U.S. patent application number 14/070575 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Eugene Stafford. Invention is credited to Paul Eugene Stafford.
Application Number | 20140125016 14/070575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50621641 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140125016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stafford; Paul Eugene |
May 8, 2014 |
Multiple Pivoted Lathe Chuck Jaw Assembly
Abstract
A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly utilizes a plurality
of baseplates each having one or more sub-jaws pivotably attached
thereto. Each baseplate is configured for attachment to, or is part
of, the radially movable elements of a lathe chuck. Further, each
baseplate has two pivotably attached sub-jaws. Each sub-jaw has two
compression and two expansion workpiece gripping surfaces extending
generally outwards from the front face of the baseplate: a first
tier compression gripping surface, a second tier compression
gripping surface, a first tier expansion gripping surface, and a
second tier expansion gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each
approximate a curved shape that matches the shape of a circle of a
given radius allowing the sub-jaws to pivot and self-align to the
workpiece surface for maximum surface contact and gripping force.
Force-directed serrations can provide additional holding force
toward the face of the chuck.
Inventors: |
Stafford; Paul Eugene;
(Littleton, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stafford; Paul Eugene |
Littleton |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50621641 |
Appl. No.: |
14/070575 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61722153 |
Nov 3, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
279/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 31/16275 20130101;
Y10T 279/10 20150115; Y10T 279/1083 20150115; Y10T 279/19 20150115;
Y10T 279/22 20150115; Y10T 279/1986 20150115; B23B 31/1627
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
279/123 |
International
Class: |
B23B 31/16 20060101
B23B031/16 |
Claims
1. A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly configured to be
mounted on a lathe chuck, the lathe chuck having a central axis and
a radially movable element that can be adjusted inwards and
outwards from the central axis, the multiple pivoted lathe chuck
jaw assembly comprising: a baseplate having a front face, a rear
face, a left edge, and a right edge; a jaw assembly attachment on
the rear face of the baseplate that attaches the baseplate to one
of the radially moveable elements on the lathe chuck such that the
baseplate is positioned perpendicular to the central axis of the
lathe chuck and is radially movable inwards and outwards from the
central axis in response to adjustment of the radially movable
element; wherein, when the radially movable element is adjusted
maximally inwards, the baseplate is at a minimum expansion point,
when the radially movable element is adjusted maximally outwards,
the baseplate is at a maximum expansion point, and when the
radially movable element is adjusted midway between maximally
inwards and maximally outwards, the baseplate is at a midway
expansion point; a first pivoting attachment point on the front
face and a second pivoting attachment point on the front face, the
first and second pivoting attachment points are located along a
pivoting attachment point arc defined by a pivoting attachment
point radius measured from the central axis and extending from the
left edge to the right edge; a first sub-jaw pivotably attached to
the front face of the baseplate at the first pivoting attachment
point and a second sub-jaw pivotably attached to the front face of
the baseplate at the second pivoting attachment point; the first
sub-jaw having a first tier and a second tier wherein the first
tier is positioned above the front face of the baseplate and the
second tier is positioned above the first tier; the first tier
having a first tier compression gripping surface located along a
first tier compression gripping surface arc defined by a first
inner radius measured from the central axis, and a first tier
expansion gripping surface located along a first tier expansion
gripping surface arc defined by a first outer radius measured from
the central axis; the second tier having a second tier compression
gripping surface located along a second tier compression gripping
surface arc defined by a second inner radius measured from the
central axis, and a second tier expansion gripping surface located
along a second tier expansion gripping surface arc defined by a
second outer radius measured from the central axis; wherein, when
the baseplate is at the midway expansion point, the first inner
radius matches a radius from the first tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis such that a first workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the first tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the first tier compression
gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact with the
first workpiece; wherein, when the baseplate is at the midway
expansion point, the second outer radius matches a radius from the
second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis such
that a second workpiece being expanded by the first sub-jaw would
have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the radius from
the second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis,
causing the second tier expansion gripping surface to have maximum
surface area contact with the second workpiece; wherein, when the
baseplate is at the maximum expansion point, the second inner
radius matches a radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis such that a third workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the second tier
compression gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact
with the third workpiece; and wherein, when the baseplate is at the
maximum expansion point, the first outer radius matches a radius
from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central
axis such that a fourth workpiece being expanded by the first
sub-jaw would have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the
radius from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the
central axis, causing the first tier expansion gripping surface to
have maximum surface area contact with the fourth workpiece.
2. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 1,
wherein the first pivoting attachment point is located along a
pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of a length of the arc
from the left edge, and the second pivoting attachment point is
located along the pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of the
length of the arc from the right edge.
3. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 1,
further comprising: the first sub-jaw having a sub-jaw bottom
surface located between the first tier compression gripping surface
and the first tier expansion gripping surface and resting upon the
front face of the baseplate; and wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface
having a blind attachment hole located in the center of the sub-jaw
bottom surface that aligns with the first pivoting attachment point
on the baseplate and assists in pivotably attaching the first
sub-jaw to the baseplate.
4. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 2,
further comprising: the first sub-jaw having a sub-jaw bottom
surface located between the first tier compression gripping surface
and the first tier expansion gripping surface and resting upon the
front face of the baseplate; and wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface
having a blind attachment hole located in the center of the sub-jaw
bottom surface that aligns with the first pivoting attachment point
on the baseplate and assists in pivotably attaching the first
sub-jaw to the baseplate.
5. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 3,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
6. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 4,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
7. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 1,
wherein the first tier compression gripping surface and the first
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the front face such that a first angle measured between
the front face and the first tier compression gripping surface is
less than ninety degrees and a second angle measured between the
front face and the first tier expansion gripping surface is less
than ninety degrees.
8. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 3,
further comprising: the first tier of the first sub-jaw having a
first tier top surface located between the first tier compression
gripping surface and the first tier expansion gripping surface and
extending parallel with the first sub-jaw bottom surface; and
wherein the second tier compression gripping surface and the second
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the first tier top surface such that a third angle
measured between the first tier top surface and the second tier
compression gripping surface is less than ninety degrees and a
fourth angle measured between the first tier top surface and the
second tier expansion gripping surface is less than ninety
degrees.
9. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 5,
wherein the first tier compression gripping surface and the first
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the front face such that a first angle measured between
the front face and the first tier compression gripping surface is
less than ninety degrees and a second angle measured between the
front face and the first tier expansion gripping surface is less
than ninety degrees.
10. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 6,
further comprising: the first tier of the first sub-jaw having a
first tier top surface located between the first tier compression
gripping surface and the first tier expansion gripping surface and
extending parallel with the first sub-jaw bottom surface; and
wherein the second tier compression gripping surface and the second
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the first tier top surface such that a third angle
measured between the first tier top surface and the second tier
compression gripping surface is less than ninety degrees and a
fourth angle measured between the first tier top surface and the
second tier expansion gripping surface is less than ninety
degrees.
11. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 1,
further comprising: a plurality of force-directed serrations on at
least one of: the first tier compression gripping surface, the
first tier expansion gripping surface, the second tier compression
gripping surface, and the second tier expansion gripping surface;
the plurality of force-directed serrations each having a vertical
extension tooth wall and an angled tooth wall; the vertical
extension tooth wall extending outwards from the gripping surface,
approximately parallel to the front face, and terminating at a
serration point; and the angled tooth wall extending outwards from
the gripping surface at an angle of less than ninety degrees
measured from the front face and also terminating at the serration
point.
12. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 1
wherein the first and second sub-jaws are made from a material
selected from the following: metal, ceramic, and nylon.
13. A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly configured to be
mounted on a lathe chuck, the lathe chuck having a central axis and
a radially movable element that can be adjusted inwards and
outwards from the central axis, the multiple pivoted lathe chuck
jaw assembly comprising: a baseplate having a front face, a rear
face, a left edge, and a right edge; a jaw assembly attachment on
the rear face of the baseplate that attaches the baseplate to one
of the radially moveable elements on the lathe chuck such that the
baseplate is positioned perpendicular to the central axis of the
lathe chuck and is radially movable inwards and outwards from the
central axis in response to adjustment of the radially movable
element; wherein, when the radially movable element is adjusted
maximally inwards, the baseplate is at a minimum expansion point,
when the radially movable element is adjusted maximally outwards,
the baseplate is at a maximum expansion point, and when the
radially movable element is adjusted midway between maximally
inwards and maximally outwards, the baseplate is at a midway
expansion point; a first pivoting attachment point on the front
face and a second pivoting attachment point on the front face, the
first and second pivoting attachment points are located along a
pivoting attachment point arc defined by a pivoting attachment
point radius measured from the central axis and extending from the
left edge to the right edge; a first sub-jaw pivotably attached to
the front face of the baseplate at the first pivoting attachment
point and a second sub-jaw pivotably attached to the front face of
the baseplate at the second pivoting attachment point; the first
sub-jaw having a first tier and a second tier wherein the first
tier is positioned above the front face of the baseplate and the
second tier is positioned above the first tier; the first tier
having a first tier compression gripping surface located along a
first tier compression gripping surface arc defined by a first
inner radius measured from the central axis, and a first tier
expansion gripping surface located along a first tier expansion
gripping surface arc defined by a first outer radius measured from
the central axis; the second tier having a second tier compression
gripping surface located along a second tier compression gripping
surface arc defined by a second inner radius measured from the
central axis, and a second tier expansion gripping surface located
along a second tier expansion gripping surface arc defined by a
second outer radius measured from the central axis; a plurality of
force-directed serrations on at least one of: the first tier
compression gripping surface, the first tier expansion gripping
surface, the second tier compression gripping surface, and the
second tier expansion gripping surface; the plurality of
force-directed serrations each having a vertical extension tooth
wall and an angled tooth wall; the vertical extension tooth wall
extending outwards from the gripping surface, approximately
parallel to the front face, and terminating at a serration point;
the angled tooth wall extending outwards from the gripping surface
at an angle of less than ninety degrees measured from the front
face and also terminating at the serration point; wherein, when the
baseplate is at the midway expansion point, the first inner radius
matches a radius from the first tier compression gripping surface
arc to the central axis such that a first workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the first tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the first tier compression
gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact with the
first workpiece; wherein, when the baseplate is at the midway
expansion point, the second outer radius matches a radius from the
second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis such
that a second workpiece being expanded by the first sub-jaw would
have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the radius from
the second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis,
causing the second tier expansion gripping surface to have maximum
surface area contact with the second workpiece; wherein, when the
baseplate is at the maximum expansion point, the second inner
radius matches a radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis such that a third workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the second tier
compression gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact
with the third workpiece; and wherein, when the baseplate is at the
maximum expansion point, the first outer radius matches a radius
from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central
axis such that a fourth workpiece being expanded by the first
sub-jaw would have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the
radius from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the
central axis, causing the first tier expansion gripping surface to
have maximum surface area contact with the fourth workpiece.
14. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 13,
wherein the first pivoting attachment point is located along the
pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of the length of the arc
from the left edge, and the second pivoting attachment point is
located along the pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of the
length of the arc from the right edge.
15. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 13,
further comprising: the first sub-jaw having a sub-jaw bottom
surface located between the first tier compression gripping surface
and the first tier expansion gripping surface and resting upon the
front face of the baseplate; and wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface
having a blind attachment hole located in the center of the sub-jaw
bottom surface that aligns with the first pivoting attachment point
on the baseplate and assists in pivotably attaching the first
sub-jaw to the baseplate.
16. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 14,
further comprising: the first sub-jaw having a sub-jaw bottom
surface located between the first tier compression gripping surface
and the first tier expansion gripping surface and resting upon the
front face of the baseplate; and wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface
having a blind attachment hole located in the center of the sub-jaw
bottom surface that aligns with the first pivoting attachment point
on the baseplate and assists in pivotably attaching the first
sub-jaw to the baseplate.
17. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 15,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
18. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 16,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
19. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 13,
wherein the first tier compression gripping surface and the first
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the front face such that a first angle measured between
the front face and the first tier compression gripping surface is
less than ninety degrees and a second angle measured between the
front face and the first tier expansion gripping surface is less
than ninety degrees.
20. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 15,
further comprising: the first tier of the first sub-jaw having a
first tier top surface located between the first tier compression
gripping surface and the first tier expansion gripping surface and
extending parallel with the first sub-jaw bottom surface; and
wherein the second tier compression gripping surface and the second
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the first tier top surface such that a third angle
measured between the first tier top surface and the second tier
compression gripping surface is less than ninety degrees and a
fourth angle measured between the first tier top surface and the
second tier expansion gripping surface is less than ninety
degrees.
21. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 17,
wherein the first tier compression gripping surface and the first
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the front face such that a first angle measured between
the front face and the first tier compression gripping surface is
less than ninety degrees and a second angle measured between the
front face and the first tier expansion gripping surface is less
than ninety degrees.
22. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 18,
further comprising: the first tier of the first sub-jaw having a
first tier top surface located between the first tier compression
gripping surface and the first tier expansion gripping surface and
extending parallel with the first sub-jaw bottom surface; and
wherein the second tier compression gripping surface and the second
tier expansion gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail
taper to the first tier top surface such that a third angle
measured between the first tier top surface and the second tier
compression gripping surface is less than ninety degrees and a
fourth angle measured between the first tier top surface and the
second tier expansion gripping surface is less than ninety
degrees.
23. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 13
wherein the first and second sub-jaws are made from a material
selected from the following: metal, ceramic, and nylon.
