Patent GB-743240-A (GB)
Title: Universally mounted plug type gauge for honing machines
IPC: B24B33/06
Filed: 1953-11-23
Abstract: 743,240. Linear-dimension gauges. BARNES DRILL CO. Nov. 23, 1953 [Dec. 18, 1952; Aug. 14, 1953], No. 32442/53. Class 106 (2). [Also in Group XXIII] A vertical honing machine comprises a honing tool 13 carried on the lower end of a tubular spindle 14 projecting downwardly from and journalled on a head 15 guided along rods 16 mounted on an upstanding column 17. Expansion and collapse of the honing stones 18 is effected by cams within the hone body 19 actuated by a rod 20 extending up through the hollow spindle to a power actuator 21. A plug type feeler 22 comprises a ring encircling the spindle 14 above the hone and having an internal wall of a diameter somewhat larger than the spindle; the external surface of the ring constitutes part of a sphere of precise diameter such that the ring will, irrespective of its angular position, enter the end of the bore 12 of the workpiece 10 when the bore has been enlarged to the desired size. The ring is integral with a sleeve 26 having at its upper end a spherical surface 28 seating in a surface 29 formed on a flange 30 on a tube 31. The tube 31 is secured to a bracket 34 slidable along guides 35 and connected to the head 15 by bolts 36; lost-motion between the head and bracket may be provided. Co-operating with the surface 29 to complete the ball joint is a second internal surface 37 formed on the end of a sleeve 38 having its lower flanged end guided in the cylindrical internal surface of the tube 31. The sleeve 38 is urged endwise toward the ball by a spring 40 between the flange 41 and an abutment 42 on the tube 31. When the feeler is out of contact with the work, the surface 37 is held against the ball 28 and the latter is urged into its seat 29, the spring force creating enough friction to maintain the angular position of the feeler 22 as determined by its previous contact with and centring in the bore wall 12. An arm 45 rigid with the sleeve 38 and projecting through an elongated slot 44 in the tube 31 has an adjustable head 46 cooperating with the button 47 of a switch 48 in a casing 50 mounted on a part 51 of the machine frame, so that the button is depressed upon entry of the feeler 22 into the bore after the latter has been enlarged to the desired size. Actuation of the switch 48 constitutes a signal that the bore has attained the desired size, and may be utilized to cause collapse of the hone followed by full withdrawal of the hone from the bore during the next upstroke. In a modification, Fig. 6, the internal surfaces 29, 37 of the ball joint remain in full contact with the ball 27 at all times, the surfaces being formed on rings 53, 54 fitting closely within the sleeve 38. The upper ring abuts against a shoulder 55; a plug 56 screwed into the lower end of the sleeve presses the ring 54 against the ball 27 with the pressure required for producing the desired amount of friction in the ball joint, a lock nut 57 being provided. The spring 40 acts against the flange 41 on the sleeve 38; outward movement of the latter when the feeler is out of engagement with the work is limited by a shoulder 58 on the tube 31. In a further modification, Fig. 8, the gauging element is adjusted in size by manipulation of an adjusting member 60 accessible from the exterior of the honing machine. The lower end of the sleeve 26 is divided by slots 63 into a number of angularly spaced resilient fingers 61; the adjusting member 60 is a hollow wedge encircling the spindle 14. Threads are cut on the tapered wedge and finger surfaces; the wedge ring projects at its lower end below the gauge sleeve and has a flange in which are radial slots 68 to receive a spanner wrench for turning the ring to shift it axially.