Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to the field of woodworking tools and particularly to an indexing assembly for a lathe. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a lathe, including a frame; a bed coupled with the frame; a head stock configured for mechanically engaging a first end of a workpiece, the head stock being coupled with the bed; and a tail stock, including a housing, the housing including a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece, wherein the tail stock is adjustably and slidably coupled with the bed via an indexing assembly, the indexing assembly configured to provide the lathe with positive locking capabilities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/547,735 entitled: Positive Lock Tail Stock Support For Lathe filed Dec. 24, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of woodworking tools, and particularly to an indexing assembly for a lathe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a lathe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the lathe including a tail stock coupled with a bed, the tail stock enabling an indexing assembly including a first and second pin to engage in a first position relative to a first and second indexing receiver of the bed of the lathe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the lathe including the tail stock coupled with the bed, the tail stock enabling the indexing assembly including the first and second pin to engage in a second position relative to the first and second indexing receiver of the bed of the lathe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric sectional view illustrating a bottom side of the bed, including a lock platen engagement assembly, and a lock platen engaged therewith. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the lathe including the tail stock coupled with the bed, the tail stock enabling the indexing assembly including the first and second pin and a compression lock system to engage with the first and second indexing receiver of the bed of the lathe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lathes may be utilized with various workpieces of varying size and shape. Therefore, it is important for a lathe to be configured to accommodate various workpieces in a manner which allows the workpiece to be adequately secured by the lathe during cutting and shaping operations. Further, it is important to be able to quickly and conveniently adjust the lathe to accommodate a wide range of workpieces having various sizes and shapes. Current systems do not always allow a lathe operator to make adjustments in a time efficient fashion. Also, current systems are not always configured to secure workpieces in a stable manner during cutting and shaping operations. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a lathe, suitable for adjustably accommodating a variety of different sized workpieces in both a time-efficient and secure manner. It would be further advantageous to have a lathe having a tail stock with positive locking capabilities which provides for time-efficient adjustability and improved stability when securing a workpiece. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a lathe, including a frame; a bed coupled with the frame; a head stock configured for mechanically engaging a first end of a workpiece, the head stock being coupled with the bed; and a tail stock, including a housing, the housing including a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece, wherein the tail stock is adjustably and slidably coupled with the bed via an indexing assembly, the indexing assembly configured to provide the lathe with positive locking capabilities. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a lathe, including a frame; a bed coupled with the frame, the bed having first and second bedways, the bedways defining a guide path, the guide path defining the length of the bed, the bed including a plurality of indexing receivers disposed on a surface of each bedway, the bed further including a lock platen engagement assembly disposed on a surface of the bed proximal to the guide path; a head stock configured for mechanically engaging a first end of a workpiece, the head stock being coupled with the bed; and a tail stock, including a housing, the housing including a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece, the tail stock configured for mechanically engaging with the guide path and the indexing receivers, wherein the tail stock is adjustably and slidably coupled with the bed via an indexing assembly, the indexing assembly including a selector assembly, a pin assembly and a lock assembly, the indexing assembly configured to provide the lathe with positive locking capabilities. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a lathe, including a frame; a bed coupled with the frame, the bed having first and second bedways, the bedways defining a guide path, the guide path defining the length of the bed, the bed including a plurality of indexing receivers disposed on a surface of each bedway, the bed further including a lock platen engagement assembly disposed on a surface of the bed proximal to the guide path; a head stock configured for mechanically engaging a first end of a workpiece, the head stock being coupled with the bed; and a tail stock, including a housing, the housing including a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece, the tail stock configured for mechanically engaging with the guide path and the indexing receivers, wherein the tail stock is adjustably and slidably coupled with the bed via an indexing assembly, the indexing assembly including a selector assembly, a pin assembly, a lock assembly and a compression lock system, the indexing assembly configured to provide the lathe with positive locking capabilities, the selector assembly being a handle configured as a multi-position handle, the pin assembly including a plurality of spring-loaded pins operationally coupled with the handle, the pins configured for mechanically engaging with the indexing receivers, the lock assembly including a lock platen coupled with the housing and operationally coupled with the handle, the lock platen configured for mechanically engaging with the lock platen engagement assembly. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring generally now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. In a present embodiment, a lathe  100  includes a frame coupled with a bed. In further embodiments, the bed is removably coupled with the frame and configured for being retro-fitted with a secondary frame. 
     In the present embodiment, the bed is further coupled with a head stock  102 . In a preferred embodiment, the head stock is configured for mechanically engaging with a first end of a workpiece. For example, the head stock may be configured with a motor driven main spindle  104  for mechanically engaging with a first end of a workpiece. 
     In a current embodiment, the lathe  100  further includes a tail stock  106  adjustably coupled with the bed. In a preferred embodiment, the tail stock is configured for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece. For instance, the tail stock may include a tail stock handwheel  108  operationally coupled with a tail stock ram  110  for engaging with and securing a second end of the workpiece during cutting or shaping operations. 
