Patent ID: 6916026
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: B23B,B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A turntable apparatus with universal, self-adjusting chuck for holding an auto wheel, or the like, comprising: (a) a turntable having at least three radially-disposed slots therein; (b) a hollow drive shaft, one end of which is centrally secured to the turntable for rotating the turntable; (c) at least three jaws for retention of a wheel, each of the at least three jaws being movably positionable along at least one of the radially-disposed slots; (d) a bearing assembly having an inner race and an outer race with bearings housed therebetween, the inner race being connected to the drive shaft; (e) a plate having a centrally located receptacle therein and having a plate aperture centrally located within the receptacle and passing through the plate, wherein the receptacle is adapted to receive the outer race therein, wherein the plate aperture is adapted for at least a portion of the drive shaft to pass through the plate to the place where the drive shaft is secured to the turntable, and wherein the drive shaft and turntable are rotatably movable relative to the plate; (f) at least one control arm for adjustable positioning each of the at least three jaws along at least one of the slots, each control arm having a pair of oppositely disposed control-arm portions with one control-arm portion rotatably connected to the plate and the other control-arm portion rotatably connected to at least one jaw; (g) at least one stop means for restricting movement of the bearing assembly in at least one direction along the axis of the drive shaft; (h) at least one locking arm means for locking the plate in position relative to the turntable, the locking arm means having a first locking-arm portion and a second locking-arm portion, the first locking-arm portion being fixedly connected to the plate with the locking arm means extending outwardly in a direction that is generally away from the axis of the drive shaft, such that the second locking-arm portion is located farther from the axis of the drive shaft than is the first locking-arm portion; (i) an actuator having a movable actuating part connected to the actuator, wherein the actuator is connected to the turntable and the actuating part is connected to the second locking-arm portion, with the actuating part being adapted for controllable movement of the actuating part by an energy source delivered to the actuator, and for said controllable movement of the actuating part to change the angular position of the locking arm means and thereby change the rotational position of the plate relative to the rotational position of the turntable; and, (i) transmitting means for delivering the energy source through the drive shaft to the actuator.