Patent ID: 6471596
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: B23G

Abstract:
A thread tapping machine for tapping female threads into a series of associated articles that are held in an associated stationary fixture, comprising:a housing mounted for reciprocating movement toward and away from the stationary fixture, the housing being rotationally fixed; a spindle carried by the housing for reciprocating movement therewith, the spindle being configured for rotational movement within the housing; a shank carried by the spindle and configured for rotational and reciprocal movement therewith, the shank having a flute tap section defining a largest diameter and an elongated shank body having diameter smaller than the largest diameter at the flute tap section, the shank further including a transverse section opposite the flute tap section and a bent section between the transverse section an the elongated body; a first drive for moving the housing in a reciprocating manner; and a second drive for moving the spindle in a rotational manner, wherein the housing is moved toward and into contact with a first of the series of articles with the spindle rotating so that the flute tap section engages the first of the series of articles to form a thread therein, and wherein when the first of the series of articles is released from the stationary fixture, in conjunction with the housing reciprocating away from the fixture, the first of the series of articles is urged along the shank, away from the flute tap section to and around the bent shank, the first of the series of articles being ejected from the shank at the transverse section.