring bars approach the completion of vtheir cutting stroke to the right, Figures l and 5,

a lever 228fpivotally supportedvby a bracket 230 on the boring head is moved into engagement with an abutment 232. This abutmentv 232 is continuously urged to the left through the action of a coiled spring 234 housed Within the upper end of a suitable bracket 236. end of the lever arm 228 provides a yoke 238, Figure 9, and this yoke is coupled with a secondary yoke 240. This secondary yoke 240 is adapted to engage the collar |90 associated with the clutch mechanism |84a andwhen the spring 234 has been compressed sufficiently to overcome the action of the spring |92, continued advancement of the collar |90 will be arrested and said collar will eventually occupy the position shown in Figure 7. With the collar in this position, the balls 2|0 are free to be moved outwardly as a reverse movement is imparted-to the sleeves |86. By employing the spring 234, the abutment 232 is held against the lever 228 for a suilicient interval dur- In yother words, if some means were noty The free upper ing the reverse movement of the head so as to insure the uncoupling of the clutch mechanisms from the boring bars. It will also be noted that We employ a plunger 242 on the left side of the lever 228, Figure 5, which, through the action of al suitable spring 244, continuously urges the lever to the right. By this mechanism the lever is immediately swung to the right as'it leaves the abutment 232. It Wllalso be seen that'in the particular disclosed embodiment of the invention we have shown the collars |90 of the clutch mechanism coupled together, so that the operation 'of the lever 228 will effect the simultaneous actuation ofxboth clutch mechanisms. lObviously these clutch mechanisms may be constructed so' as to operateindependently of each other by simply employing an independently operable lever for each mechanism. For the purpose of simplitying the description and the disclosure, we have shown a single lever for simultaneously operating both clutch mechanisms.

From the foregoing it will beapparent that upon the reversal of the boring head, the clutch mechanisms function vto uncouple the boring bars from the spindles, and as the head is being automatically returned to its starting position, the

operator Amay rotate the table 26 so as to locate 224 are received by the recesses 220.

the main control valve |20 is conditioned to dehoused within the casing |22.

Statement of Operation In operating the above described apparatus. the work piece 54 is iirst mounted within its companion fixture 52, and the' boring bars 64 and 64a are properly inserted within the work piece. .The table 26 is positioned so as to locate the boring bars in alinement with the spindles and chuck mechanisms associated therewith, and the moliver fluid at a high rate of displacement to the left end of the actuator cylinder |4, Figure 16. This causes a rapid approach` or forward movement of theboring head 22 until the clutch mechanisms |84 and |84a are moved into'operative association withthecaps 206 of the boring bars 64 and 64a respectively. At this time the'.-

dog |16, Figure 10, carried by the head 22 engages 'the abutment I 18, and thereby depresses the lever |62 sufficiently so as to eiect the automatic shifting of the control handle |40 to the feed approach position, at which time the finger |00 engages the stop |66. A feeding movement is now imparted to the boring head. As the sleeves 1 the action of the springs 200. The coiled springsv |92 serve to suddenly urge the collars |90 to the right, thereby causing the-balls 2|0 to be moved into the peripheral recesses 2|0a. This action serves to positively couple the sleeves |06 with their respective boring bars, and thus rotation 1s imparted to the boring bars during the feeding approach movement of the boring head. During this initial coupling operation the retainer bars 2|0 serve to prevent longitudinal movement of the boring barsuntil said coupling operation has been completed and the boring bars are positively urged at a feeding rate to the right, Figure 5. Upon completion of the cutting stroke of the boring bars, the abutment 232 is engaged by the lever 220, and the yoke 240 carried by said lever arrests the advancement of the collars |90, thereby releasing the locking balls and automatically uncoupling the clutch mechanisms from the boring bars. At the same instant the dog |00 engages the abutment |10, Figure 10, thereby releasing the nger |60, and the spring |56 causes the control handle |40 to be shifted to its rapid reverse position. The boring head is now reversed at a rapid rate to its starting position. As soon as the clutch mechanisms have been disengaged and are separated from their respective boring bars, the operator steps upon the foot pedal 34, thereby releasing the table from the latch spring 46, Figure 2. The table 26 is then `rotated so as to carry another work piece equipped with boring bars into proper position for subsequent engagement with the clutch mechanisms. As the boring head reaches its starting position, the dog |82 moves the control handle |40 to the neutral position shown in Figure 10, and the hydraulic actuator isrendered functionally inoperative'. To initiate another cycle of operation, it is only necessary for the operator to again shift the handle to the left. While the machine is performing its cycle of operation, the operator removes the Work piece previously acted upon and replaces it with another work piece and a pair of boring bars.

