Lathe cutter height gauge and method of use

A gauge sets a height of a lathe cutter to a spindle axis. The gauge comprises an adjustable housing and a level vial, a longitudinal positioning of the level vial to be perpendicular to the spindle axis. A bubble in the level vial is longitudinally centered therein and the adjustable housing is fixed in place relative to the gauge. A chamfered notch in the gauge is slidable along a length of a shaft positioned in the spindle thereof. Flexible prongs secure the level vial relative to the adjustable housing. One of a set screw, a clamp and rubber bands secure the level vial relative to the adjustable housing. A receptacle in the gauge receives a shaft positioned in the spindle and enables laterally adjusting the gauge on a length of the shaft until the contact face of the gauge is laterally aligned with the tip of the lathe cutter.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION

Before a milling machine operation is performed, a lathe cutter must be properly positioned relative to a work piece held in the lathe spindle axis. If the lathe cutter and the work piece are not properly positioned then the milling machine operation results are unpredictable. However, the ‘teeth’ of a lathe spindle when completely closed still leave a space between ‘teeth’ so a user can't very easily adjust a lathe cutter to the exact center of the spindle.

A common way of getting around this problem is to produce a nub in a sacrificial work piece and then center the lathe cutter to a center of the nub but that is a time consuming and iterative process and sacrifices work material. Also, manually determining an exact center of the work piece nub can be problematic and error prone. Furthermore, this calibration-like procedure must be redone every time the lathe bed is otherwise adjusted for slant lathe bed operations.

There is a long felt need in the milling machine market for a simple and reliable lathe cutter height gauge which allows repetitious and consistent placement of a lathe cutter to a work piece along the longitudinal axis in relation a cutting tool. Machinists have long needed such a gauge which allows the work piece to be accurately and safely machined on all surfaces exposed to the cutting tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lathe cutter height gauge as disclosed is configured to set a height of a lathe cutter to a same height of a spindle axis. The gauge comprises an adjustable housing moveably connected to the gauge. The adjustable housing comprises a level vial. A longitudinal positioning of the level vial is configured to be perpendicular to the spindle axis. The adjustable housing is moveably connected to the gauge to enable a bubble in the level vial to be longitudinally centered therein and the adjustable housing to be fixed in place relative to the gauge. A chamfered notch in the gauge is configured to circumferentially mate with and to be slidable along a length of a shaft positioned in a collet or a chuck of the spindle thereof and also to be rotatable about an axis thereof.

The adjustable housing further comprises flexible prongs extending therefrom. The prongs are configured to secure the level vial in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing by at least one of a mechanical fit and a frictional fit. The flexible prongs are also configured to enable interchanging the level vial with any other level vial of similar dimensions by a digital action excluding moving the adjustable housing and loosening an adjustment screw thereof and precluding any glue, adhesive, set screws and any third component thereof. The adjustable housing further comprises a set screw configured to extend from an outside of the adjustable housing through the housing onto the level vial, the set screw configured to secure the level vial in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing by a mechanical fit. The adjustable housing further comprises a clamp, the clamp configured to secure the level vial in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing by at least one of a mechanical fit and a frictional fit. The adjustable housing further comprises a plurality of rubber bands configured to secure the level vial in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing by a frictional fit. The level vial and the adjustable housing are configured relative to each other to enable positioning the adjustable housing and the bubble in the level vial thereof to cancel an offset of a lathe that has not been leveled.

The gauge also includes a receptacle defined through the gauge body for orthogonally receiving a shaft positioned in one of a collet and a chuck of the spindle. The gauge receptacle receives the shaft perpendicular to the level vial and a center of the shaft in the receptacle is 180 degrees opposite a contact face of the gauge. The receptacle is configured to be slidable along a length of the shaft and also to be rotatable about an axis thereof. An inner diameter of the gauge receptacle measures a nominal one quarter inch in diameter. The gauge receptacle is configured to enable laterally adjusting the gauge on a length of the shaft protruding from the spindle until the contact face of the gauge is laterally aligned with the tip of the lathe cutter.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure.

Throughout the description, similar and same reference numbers may be used to identify similar and same elements depicted in multiple embodiments. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term ‘longitudinally’ as used throughout the present disclosure defines a lengthwise dimension or a longer distinguishing dimension. Also, all dimensions specified herein include a plus or minus ten percent tolerance for manufacturing and vendor interchangeability.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a lathe cutter height gauge configured to set a lathe cutter on a plane parallel to a lathe bed intersecting a spindle axis in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The disclosed gauge5is configured to set a lathe cutter10on a plane parallel to a lathe bed intersecting a spindle axis15. The gauge5comprises a base1and an adjustable housing20configured to secure a level vial25therein. A longitudinal positioning of the level vial25is configured to be perpendicular to the spindle axis15, the adjustable housing20moveably connected to the gauge to enable a bubble30in the level vial25to be longitudinally centered therein and the adjustable housing20to be fixed in place relative to the gauge5. A chamfered notch35in the gauge5is configured to circumferentially mate with and to be slidable along a length of a shaft40positioned in one of a collet45or a chuck of the spindle15thereof and also to be rotatable about an axis thereof. The chamfered notch35of the gauge5is configured to accommodate any round stock shaft up to 4 inches in diameter ‘d.’

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the disclosed lathe cutter height gauge with a chamfered notch, flexible prongs and a pronged cradle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustable housing20further comprises a plurality of flexible prongs50,52and54extending therefrom, the prongs configured to secure the level vial (not depicted) in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by at least one of a mechanical fit and a frictional fit. The flexible prongs50,52and54are configured to enable interchanging the level vial with any other level vial of similar dimensions by a digital action excluding moving the adjustable housing and loosening an adjustment screw thereof and precluding any glue, adhesive, set screws and any third component thereof. A contact face60of the gauge is configured to make contact with the lathe cutter10for setting a height of the cutter as explained in detail below regarding the methods of operating the gauge. A prong cradle55is created at the base of the flexible prongs50,52and54. Two lips56and58on either longitudinal sides of the prong cradle55help to secure the level vial (not depicted) within the prong cradle55and the flexible prongs50,52and54. The flexible prongs may be forced apart for easy insertion of the level vial and are therefore comprised of flexible plastic and other flexible materials with memory.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the lathe cutter height gauge with a chamfered notch sans flexible prongs and pronged cradle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction more clearly illustrates the housing boss65and the housing cradle70and the boss screw75. The adjustable housing20pivots on the housing boss65for adjustment of the bubble within the level vial (not depicted) to calibrate the gauge. The boss screw75is using to fix the calibrated position of the adjustable housing relative to the gauge body. The housing cradle70limits the movement of the adjustable housing about the housing boss65and boss screw75.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of the adjustable housing with flexible prongs and a pronged cradle and a housing boss screw sans the gauge body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reference numbers are the same or similar for same or similar structural features illustrated inFIG. 2but are shown separately for purposes of clarification of the adjustable housing20.

FIG. 5is a front elevational view of the adjustable housing with flexible prongs and a pronged cradle and a housing boss screw sans the gauge body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reference numbers are the same or similar for same or similar structural features illustrated inFIG. 2but are shown separately for purposes of clarification of the adjustable housing20.

FIG. 6is a side elevational view of the adjustable housing with flexible prongs and a pronged cradle and a housing boss screw sans the gauge body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reference numbers are the same or similar for same or similar structural features illustrated inFIG. 2but are shown separately for purposes of clarification of the adjustable housing20.

FIG. 7is a top elevational view of the adjustable housing with flexible prongs and a pronged cradle and a housing boss screw sans the gauge body in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reference numbers are the same or similar for same or similar structural features illustrated inFIG. 2but are shown separately for purposes of clarification of the adjustable housing20.

The level vial and the adjustable housing are configured relative to each other to enable positioning the adjustable housing and the bubble in the level vial thereof to cancel an offset of a lathe that has not been leveled. Embodiments of the disclosure may further comprise marking indicia on the adjustable housing relative to the gauge base, the indicia configured to add a calibration offset to a known angle set between the gauge base and the adjustable housing for a slant bed lathe application.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a lathe cutter height gauge with a rod receptacle configured to set a lathe cutter on a plane parallel to a lathe bed intersecting a spindle axis in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lather cutter height gauge105is configured to set a height of a lathe cutter10to a same height of a spindle axis15. The gauge105comprises an adjustable housing20moveably connected to the gauge105, the adjustable housing20comprising a level vial25. A longitudinal positioning of the level vial25perpendicular to the spindle axis15allows the adjustable housing20to be fixed in place relative to the gauge105. A receptacle95defined through the gauge body or base1orthogonally receives a shaft100positioned in a collet or a chuck45of the spindle. The receptacle95receives the shaft100perpendicular to the level vial25and a center of the shaft100in the receptacle95to be 180 degrees opposite a contact face60of the gauge105. The receptacle95is configured to be slidable along a length of the shaft100and also to be rotatable about an axis thereof. An inner diameter of the gauge105receptacle95measures a nominal one quarter inch in diameter. The gauge receptacle95is configured to enable lateral adjustment of the gauge105on a length of the shaft100protruding from the spindle15until the contact face60of the gauge is laterally aligned with the tip of the lathe cutter.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a lathe cutter height gauge with a rod receptacle, flexible prongs and pronged cradle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lathe cutter height gauge105includes a base1, an adjustable housing20for a level vial25and a level bubble30, flexible prongs50,52and54(52not visibly depicted), a rod receptacle95and a rod100. The reference numbers for structural features depicted may be the same or similar to those depicted inFIG. 8andFIG. 10.FIG. 9illustrates the respective gauge105separate from the lathe and or a milling machine for disclosure clarity. The lathe cutter height gauge105may include an integrated rod100or it may be separate of the rod100depending on manufacturing and marketing considerations.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the lathe cutter height gauge with a rod received therein and disposed in a spindle and adjusted to a lathe cutter in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base1of the gauge105is positioned on a flat surface of the lathe. A longitudinal positioning of the adjustable housing20is made and fixed by the boss screw75(not depicted) so the gauge105is perpendicular to the spindle axis. An end of the rod100is then fixed in the chuck45of the spindle and the gauge105is rotated thereabout to be available to the lather cutter10. The lathe cutter10is then adjusted up and down until making contact with the contact face60of the gauge105.

FIG. 11is a block diagram of a method for setting a height of a lathe cutter to a same height of a spindle axis via a gauge comprising a rod receptacle in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. The method comprises positioning110a base of the gauge on a flat surface of the lathe, the gauge comprising an adjustable housing for a level vial, a longitudinal positioning of the adjustable housing configured to be perpendicular to the spindle axis. The method also includes rotating120the adjustable housing about an adjustment screw connecting the adjustable housing to the gauge until a bubble in the level vial thereof is centered in the level vial and the adjustment screw is tightened. The method additionally includes positioning130a rod of the gauge in one of a collet and a chuck of the spindle, the gauge rod preconfigured to be perpendicular to the adjustable housing and a center of the rod to be directly horizontal to a contact face of the gauge. The method further includes positioning140a tip of the lathe cutter directly under the contact face of the gauge by moving a tool holder comprising the lathe cutter one of up and down until the bubble in the level vial is again centered in the vial thereof.

FIG. 12is a block diagram of a method for setting a height of a lathe cutter to a same height of a spindle axis via a gauge comprising a chamfered notch in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method comprises positioning210a base of the gauge on a flat surface of the lathe, the gauge comprising an adjustable housing for a level vial, a longitudinal positioning of the adjustable housing configured to be perpendicular to the spindle axis. The disclosed method also includes rotating220the adjustable housing about an adjustment screw connecting the adjustable housing to the gauge until a bubble in the level vial thereof is centered in the level vial and the adjustment screw is tightened. The disclosed method additionally includes positioning230a notch of the gauge against a piece of round stock retained in the spindle, a center of the notch configured 180 degrees opposite a contact face of the gauge. The disclosed method further includes positioning240a tip of the lathe cutter directly under the contact face of the gauge by moving a tool holder comprising the lathe cutter at least one of up and down until the bubble in the level vial is again centered in the vial thereof.

FIG. 13is a block diagram of a method for operating the lathe cutter height gauge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. An embodiment of the disclosed method further includes moving410the notch of the gauge along a length of the round stock protruding from the spindle until the contact face of the gauge is laterally aligned with the tip of the lathe cutter. Also, an embodiment of the method of operating the lathe cutter height gauge may include using420a marking and/or measuring indicia included on the adjustable housing relative to the gauge base, the indicia configured to allow an adjustment of the housing relative to the gauge to match an angle of a slant bed lathe. Therefore, an embodiment may further include spreading430apart three flexible prongs of the adjustable housing securing the level vial thereto to remove the level vial for one of repair, interchangeability, maintenance, adjustment and any other user purpose. The disclosed method may further include positioning440the adjustable housing and the bubble in the level vial thereof to cancel an offset of a lathe that has not been leveled. Another embodiment of the disclosed calibration method may include securing450the level vial within a pronged cradle of the adjustable housing by a mechanical and frictional fit therein precluding any glue, adhesive, set screws and any other third component thereof.