24. A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly configured to be
mounted on a lathe chuck, the lathe chuck having a central axis and
a radially movable element that can be adjusted inwards and
outwards from the central axis, the multiple pivoted lathe chuck
jaw assembly comprising: a baseplate having a front face, a rear
face, a left edge, and a right edge; a jaw assembly attachment on
the rear face of the baseplate that attaches the baseplate to one
of the radially moveable elements on the lathe chuck such that the
baseplate is positioned perpendicular to the central axis of the
lathe chuck and is radially movable inwards and outwards from the
central axis in response to adjustment of the radially movable
element; wherein, when the radially movable element is adjusted
maximally inwards, the baseplate is at a minimum expansion point,
when the radially movable element is adjusted maximally outwards,
the baseplate is at a maximum expansion point, and when the
radially movable element is adjusted midway between maximally
inwards and maximally outwards, the baseplate is at a midway
expansion point; a first pivoting attachment point on the front
face and a second pivoting attachment point on the front face, the
first and second pivoting attachment points are located along a
pivoting attachment point arc defined by a pivoting attachment
point radius measured from the central axis and extending from the
left edge to the right edge; a first sub-jaw pivotably attached to
the front face of the baseplate at the first pivoting attachment
point and a second sub-jaw pivotably attached to the front face of
the baseplate at the second pivoting attachment point; the first
sub-jaw having a first tier and a second tier wherein the first
tier is positioned above the front face of the baseplate and the
second tier is positioned above the first tier; the first tier
having a first tier compression gripping surface located along a
first tier compression gripping surface arc defined by a first
inner radius measured from the central axis, and a first tier
expansion gripping surface located along a first tier expansion
gripping surface arc defined by a first outer radius measured from
the central axis; the second tier having a second tier compression
gripping surface located along a second tier compression gripping
surface arc defined by a second inner radius measured from the
central axis, and a second tier expansion gripping surface located
along a second tier expansion gripping surface arc defined by a
second outer radius measured from the central axis; a plurality of
force-directed serrations on at least one of: the first tier
compression gripping surface, the first tier expansion gripping
surface, the second tier compression gripping surface, and the
second tier expansion gripping surface; the plurality of
force-directed serrations each having a vertical extension tooth
wall and an angled tooth wall; the vertical extension tooth wall
extending outwards from the gripping surface, approximately
parallel to the front face, and terminating at a serration point;
the angled tooth wall extending outwards from the gripping surface
at an angle of less than ninety degrees measured from the front
face and also terminating at the serration point; the first sub-jaw
having a sub-jaw bottom surface located between the first tier
compression gripping surface and the first tier expansion gripping
surface and resting upon the front face of the baseplate; the first
tier of the first sub-jaw having a first tier top surface located
between the first tier compression gripping surface and the first
tier expansion gripping surface and extending parallel with the
first sub-jaw bottom surface; the first tier compression gripping
surface and the first tier expansion gripping surface each are
positioned at a dovetail taper to the front face such that a first
angle measured between the front face and the first tier
compression gripping surface is less than ninety degrees and a
second angle measured between the front face and the first tier
expansion gripping surface is less than ninety degrees; the second
tier compression gripping surface and the second tier expansion
gripping surface each are positioned at a dovetail taper to the
first tier top surface such that a third angle measured between the
first tier top surface and the second tier compression gripping
surface is less than ninety degrees and a fourth angle measured
between the first tier top surface and the second tier expansion
gripping surface is less than ninety degrees; wherein, when the
baseplate is at the midway expansion point, the first inner radius
matches a radius from the first tier compression gripping surface
arc to the central axis such that a first workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the first tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the first tier compression
gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact with the
first workpiece; wherein, when the baseplate is at the midway
expansion point, the second outer radius matches a radius from the
second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis such
that a second workpiece being expanded by the first sub-jaw would
have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the radius from
the second tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central axis,
causing the second tier expansion gripping surface to have maximum
surface area contact with the second workpiece; wherein, when the
baseplate is at the maximum expansion point, the second inner
radius matches a radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis such that a third workpiece being
compressed by the first sub-jaw would have a workpiece radius that
corresponds to the radius from the second tier compression gripping
surface arc to the central axis, causing the second tier
compression gripping surface to have maximum surface area contact
with the third workpiece; and wherein, when the baseplate is at the
maximum expansion point, the first outer radius matches a radius
from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the central
axis such that a fourth workpiece being expanded by the first
sub-jaw would have a workpiece inner radius that corresponds to the
radius from the first tier expansion gripping surface arc to the
central axis, causing the first tier expansion gripping surface to
have maximum surface area contact with the fourth workpiece.
25. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 24,
wherein the first pivoting attachment point is located along the
pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of the length of the arc
from the left edge, and the second pivoting attachment point is
located along the pivoting attachment point arc one quarter of the
length of the arc from the right edge.
26. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 24
wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface having a blind attachment hole
located in the center of the sub-jaw bottom surface that aligns
with the first pivoting attachment point on the baseplate and
assists in pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
27. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 25,
wherein the sub-jaw bottom surface having a blind attachment hole
located in the center of the sub-jaw bottom surface that aligns
with the first pivoting attachment point on the baseplate and
assists in pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
28. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 26,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
29. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 27,
further comprising: a pivot screw extending from the front face of
the baseplate and into the blind attachment hole in the first
sub-jaw, thereby pivotably attaching the first sub-jaw to the
baseplate.
30. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 23
wherein the first and second sub-jaws are made from a material
selected from the following: metal, ceramic, and nylon.
31. The multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly of claim 29
wherein the first and second sub-jaws are made from a material
selected from the following: metal, ceramic, and nylon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/722,153 entitled MULTIPLE PIVOTED LATHE CHUCK
JAW ASSEMBLY and filed on Nov. 3, 2012, which is specifically
incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and
teaches.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
lathes; and more particularly, to a multiple pivoted lathe chuck
jaw assembly that attaches to the radially movable elements in
slots of scroll chucks for holding a workpiece in a lathe.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The field of art has known a number of different jaw
designs. For example, the 29.sup.th of Apr., 1980 saw the issuance
of U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,300, which discloses the idea of utilizing
removable jaws. Twelve years later, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,239 was
issued on Aug. 25, 1992. This patent illustrates a jaw designed to
grip a workpiece internally or externally within the extendable
range of a scroll chuck. In 1995, this patent was improved upon by
U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,231, in which curved engagement surfaces were
added on the jaws. Although an improvement, the described jaws
provide a maximum clamping surface contact area between the jaws
and the workpiece when the chuck is positioned at its minimum
diameter clamping range. As the chuck's clamping diameter is
expanded, the surface contact area between the jaws and the
workpiece actually decreases; thus, reducing the gripping force of
the jaws on the workpiece as the workpiece diameter increases.
Given a fixed rotation velocity, centrifugal forces on the surface
of a rotating workpiece are greater on workpieces of larger
diameter versus those of smaller diameter, yet the prior art
described above reduces its gripping force as the workpiece
diameter increases. What is needed is a jaw assembly that improves
the gripping force on the workpiece as the chuck's clamping
diameter is increased.
[0004] Additionally, the prior art contains jaws that are designed
to function best as inner gripping expansion jaws, and others that
work best as outer gripping compression jaws. It is difficult to
perform both tasks well. Yet another limitation of current jaw
designs is that they unduly limit the minimum and maximum diameter
range of a given lathe chuck. What is needed is a jaw assembly that
provides improved gripping forces for both expansion and
compression arrangements while increasing the minimum to maximum
diameter range of a chuck.
SUMMARY
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention comprises a jaw
assembly utilizing a plurality of baseplates each having one or
more sub-jaws pivotably attached thereto. Each baseplate is
configured for attachment to the radially movable elements of a
lathe chuck. In one configuration, a single baseplate has two
pivotably attached sub-jaws. Each sub-jaw has two inner and two
outer workpiece engagement surfaces, or gripping surfaces,
extending generally perpendicular from the front face of the
baseplate: a first tier compression gripping surface, a second tier
compression gripping surface, a first tier expansion gripping
surface, and a second tier expansion gripping surface. In other
embodiments, additional gripping surfaces can be incorporated. The
gripping surfaces each approximate a curved arc that matches the
shape of a circle of a given radius (the radius is measured from
the center axis of the chuck outwards). For example, when the
chuck/sub-jaws are opened to their maximum extension range, the
first tier expansion gripping surface is designed to hold a
workpiece through expansion forces, and thus the radius of the
workpiece's internal gripping surface is the same as that of the
first tier expansion gripping surface of a sub-jaw at its maximum
extension range. Similarly, when the chuck/sub jaws are adjusted to
their midpoint setting, the first tier compression gripping surface
of a sub-jaw is in contact with the external gripping surface of
the workpiece, and the radius of the first tier compression
gripping surface of the sub-jaw at its midpoint setting matches
that of the external gripping surface of the workpiece.
[0006] When the chuck/sub-jaws are opened to their midpoint
setting, the second tier expansion gripping surface is designed to
hold a workpiece through expansion forces, and thus the radius of
the workpiece's internal gripping surface is the same as that of
the second tier expansion gripping surface of a sub-jaw at its
mid-point setting. Similarly, when the chuck/sub-jaws are adjusted
to their maximum extension range, the second tier compression
gripping surface of a sub-jaw is in contact with the external
gripping surface of the workpiece, and the radius of the second
tier compression gripping surface of the sub-jaw at its maximum
setting matches that of the external gripping surface of the
workpiece. When the radii of the gripping surface of the workpiece
and the gripping surface of a sub-jaw match, then the contact
gripping area between the two is maximized.
[0007] The various radii of the gripping surfaces as described
above provide the maximum average gripping area throughout the
entire clamping range of the lathe chuck. Because the sub-jaws are
pivotably mounted on the baseplate, they can swivel as necessary to
bring the maximum amount of gripping surface area into contact with
a given workpiece. Attachment between the sub-jaws and the
baseplate can be via a self-locking hardware screw, a rivet holding
hardware, or a similar structure that allows each sub-jaw to
automatically pivot such that the force between the sub-jaw
gripping surface and the workpiece is equally distributed across
the mating surfaces and provides the maximum gripping force.
[0008] The sub-jaws can be made from any sufficiently hard material
such as a metal, ceramic, etc. Additionally, when "soft jaws" are
indicated, nylon or similar materials can be used instead. The
gripping surfaces on the sub-jaws can contain serrated teeth and
can have a dovetail/taper shape to obtain maximum gripping area
with the workpiece. The serrations can be shaped to provide a force
vector resulting from the chuck's gripping force upon the workpiece
toward the face of the chuck to eliminate any forces away from the
chuck and to help retain the workpiece securely within the
sub-jaws. In applications where it is desirable to sacrifice
gripping capability for minimal damage to workpiece surfaces from
pressing the serrations into it, the dovetailed tapered surfaces
may be smooth without serrations.
[0009] This invention can be readily manufactured without
difficulty and is at least as easy to use as the prior art while
incorporating increased versatility, efficacy and safety. The
interface surface of all the radially movable elements in the
industry can be readily matched by the jaw assembly interfacing
surface making this invention universally usable. It is also
possible that the pivoted jaws could be an integral part of the
radially movable elements of any chuck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The aforementioned and other features and objects of the
present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by
reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment
and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an exploded, top perspective view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of a baseplate component
of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a side, cross-section view of a baseplate
component of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of a sub-jaw component
of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a side, cross-section view of a sub-jaw
component of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up, side, cross-section view of
the first tier expansion gripping surface of a sub-jaw component of
an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up, side, cross-section view of
the first tier compression gripping surface of a sub-jaw component
of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly;
[0018] FIG. 8A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a minimum diameter workpiece;
[0019] FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a midpoint diameter workpiece;
[0020] FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a maximum diameter workpiece;
[0021] FIG. 8D illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a minimum diameter workpiece;
[0022] FIG. 8E illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a midpoint diameter workpiece;
[0023] FIG. 8F illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a maximum diameter workpiece;
[0024] FIG. 9A illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a minimum diameter workpiece;
[0025] FIG. 9B illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a midpoint diameter workpiece;
[0026] FIG. 9C illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a maximum diameter workpiece;
[0027] FIG. 9D illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a minimum diameter workpiece;
[0028] FIG. 9E illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a midpoint diameter workpiece;
[0029] FIG. 9F illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a maximum diameter workpiece;
[0030] FIG. 10A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a prior art lathe chuck jaw assembly compressing a
workpiece with a diameter halfway between midpoint and maximum;
[0031] FIG. 10B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a workpiece with a diameter halfway between midpoint
and maximum;
[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a top, plan view of another exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly having
two sub-jaws located between the screws attaching each baseplate to
a chuck's radially movable elements on a four-section chuck;
and
[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates a top, plan view of yet another
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
having two sub-jaws located outwards from the screws attaching each
baseplate to a chuck's radially movable elements on a three-section
chuck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an
exploded, top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly 10. A typical lathe chuck
90 is shown below the exploded view of a jaw assembly 10. In
position on the lathe chuck 90 is a second jaw assembly 10. The
lathe chuck 90 is capable of radially expanding and contracting
four separate jaw assemblies 10 (only two are shown in FIG. 1, see
FIG. 12 for an illustration of an embodiment showing four jaw
assemblies 10). The chuck 90 is able to accomplish this via its
four radially movable elements 92. These elements 92 extend
radially outwards and contract inwards, each along its own track 93
in the chuck. When the radially movable elements 92 are fully
contracted inwards, they are said to be at a minimum expansion
point. When the radially movable elements 92 are fully expanded
outwards, they are said to be at a maximum expansion point. And
when the radially movable elements are halfway between the minimum
and maximum expansion points, they are said to be at a midway
expansion point. The radially movable elements 92 of the lathe
chuck 90 each have a jaw assembly attachment that secures an
individual multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly 10 to each
radially movable element 92.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the jaw assembly
attachment comprises two baseplate attachment holes 31 in the
baseplate 30, and two baseplate attachment screws 32 that are
placed through the baseplate attachment holes 31 and thread into
the two radial movable element screw holes 95. In other
embodiments, the jaw assembly attachment can comprise other
attachment means, including being integrally formed or otherwise
permanently affixing each baseplate 30 to its corresponding
radially moveable element 92. Once the baseplates 30 are secured to
the radially movable elements 92, then the lathe chuck 90 can be
adjusted such that the radially movable elements 92 extend radially
outwards. This action then causes the jaw assemblies 10 to also
move outwards. Similarly, if the chuck 90 is adjusted such that the
radially movable elements 92 are retracted radially inwards, the
jaw assemblies 10 will also move inwards. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, the baseplate attachment screws 32 can be self-locking
screws that will not vibrate loose once tightened into place. In
other embodiments, other means of attaching the jaw assemblies 10
to the radially movable elements 92 are contemplated.
[0036] The plurality of baseplates 30 is illustrated in the
embodiment in FIG. 1 as being approximately the shape of a
pie-piece, with four pieces (here, four baseplates 30, although
only two are shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 11) forming a full pie or
circle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each baseplate 30 has a left edge
36 and a right edge 37. Although not highlighted in FIG. 1, each
baseplate 30 also has a front face 38 and a rear face 39 (see FIG.
3). One advantage of the baseplates 30 of the present invention is
that they can be configured to extend out beyond the outer
perimeter of the chuck 90, thereby allowing the sub-jaws 20 to
extend out beyond the perimeter of the chuck 90 as well. This
allows a plurality of jaw assemblies 10 to receive and hold
workpieces that have diameters greater than that of the chuck 90.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each baseplate 30 is configured
with two pivotably attached sub-jaws 20.
[0037] Each sub-jaw 20 is pivotably attached to its baseplate 30.
In one embodiment, a high strength steel self-locking flathead
pivot screw 21 can be used to attach each sub-jaw 20 to its
baseplate 30 at a pivoting attachment point 35. A plurality of
pivoting attachment points 35 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The
pivoting attachment point 35 is a countersunk sub-jaw attachment
hole, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Each pivot screw 21
attaches through its baseplate 30 and up into an associated blind
attachment hole (see FIG. 5, item 29) in its sub-jaw 20. An example
of a self locking pivot screw 21 available in the industry would be
one that obtains locking action from a plastic pellet compressed
into a hole drilled in the lower area of the screw's threaded
region or a polyester patch bonded to the threads. In other
embodiments, other types of pivot screws 21 can be utilized. In yet
other embodiments, other types of pivoting sub-jaw attachments
means are contemplated in place of the pivot screw 21 and
associated components.
[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pivot screw 21
is torqued into the sub-jaw 20 such that the sub-jaw 20 is somewhat
snug against its baseplate 30, yet is free to pivot about the pivot
screw 21 at the pivoting attachment point 35 when force is applied
by the chuck forcing the sub-jaw 20 against a workpiece. The head
of the pivot screws 21 should be flush with the rear surface of
baseplate 30 after attachment so that they do not contact the chuck
face 91. In one embodiment, the sub-jaws 20 may rotate less than
three degrees between the minimum and maximum chuck expansion
range.
[0039] The jaw assemblies 10 are designed to grip a workpiece
inside a recess in the workpiece (i.e., internally) or around the
periphery of the workpiece (i.e., externally). The sub-jaws 20
provide the gripping surfaces that contact the workpiece and thus
should be made from a sufficiently hard material such as a metal,
ceramic, etc. However, as noted above, when "soft jaws" are
indicated, the sub-jaws 20 can be made from nylon or other "soft"
materials. The gripping surfaces on the sub-jaws 20 can contain
serrated teeth and can have a dovetail/taper shape to obtain
maximum gripping surface area with the workpiece and help to direct
the forces against the workpiece to maximize the holding potential
of the jaw assemblies 10. Exemplary embodiments of these gripping
surfaces and serrations are illustrated in FIG. 1; however, see
FIGS. 5-7 and 9A for more detail. The serrations can be shaped to
provide a force vector resulting from the chuck's gripping force
upon the workpiece toward the chuck face 91 to eliminate any forces
away from the chuck face 91 and to help retain the workpiece
securely within the sub-jaws 20. In applications where it is
desirable to sacrifice gripping capability for minimal damage to
workpiece surfaces from pressing the serrations into the workpiece,
the dovetailed tapered surfaces may be smooth and without
serrations. In yet other embodiments, the gripping surfaces can be
flat and without a dovetail taper.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of a baseplate component
30 of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly. The baseplate attachment holes 31 are shown as are the
sub-jaw attachment holes, which comprise the pivoting attachment
points 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the baseplate attachment holes 31
can be countersunk so as to maintain a clean, flat surface on the
front face 38 of the baseplate 30. The sub-jaw attachment holes 35
can also be countersunk (shown in FIG. 2 as broken line circles
since the counter-sinking would be done on the rear face of the
baseplate 30) so as to minimize any unwanted contact between the
jaw assembly and the chuck face 91.
[0041] As mentioned above, the radially movable elements 92 of the
lathe chuck 90 each two radial movable element screw holes 95 that
are used by the jaw assembly attachment to secure an individual
multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly 10 to each radially
movable element 92. In other embodiments, the radially movable
elements 92 of a chuck 90 may have more or fewer screw holes 95. As
previously described, the jaw assembly attachment may utilize the
screw holes 95 or may attach the baseplate 30 to the radially
movable elements 92 in some other way. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, the chuck to which the baseplate 30 is to be attached, is
configured with four radially movable elements 92 (see FIG. 1),
since the baseplate 30 shown in FIG. 2 comprises approximately a
quarter circle. The location and quantity of the baseplate
attachment holes 31 are each dependent upon the configuration of
the chuck with which a given baseplate 30 is intended to mate. For
example, if the radially movable elements of a chuck each have
three threaded holes then the jaw assembly attachment for a
corresponding baseplate should have three baseplate attachment
holes 31 and three baseplate attachment screws 32 of the correct
size to be compatible. Different manufactures create surface
features on their radially movable elements including different
mounting hole spaces and screw threads. The rear face of the
baseplate 30 that attaches to the radially movable elements can be
constructed to be compatible with the radially movable elements of
specific chucks.
[0042] In a baseplate 30 used with two sub-jaws 20 there can be two
countersunk (on the rear face) sub-jaw attachment holes 35 used by
the pivot screws 21 (which can be self locking flathead screws) to
attach the sub-jaws 20 to the front face of the baseplate 30. One
pivot screw 21 per sub-jaw 20 is used as a pivot post. The sub-jaw
attachment holes 35 are located on a pivoting attachment point arc
40 which is positioned via a pivoting attachment point radius 33
that extends from the chuck's center axis 41 while at the minimum
of its expansion range to the pivoting attachment point arc 40.
This represents a configuration where the sub-jaws 20 would be
attached to the baseplate 30 above the baseplate attachment holes
31 used to attach the baseplate 30 to the radially movable elements
of the chuck.
[0043] As the embodiment in FIG. 2 utilizes two sub-jaws 20 per
baseplate 30, there are two sub-jaw attachment holes 35, one for
each sub-jaw 20. The center line 42 of the baseplate 30 is
illustrated by the broken line extending vertically in FIG. 2 from
the narrow inner edge of the baseplate 30 to its outer perimeter.
The sub-jaw attachment hole lines 43 and 44 extend from the chuck's
center axis 41 and radiate outwards, passing through the center of
the sub-jaw attachment holes 35. The double-arrow angle indicator
55 spans the angle between the center line 42 and the first sub-jaw
attachment hole line 43. For a one-quarter circle baseplate 30
utilizing two sub-jaws, a desirable measurement for angle indicator
55 is approximately 22.5 degrees. Similarly, the double-arrow angle
indicator 56 spans the angle between the center line 42 and the
second sub-jaw attachment hole line 44. The measurement of angle
indicator 56 can be a mirror of angle indicator 55; in this case,
22.5 degrees. For a one-third circle baseplate 30 (see FIG. 12 for
an example), utilizing two sub-jaws, a desirable measurement for
angle indicators 55 and 56 can be thirty degrees.
[0044] Also shown in FIG. 2 is a bold, broken line cross-sectional
arrow 3. This broken line 3 indicates where the cross-section
illustrated in FIG. 3 is taken from on the baseplate 30 in FIG.
2.
[0045] The baseplate 30 can be made from hardened metal, ceramic,
etc. for strength and to reduce the potential for wear. Other
materials may be used as needed. The baseplate's 30 upper outer
edge can have a radius larger than the outer radius of the attached
sub-jaws 20 (measured from the chuck's center axis 41), see also
FIG. 1. The advantage to this design is that even when the
workpiece is being gripped in an expansion mode, at least a portion
of the workpiece remains in contact with the front face 38 of the
baseplate 30 from which it receives physical support and
restraint.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a side, cross-section view of a baseplate
30 component of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly. The baseplate 30 is shown in cross-section, see
FIG. 2, item 3 for the reference line along which the cross section
is taken. Note that the front face 38 of the baseplate 30 contains
the countersunk openings of the baseplate attachment holes 31 and
the rear face 39 of the baseplate 30 contains the countersunk
openings of the sub-jaw attachment holes 35 (although only one of
two is visible in FIG. 3).
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of a sub-jaw 20
component of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly. The sub-jaw 20 can utilize a blind attachment
hole 29 for attachment of the pivot screw 21 (see FIG. 1) to attach
the sub-jaw 20 to the front face of the baseplate 30. When
utilizing this sub-jaw attachment means, the blind attachment hole
29 should be tapped to match the threads of the pivot screws 21.
