US3608886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System of digital jigging
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-11
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-06-11
Abstract
Abstract Instead of forming and storing a separate jig for each workpiece which is to be subjected to a machine operation or other workprocess, a series of cams are set in coded positions by reference to a code table consisting of digital symbols which makes it possible to reform a jig at any future time from a few basic parts. The devising a system of digital symbols makes possible to use the process in sophisticated methods of control.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Y Greene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:46
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/028; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/50; B23Q1/54; B23Q1/5468; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/02; B23Q3/06; B25; B25B; B25B5/00; B25B5/06; B25B5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a system of digital jigging, a jig table pallet or base having thereon reference lines intersecting in rectilinear coordinate fashion by means of which positions on the base may be easily designated, digital determinants assigned to each intersection in serial order, definite uniform apertures in the base centered on the intersections, a system of cams having stems fitting into said apertures and arranged to be set at such intersectionS and at such angular positions as will define a cradle for positioning a workpiece, a system of digitally designated angular determinates emplaced severally on the cams, so that one of the angular determinates when moved into contact with a workpiece previously placed in a work position will assume a coinciding reference position with respect to the reference lines on the base, whereby an easily and accurately made readout of the determined digits on the cam and those that determine its position on the base may be combined to furnish a code by the use of which the cams may subsequently be set in the same relative positions to reform the cradle at any future time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a system of digital jigging, a jig table pallet or base having thereon reference lines intersecting in rectilinear coordinate fashion by means of which positions on the base may be easily designated, digital determinants assigned to each intersection in serial order, definite uniform apertures in the base centered on the intersections, a system of cams having stems fitting into said apertures and arranged to be set at such intersectionS and at such angular positions as will define a cradle for positioning a workpiece, a system of digitally designated angular determinates emplaced severally on the cams, so that one of the angular determinates when moved into contact with a workpiece previously placed in a work position will assume a coinciding reference position with respect to the reference lines on the base, whereby an easily and accurately made readout of the determined digits on the cam and those that determine its position on the base may be combined to furnish a code by the use of which the cams may subsequently be set in the same relative positions to reform the cradle at any future time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a system according to claim 1, in which when three or more cams of the type described are set in position to cradle a workpiece on the table or pallet base, and the code for the angular position and the coordinate position of each separate cam having been readout when grouped together will provide a code combination or unit table of codes whereby the same jig cradle may subsequently be reformed at any time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a system according to claim 2, in which the process for reforming a jig or cradle for holding a workpiece will consist, by reference to the code table, of setting the required number of cams with determinant markings over the apertures designated by the respective digits in the code units apertaining thereto, rotating them into angular position designated by other digits in the code apertaining to their angular position and securing the cams in their respective set positions thus duplicating their original setting for each cam and its original function in forming the jig cradle for the workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a system according to claim 2, in which the cams are set at the referenced intersections to designate their location, stems centered in the intersections, the lines radiating out from the intersections are referenced to indicate their directions, referenced angular markings on the cams arranged to register with one or more of the radiating lines, position digits or determinants assigned both to the centers and to the referenced lines on the tables and cams from which a digital readout code may be made, one for each cam, which records both the lateral and angular position of each cam, and when taken together as a set of codes will constitute a code record of a group of cams forming a jig cradle for a particular workpiece and which may be used to reconstitute the same setup at any time in the future.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a system according to claim 1, in which the cam pivot pins are centered in the table apertures by providing a countersink centered about the axis of the aperture and a mating chamfered shoulder on the pins chamfered about their axes and arranged to seat in the countersink, and a countersink similarly centered in the face opening of the cam and locknut centered on the pivot pin with a chamfered shoulder mating with the cam countersink to assure the exact centering of the cam pivots over the referenced openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a system according to claim 1, in which the cams designed to rotate about an eccentric axis each have a circular circumference, a system of referenced markings on the cams arranged to designate angular positions with respect to said pivot, the marking midway of the system being located on a line through the center of the cam and its eccentric axis and other markings on the cam designating right angular positions from said center line and a suitable number of additional markings on the cam to designate angular positions with respect to these lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a system according to claim 1, in which the cams are constructed with diameters not less than twice the on center distance between the cam stem apertures, the stem about which they rotate being offset not less than one-fourth the diameter of the cam, whereby the sweep of the cam positions may be universal within the limitations of the base when the stems are set in appropriate apertures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |