Spring pin assembly
The subject invention provides a work support apparatus ( 20 ) including a spring pin assembly ( 32 ) for biasing a work piece ( 22 ) against a work stop ( 24 ), which includes a table ( 26 ) having a recess ( 30 ) with the spring pin assembly ( 32 ) disposed therein. The spring pin assembly ( 32 ) includes a housing having a side wall ( 48 ) and a top wall ( 50 ) having a circular opening ( 52 ) therethrough and a domed inner surface ( 54 ) extending upwardly from the side wall ( 48 ). A retaining pin ( 40 ) having a flat bottom surface ( 56 ) and a semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) is urged against the domed inner surface ( 54 ) by a compression spring ( 42 ). A spring cup ( 44 ) transmits forces between the compression spring ( 42 ) and the flat bottom surface ( 56 ) of the retaining pin ( 40 ). A tool receiving device receives a tool for operating a holding mechanism ( 34 ) for securing the spring pin assembly ( 32 ) in the recess ( 30 ) such that the spring pin assembly ( 32 ) is removable from the top surface ( 28 ) of the table ( 26 ).
1. A work support apparatus ( 20 ) for positioning a work piece ( 22 , 222 ) against a stop ( 24 ), said apparatus comprising:
a table ( 26 , 226 ) having a top surface ( 28 , 228 ) and a recess ( 30 , 230 ) therein;
a spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) disposed in said recess ( 30 , 230 ) and extending above said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) for biasing the work piece ( 22 ) against the stop ( 24 );
said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) including a housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ) and a retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) pivotably supported by said housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ) for pivotable movement of said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) and a compression spring ( 42 , 242 , 342 ) disposed within said housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ) for urging said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) into pivotable engagement with said housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ):
a holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 , 334 ) removably retaining said housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ) in said recess ( 30 , 230 ) without interfering with movement of the work piece ( 22 , 222 ) over said top surface ( 28 , 228 ); and
a tool receiving device ( 36 , 236 , 336 ) disposed below said top surface ( 28 , 238 ) for engaging said holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 , 334 ) with a tool below said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) of said table ( 26 , 226 ) for installing and removing said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) from said recess ( 30 , 230 ) in said table ( 26 , 226 ).
2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tool receiving device ( 36 , 236 , 336 ) is defined by a tool void ( 68 , 268 , 368 ) for receiving the tool through the plane of said top surface ( 28 ).
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 ) includes a fastener ( 70 , 270 ) with said tool void ( 68 , 268 ) therein for receiving the tool and operating said holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 ).
4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 ) includes a threaded bore ( 72 , 272 ) in threaded engagement with said fastener ( 70 , 270 ).
5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said threaded bore ( 72 ) is defined by said table ( 26 ) and adjacent said recess ( 30 ).
6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fastener ( 70 ) includes a tapered head ( 74 ) for engaging said spring pin assembly ( 32 ).
7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring pin assembly ( 32 ) includes a chamfered edge ( 76 ) for engaging said tapered head ( 74 ) of said fastener ( 70 ).
8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said threaded bore ( 272 ) is defined by said spring pin assembly ( 232 ).
9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said holding mechanism ( 234 ) includes a horizontal bore ( 278 ) in said spring pin assembly ( 232 ) extending from said threaded bore ( 272 ) to said recess ( 230 ).
10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said holding mechanism ( 234 ) includes a locking ball ( 280 ) disposed within said horizontal bore ( 278 ) for engaging said recess ( 230 ).
11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said fastener ( 270 ) includes a conical bottom end ( 282 ) engaging said locking ball ( 280 ) for urging said locking ball ( 280 ) outwardly of said horizontal bore ( 278 ) and into frictional engagement with said recess ( 230 ).
12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tool void ( 368 ) is defined by said spring pin assembly ( 332 ) for receiving the tool and operating said holding mechanism ( 334 ).
13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tool void ( 368 ) includes a first tool void ( 384 ) and a second tool void ( 386 ) in opposing sides of said spring pin assembly ( 332 ).
14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said holding mechanism ( 334 ) includes threads in said spring pin assembly ( 332 ) in threaded engagement with said recess ( 330 ).