The sub-jaws 20, which are attached to the baseplate 30, are mirror
images of one another. The broken line arcs 22 shown on the sub-jaw
20 represent the second tier of gripping surfaces on the top of the
sub-jaw 20 (see FIG. 5 for more detail). The blind attachment hole
29 is located approximately in the center of the sub-jaw 20 on a
broken line that represents the sub-jaw attachment hole line 44
extending radially outwards from the chuck's center axis 41. As
this sub-jaw 20 is one of a pair of sub-jaws present on a single
baseplate 30 (see FIG. 1) on a chuck having four radially movable
elements 92 spaced at ninety degrees, then the sub-jaw 20 is one of
eight sub-jaws that may be present on the chuck 90. The center line
42 of the baseplate 30 is illustrated by the broken line extending
vertically in FIG. 4 radially outwards from the center axis 41 of
the chuck 90.
[0048] The double-arrow angle indicator 56 spans the angle between
the center line 42 and the sub-jaw attachment hole line 44. For a
quarter circle baseplate 30 utilizing two sub-jaws, a desirable
measurement for angle indicator 56 is approximately 22.5 degrees.
The broken line representing one of the quarter circle delineator
lines 45 is one of four such lines that can be conceived extending
radially outwards from the center axis 41 of the chuck 90. These
lines separate the circle defined by the outer perimeter of the
chuck 90 into four equal quarters. It is at these quarter circle
delineator lines 45 that the four baseplates 30 in this embodiment
abut one another when the chuck's radially movable elements 92 are
retracted radially inwards to their minimum configuration. The
double-arrow angle indicator 57 spans the angle between the center
line 42 and the shown quarter circle delineator line 45. The
measurement of angle indicator 57 is preferably 45 degrees. Note
the spaces between the straight edged sides of the sub-jaw 20 and
the two lines 42 and 45. These spaces are necessary to accommodate
the corners of the sub-jaw 20 as it pivots around the pivot screw
21 within the blind attachment hole 29.
[0049] Also shown in FIG. 4 is a bold, broken line cross-sectional
arrow 5. This broken line 5 indicates where the cross-section
illustrated in FIG. 5 is taken from on the sub-jaw 20 in FIG. 4.
Additionally, since the view in FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view, the
sub-jaw bottom surface 66 is visible.
[0050] The sub-jaw 20 can be made from hardened metal, ceramic,
etc. for strength and to reduce the potential for wear. As
described above, in cases were a "soft jaw" is needed, the sub-jaws
20 can be made from nylon or other similarly "soft" materials.
Although not shown in FIG. 4, the gripping surfaces of the sub-jaw
20 contact and secure the workpiece within the jaw assemblies 10
and hence the chuck (see FIG. 5).
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a side, cross-section view of a sub-jaw
20 component of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly. The cross-section of the sub-jaw 20 is taken
along the broken line cross-sectional arrow 5 from FIG. 4 passing
through the center of the sub-jaw 20. The drilled and tapped blind
attachment hole 29 is shown; the pivot screw 21 mounts here and
thereby pivotably attaches the sub-jaw 20 to the baseplate 30.
Other pivotable attachment means are contemplated. The other main
features visible in FIG. 5 are the sub-jaw gripping surfaces,
comprising: the first tier expansion gripping surface 23, the first
tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier expansion
gripping surface 25, and the second tier compression gripping
surface 26. The first tier expansion and compression gripping
surfaces 23 and 24 are located on the first tier of the sub-jaw 20,
with the first tier expansion gripping surface 23 located along the
outer edge of the sub-jaw 20 while the first tier compression
gripping surface 24 is located along the inner edge of the sub-jaw
20. Similarly, the second tier expansion and compression gripping
surfaces 25 and 26 are located on the second tier of the sub-jaw
20, with the second tier expansion gripping surface 25 located
along the outer edge of the sub-jaw 20 while the second tier
compression gripping surface 26 is located along the inner edge of
the sub-jaw 20.
[0052] All four of the sub-jaw gripping surfaces 23, 24, 25, and 26
can have the force-directed serrations 6 and 7 as shown in FIG. 5.
In other embodiments, the gripping surfaces may be smooth or have
other types of surface contours. Additionally, all four of the
sub-jaw gripping surfaces 23, 24, 25, and 26 can have the
dovetailed/tapered shape shown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the
gripping surfaces may be straight (or horizontal if illustrated as
in FIG. 5), or have other shapes as known in the art. The top
surface 9 of the first tier is labeled in FIG. 5.
[0053] The force-directed serrations 6 and 7 are shaped so as to
maximize the amount of compression or expansion force that is
re-directed to help hold the workpiece onto the front face 38 of
the baseplate 30. See FIGS. 6 and 7 for more information about the
force-directed serrations 6 and 7.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up, side, cross-section view of
the first tier expansion gripping surface 23 of a sub-jaw component
20 of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw
assembly. The gripping surface shown in FIG. 6 is the first tier
expansion gripping surface 23. This means that the sub-jaw 20 is
expanded radially outwards from the center axis 41 of the chuck 90
in order to tighten the first tier expansion gripping surface 23 of
the sub-jaw 20 against the workpiece 80. The radial expansion force
is represented by the radial expansion force arrow 60. The
force-directed serrations 6 can be shaped so as to maximize the
amount of the radial expansion force that is re-directed at a right
angle towards the baseplate 30. Because of the angled shape of the
force-directed serrations 6, a portion of the expansion force 60,
shown in FIG. 6 as holding force arrow 62, is redirected to push
the workpiece 80 against the baseplate 30. The holding force 62
helps to hold the workpiece 80 tightly against the front face 38 of
the baseplate 30 so that the workpiece can be safely worked on the
lathe. In order to generate holding force 62, the force-directed
serrations 6 should have a vertical extension tooth wall 70 and an
angled tooth wall 71; wherein the angled tooth wall 71 is angled
towards the baseplate 30. Note that the above descriptions also
hold for the second tier expansion gripping surface 25 except that
the workpiece 80 is pressed against the top surface 9 of the first
tier of the sub-jaw 20 instead of or in addition to the baseplate
30.
[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up, side, cross-section view of
the first tier compression gripping surface 24 of a sub-jaw
component 20 of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe
chuck jaw assembly. The gripping surface shown in FIG. 7 is the
first tier compression gripping surface 24. This means that the
sub-jaw 20 is compressed radially inwards towards the center axis
41 of the chuck 90 in order to tighten the sub-jaw 20 against the
workpiece 80. The radial compression force is represented by the
radial compression force arrow 61. The force-directed serrations 7
can be shaped so as to maximize the amount of the radial
compression force that is re-directed at a right angle towards the
baseplate 30. Because of the angled shape of the force-directed
serrations 7, a portion of the expansion force 61, shown in FIG. 7
as holding force arrow 63, is redirected to push the workpiece 80
against the baseplate 30. The holding force 63 helps to hold the
workpiece 80 tightly against the front face 38 of the baseplate 30
so that the workpiece can be safely worked on the lathe. In order
to generate holding force 63, the force-directed serrations 7
should have a vertical extension tooth wall 72 and an angled tooth
wall 73; wherein the angled tooth wall 73 is angled towards the
baseplate 30. Note that the above descriptions also hold for the
second tier compression gripping surface 26 except that the
workpiece 80 is pressed against the top surface 9 of the first tier
of the sub-jaw 20 instead of or in addition to the baseplate
30.
[0056] FIG. 8A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a minimum diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable
elements, and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8A; see FIG. 1 for
clarity. The location of the outer perimeter of the workpiece 80 is
shown in broken lines as the workpiece would block the view of the
sub-jaws 20 if shown in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown
in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A would have four radially
moveable elements, each attaching to one of four baseplates. The
four-quarter circle delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG.