Summary l From the foregoing it will be apparent that our invention reduces to a minimum the amount of ei'Iort and skill required by an operator in controlling a machine of the type set forth above.

pling the spindles with respect tothe boring bars and is further relieved of the necessity of manually controlling the rate of travel of the boring head. In view of the fact that the machine auto- VI natically performs a complete cycle of operation,

the operator'isl afforded suflicient time to remove a completed work piece and mount another work piece on. the table, so that, when the operating cycle has been' completed, the new work piece may be immediately shifted into position. In this manner the functioning of the machine is practically continuous, and only a very brief interval is required to impart partial rotary movelment to the table in order to position the new work piece in alinement with the spindles and to position the work piece acted upon in a con-1 venient location for removal.

' The pick-up clutch mechanisms |84 and |04a are of very practical design and serve as very eiiicient means for automatically coupling anduncoupling the spindles and boring bars. These clutch mechanisms may be made by practicing conventional machine shop methods, and, in fact,

the entire machine structure is of a very practical design. Obviously the clutch mechanisms are not limited for use in connection with boring machines, but are capable of application in any instance where it is desired to couple and uncouple a rotary driving member with respect to another member. Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific clutch mechanism design shown in the drawings, but is capable of numerous other modiiications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

It will also be noted that the above described machine is not only automatically operable, but is capable of being manually controlled by merely shifting the levers |40 and |62. This manual control may be readily eiected by merely gripping the lever |62 with one hand so as to disengage the stops thereon from the finger |60,

and then manipulating the lever |40 with the other hand in order to control the speeds and direction of movement of the boring head. While Y we have shown one specific hydraulic circuit arrangement of conventional design, it should be understood that we contemplate employing any other type of hydraulic actuator system of control whioh readily lends itself for use in connection with the shifting of a machine element, such as the boring head 22. Various other` types of index tables having a plurality of stations for receiving and discharging work pieces may also be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Attention is also directed to the fact that while in the present application, we have shown the chuck mechanism mounted upon one of the spindles of boring head, this mechanism may be mounted in association with the boring bar. This latter arrangement is shown in our co-pending application, Serial No. 515,779, iiled February 14,

- 1931, relating to boring machines. In other words,

the present invention is not to the specic manner in which the chuck mechanism is mounted upon the boring machine.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. A boring machine of the class described including a support, a spindle head for simultaneously boring a plurality oi' spaced sections in a work piece including a spindle for driving a boring tool, an index table having a plurality of stations, said table being manually shiftable independently of the spindle head, one of said stations being adapted to locate a workpiecein position to be acted upon by a tool having axially spaced cutting elements driven by said spindle and another of said stations being adapted for receiving and dispatching work pieces, spaced bearing members on said table for the rotary cutting tool, which bearing members are operable as supports independently of the work piece, certain of said bearing members being interposed between the spaced sections of said workpiece, whereby to accurately maintain a preselected position of said tool, hydraulic mechanism f or reciprocating said head, and means for automatically controlling the functioning of said hydraulic mechanism.

2. 'In material working apparatus for simultaneously boring a plurality of spaced sections in a work piece, a support, a spindle head for driving rotary cutting tools, said head being reciprocable upon said support, a shiftable work supporting table having a plurality of stations, said table being manually 4shiftable independently of the spindle head, a rotary cutting tool adapted to be mounted at said stations and being further adapted for operative engagement with a spindle of said head, said cutting tool including a plurality of spaced vcutting elements, spaced bearing means on said table for the rotary cutting tool which are operable as supports independently of the work piece, certain of the bearing sections being interposed between the spaced sections of the work piece, whereby to accurately maintain a preselected position of the tool with respect to said work piece and means for controlling the reciprocation of said spindle head.

