DESC:Field of invention

The present invention relates to tapping of holes on horizontal and vertical drilling machines, and more particularly to a fixture for removal/assembly of tapping attachment used on drilling and method therefor.

Background of the invention

Conventionally, for removing a tapping collet from a clutch, it requires more pulling force by one hand, simultaneously holding the clutch by another hand. Since this is very difficult activity for single person, many of the time it requires two persons. Referring to figure 1, there is shown a method of removing the tapping collet in tool room, in accordance with the prior art. The method for removing the collet comprises taking the tapping collet with clutch assembly, holding attachment and pressing the clutch against ground or fixed base or hold in bench vice for removing the tapping collet from the clutch, holding the clutch by one person to pull the collet with the help of another person, and removing the collet from the clutch after applying sufficient force tapping collet got removed from the clutch.

Further, the method for assembly of the collet comprises taking the tapping collet, holding the clutch assembly by pressing the clutch against ground or fixed base or hold in bench vice, pushing the collet with the help of another person, wherein the collet get engaged with clutch assembly after releasing the clutch.

Specifically, US Patent 717199 discloses a tapping-fixture for quickly and easily inserting or removing of a tool without the necessity of stopping the machine which carries the same.

Another US Patent 2749134 discloses a tool-holding device which is adapted to float on a mount or support so that the tap itself may move the tool holder at the desired speed so as to prevent over or under feeding and thereby prevent stripping of the threads.

Yet another US Patent 6634616 discloses a twist lock attachment system for attaching a fixture having a sheet metal mounting plate that is part of sheet metal housing to a structural support.

However, the conventional methods of removal as well as engaging of the tapping collet are very hard as it is removed by hand. The conventional methods as well as the method and fixtures disclosed in the prior art have following drawbacks.

i. Very difficult to remove the tapping collet from clutch.
ii. Heavy force required to remove the tapping collet.
iii. Time consuming- It requires 2 to 3 min/person.
iv. Two persons required to remove the attachment.
v. Lot of care required to be taken by the operators while removal of tapping collet.
vi. Ergonomic concern - Fatigue to operator as it is a repetitive activity.
vii. Unsafe Condition – Chances of hand slipping as no proper fixing.
Viii. NVAs (Non Value Adding Activities) are involved in the method.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a fixture for removal and assembly of a tapping attachment to a clutch, in accordance with the prior art.

Objectives of the present invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide easy solution for removing of different sizes of tapping collet from the clutch.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue to the operator while removal of a collet from the clutch.

Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of operator to remove the collet from the clutch.

One more object of the present invention is to removal of a tapping collet from the clutch to reduce time for removal and thereby increasing the productivity of the tool room.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fixture for removal of tapping attachment used for drilling from a clutch assembly. The fixture comprises at least one bottom circular ring, at least one middle circular ring having a plurality of locking knobs secured thereon, and at least one top circular ring having a plurality of locking knobs secured thereon. Specifically, the bottom circular ring, the middle circular ring and the top circular ring have different internal and external diameters and kept concentric in parallel planes. The fixture further comprises a plurality of ribs. Specifically, each rib of the plurality of ribs connects the bottom circular ring to the middle circular ring and to the top circular ring.

The fixture furthermore comprises a stud configured on the bottom circular ring. Specifically, the stud includes a pad configured at one end and handle at another end.

Wherein for removal of the tapping collet from the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly is inserted into the top circular ring till the clutch, the middle circular ring and the bottom circular ring till the clutch assembly touches to push pad, thereafter the plurality of locking knobs are tightened and the stud is tightened till the collet gets disengaged.

Brief description of the figures:

The objectives and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1A and 1B shows a layout of the conventional method of removal of a tapping collet from a clutch, of the prior art.

Figure 2 and 3 shows a fixture for removal/assembly of a tapping collet from a clutch, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the present invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a fixture for removal of different sizes of tapping collet from the clutch. The fixture reduce fatigue to the operator while removal of the collet from the clutch. Further, the fixture of the present invention reduces the number of operator to remove the collet from the clutch.

For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description herein below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views/figures.

Referring now to figure 2 and 3, there is shown a fixture (100) for removal of a tapping attachment (50) from a clutch assembly (60), in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment, the fixture (100) can be used for different sizes of tapping attachment used for drilling, for example, from 6mm to 16 mm.

The fixture (100) comprises at least three circular rings of different internal and external diameters. In preferred embodiment, the fixture (100) comprises at least one bottom circular ring (10), at least one middle circular ring (20) and at least one top circular ring (30). In an embodiment, the at least three circular rings are made of metal, alloy and the like material which has strength.

The bottom circular ring (10), the middle circular ring (20) and the top circular ring (30) with different internal and external diameters are kept concentric in parallel planes.

Further, the at least one middle circular ring (20) and the at least one top circular ring (30) includes a plurality of locking knobs (25) secured thereon. The middle circular ring (20) and the top circular ring (30) includes a plurality of holes configured thereon corresponding to the plurality of locking knobs (25) to hold the clutch assembly (60) therein.

For the purpose of explanation of the invention, the fixture (100) is shown to include at least three locking knobs (25) on the middle circular ring (20) and the top circular ring (30) as shown in figure 2 and 3. Further, for the purpose of explanation of the invention, the middle circular ring (20) and the top circular ring (30) includes at least three holes configured thereon corresponding to the at least three locking knobs (25) as shown in figure 2 and 3.

The fixture (100) further includes a plurality of ribs. In an embodiment, the ribs are elongated plates, preferably made of metal or alloy. Specifically, each rib of the plurality of ribs connects the bottom circular ring (10) to middle circular ring (20) and to the top circular ring (30). Specifically, the each rib is riveted at its end to the corresponding ring to which it connects with the other ring.

For the purpose of explanation of the invention, the bottom circular ring (10) is connected to the middle circular ring (20) with the help of at least three ribs (12). In an embodiment, the bottom circular ring (10) is connected to middle circular ring (20) with the help of at least three ribs (12) the using countersunk screw (14).

Further, the bottom circular ring (10) is connected to the top circular ring (30) with the help of three ribs (12) using countersunk screw (14).

The bottom circular ring (10) includes an internal thread (not shown) and a stud (40) to push a tapping collet (50) with respect to a clutch assembly (60). In preferred embodiment, the stud (40) moves along the internal thread of the bottom circular ring (10) when pushed or tightened or rotated. The stud (40) is configured with a pad (42) at its one of the end and handle (44) at another end. The pad (42) provides push to the tapping collet (50) of the clutch assembly (60) when the handle (44) rotated.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for removal of the collet (50) from the clutch assembly (60) using the fixture (100), in accordance with the present invention. The method comprises taking the fixture (100) in one hand by holding the fixture (100) vertically, with the stud (40) at lower side. Specifically, the stud (40) and the locking knobs (25) should be at their backmost position.

Further, the method comprises taking the collet (50) with the clutch assembly (60) in another hand and inserting the clutch assembly (60) into to fixture (100) by keeping collet (50) outside till the clutch assembly (60) touches to the pad (42).

Furthermore, the method comprises tightening the locking knob (25) one by one gently so that the clutching assembly (60) is fixed within the fixture (100) and tightening the stud (40) till the collet (50) get disengaged.

Thereafter, the method comprises removing the collet (50) from the clutch assembly (60) and loosening all locking knobs (25) to remove the clutch assembly (60) out of the fixture (100).

Finally, the method (100) comprises taking the push stud (40) back to its original position.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for assembly of the collet (50) to the clutch assembly (60) using the fixture (100), in accordance with the present invention. The method comprises taking the fixture (100) in one hand by holding vertically with the stud (40) at lower side. Specifically, the stud (40) and the locking knobs (25) should be at their backmost position.

The method further comprises taking the clutch assembly (60) in another hand and inserting the clutch assembly (60) by keeping the collet (50) side up till the clutch assembly (60) touches to the push pad (42).

The method furthermore comprises tightening the locking knob (25) one by one and tightening the stud (40) till the end.

The method moreover comprises taking the required collet (50) and engaging in the clutch assembly (60) till the collet (50) rest therein.

The method also comprises checking if the collet (50) is locked in clutch assembly properly by pulling the collet (50) out. Once confirmation of the collet (50) locking is done, loose all the locking knobs (25), remove the complete clutch assembly (60) having the collet (50) therein out of fixture (100).

Advantages of the invention

1. The fixture (100) increases productivity i.e. 0.5 Min per person, with one man activity and time of other operator is saved.
2. The fixture (100) provides ease of removal of the taping collet form he clutch assembly with ease of operation, is simple and user friendly.
3. The fixture (100) is simple in construction and assembly.
4. The fixture (100) provides improvement in safety as unsafe conditions are eliminated.
5. With the use of fixture (100), better ergonomic condition is achieved.
6. The fixture (100) is easy to maintain as no mechanical, pneumatic or external energy source is required.
7. The fixture (100) is easy to detect or repair if tempered.
8. The fixture (100) increases morale of the operator due to elimination of repetitive concerns.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A fixture for removal of tapping attachment used for drilling from a clutch assembly, the fixture comprising:
at least one bottom circular ring,
at least one middle circular ring having a plurality of locking knobs secured thereon;
at least one top circular ring having a plurality of locking knobs secured thereon, wherein the bottom circular ring, the middle circular ring and the top circular ring have different internal and external diameters and kept concentric in parallel planes;
a plurality of ribs, each rib of the plurality of ribs connecting the bottom circular ring to the middle circular ring and to the top circular ring; and
a stud configured on the bottom circular ring, the stud having a pad configured at one end and handle at another end,
wherein for removal of the tapping collet from the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly is inserted into the top circular ring till the clutch, the middle circular ring and the bottom circular ring till the clutch assembly touches to push pad, thereafter the plurality of locking knobs are tightened and the stud is tightened till the collet gets disengaged.

2. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle circular ring and the top circular ring includes plurality of holes configured thereon for the plurality locking knobs to hold the clutch assembly therein.

3. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom circular ring is connected to middle circular ring with the help of the plurality of ribs using countersunk screw.

4. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom circular ring is connected to the top circular ring with the help of the plurality of using countersunk screw.