An embodiment of the disclosed calibration method includes marking indicia on the adjustable housing relative to the gauge configured for adding a calibration offset to a known angle set between the gauge and the adjustable housing of a slant bed lathe. A calibration granularity of a nominal 30½ millimeters is indicated on the level vial face, plus or minus ten percent. The indicia and/or markings may be engraved, embossed, printed and otherwise fixed onto the work piece positioning device in either the metric system of measurement or the English system of measurement. The indicia and/or markings may include numbers, letters and any other type of marking indicating length, width, difference and other measurements indicative of the clearance between the vise stop device and the work piece via the stop pin.

FIG. 14is a block diagram of a method for calibrating a lathe cutter height gauge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes positioning310a base of the gauge on a flat surface of the lathe, the gauge comprising an adjustable housing for a level vial, a longitudinal positioning of the adjustable housing configured to be perpendicular to the spindle axis. The method also includes rotating320the adjustable housing about an adjustment screw connecting the adjustable housing to the gauge until a bubble in the level vial thereof is centered in the level vial and the adjustment screw is tightened.

Also, the lather cutter may be replaced by a boring bar positioned for making a circular and radial plunge cut into a round stock placed in the spindle. Therefore, all preceding methods and structure regarding a lathe cutter height gauge are applicable to a boring bar in place of a lathe cutter. The present disclosure may also include a boring bar height gauge and methods of use and operation.

FIG. 15is a perspective view of an adjustable housing and a level vial secured in a cradle thereof with rubber bands in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustable housing is configured to secure the level vial within a pronged cradle by a mechanical and frictional fit therein precluding any glue and adhesive. Rubber bands90may also be configured to secure the level vial25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by a frictional fit. The rubber bands90may therefore circumferentially fit around the level via25and a cradle102configured to retain the level via25. The rubber band cradle102provides a ledge for a respective rubber band to stretch radially around the level vial25and secure the level via25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by an elastic pressure fit. The boss screw75secures the adjustable housing20to the gauge5or105.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of an adjustable housing and a level vial secured in a cradle thereof with arms and set therein relative to the adjustable housing via set screws in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The adjustable housing20may further comprise set screws80configured to extend from an outside of the adjustable housing20through the housing20onto the level vial25, the set screws80configured to secure the level vial25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by a mechanical fit. The boss screw75secures the adjustable housing20to the gauge5or105. The adjustable housing arms104circumferentially extend around the level vial25to provide a counter force to a set screw force securing the level vial25within the adjustable housing20in a determinable position relative thereto by an elastic pressure fit.

FIG. 17is a cross-sectional view of a second half ofFIG. 16taken through the section17illustrating the mechanical fit between the set screws in the adjustable housing and the level vial in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The set screws80are clearly shown making contact against the level vial25. The level vial25is also clearly seen making contact against an opposing side of the adjustable housing arms104. Other reference numbers are the same or similar to reference numbers inFIG. 16from whichFIG. 17is a cross-sectional view. Helical threads (not shown) in the adjustable housing20provide for the set screws80to be adjusted at varying degrees against the level vial25.

FIG. 18is a perspective view of an adjustable housing and a level via secured in a cradle thereof with clamping arms in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. An embodiment of the disclosure may include the adjustable housing configured with a clamp or clamping arms106. The clamping arms106are configured to secure the level vial25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by at least one of a mechanical fit and a frictional fit. The clamp cradle102provides a seat for a circumferential level vial25. The clamping arms106may be kept in proximity to each other via clamping screws extending from one clamping arm to another. The clamping arms106secure the level via25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20by a mechanical pressure fit. Other reference numbers and features depicted may be same or similar to other figures within the present disclosure.

FIG. 19is a perspective view of an adjustable housing and a level via secured in a cradle thereof with o-ring arms in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustable housing20may be configured with an o-ring108(depicted inFIG. 20) set in a channel in circumferential arms104. The circumferential arms104secure the level via25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20via the o-rings and a mechanical pressure fit. Other reference numbers and features depicted may be same or similar to other figures within the present disclosure.

FIG. 20is a cross-sectional view of a second half ofFIG. 19taken through the section19illustrating the o-ring and channel in the arms of the adjustable housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustable housing20comprises a channel in the circumferential arms104for the o-rings108. The circumferential arms104secure the level via25in a determinable position relative to the adjustable housing20via the o-rings and a mechanical pressure fit. Other reference numbers and features depicted may be same or similar to other figures within the present disclosure. A single or multiple circumferential arms may extend from the adjustable housing20in order to secure the level vial25thereto.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the specification and claims set forth herein.