3. In material working apparatus, a support, a spindle head for driving rotary cutting tools, said head being horizontally reciprocable upon said support, a rotary work supporting table having a plurality of stations, rotary cutting tool having axially spaced cutter elements adapted to be mounted at said stations and being further adapted for operative engagement with a spindle of said head, means operable independently of a supported work-piece and providing a mounting for said cutting tools, means for controlling the reciprocation of said spindle head, and mechanism. associated with a spindle of said head to eiect the automatic coupling between said spindle and a rotary `cutting tool supported on the table, said mechanism also including means for temporarily preventing the advancement of a tool until the coupling operation has been completed and for automatically releasing said tool to permit the continued advancement thereof when said coupling has been completed, whereby to effect the land rotary driving member being relatively, axially movable, a work carrier, a tool guiding and supporting means mounted directly upon said carrier for accurately maintaining a preselected position of the rotary cutting tool with respect to a work-piece, said tool guiding means including a plurality of spaced bearings, certain of said bearings being interposed between said axially spaced cutter elements, coupling mechanism for automatically connecting and disconnecting said rotary driving means and cutting tool, and means for preventing operative engagement of the tool with the work-,piece until the coupling of the rotary driving means 'with the tool has been completed and for automatically releasing the tool to permit the continued advancement thereof when said coupling has been completed.

5. In material working apparatus, driving means including a rotary member, a rotary cutting tool including a plurality of axially spaced cutterelementsland adapted to be positioned in substantial alinement with said rotary driving means, a work carrier, a tool guiding and supporting means mounted directly upon said car- Y with a work-piece' until a predetermined presf sure is experienced by said abutment means, and coupling mechanism including clutch means associated with `one of the parts and adapted to grip the other part when said parts are moved into juxtaposition so as to establish driving connection between them, said clutch mechanism being releasable to eifect the separation of said driving means and cutting tool upon the completion of the cutting stroke of said tool whereby to prevent the tool from being drawn in a reverse direction through the work piece. v

6. In material working apparatus, a rotary driving spindle, means for supporting said spindle, a rotary tool member adapted to be driven by said spindle, a clutch mechanism positioned in substantial axial alinement with saidspindle and said rotary member for automatically connecting said spindle and member for rotary driving purposes `when said parts are relatively moved into vimita-position, said clutch mecha- Ani-sm including a sleeve driven by the spindle and locking means shiftable transversely within the sleeve for automatically and drivingly connecting it with said rotary member as said parts are moved into association with each other, and means for effecting relative movement of said parts. f

'7. In material working apparatusa rotary driving spindle, means for supporting said spindle, a rotary tool member adapted to be driven by said spindlena clutch mechanism positioned dle, a rotary tool member adapted to be driven by said spindle, a clutch mechanism positioned in substantial axial alinement with said spindle and said rotary member for automatically-and rotatively connecting said spindle and member when said parts are relatively moved into juxtaposition, said clutch mechanism including a. sleeve, locking means carried thereby for rotatively connecting said sleeve with said tool member, annular means surrounding said sleeve and shiftable longitudinally thereof for automatically controlling said locking means as the spindle and rotary tool member move into association with each other, and means for effecting relative mover ment between said spindle and rotary tool member.

9. In material working apparatus, a rotary driving spindle, means for supporting said spindle, a rotary tool member adapted to be .driven by said spindle, a clutch mechanism positioned in substantial axial alinement with said spindle and said rotary member for automatically and rotatively connecting said spindle and member when said parts are relatively moved into juxtaposition, said clutch mechanism including a sleeve, locking means shiftable Within said sleeve for establishing a driving coupling between the sleeve and tool member, a collar'shiftable longitudinally of said'sleeve for. actuating said locking means, resilient means for shifting said collar in a given direction asthe spindle and rotary l,

tool member reach a predetermined relative position, and means for effecting. relative movement between said spindle and rotary tool member.

10. A boring machine' including a support,v a self-contained boring head reciprocably mounted upon said support, said boring head including a plurality of driving spindles and means for imparting rotation thereto, a shiftable table having a plurality of stations for positioning work pieces to be acted upon by cutting tools actuated by said boring head and for receiving and discharging work pieces during the functioning of said boring head, boring tools supported by said table and adapted to be positioned in substantial alinement with companion spindles in said head, means mounted on said table for supporting said boring tools independently of a supported work piece, clutch mechanisms for automatically coupling the spindles with said boring tools at a predetermined interval during the cycle of reciprocation of said boring head, hydraulic mechanism for imparting rapid and slow movement to said head, means for preventing operative engagement of the tools With the workpiece until'the clutch mechanism has operated to complete the coupling of the spindles with the boring tools and means for automatically controlling the speed and direction of movement of said boring head, whereby the automatic coupling of the spindles with the boring tools occurs during the rapid advancement of the head.