15. A work support apparatus ( 20 ) for positioning a work piece ( 22 , 220 ) against a stop ( 24 ), said apparatus comprising:
a table ( 26 , 226 ) having a top surface ( 28 , 228 ) and a recess ( 30 , 230 ) therein;
a spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) disposed in said recess ( 30 , 230 ) and extending above said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) for biasing the work piece ( 22 , 220 ) against the stop ( 24 );
a holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 , 334 ) removably retaining said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) in said recess ( 30 , 230 ) without interfering with movement of the work piece ( 22 , 220 ) over said top surface ( 28 , 228 );
a tool receiving device ( 36 , 236 , 336 ) disposed below said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) for engaging said holding mechanism ( 34 , 234 , 334 ) with a tool below said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) of said table ( 26 , 226 ) for installing and removing said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) from said recess ( 30 , 230 ) in said table ( 26 , 226 );
said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) including:
a circular housing ( 38 238 , 338 ) having a side wall ( 48 , 248 , 348 ) and a top wall ( 50 , 250 , 350 ) having a circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 ) therethrough;
a retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) disposed within said housing and having a flat bottom surface ( 56 , 256 ) and a semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 , 258 , 358 ) extending upwardly from said flat bottom surface ( 56 , 256 ) to said circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 ) wherein said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 , 258 , 358 ) includes a diameter larger than said circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 );
a pivotable connection ( 60 ) between said housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ) and said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) for biasing the work piece ( 22 , 220 ) against the stop ( 24 ).
16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said pivotable connection ( 60 ) includes a domed inner surface ( 54 , 254 ) in said top wall ( 50 , 250 , 350 ) extending from said side wall ( 48 , 248 , 348 ) upwardly to said circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 ) for engaging said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 , 258 , 358 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ).
17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said pivotable connection ( 60 ) includes a compression spring ( 42 , 242 , 342 ) for urging said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 , 258 , 358 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) into pivotable engagement with said domed inner surface ( 54 , 254 ) of said top wall ( 50 , 250 , 350 ).
18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said pivotable connection ( 60 ) includes a spring cup ( 44 , 244 , 344 ) having a flat upper surface ( 88 , 288 , 388 ) parallel said top surface ( 28 , 228 ) for transmitting forces between said compression spring ( 42 , 242 , 342 ) and said flat bottom surface ( 56 , 256 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ).
19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said spring pin assembly ( 32 , 232 , 332 ) includes a locking device for securing said compression spring ( 42 , 242 , 342 ) and said spring cup ( 44 , 244 , 344 ) and said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) within said housing.
20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said retaining pin ( 40 , 240 , 340 ) includes a cylindrical upper portion ( 62 , 262 , 362 ) extending upwardly from said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 , 258 , 358 ) and through said circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 ) for engaging the work piece ( 22 , 220 ).
21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said spring pin assembly ( 232 , 332 ) includes a retaining head ( 264 , 364 ) slideably disposed over said cylindrical upper portion ( 262 , 362 ) of said retaining pin ( 240 , 340 ).
22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said spring pin assembly ( 232 , 332 ) includes a head fastener ( 266 , 366 ) in threaded engagement with said cylindrical upper portion ( 262 , 362 ) of said retaining pin ( 240 , 340 ) for securing said retaining head ( 264 , 364 ) to said retaining pin ( 240 , 340 ).
23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said circular opening ( 52 , 252 , 352 ) is concentric with said circular housing ( 38 , 238 , 338 ).
24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said circular opening ( 52 , 252 ) is eccentric with said circular housing ( 38 , 238 ).
25. A spring pin assembly ( 32 ) disposed in a recess ( 30 ) of a table ( 26 ) for biasing a work piece ( 22 ) against a stop ( 24 ), said assembly comprising:
a circular housing ( 38 ) disposed in the recess ( 30 ) and including a side wall ( 48 ) and a top wall ( 40 ) having a circular opening ( 30 ) therethrough;
a retaining pin ( 40 ) disposed within said housing and having a flat bottom surface ( 56 ) and a semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) extending upwardly form said flat bottom surface ( 56 ) to said circular opening ( 52 ) wherein said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 52 ) includes a diameter larger than said circular opening ( 52 );
a compression spring ( 42 ) for urging said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 ) upward against said top wall ( 50 );
a pivotable connection ( 60 ) between said top wall ( 50 ) of said housing and said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 ); and
a spring cup ( 44 ) having a flat upper surface ( 88 ) parallel said top surface ( 28 ) for transmitting forces between said compression spring ( 42 ) and said flat bottom surface ( 56 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 ).
26. An assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said pivotable connection ( 60 ) includes a domed inner surface ( 54 ) in said top wall ( 50 ) extending from said side wall ( 48 ) upwardly to said circular opening ( 52 ) for engaging said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 ).
27. An assembly as set forth in claim 26 wherein said assembly includes a locking device ( 46 ) for securing said compression spring ( 42 ) and said spring cup ( 44 ) and said retaining pin ( 40 ) within said housing.
28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said retaining pin ( 40 ) includes a cylindrical upper portion ( 62 ) extending upwardly from said semi-spherical bottom portion ( 58 ) and through said circular opening ( 52 ) for engaging the work piece ( 22 ).
29. An assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein said assembly includes a retaining head ( 64 ) slideably disposed over said cylindrical upper portion ( 62 ) of said retaining pin ( 40 ) for holding the work piece ( 22 ).
30. An assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said circular opening ( 52 ) is concentric with said circular housing ( 38 ).
31. An assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said circular opening ( 52 ) is eccentric with said circular housing ( 38 ).