Abstract:
A lathe or other rotating machine includes a chuck for holding a work piece or tool. The chuck is operated between grasping and releasing positions. At least one non-slip mat rests on the housing of the rotating machine, including raised edges.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application 62/088,835, filed Dec. 8, 2014 titled “CHUCK GUARD AND NON-SLIP MAT FOR LATHE”, inventors Gardner et al. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a lathe or other rotating machine, and more particularly to an item resting surface for a lathe or other rotating machine. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A lathe holds a work piece from one or both ends as the work piece is rotated at relatively high speed. Tools such as cutting and shaping tools are moved into contact with the rotating work piece to shape the work piece. A lathe is commonly used to form spindles, table legs, chair legs, crank shafts, and other rotationally formed portions, which are held from both ends. A lathe may also be used to form bowls or the like by mounting the work piece so that it is held at a single end. 
         [0006]    Lathes may be used to shape wood, metal, or other materials. The work piece materials are supported by a chuck that is connected to a motor which operates to rotate the chuck and the work piece, typically at high speed. The work piece is engaged in the chuck by adjusting the chuck to engage the work piece so that the work piece may be shaped, and the work piece is released from the chuck by adjusting the chuck so that the shaped work piece may be removed from the lathe. The chuck typically includes grasping elements that move toward and away from one another symmetrically about the rotational center of the chuck. The grasping elements may be moved using a tool referred to as a chuck key. The chuck key is inserted into a key receiving opening on the chuck and is rotated to operate gear mechanisms within the chuck that move the grasping elements. 
         [0007]    In addition to lathes, drills, drill presses, routers, cutting, sanding and shaping tools, powered screw drivers and wrenches and other tools may have chucks. In drills, drill presses, and the like, the chuck is operable to hold a tool, such as a drill bit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The lathe according to certain embodiments includes at least one non-slip mat mounted on the housing. The non-slip mat is preferably on a horizontal surface of the housing, although the mat location is not limited to horizontal surfaces. The non-slip mat of certain embodiments is on a top of a portion of the housing adjacent the chuck, and in certain embodiments adjacent the chuck. Other surfaces of the lathe housing may include non-slip mats as well. 
         [0009]    The mat provides a surface for placing items such as tools, work pieces or other parts or elements. The mat prevents vibration of the items or parts on the mat from vibrating, providing quieter operation. The mat provides sound damping as well. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lathe of a type that includes one or more non-slip mats for holding items; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the lathe of  FIG. 1  showing first and second non-slip mats; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the non-slip first and second mats of  FIG. 2  and lying on respective horizontal surfaces; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the second mat on a horizontal surface adjacent and near a bottom of the chuck of the lathe; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the second mat; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the second mat in the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the first mat arranged on a surface of the housing adjacent to and above the chuck; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the first mat shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the first mat of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the first mat of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the first mat of  FIG. 7  taken along cross-sectional line X-X in  FIG. 7  and in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    In  FIG. 1 , a lathe  10  includes a housing  12  within which is mounted a motor (not shown) that drives a chuck or headstock  14  that holds a work piece. The lathe  10  includes a bed  16  on which is mounted a carriage  18  and at the end of which is mounted a tailstock  20 . Controls  22 A,  22 B,  22 C for the operation of the lathe  10  are provided on the housing  12 . 
         [0022]    The housing  12  of the lathe  10  includes horizontal surfaces  244  and  24 B on which may be placed tools, parts, work pieces or other items. The horizontal surfaces  244  and  24 B are provided with first and second respective non-slip mats  25  and  26  in certain embodiments. The housing  12  also includes an emergency break  60  on which a user may place a foot. 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , the non-slip mats  25  and  26  are provided on the respective horizontal surfaces  24 A and  24 B of the housing  12 . The non-slip mat  25  includes raised ribs  40  that extend upward interiorly and also at the edges to prevent items from rolling or vibrating off. The spaces  42 A,  42 B,  42 C,  42 D,  42 E defined by the ribs  40  may be smooth or textured. In the illustrated embodiment, some of the spaces  42 A and  42 B include ridges  44  to prevent inadvertent movement of items placed on the mat 
         [0024]    Surface  24 B comprises a small shelf  46  provided on the housing  12 , the shelf  46  being provided with the second non-slip mat  26 , that is somewhat similar in structure to the mat  25  on the top surface  24 A. Raised edges, dividing ribs and ridges  48  are provided defining spaces  60 A and  60 B on the non-slip mat  26 . Either or both mats  25  and  26  may be provided with raised portions  49  such as dots or circles, or other shapes such as an elongated oval shape as illustrated. Both mats  25  and  26  are of a soft, pliable material, such as rubber or the like, that avoids vibration of items placed on the mats and creates at least in part a non-slip characteristic of the mats. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows in perspective the first and second mats  25  and  26  from a different perspective direction for clarity of viewing. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the second mat  26  with the elongated oval raised portions  49  aligned within the space  60 A defined by the surrounding raised rib  48 . Also the space  60 B defined by the raised rib  48  does not have raised portions  49 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows an end view of the second mat  26  with a main flat portion  53  for lying on the surface  24 B and an overhanging lip portion  54  which overlies a front edge of the surface  24 B. A perspective view showing the shape is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . A protrusion  55  runs almost an entire length of the mat and provides support for a top surface of the mat  26 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of the first mat  25  for ease of viewing. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows an end view of the first mat  25  in which a tapered portion  53  is illustrated at the front end of the mat  25 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the first mat  25  also shown in  FIG. 7 , 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a bottom of the mat  25  showing raised ribs  56  defining pockets  57  on the bottom of mat  25 . These raised ribs  56  as protrusions together with the material used for the mat, which is preferably rubber, result in the non-slip characteristics of the mat  25 . The raised ribs  56  also support a top surface of the mat  25 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in  FIGS. 7 and 10 . 
         [0033]    Thus there is shown and described one or more non-slip mats which may be provided on the lathe, such as on horizontal surfaces. 
         [0034]    Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.