8A--they delineate the four baseplates, one from another. Note that
the baseplates are in their minimum radius configuration in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, i.e., the radially movable elements
are retracted as far towards the center axis 41 of the chuck as
possible in order for the sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece having
a minimum diameter.
[0057] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8A include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0058] Note the contact area between the outer perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and the first tier compression gripping surfaces 24 of
the sub-jaws 20. A portion of the first tier compression gripping
surfaces 24 are not in contact with the workpiece 80. This is
because the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized
to provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the
workpiece (and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at
the mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable
elements 92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a
mid-point perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius, not a
minimum perimeter radius, as the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8A has).
Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws 20 are each pivotably
attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws 20 to automatically
pivot as necessary so that the optimal gripping locations can
contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is tightened.
[0059] FIG. 8B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a midpoint diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable
elements, and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8B, see FIG. 1. The
location of the outer perimeter of the workpiece 80 is shown in
broken lines as the workpiece would block the view of the sub-jaws
20 if shown in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown in the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8B would have four radially moveable
elements, each attaching to one of four baseplates. The four
quarter circle delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG. 8B--they
delineate the four baseplates, one from another. Note that the
baseplates are in their mid-point radius configuration in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, i.e., the radially movable elements
are expanded halfway outwards from the center axis 41 of the chuck
in order for the sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece having a
mid-point radius.
[0060] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8B include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0061] Note the contact area between the outer perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and the first tier compression gripping surfaces 24 of
the sub-jaws 20. The entirety of the first tier compression
gripping surfaces 24 are in contact with the workpiece 80. This is
because the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized
to provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the
workpiece (and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at
the mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable
elements 92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a
mid-point perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius). As the
workpiece in FIG. 8B has a mid-point perimeter radius, the first
tier compression gripping surfaces 24, which also have a mid-point
perimeter radius, exactly match the curve of the workpiece and the
contact area is maximized. Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws
20 are each pivotably attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws
20 to automatically pivot as necessary so that the full gripping
surface can contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is tightened.
[0062] The broken line representing the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8B
also defines the location of a first tier compression gripping
surface arc which is fixed by the length of the first inner radius
81 which is measured from the central axis to the first tier
compression gripping surfaces 24 on the sub-jaws 20 when the
radially movable elements are positioned at the midway expansion
point, as they are in FIG. 8B.
[0063] FIG. 8C illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a maximum diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable
elements, and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8C, see FIG. 1. The
location of the outer perimeter of the workpiece 80 is shown in
broken lines as the workpiece would block the view of the sub-jaws
20 if shown in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown in the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8C would have four radially moveable
elements, each attaching to one of four baseplates. The four
quarter circle delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG. 8C--they
delineate the four baseplates, one from another. Note that the
baseplates are in their maximum radius configuration in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8C, i.e., the radially movable elements
are expanded to their maximum radius outwards from the center axis
41 of the chuck in order for the sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece
having a maximum radius.
[0064] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8C include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0065] Note the contact area between the outer perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and the second tier compression gripping surfaces 26
of the sub-jaws 20. The entirety of the second tier compression
gripping surfaces 26 are in contact with the workpiece 80. This is
because the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized
to provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the
workpiece (and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at
the mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable
elements 92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a
mid-point perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius). As the
workpiece in FIG. 8C has a maximum perimeter radius, the second
tier compression gripping surfaces 26, which also have a maximum
perimeter radius, exactly match the curve of the workpiece and the
contact area is maximized. Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws
20 are each pivotably attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws
20 to automatically pivot as necessary so that the full gripping
surface can contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is tightened.
[0066] The broken line representing the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8C
also defines the location of a second tier compression gripping
surface arc which is fixed by the length of the second inner radius
82 which is measured from the central axis to the second tier
compression gripping surfaces 26 on the sub-jaws 20 when the
radially movable elements are positioned at the maximum expansion
point, as they are in FIG. 8C.
[0067] FIG. 8D illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a minimum diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable elements,
and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8D, see FIG. 1. The location
of the inner perimeter of the workpiece 80 is shown in broken lines
as the workpiece would block the view of the sub-jaws 20 if shown
in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8D would have four radially moveable elements,
each attaching to one of four baseplates. The four quarter circle
delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG. 8D--they delineate the
four baseplates, one from another. Note that the baseplates are in
their minimum radius configuration in the embodiment shown in FIG.
8D, i.e., the radially movable elements are retracted as far
towards the center axis 41 of the chuck as possible in order for
the sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece having a minimum radius.
[0068] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8D include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0069] Note the contact area between the inner perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and second tier expansion gripping surfaces 25 of the
sub-jaws 20. A portion of the second tier expansion gripping
surfaces 25 are not in contact with the workpiece 80. This is
because the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized
to provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the
workpiece (and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at
the mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable
elements 92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a
mid-point perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius, not a
minimum perimeter radius, as the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8D has).
Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws 20 are each pivotably
attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws 20 to automatically
pivot as necessary so that the optimal gripping locations can
contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is expanded to fully engage
the workpiece.
[0070] FIG. 8E illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a midpoint diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable elements,
and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8E, see FIG. 1. The location
of the inner perimeter of the workpiece 80 is shown in broken lines
as the workpiece would block the view of the sub-jaws 20 if shown
in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8E would have four radially moveable elements,
each attaching to one of four baseplates. The four quarter circle
delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG. 8E--they delineate the
four baseplates, one from another. Note that the baseplates are in
their mid-point radius configuration in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8E, i.e., the radially movable elements are expanded halfway
outwards from the center axis 41 of the chuck in order for the
sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece having a mid-point radius.
[0071] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8E include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0072] Note the contact area between the inner perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and the second tier expansion gripping surfaces 25 of
the sub-jaws 20. The entirety of the second tier expansion gripping
surfaces 25 are in contact with the workpiece 80. This is because
the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized to
provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the workpiece
(and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at the
mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable elements
92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a mid-point
perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius). As the workpiece
in FIG. 8E has a mid-point perimeter radius, the second tier
expansion gripping surfaces 25, which also have a mid-point
perimeter radius, exactly match the curve of the workpiece and the
contact area is maximized. Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws
20 are each pivotably attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws
20 to automatically pivot as necessary so that the full gripping
surface can contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is expanded to
fully engage the workpiece.
[0073] The broken line representing the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8E
also defines the location of a second tier expansion gripping
surface arc which is fixed by the length of the second outer radius
83 which is measured from the central axis to the second tier
expansion gripping surfaces 25 on the sub-jaws 20 when the radially
movable elements are positioned at the midway expansion point, as
they are in FIG. 8E.
[0074] FIG. 8F illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly expanding
into a maximum diameter workpiece 80. The chuck, movable elements,
and baseplates are not shown in FIG. 8F, see FIG. 1. The location
of the inner perimeter of the workpiece 80 is shown in broken lines
as the workpiece would block the view of the sub-jaws 20 if shown
in its entirety. Note that the chuck not shown in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8F would have four radially moveable elements,
each attaching to one of four baseplates. The four quarter circle
delineator lines 45 are all present in FIG. 8F--they delineate the
four baseplates, one from another. Note that the baseplates are in
their maximum radius configuration in the embodiment shown in FIG.
8F, i.e., the radially movable elements are expanded to their
maximum radius outwards from the center axis 41 of the chuck in
order for the sub-jaws 20 to engage a workpiece having a maximum
radius.