11. In a boring machine of the class described for simultaneously boring a plurality of spaced,

sections in a work piece, a bed, a head' horizontally shiftable upon the bed, a rotary driving spindle mounted in said head, a shiftable table having a plurality of stations for receiving work to be acted upon, means at each station supported independently of the work and providing spaced' bearings for a boring bar having axially spaced cutting elements, a clutch mechanism on said spindle for eiecting the automatic 'coupling of said spindle with a boring bar supported in said spaced bearings whereby to effect the simultaneous boring of said spaced sections in the work piece, and means for controlling the automatic shifting of said spindle head, said table beingshiftable upon the completion of the cutting stroke of the boring bar in a manner to bring a previously positioned boring bar into proper alinement with the clutch mechanism on the spindle.

12. In a boring machine of the class described for simultaneously boring a plurality of spaced sections in a work piece, a bed, a'l'iead horizontally shiftable upon the bed, a rotary driving spindle mounted insaid head, a'shiftable table having a plurality of stations for receiving work to be acted upon, means at each station supported independently of the work and providing spacedv bearings for a boring bar having a plurality of the simultaneous boring of the spaced sections l in'said work piece, means for controlling the automatic shifting of said spindle head, said table being shiftable upon the completion of the cutting stroke of the boring bar in a manner to bring a 'previously positioned boring bar into proper alinement withthe clutch mechanism on the spindle, and a boringbar mounted in said ISpaced'bearingS, said bar having a plurality of axially spaced cutter elements extending radially thereof for cutting the surface of a work piece mounted on the table.

13. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a horizontally reciprocable head onsaid bed, a'rotary driving spindle in said head, a shiftable work supporting table, bearing means on said table for supporting a boring tool inposition to be driven by said spindle, a clutch mechanism for automatically engaging a boring tool on the table, impositive means spaced from said clutch mechanism for engaging the extremity of the boring tool oppositely disposed from the clutch mechanism, whereby to enable the initial coupling of the spindle with the boring bar but automatically yieldable in response to continued advancement of the boring bar through thework piece, and means for controlling the movement of the spindle head.

14. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a head horizontally reciprocable thereon, a driving spindle mounted within said head, a table for supporting a work piece, bearing means mointed directly on said table including spaced bearing members, a boring bar mounted in said bearing means having axially spaced cutting elements adapted to simultaneously cut a plurality of spaced cylindrical surfaces in a work piece disposed in axial alinement, at least one of said bearings being positioned intermediate said cutting elements, coupling means for automatically effecting the coupling of the driving spindle with'the supported boring bar, and means for controlling the reciprocation of the spindle supporting head.

15. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a head horizontally reciprocable upon said bed, a rotary driving spindle mounted in said head, means for automatically controlling the rate and direction of movement of said head, a manually manipulated rotary table operable independently of said head, said table having a plurality of stations whereby one station supports a work piece in position to be acted upon by a boring tool driven by said spindle and the other station is simultaneously positioned for convenient access by an operator to mount and dismount work pieces, and foot operated means including a cam having an axis extending transversely with respect to the axis of the table for elevating the table and means for simultaneously releasing the table to permit manual shifting thereof.

16. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a head horizontally reciprocable upon said bed', a rotary driving spindle mounted in said head, means for automatically controlling the rate and direction of movement of said head,

a manually manipulated rotary table operable independently of said head, said table having a plurality of stations whereby one station supports a Work piece in position to be acted upon by a. boring tool driven by said spindle and the other station is simultaneously positioned for convenient access by an operator to mount and dismount work pieces, a cam having an axis extending transversely with respect to the axis of the table for vertically shifting the table to render the same manually rotatable, a table locking mechanism, and foot control means for controlling the simultaneous functioning of said table shifting means and said table locking mechanism.

17. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a head horizontally reciprocable upon said bed, a rotary driving spindle mounted in s'aid head, means for automatically controlling the rate and direction of movement of said head, a'manually manipulated rotary table operable independently of said head having a depending support member, said'tablev having a plurality of stations whereby one station supports a work piece vin position to be acted upon by a boring tool driven by said spindle and the other station is simultaneously positioned for convenient access by an operator to mount and dismount work pieces, a cam engaging the lower end of said support member for vertically shifting the table to render the same manually rotatable, latch means for securing the table in proper position, and foot control means including mechanism for contemporaneously governing the operation of the latch means and the cam for'vertically shifting the table.

18. A boring machine including a bed, a spindle head horizontally reciprocable thereon, a driving spindle mounted within said head, a table for supporting a work-piece, spaced bearings carried directly by said table and adapted to support a boring bar, a boring bar mounted within said bearings equipped with axially spaced cutting elements adapted to contemporaneously cut a plurality of cylindrical surfaces disposed in axial spaced alinement within a work-piece carried by the table, at least one of said bearings being positioned intermediate the spaced cutting elements. coupling means for automatically electing the coupling of the driving spindle with the supported boring bar, means for controlling the reciprocation of the spindle supporting head, and means for preventing contemporaneous operative engagement of the cutting elementswith the cylindrical surfaces of a work-piece until the coupling of the spindle with the boring bar has been completed.

19. In material working apparatus of the class described, a support, a head horizontally reciprocable upon said support having a rotary driving spindle, means for moving said head at various speeds along said support including a hydraulic actuator and a variable displacement pump connected therewith, a rotary table including two Work stations each station comprising substantially one half of the table space for retaining a work piece, a cutting tool adapted to be positioned in substantial alinement with the spindle of the head, one of said stations locating the work in position to be acted upon while the other station is positioned out of the path of movement of the tools to permit the reception and discharge of the work, means on said table for supporting said cutting tool independently of a supported work piece, clutch mechanism for automatically connecting the spindle with the rotary cutting tool 'at a predetermined interval of the cycle of reciprocation of said head, means for preventing operative engagement of the cutting tool with a supported work piece until the connection between the spindle and the tool has been completed, and control mechanism for governing the rate of displacement of said pump in accordance with the required rate of travel of said head.

20. In material working apparatus of the class described, a support, a driving spindle reciprocably mounted upon said support, means for shifting said spindle at a. relatively rapid rate and for shifting said spindle at a slower rate for feeding purposes including a hydraulic actuator and a variable displacement pump connected therewith, a rotary cutting tool having a plurality of axially spaced cutting elements and adapted to be positioned in substantial alinement with said erning the rate of displac ment of said pump and thereby causing the speed .of travel of the spindle to be varied from the rapid to the slower rate at a' predetermined interval, a clutch mechanism operable contemporaneously with the lfunctioning of said control means for governing the coupling of the spindle and tool, said coupling occur'- ring during the rapid advancement of said spindle, and means for preventing operative engagement of the tool with the Work-pieceuntil the coupling of the spindle and the tool has been completed.

21. A boring machine vof the class described including a bed, a horizontally reciprocable head on said bed, a rotary driving spindle in said head, a shiftable work supporting table, bearing means on said table for supporting a boring tool in position to be driven by said spindlefa clutch mechansm for automatically `engaging a boring tool on the table, abutment means spaced from said clutch mechanism and adapted to be engaged by the extremity ofthe boring tool oppositely disposed from said clutch mechanism, said abutment being yieldable to pressures in excess of the pressure required to eiect the initial coupling of the spindle with the boring bar whereby to enable the automatic continued advancement of the boring bar through the work piece, and means for controlling the movement of the spindle head.

22. A boring machine of the class described including a bed, a horizontally reciprocable head on said bed, a rotary drivingspindle in said head, a shiftable work supporting table, bearing means on said table for supporting a boringtool in .position to be driven by said spindle, a clutch mechanism for automatically engaging a boring tool on the table, abutment means including a horizontally disposed shiftable member spaced from said clutch mechanism and-adapted to be engaged by-the extremity of the boring tool oppositely disposed from said clutch mechanism, said abutment being yieldable to pressures in excess of the pressure required to eiect the initial coupling of the spindle` with the boring bar whereby to enable the automatic continued advancement of the boring bar through the work piece, and means for controlling the movement of the spindle head.

JOHN S. BARNES. PAUL R. GUIRL.

Images