Robert Erickson
Residential Contractor at Torry Rdg Rd, Raleigh, NC

6619897, Sep 16, 2003

Jul 8, 2002

10/190969

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC
Kenneth R. Mullins - Greensburg PA

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23C 100

409234, 409232, 409233, 82160, 4033221

An apparatus and method for aligning a clamping unit and a toolholder to facilitate proper positioning of a cutting tool with respect to a workpiece.

6579043, Jun 17, 2003

Jul 6, 2001

09/900686

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC
John G. Hale - Aurora OH

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 2716

407 35, 407 43

A cutting insert has an insert body with at least one pair of cutting regions. Each cutting region is comprised of a cutting edge and the cutting edges in a pair are diametrically opposed to one another about a pair axis. Each cutting edge of a pair faces a single rotary direction along a pair circle, and for each pair of cutting regions the cutting edges have cutting profiles that are not identical to one another. In a toolholder assembly utilizing this arrangement, the cutting edges of a pair protrude beyond the perimeter of the toolholder.

5851093, Dec 22, 1998

Aug 7, 1997

8/908652

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23C 100

409234

An improved coupling system for lockably coupling machine tool components is provided that includes a male coupling, a female coupling having an axis, a pair of opposing jaw members having lock surfaces for engaging ledge surfaces in the male coupling when the jaw members are moved apart, and a drive train having first and second drive spheres for simultaneously moving proximal and distal ends of the jaw members apart. The drive spheres engage ramps on the inner surfaces of the jaw members that have cylindrical profiles to provide lenticular contact between the spheres and the jaw members. Cam and follower surfaces are provided between the jaw members and one of the male or female couplings to enhance the locking force between the couplings. The invention provides a more rigid coupling between the male and female components by providing two locking spheres that operate in tandem to simultaneously spread the distal and proximal ends of the jaw members apart.

7610834, Nov 3, 2009

Mar 18, 2008

12/050546

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC, US

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23C 1/00, B23B 29/00

82160, 409234

A tool holder assembly includes a tool holder with a shank and a key slot having a surface with an angled portion that forms a non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool holder assembly. A clamping mechanism includes a support block, a ball canister including a key, and a lock rod. An interference fit key arrangement is provided between the tool holder and the clamping mechanism by an abutment surface located along the first side wall of the key. The abutment surface contacts the angular portion of the key slot to cause the key slot to undergo elastic deformation and allow simultaneous contact between the abutment surface and the angular portion of the key slot and the second side wall of the key and the second surface of the key slot, thereby providing for an interference fit key arrangement between the tool holder and the clamping mechanism when the tool holder assembly is placed in the locked position.

7287941, Oct 30, 2007

Sep 5, 2006

11/470051

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC, US

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23C 5/26

409233, 408239 R

An apparatus for pneumatically amplifying the force acting upon a lock rod to retain a toolholder within a toolholder receiving member has a spindle extending from the toolholder receiving member and at least two in-line dual acting piston/cylinder modules within a cavity within the bore of the spindle. Each module has a piston within an associated cylinder and wherein the lock rod, through a drawbar, is attached to the piston of each module such that when each module is pressurized, the combined force of all of the pistons is applied to the lock rod. The invention is also directed to a method for achieving this task.

5921724, Jul 13, 1999

Dec 18, 1997

8/992980

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC
Michael D. Gibney - Sturbridge MA

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 2716

407117

A cutting insert and toolholder for metalworking operations in which the insert is mechanically captured by a resilient clamping arm within a recess of the toolholder secured at three distinct locations. In one embodiment, a clamping arm resiliently secures the insert within the toolholder while in another embodiment a clamping arm is positively displaced to secure the insert within the toolholder.

8033766, Oct 11, 2011

May 9, 2008

12/118048

Robert Alfred Erickson - Raleigh NC, US

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 31/107

409234, 279 67

A tool holder includes a body, a cutting head having a cutting end portion and a tapered end portion, a retention knob located at the tapered end portion of the cutting head, and a ball clamping mechanism received in an aperture of the body. The ball clamping mechanism includes an upper clamp, a lower clamp, and a double-ended clamp screw threaded onto the upper and lower clamps. Rotation of the clamp screw in a one direction causes the upper clamp and the lower clamp to move toward each other and engage the retention knob to place the tool holder in a locked position, and rotation of the clamp screw in an opposite direction causes the upper clamp and the lower clamp to move away from each other such that the upper and lower clamps no longer engage the retention knob to place the tool holder in a unlocked position.

4723877, Feb 9, 1988

Jan 27, 1987

7/007069

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 2900

409234

The invention relates to a toolholder for holding a tool at one end and having a tubular shank at its other end for mounting it into the bore of a support member. The shank has at least two circumferentially spaced perforations in its tubular wall. Each of the perforations extends obliquely toward the front of the shank as it extends from the inner to the outer surface of the tubular wall. A locking element is located partially within each of said perforations and the recess formed by the inner surface of the tubular shank. An actuating mechanism is located within the recess to drive the locking elements outwardly against the walls, thereby expanding the rear of the tubular shank to lock the shank in the support member bore.

4726269, Feb 23, 1988

Jan 27, 1987

7/007311

Robert A. Erickson - Raleigh NC

Kennametal Inc. - Latrobe PA

B23B 2900

82 36B

The invention relates to a toolholder assembly. The toolholder has a tubular shank at one end for mounting into the bore of a support member. The shank has at least two circumferentially spaced perforations in its tubular wall. Each of the bores extends obliquely toward the rear of the shank as it extends from the outer to the inner surface of the tubular wall. A locking element is located partially within each of said perforations an the recess formed by the inner surface of the tubular shank. An actuating mechanism is located within the recess to drive the locking elements outwardly against the perforation walls, thereby expanding the rear of the tubular shank to lock the shank in the support member bore.