Machine tool assembly configured for swift disassembly

Abstract

A machine tool assembly including a body component, a head component and a fastener. The body and head components respectively include a body hole and a head hole. The fastener is configured to secure the head component to the body component via insertion through the head hole and attachment to the body hole. The head hole includes a head fastener retention arrangement for preventing unintentional ejection of the fastener therefrom.

Claims

1. A machine tool assembly comprising: a body component; a head component; and a fastener comprising a fastener head and a fastener shank extending therefrom, the fastener shank having an external shank threading; the body component comprising: a first body surface; a body fastening arrangement formed on the first body surface; and a body hole opening out to the first body surface; the head component comprising: first and second head surfaces; a head fastening arrangement formed on the second head surface and configured to interlock with the body fastening arrangement; and a head hole opening out at a first head hole end to the first head surface and at a second head hole end to the second head surface; wherein: the head hole is formed with an internal head threading and the body hole is formed with an internal body threading; the body threading and the head threading are each configured to threadingly engage the external shank threading; and in an assembled, fastened position, the head component is held to the body component via interlocking of the head and body fastening arrangements, and the fastener shank extends through the head hole and into the body hole, with the fastener head abutting the first head surface and the shank threading engaging only the internal body threading and not the internal head threading.

2. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises only a single fastener configured for connecting the head and body components.

3. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head and body fastening arrangements are configured to interlock via sliding movement of the first body surface relative to the second head surface.

4. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second head surface forms an acute internal angle with a head hole axis of the head hole, as follows: 2060.

5. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head threading extends circumferentially around the head hole less than the body threading extends circumferentially around the body hole.

6. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head threading extends less than three revolutions around the head hole.

7. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head threading extends an axially extent through the head hole less than an axial extent of the body threading through the body hole.

8. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastener shank comprises a first shank portion and a second shank portion extending between the first shank portion and the fastener head; the shank threading being formed on only the first shank portion, and the second shank portion being devoid of threading.

9. The machine tool assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second shank portion is longer than the head hole.

10. The machine tool assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second shank portion is longer than the first shank portion.

11. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head component is made of metal.

12. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head component is made of a harder material than the fastener.

13. The machine tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein in said assembled, fastened position: the body hole opens out to a body central portion; and the fastener shank enters the first body surface at an acute angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the subject matter of the present application, and to show how the same may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool assembly in accordance with the subject matter of the present application;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a part of a body component of the tool assembly in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a head component of the tool assembly in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4A is a top view of the head component and a part of the body component in FIGS. 1 to 3;

(6) FIG. 4B is a cross section view generally corresponding to a plane corresponding to the section line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A, except that the head component and body component are spaced from each other;

(7) FIG. 4C is a cross section view taken along line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A;

(8) FIGS. 5A to 5D are cross section views generally corresponding to views in FIGS. 4B and 4C, and further including the fastener of the tool assembly in FIG. 1; FIGS. 5A to 5D are in different operational positions, more specifically:

(9) FIG. 5A shows a first position in which the fastener is mounted to the head component and they are spaced apart from the body component;

(10) FIG. 5B shows a second position in which only the fastener contacts the body component;

(11) FIG. 5C shows a third position in which the head and body components are in an assembled, non-fastened position (i.e. the head and body components are assembled in that they are contacting each other in a position that will be used for machining; however they are not fastened to each other via the fastener); and

(12) FIG. 5D shows a fourth position in which the head and body components in an assembled, fastened position, corresponding to the position in FIG. 5C except with the fastener fastening the head component to the body component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3, which illustrate a machine tool assembly 10 comprising a body component 12, head component 14 and fastener 16.

(14) The body component 12 can be elongated along a longitudinally extending body component axis A.sub.L. The body component 12 can comprise a first body surface 18A, a second body surface 18B located at an opposing side of the body component 12 from the first body surface 18A, and first, second, third and fourth body peripheral surfaces 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F extending therebetween (the first body peripheral surface 18C is best shown in FIG. 4B and the fourth body peripheral surface 18F is best shown in FIG. 4A).

(15) The first body surface 18A can comprise a body fastening arrangement 20 formed thereon. For example, the body fastening arrangement 20 can comprise body dovetail surfaces (e.g. first, second and third body dovetail surfaces 20A, 20B, 20C), each of which can form an acute external angle with a body central portion 20D of the first body surface 18A.