[0075] The sub-jaws 20 shown in FIG. 8F include one pair of
sub-jaws 20 per baseplate; eight sub-jaws 20 total. Each sub-jaw 20
is shown with a broken line representation of the blind attachment
hole 29. Importantly, each sub-jaw 20 is also shown with its four
gripping surfaces. Arrayed from inner to outer location, they are:
the first tier compression gripping surface 24, the second tier
compression gripping surface 26, the second tier expansion gripping
surface 25 and the first tier expansion gripping surface 23.
[0076] Note the contact area between the inner perimeter of the
workpiece 80 and the first tier expansion gripping surfaces 23 of
the sub-jaws 20. The entirety of the first tier expansion gripping
surfaces 23 are in contact with the workpiece 80. This is because
the multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly is optimized to
provide maximum contact area between the sub-jaws and the workpiece
(and thus, maximum gripping force on the workpiece) at the
mid-point and maximum locations of the radially moveable elements
92 of the chuck (i.e., with workpieces that have either a mid-point
perimeter radius or a maximum perimeter radius). As the workpiece
in FIG. 8F has a maximum perimeter radius, the first tier expansion
gripping surfaces 23, which also have a maximum perimeter radius,
exactly match the curve of the workpiece and the contact area is
maximized. Critically, the fact that the sub-jaws 20 are each
pivotably attached to the baseplate allows the sub-jaws 20 to
automatically pivot as necessary so that the full gripping surface
can contact the workpiece 80 as the chuck is expanded to fully
engage the workpiece.
[0077] The broken line representing the workpiece 80 in FIG. 8F
also defines the location of a first tier expansion gripping
surface arc which is fixed by the length of the first outer radius
84 which is measured from the central axis to the first tier
expansion gripping surfaces 23 on the sub-jaws 20 when the radially
movable elements are positioned at the maximum expansion point, as
they are in FIG. 8F.
[0078] FIG. 9A illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a minimum diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9A corresponds to
the illustration in FIG. 8A. In both, the workpiece 80 is a minimum
diameter workpiece being compressed by the sub-jaws 20 using the
first tier compression gripping surfaces 24. The baseplates 30 are
shown in FIG. 9A attached to the radially movable elements 92 of
the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment screws 32. Also shown are
the pivot screws 21 which pivotably attach the sub-jaws 20 to the
baseplates 30.
[0079] FIG. 9B illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a midpoint diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9B corresponds
to the illustration in FIG. 8B. In both, the workpiece 80 is a
mid-point diameter workpiece being compressed by the sub-jaws 20
using the first tier compression gripping surfaces 24. The
baseplates 30 are shown in FIG. 9B attached to the radially movable
elements 92 of the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment screws 32.
Also shown are the pivot screws 21 which pivotably attach the
sub-jaws 20 to the baseplates 30.
[0080] FIG. 9C illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
compressing a maximum diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9C corresponds to
the illustration in FIG. 8C. In both, the workpiece 80 is a maximum
diameter workpiece being compressed by the sub-jaws 20 using the
second tier compression gripping surfaces 26. The baseplates 30 are
shown in FIG. 9C attached to the radially movable elements 92 of
the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment screws 32. Also shown are
the pivot screws 21 which pivotably attach the sub-jaws 20 to the
baseplates 30.
[0081] FIG. 9D illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a minimum diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9D corresponds
to the illustration in FIG. 8D. In both, the workpiece 80 is a
minimum diameter workpiece being expanded into by the sub-jaws 20
using the second tier expansion gripping surfaces 25. The
baseplates 30 are shown in FIG. 9D attached to the radially movable
elements 92 of the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment screws 32.
Also shown are the pivot screws 21 which pivotably attach the
sub-jaws 20 to the baseplates 30.
[0082] FIG. 9E illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a midpoint diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9E
corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 8E. In both, the workpiece
80 is a mid-point diameter workpiece being expanded into by the
sub-jaws 20 using the second tier expansion gripping surfaces 25.
The baseplates 30 are shown in FIG. 9E attached to the radially
movable elements 92 of the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment
screws 32. Also shown are the pivot screws 21 which pivotably
attach the sub-jaws 20 to the baseplates 30.
[0083] FIG. 9F illustrates a side cross-section view of an
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
expanding into a maximum diameter workpiece 80. FIG. 9F corresponds
to the illustration in FIG. 8F. In both, the workpiece 80 is a
maximum diameter workpiece being expanded into by the sub-jaws 20
using the first tier expansion gripping surfaces 23. The baseplates
30 are shown in FIG. 9F attached to the radially movable elements
92 of the chuck 90 by the baseplate attachment screws 32. Also
shown are the pivot screws 21 which pivotably attach the sub-jaws
20 to the baseplates 30.
[0084] FIG. 10A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a prior art lathe chuck jaw compressing a workpiece
80 with a diameter halfway between midpoint and maximum. Note the
contact area between the outer perimeter of the workpiece 80 and
the prior art compression gripping surface. A center portion of the
jaw is not in contact with the workpiece 80 while the two side
edges of the jaw are. A significant gap exists between the
workpiece and the center of the jaw without surface gripping.
[0085] FIG. 10B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly having
lathe chuck jaw assembly 10 compressing a workpiece 80 with a
diameter halfway between midpoint and maximum. Note the contact
area between the outer perimeter of the workpiece 80 and the first
tier compression gripping surfaces 24 of the sub-jaws 20. A center
portion of the two first tier compression gripping surfaces 24 of
both mirrored sub-jaws 20 are not in contact with the workpiece 80
while the two side edges of both sub-jaws 20 are. Critically, the
fact that the sub-jaws 20 are each pivotably attached to the
baseplate allows the sub-jaws 20 to automatically pivot as
necessary so that the optimal gripping locations can contact the
workpiece 80 as the chuck is tightened. By comparing the gap and
angle of incidence between the jaw surface and workpiece between
FIG. 10B and that shown in FIG. 10A it is observed that this
invention's gripping surface is greater than that of the prior art
jaw design. A similar condition exists for any workpiece with a
diameter halfway between a midpoint and minimum diameter.
[0086] FIG. 11 illustrates a top, plan view of another exemplary
embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly having
two sub-jaws located between the screws attaching each baseplate to
a chuck's radially movable elements on a four-section chuck. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 11, there are four baseplates 30 shown,
each having a pair of sub-jaws 20. The sub-jaws 20 are mounted to
the baseplates 30 between the baseplate attachment holes 31.
[0087] FIG. 12 illustrates a top, plan view of yet another
exemplary embodiment of a multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly
having two sub-jaws located outwards from the screws attaching each
baseplate to a chuck's radially movable elements on a three-section
chuck. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, there are three
baseplates 30 shown, each having a pair of sub-jaws 20. The
sub-jaws 20 are mounted to the baseplates 30 radially outwards from
the baseplate attachment holes 31.
[0088] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
described and disclosed in the present application, it should be
understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or
embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this
application to limit this invention in any way except as by the
appended claims.
[0089] Particular terminology used when describing certain features
or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the
terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any
specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention
with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms
used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification, unless the above "Detailed Description" section
explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the
invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also
all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the
invention.
[0090] The above detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to
the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While
specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are
described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent
modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as
those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the
teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other
systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements
and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined
to provide further embodiments.
[0091] In light of the above "Detailed Description," the Inventor
may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description
outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the
best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in
text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus,
implementation details may vary considerably while still being
encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the
inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when
describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not
be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to
be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects
of the invention with which that terminology is associated.
[0092] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various
aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly,
the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after
filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for
other aspects of the invention.
[0093] The above specification, examples and data provide a
description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations
of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is
important to note that many implementations can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *