David C. Lewis
General Contractor at Vinnings Pl, Raleigh, NC

5697739, Dec 16, 1997

Jun 6, 1995

8/466853

David L. Lewis - Raleigh NC
Victor D. Mogilnicki - Raleigh NC
Alan C. Lyons - Raleigh NC

Kennametal inc. - Latrobe PA

B23C 900

409230

An angle spindle attachment for a vertically movable spindle unit is provided for rotating a cutting tool in a generally horizontal orientation. The attachment includes a spindle assembly having a drive train that is mechanically independent from the drive train of the vertically movable spindle unit, and a connector block for detachably connecting the spindle assembly at a transverse angle with respect to the vertically movable spindle unit. The connector block may include an angular adjustment mechanism that allows the spindle assembly to be oriented at an angle above or below the horizontal, as well as a rotational adjustment assembly that allows the spindle assembly to be pivotally adjusted about the axis of rotation of the vertically movable spindle unit. The independent drive train of the spindle assembly may be either electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically powered, and allows the cutting tool to be held more rigidly, operated with less eccentric movement, and turned at speeds that are not limited by the drive train of the vertically movable spindle unit.

5522605, Jun 4, 1996

Aug 10, 1994

8/288524

David L. Lewis - Raleigh NC
Keith Wiggins - Raleigh NC

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 3120

279 49

A collet chuck 1 having a chuck body 3, a collet 11 disposed in the body 3, a nose ring 23 for radially compressing the collet 11, and a locknut 30 for axially moving the nose ring 23 into compressive engagement with the collet 11 is provided with a bearing assembly 45 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11 which loads compressive forces in a direction which is advantageously parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. Both the locknut 30 and the nose ring 23 include flange portions 27, 43 that confront each other with opposing surfaces 47, 49 that are complementary in shape to the spherical profile of the ball bearings 50 and which traverse a line L parallel to the axis of rotation A of the chuck. The collet chuck 1 further includes O-rings 61, 65 disposed between the nose ring 23 and the locknut 30both in front of and behind the ball bearings 50 for sealing the bearing assembly 45 against dust and debris and retaining lubricant. Finally, the portion of the nose ring 23 which wedgingly engages the collet 11 to compress it inwardly is undercut with a groove 72 in order to enhance the compliance between the nose ring 23 and the collet 11, thus providing a more uniform radial compressive force around the collet 11 which in turn results in improved gripping characteristics.