(16) Referring also to FIG. 4B, the body component 12 can further comprise a body hole 22 opening out at a first end 24A to the first body surface 18A, and, more precisely, to the body central portion 20D.

(17) The body hole 22 can open out at a second end 24B to the first body peripheral surface 18C.

(18) The first body surface 18A and first body peripheral surface 18C can be adjacent surfaces sharing a body edge 26.

(19) The first body surface 18A can be formed with a plurality of body abutment surfaces (e.g. first, second, third and fourth body abutment surfaces 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D). The body abutment surfaces 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D can be located along the periphery of the first body surface 18A. More precisely, they can be located at the corners of the first body surface 18A. The body abutment surfaces 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D can be separated by body recessed portions of the first body surface 18A (e.g. first, second, third and fourth body recessed portions 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D).

(20) The body hole 22 comprises a body hole inner surface 24C. The body hole 22, and more precisely the body hole inner surface 24C, can be formed with a body fastener retention arrangement 32 in the form of an internal body threading.

(21) A body axis A.sub.B can extend through the center of the body hole 22.

(22) The first body surface 18A can form an acute internal angle of 40 with the body hole axis A.sub.B.

(23) The body fastener retention arrangement 32 can extend several times around the circumference of the body hole 22. For example, six ridges 34 are shown on one side of the body hole 22. Accordingly, in this example the body fastener retention arrangement 32 extends about six revolutions around the body hole 22.

(24) Referring also to FIG. 4C, the body fastener retention arrangement 32 also extends a body axial extent E.sub.B, measurable parallel with the body axis A.sub.B.

(25) Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4A and 4B, the head component 14 can comprise a first head surface 36A and a second head surface 36B. The first head surface 36A and a second head surface 36B can be adjacent surfaces sharing a head edge 38. The head component 14 can further comprise a third head surface 36C opposing the first head surface 36A, and opposing first and second head peripheral surfaces 36D, 36E which extend between the first head surface 36A and third head surface 36C.

(26) The first head surface 36A can be formed with an insert seating arrangement 40. The insert seating can be configured for receiving a removable cutting insert (not shown).

(27) The head component 14 can further comprise a head hole 42 opening out at a first end 44A to the first head surface 36A. The head hole 42 can open out at a second end 44B to the second head surface 36B.

(28) A head hole axis A.sub.H can extend through the center of the head hole 42. When the head component 14 is mounted on the body component 12, the head and body axes A.sub.H, A.sub.B can be coaxial (for illustrative purposes only, the position of the body and head components 12, 14 in FIG. 4b were arbitrarily shown in positions where the head and body axes A.sub.H, A.sub.B are coaxial).

(29) The second head surface 36B can form an acute internal angle of 40 with the head hole axis A.sub.H.

(30) Drawing attention to FIG. 3, the second head surface 36B can comprise a head fastening arrangement 46 formed thereon. For example, the head fastening arrangement 46 can comprise head dovetail surfaces (e.g. first, second and third head dovetail surfaces 46A, 46B, 46C), each of which can form an acute external angle with the second head surface 36B.

(31) When the head component 14 is mounted on the body component 12, the second head surface 36B, can contact the body abutment surfaces 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D. Additionally, the complimentary body and head dovetail surfaces 20, 46 can interlock to hold the body and head components 12, 14 together.

(32) Referring to FIG. 4C, the head hole 42 comprises a head hole inner surface 48.

(33) The head hole inner surface 48 can further comprise a cylindrical head hole portion 48A adjacent to the second head surface 36B and a tapered head hole portion 48B adjacent to the first head surface 36A.

(34) The head hole 42, and more precisely the head hole inner surface 48, can be formed with a head fastener retention arrangement 50 in the form of an internal head threading. More precisely, the head fastener retention arrangement 50 can be formed on the cylindrical head hole portion 48A. Even more precisely, the head fastener retention arrangement 50 can be formed on the cylindrical head hole portion 48A at a portion thereof adjacent to the tapered head hole portion 48B.

(35) The head fastener retention arrangement 50 can extend several times around the circumference of the head hole 42. For example, two ridges 52 are shown on one side of the head hole 42. Accordingly, in this example the head fastener retention arrangement 50 extends about two revolutions around the head hole 42.

(36) The head fastener retention arrangement 50 also extends a head axial extent E.sub.H, measurable parallel with the head axis A.sub.H.

(37) Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is further shown that the head fastener retention arrangement 50 has a head fastener retention radius R.sub.1, which is smaller than a head hole radius R.sub.2 of the head hole 42 (more precisely, the head hole radius R.sub.2 can be considered the radius of the head hole inner surface 48, and even more precisely can be considered the radius of the cylindrical head hole portion 48A). It will be understood that the head fastener retention radius R.sub.1 defines an inscribed circle of the head fastener retention arrangement 50.

(38) Referring to FIG. 5A, the fastener 16 can comprise a fastener head 54A and a fastener shank 54B extending therefrom.

(39) The fastener 16 can be elongated.

(40) A fastener axis A.sub.F can extend through the center of the fastener 16. More precisely, the fastener axis A.sub.F can extend through the center of the fastener shank 54B.

(41) The fastener head 54A can comprise a tool receiving recess 56 configured for receiving a tool (not shown, e.g. a screw driver) to allow the fastener 16 to be rotated thereby.

(42) The fastener head 54A can have a tapered shape. More precisely, a fastener head outer surface 58 can have a corresponding tapered shape to the tapered head hole portion 48B. More precisely the fastener head 54A reduces in diameter with increasing proximity to the fastener shank 54B.

(43) The fastener shank 54B can comprise a first shank portion 60A and a second shank portion 60B extending between the first shank portion 60A and the fastener head 54A.

(44) The first shank portion 60A has an axial length L.sub.1, measurable parallel with the fastener axis A.sub.F.

(45) The second shank portion 60B has an axial length L.sub.2, measurable parallel with the fastener axis A.sub.F.

(46) The axial length L.sub.2 can be longer than the axial length L.sub.1.

(47) The fastener shank 54B is longer than the head hole 42.

(48) The axial length L.sub.2 can, by itself, even be longer than the head hole 42.

(49) The fastener shank 54B can comprise an external arrangement 62, e.g. in the form of an external shank threading. More precisely, the external arrangement 62 can be formed on only the first shank portion 60A.

(50) The second shank portion 60B can have a radius, schematically shown designated as R.sub.3.

(51) The first shank portion 60A, not considering the external arrangement 62, also has a similar radius R.sub.3.

(52) The external arrangement 62 has an outermost radius R.sub.4 (e.g. measurable from the fastener axis A.sub.F to a fastener ridge 64) which is larger than the head fastener retention radius R.sub.1.

(53) Accordingly, the fastener 16 cannot be removed from the head hole 42 by translational movement only but requires rotational movement for the fastener ridges 64 to bypass the head fastener retention arrangement 50.

(54) Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, assembly and disassembly of the machine tool assembly 10 will be described.

(55) In FIG. 5A, a first position is shown with the fastener 16 mounted to the head component 14, both of which are spaced apart from the body component 16. More precisely the tapered head hole portion 48B and fastener head outer surface 58 are in contact. Since the fastener 16, on both sides of the second shank portion 60 which extends through the head hole 42, has a larger diameter than the head hole 42, the fastener 16 cannot be removed from the head hole 42 in either direction with only translational movement (shown schematically by arrows D.sub.T1, D.sub.T2 which are parallel with the head hole axis A.sub.H).

(56) However, the fastener 16 can be removed, if desired, from the head hole 42 if moved in the direction of arrow D.sub.T1 together with a rotational movement about head hole axis A.sub.H upon contact between the external arrangement 62 and head fastener retention arrangement 50.

(57) In FIG. 5B, a second position is shown where a bottom corner 66 abuts the first body surface 18A moving the fastener 16 in the direction of arrow D.sub.T1 (such movement being arrested by contact of the external arrangement 62 and head fastener retention arrangement 50).

(58) It is noted that the fastener 16 is not directly inserted into the body hole 22 since the complementary body and head dovetail surfaces 20, 46 (FIGS. 2 and 3) require some sliding motion to be interlocked. Accordingly, the second shank portion 60B being configured to allow sliding motion within the head hole 42 can facilitate swift assembly of the machine tool assembly 10. The head component 14 is then moved in the direction of arrow D.sub.T3 (i.e. parallel to the first body surface 18A and second head surface 36B) until the fastener shank 54B enters the head hole 42 and the body and head dovetail surfaces 20, 46 interlock as shown in FIG. 5C.

(59) The fastener 16 can then be rotated until reaching the assembled, fastened position shown in FIG. 5D.

(60) To remove the head component 14 from the body component 16, the above described steps can be carried out in reverse order.

(61) The description above includes an exemplary embodiment and details, and does not exclude non-exemplified embodiments and details from the claim scope of the present application.