IP Library Granted Patent US 6,932,162
Granted Patent B2
US 6,932,162 · App. 10/252,676 · Granted Aug 23, 2005

Pneumatic processing machine having automatic stop at the end of a machining cycle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,932,162
App. No.
10/252,676
Granted
Aug 23, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pneumatic processing machine includes a pneumatic motor, a circuit for connecting the motor to a source of compressed air, a tool holder spindle, and a drive mechanism. The mechanism includes a selection element which can be moved to select a first method of driving the spindle and a second method of driving the spindle. A device for controlling the operation of the machine controls the carrying-out of a driving cycle which includes at least one phase for driving the spindle according to the first driving method, then a phase for driving the spindle according to the second driving method, then the stopping of the supply of air to the motor. A supply valve of the circuit is controlled mechanically by the selection element to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the motor at the end of the driving cycle.

Claims (31)

1. Processing machine, comprising:

a pneumatic motor,

a pneumatic circuit for connecting the motor to a source of compressed air, the pneumatic circuit comprising a motor supply valve,

a tool holder spindle,

a drive mechanism which mechanically connects the motor to the spindle in order to drive the spindle, the drive mechanism comprising a selection element which can be moved between a first selection position for selecting a first method of driving the spindle and a second selection position for selecting a second method of driving the spindle which is different from the first driving method, and

a device for controlling the operation of the machine in order to control the carrying-out of a driving cycle which comprises at least one phase for driving the spindle according to the first driving method, then a phase for driving the spindle according to the second driving method, then to control the stopping of the supply of air to the motor, wherein,

the supply valve is controlled mechanically by the selection element to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the motor at the end of the driving cycle, and

the supply valve comprises a shutter which is mechanically movable by the selection element between a first open position, which the shutter takes up when the selection element is in the first selection position, and a second open position, which the shutter takes up when the selection element is in the second selection position.

2. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein the shutter is movable by tilting.

3. Machine according to claim 2 , wherein the shutter is articulated to the selection element.

4. Machine according to claim 3 , wherein the shutter comprises a displacement rod which is provided with a sphere for articulation to the selection element.

5. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein since the spindle extends along a spindle axis, the first driving method comprises driving the spindle in translation along the axis thereof in a first direction of advance, and in that the second driving method comprises driving the spindle in translation along the axis thereof in a second retraction direction which is counter to the first direction.

6. Machine according to claim 5 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises:

a first gear/dog clutch,

a gear for driving the spindle in rotation, which gear engages with the first gear/dog clutch and is fixed in rotation with the spindle, the spindle being able to slide along the axis thereof relative to the first gear,

a second gear/dog clutch located above the first gear/dog clutch, and

a gear for driving the spindle in translation, which is located above the gear for driving the spindle in rotation, which engages with the second gear/dog clutch and which is screwed onto a threaded portion of the spindle.

7. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein it is portable and has a mass of less than 15 kg.

8. Processing machine, comprising:

a pneumatic motor;

a pneumatic circuit connecting the motor to a supply of compressed air, the pneumatic circuit comprising a motor supply valve;

a tool holder spindle;

a drive mechanism mechanically connecting the motor to the spindle for driving the spindle,

the drive mechanism comprising a selection element movable between i) a first selection position for selecting a first spindle driving method and ii) a second selection position for selecting a second spindle driving method, the first and second spindle driving methods being different from each other; and

a device for controlling the operation of the machine in order to control execution of a two-phase driving cycle and, after the driving cycle, to control stopping of the supply of air to the motor,

the driving cycle comprising a first phase of driving the spindle by the first spindle driving method followed by a second phase of driving the spindle by the second driving method,

the supply valve controlled mechanically by the selection element to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the motor at the end of the driving cycle,

the supply valve comprising a shutter, mechanically movable by the selection element, between i) a first open position when the selection element is in the first selection position, and ii) a second open position when the selection element is in the second selection position.

9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein,

the first phase of driving the spindle comprises advancing and simultaneously rotating the spindle, and the second phase of driving the spindle comprises retracting and simultaneously rotating the spindle.

10. The machine of claim 9 , wherein, the device for controlling the operation of the machine automatically stops the spindle once the two-phase driving cycle has been carried out.

Assignments (13)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2026
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 075613/0150 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2026
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 075612/0935 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVAL OF PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 442. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073077/0584 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NO. 11203070 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORD PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 58991 FRAME 556. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073078/0327 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 442. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068753/0687 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 556. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068769/0309 →
FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058991/0556 →
SECOND LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058991/0442 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 6, 2016
From: RECOULES SAS
To: COOPER POWER TOOLS SAS
Reel/Frame 039082/0612 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 6, 2016
From: COOPER POWER TOOLS SAS
To: APEX TOOL GROUP SAS
Reel/Frame 039083/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2016
From: APEX TOOL GROUP SAS
To: APEX BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038125/0695 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 29, 2016
From: RECOULES S.A.
To: RECOULES S.A.S.
Reel/Frame 038290/0150 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2003
From: BURELLER, MICHEL; PEREIRA SANTO, SEBASTIEN
To: RECOULES S.A.
Reel/Frame 013671/0664 →