Patent ID: 6375556
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A grinding apparatus for grinding workpieces, said apparatus comprising:a frame; a holder rotatable secured to said frame for releasably holding a first workpiece of the work pieces: means for rotating said holder from a loading station to a grinding station; grinding means movably secured to said frame and selectively positionable relative to the first workpiece when the first workpiece is located at said grinding station; control means for selectively positioning said grinding means relative to the first workpiece for grinding the first workpiece; a further holder rigidly secured to and spaced relative to said holder, the arrangement being such that when said holder is rotated in a direction towards said grinding station, said further holder is rotated in a direction towards said loading station for loading a second workpiece of the workpieces at said loading station so that sequential grinding and loading of the workpieces is permitted; said frame including: a base; a vertical support extending upwardly from said base; a housing rotatably supported relative to said vertical support such that said housing rotates about a vertical axis for permitting movement of said workpieces between said loading and said grinding stations; said holder extending radially outwards from said housing; said holder including: a first arm rotatably connected to said housing such that said first arm rotates about a horizontal axis; said first arm having a proximal end adjacent to said housing and a distal end; and a second arm extendably connected to said first arm, said second arm having a first end which slidably cooperates with said proximal end of said first arm, and a second end which cooperates with said distal end of said first arm such that when said arms are located at said grinding station, said first workpiece is held between said distal end of said first arm and said second end of said second arm so that the accommodation of different size workpieces is permitted and rotation of said first workpiece about said horizontal axis is permitted.