     In further embodiments, the head stock  102  and the tail stock  106  are removably coupled with the bed. For example, the head stock  102  and the bed may have one or more threaded receivers for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt, which allow for coupling of the head stock  102  with the bed. Further, the tail stock  106  may be adjustably coupled with the bed in such a manner that it may be slidably removed from the end of the bed. It is understood that various tool assemblies may be coupled with the bed and enabled to adjust in position relative to the bed, head stock, and tail stock. 
     The bed includes a first bedway  112  and a second bedway  114 . The first and second bedways  112  and  114  define the length of the bed. In the current embodiment, the bed is a single continuous unit. In further embodiments, the bed may be two or more portions removably connected together, such as by a fastener. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second bedways  112  and  114  define a travel guide  116  which may be slidably and mechanically engaged by the tail stock  106  as will be described below. For example, the travel guide  116  may be a slot between the first and second bedways. It is understood that the configuration of the travel guide  116  may vary as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. For example, the travel guide  116  may be established as first and second slots within the bed or the like. In alternative embodiments, the tail stock wraps around or encompasses the sides of the bed and travels along or within a travel guide established along the sides of the bed. In the present embodiment, the travel guide  116  runs the full length of the bed. In additional embodiments, the travel guide  116  may define an area less than the full length of the bed. 
     In a current embodiment, the top sides, in the orientation such as observed in  FIGS. 1-5 , of the first and second bedways  112  and  114  are disposed with a plurality of indexing receivers  118 . The indexing receivers  118  may be established in various configurations. For example, the indexing receivers may be established as holes, recesses, slots and the like within the first and second bedways  112  and  114 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of indexing receivers on the first bedway  112  are aligned with the plurality of indexing receivers on the second bedway  114 . In additional embodiments, it is contemplated that the indexing receivers may be established in various positions. The indexing receivers  118  assist in enabling positive locking of the tail stock  106  with the bed. 
     The plurality of indexing receivers  118  further assist in the adjustment of the tail stock  106  relative to the bed. For example, the plurality of indexing receivers of each bedway may be established at set distances from one another in order to provide incremental adjustment capabilities to the tail stock. For instance, the plurality of indexing receivers  118  may be spaced apart by one inch, three-quarters of an inch, one-half an inch, and the like. The range of spacing established between each of the plurality of indexing receivers  118  may vary as contemplated by those of ordinary skill. 
     In the present embodiment, the plurality of indexing receivers  118  may be established along the full length of the first and second bedways  112  and  114 , in corresponding location to one another. Thus, the plurality of indexing receivers  118  may enable the tail stock  106  to be positioned along the length of the bed. In further embodiments, the plurality of indexing receivers  118  may also be established in limited sections of the first and second bedways  112  and  114 . 
     In the present embodiment, the bed has disposed along the length of its bottom side, and proximal to the travel guide  116 , a lock platen engagement assembly  130 . In the current embodiment, the lock platen engagement assembly  130  provides for the engagement of a lock platen  128 , described below, against the first and second bedways  112  and  114 . An exemplary toothed configuration of the lock platen engagement assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The toothed configuration, which includes two corresponding rows of teeth provides a configuration suitable for engagement with the lock platen  128 . It is understood that the configuration of the lock platen engagement assembly  130  may be varied to enable the adjustable capabilities and the securing of the lock platen  128  against the lock platen engagement assembly  130 . It is further understood that the lock platen engagement assembly may be configured to accommodate various lock platen shapes and bed designs. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the tail stock  106  includes a housing  120  having a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of a workpiece. In the present embodiment, the fine adjustment assembly includes a tail stock handwheel  108  operationally coupled, such as by a threaded rod, worm drive, rack and pinion assembly or the like, with a tailstock ram  110  for mechanically engaging a workpiece. For example, manipulation of the handwheel  108  causes the ram  110  to rotate and move towards a workpiece, thereby allowing the ram to engage with and secure a second end of the workpiece. The fine adjustment assembly allows for securing of a workpiece within ranges defined by the indexing receivers  118 . 
     In the present embodiment, the lathe  100  further includes an indexing assembly. The indexing assembly includes a selector assembly operationally coupled with a pin assembly and a lock assembly. It is understood that the indexing assembly provides for the adjustable coupling of the tail stock  106  with the bed of the lathe  100  and assists in providing the lathe with positive locking capabilities. In an exemplary embodiment, the selector assembly is a handle  122 , enabled as a multi-position handle. For example, the handle may be movable bi-directionally in a vertical plane. 
     In the present embodiment, the pin assembly includes a first pin  124  and a second pin  126  which may be extended from and retracted into the housing  120  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second pins  124  and  126  are spring-loaded pins which are operationally coupled with the handle  122 , such as by a camming assembly as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The camming assembly, upon manipulation of the handle  122  into a raised position, provides an outward force on the spring-loaded pins  124  and  126 , thereby forcing the pins downward into the indexing receivers  118  and securing the tail stock  106 . In a further embodiment, the handle  122 , may be operationally coupled with the spring-loaded pins via a rack and pinion assembly. It is contemplated that various means may be used to operationally couple the handle with the spring-loaded pins  124  and  126 . The handle  122  provides the lathe operator control over the spring-loaded pins. In further embodiments, the pin assembly may include more than two pins. 
     In a current embodiment, the handle  122  may be established in a first position. The first position is the “raised” position with the handle pulled or placed in its uppermost position. With the handle  122  so positioned, the first and second spring loaded pins  124  and  126  of the pin assembly are established in a first pin position, being retracted into the housing  120  of the tail stock  106  thereby allowing the tail stock  106  to be adjusted relative to the bed. In the exemplary embodiment, the tail stock  106  is slidably adjustable with respect to the bed. Thus, with the pins retracted, the tail stock may be slid along the length of the bed until a desired position for the tail stock is achieved. It is contemplated that various adjustment mechanisms may be employed to enable the tail stock&#39;s movement along the length of the bed. For example, a rack and pinion assembly may be employed with a handle that may be engaged by the user of the lathe to re-position the tail stock. Other mechanisms, as contemplated by those of skill in the art, may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     In the current embodiment, the handle  122  may be established in a second “pin engagement” position in order to establish the tail stock  106  in the desired position on the bed. In the second position, the first and second spring-loaded pins  124  and  126  are established in a second pin position, wherein the pins come down from the housing  120  and each pin engages within one of the plurality of indexing receivers  118  established within the bed. It is understood that the pins  124  and  126 , when not engaged within the plurality of indexing receivers  118  of the bed are in an at least partially retracted position, unable to extend under the pressure of the springs. As the tail stock  106  is slid along the bed, the first and second pins  124  and  126  may be moved over the indexing receivers  118 . As the pins are moved over the indexing receivers, the springs coupled with the pins apply a force which extends the pins into the indexing receivers. With the pins extended into the indexing receivers, the tail stock is secured in a position relative to the bed. In the current example, the pin assembly provides a horizontal securing force, locking the position of the tail stock relative to the horizontal axis established by the bed. 
     It is contemplated that the indexing assembly, through the pin assembly, may provide a securing effect in more than the horizontal axis. For example, the first and/or second pin of the pin assembly, may include a compression lock system disposed on a section of the first and/or second pin which engages within one of the plurality of indexing receivers. In an exemplary embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the compression lock system includes spring-loaded ball bearings  150  and  152  disposed within each spring-loaded pin  124  and  126 . When the pins are fully engaged within the indexing receivers  118 , the ball bearings are forced by the spring into corresponding ball bearing receivers  154  and  156 , disposed within the indexing receivers  118 . Once the pins  124  and  126  are received within the indexing receivers  118  the handle  122  may be established in a third “lock” position. The lock position operationally engages the lock assembly and operates to secure the tail stock in the vertical axis relative to the horizontal axis established by the bed. The lock position is established when the handle is forced into its down most position. The compression lock system provides for the securing of the tail stock in both the vertical and horizontal axes with respect to the bed of the lathe  100 . It is understood that the indexing assembly may include a mechanism for retracting the springs which engage against the ball bearings, thereby allowing the ball bearings to disengage from the ball bearing receiver and enabling the pins to be retracted within the housing of the tail stock. It is contemplated that the mechanism may be disposed on the handle of the selector assembly, such as by a button or switch, and/or established as an additional component disposed on the housing, separate from the handle. 
     Further, while an exemplary system of adjustment is described herein, it is contemplated that various other systems as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art may be employed. In further embodiments, it is understood that the system of adjustment may be enabled with various automation capabilities. For example, the selector assembly may be established which, when engaged by the operator of the lathe, automatically establishes the indexing assembly in a desired position. It is understood that the number of positions and the location of the handle established in each of the various positions may vary as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the indexing assembly may enable its functionality employing a variety of mechanisms, such as a push button assembly, switch assembly, and the like. 
     In a present embodiment, the lock assembly includes a lock platen  128  coupled with the housing and operationally coupled with the handle  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, operational coupling may be achieved via a camming assembly, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In operation, the lock platen extends  128  from the housing into the travel guide  116 . The lock platen  128  is configured to engage against the lock platen engagement assembly  130  disposed on the bottom side of the first and second bedways  112  and  114  of the bed. The engagement of the lock platen  128  within the lock platen engagement assembly  130  provides for a vertical securing of the tail stock  106  against the bed. Thus, when the handle  122  is in the pin engagement or lock position, the lock platen  128  is engaged with the lock platen engagement assembly  130 . It is understood that when the handle is established in a position which is neither the pin engagement or lock position, the lock platen  128  is not engaged against the lock platen engagement assembly  130 . This dis-engagement capability of the lock platen further assists in the sliding adjustment capability of the tail stock relative to the bed. It is contemplated that various means may be used to operationally couple the handle with the lock platen  128 . 
     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof.