Patent ID: 7143489
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: B23P,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A multiple station tooling machine for the production of spirally grooved products, the tooling machine having a base plate, a plurality of work stations distributed around the base plate and operable to effect selected tooling operations on work pieces, a support stand coupled to the base plate and supporting a support plate, and a turntable disposed above the support plate, the turntable being iteratively angularly movable, the multiple station tooling machine comprising: a plurality of workpiece retaining elements; an actuating assembly including drive means mounted on the support plate for moving the workpiece retaining elements to and between selected orientations; a plurality of generally vertical shafts, each having a respective workpiece retaining element secured to one end thereof and the generally vertical shafts being arranged at angular spacings from one another around the turntable; means for releasably coupling the generally vertical shafts to the actuating assembly such that the actuating assembly can effect rotational and axial movement of the generally vertical shafts to thereby move the workpiece retaining elements secured to the generally vertical shafts into selected orientations; and means for releasably securing the generally vertical shafts to the turntable, the means for releasably securing the generally vertical shafts to the turntable being disposable in a securement disposition in which the generally vertical shafts are secured to the turntable for movement therewith while the turntable is iteratively angularly moved while the means for releasably coupling the generally vertical shafts to the actuating assembly is in an uncoupled disposition such that the generally vertical shafts and the actuating assembly are not coupled to one another and the means for releasably securing the generally vertical shafts to the turntable being disposable in an unlocked disposition in which the generally vertical shafts are released from securement with the turntable to thereby be capable of rotational and axial movement as effected by the actuating assembly via the means for releasably coupling the generally vertical shafts to the actuating assembly.