Patent GB-189823968-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Gear Cutting Machines.
Inventor: RICE CHARLES DE LOS
Filed: 1898-11-14
Granted: 1899-08-05
Abstract: 23,968. Los Rice, C. de. Nov. 14. Milling; shaping.-The Specification describes a machine with a rotary cutter for cutting bevelwheels, but the cutter may be replaced by a reciprocating tool or by an emery wheel to grind out tool-marks and true up wheels after hardening. A pattern D<2>, which may be either a complete wheel as shown, or only a tooth, is clamped on a hollow-work spindle D, on which the blank D<1> is fastened by an internal bolt D<3>. The relative positions of pattern and blank may be interchanged or varied according as it is desired to copy on a larger or smaller size. A belt-driven shaft A<1> on the cutter slide L<1> is geared to cam shafts A<7>, A<8> through a worm shaft A<5>. A cam B operates a vertically-movable carrier C on which the work spindle is mounted. The carrier is also capable of lateral oscillations about a vertical axis passing through the apex of the cone containing the blank and pattern. The side cutting-face of the cutter L, and the face of a guide K maintained in contact with one side of one of the pattern teeth, are both plane surfaces, and are adjusted to be in a plane containing the apex of the cone and the vertical axis of the carrier C, and also the axis of the work spindle when it is in its central position. The work spindle has an index plate E on the hub of which is frictionally mounted a three-armed sleeve F<1> carrying a weight F on the end of a pivoted arm which may rest on one or the other of set-screws on the arms F'. The remaining arm F<3> of the sleeve is locked into engagement with the index plate by a latch F<4> engaging one of a number of notches e<1> on the back of the plate. When the carrier C is in its lowest position, the weight F rests on one of the cam-operated arms F<9>, which rise with the carrier till it reaches its highest position as shown, the cutter cutting a plain slot or entering a roughed-out one. The weight F is then allowed to act on the work spindle, imparting to it a slight rotation and also a lateral oscillation about the vertical axis refeired to. This movement continuously brings successive parts of the curved surface of the pattern tooth into contact with the plane guiding-surface K, the curve being copied on the blank by the side of the cutter. This movement is also controlled or effected by cams G on the shaft A<7> operating bell cranks G', each having a link G', either one of which can be brought into engagement with a pin G<9> on the carrier. The simultaneous engagement of one link and disengagement of the other is effected, when one side of all the teeth has been cut, by rotating a hand-wheel G<12> connected by links G<13> to the links G<7>. After the work spindle has returned to its central position, the carrier falls, the weight F is supported, and the latch F<4> disengaged by entering a V-shaped notch in a stop F<5>. This allows the index plate, blank, and pattern to be moved one tooth. This is effected by a sleeve e<3> reciprocated on a spindle E<4> by a cam and bell crank E<3>, striking with a pin e' against a pin in one of the rows e on the plate E, each row being spaced to correspond with the teeth, but one row being offset to the other. When one side of all the teeth has been cut, and the hand-wheel G<12> is operated, a cam on it operates a rod E<6> and lever e<6> slightly rocking the sleeve and bringing the pin e' into the path of the other row of pins e. The guide K is also moved laterally its own thickness to bring its opposite face into action. The cutter slide L' is similarly moved on a saddle L', adjustments being provided to effect this accurately. The saddle L<2> slides on an inclined guideway L<3> to initially adjust the position of the cutter. The weight F is supported during the return oscillation of the work spindle by a chain H<2> attached to one end of an overhead lever, connected at the other end to a cam-operated lever H'. A stop-motion for stopping the machine when one side of all the teeth has been cut consists of a ratchet-wheel M', operated by a spring pawl M from one of the bell cranks G', and carrying a pin M<3> which, when the required number of teeth have been cut, strikes a bell crank M<4> and trips a weighted belt fork. When a reciprocating tool is used, it is made with flat sides and is mounted in a reciprocating head on a slide similar to the cutter slide. When only one pattern tooth is used, it is fixed on a sleeve loose on the spindle, and held by a spring pin engaging spaced holes in the face of the index plate.