US2001987A - Feed mechanism for metal cutting machines - Google Patents

Description

May l 21, V 1935- w. E. sYKEs 2,001 ,987

`FEED IECHANISM FOR METAL CUTTING MACHINES Fiied July 22, 1932 s sheets-sheet 1 zy l ,4 fro/@vg K5. y

May 2l, 1935.. w. E. sYKEs FEBD'IECHANISI FOR METAL CU'IITING MACHINES e sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1932 k. QN

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May 21, 1935. w E, SYKES 2,001,987

FEED MECHANISM FOR METAL CUTTING MACHINES I Filed July 22, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 farb . fa` I @Y K13/M. 57 MJ), gawzfr ,4 frag/wf V5.

May 21, 1935. w. E. sYKEs FEW-3D MCHANISM FOR METAL'CUTTNG MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4v Filed July 22, 1932 IMM NTA "zz f.

Ma'y 21, 1935. w. E. s YKEs` 2,001,937

A FEED K-CHA-NISM FOR METAL-CUTTING MACHINES I Filed July 22, m32 s sheets-sheet 5 @fmf ff.

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l Patented May 21, 19535 PATENT OFFICE man Mechanism non mirar. cu'r'rmoA william E. Sykes, puede, N. Y., minor te mrel-Birmingham Company, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y.,

a corporation of Connecticut Application July 22, 1932, Serial No. %,089

27 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanisms in the nature of the feed mecha` i nisms employed in gear generating and other machines for effecting and regulating the relative feed movements between the cutters and the work in such machines. My improved mechanism is herein illustrated and described in connectionl with a double helical or herring bone toothed gear generating machine of the type disclosed in my Patent Number 1,750,030, granted March ll, 1930, but the invention, in many of yits aspects, is not limited in application to such machines. A

The gear generating machine disclosed in said l5 patent, and to which the feed mechanism herein illustrated and described as the preferred embodiment of my invention is `applicable, has two oppositely disposed circular toothed cutters which reciprocate with a twisting or helical motion acrossthe periphery of the gear blank in cutting the teeth, one of the cutters during its operative stroke cutting from one side edge of the blank to the central line of theperipheral face, and the other cutter', during its operative movement blank to said central line. In addition to this combined reciprocating and twisting motion, the cutters and gear blank simultaneously rotate about their respective axes at the same peripheral :zo speed in order to out the teeth around the complete peripheryof the blank. During, and additional to these movements, a relative lbodily advance or feed movement between the blank and the cutters is produced by the' feed mechanism, fonnng the subject of this invention, to cause the cutters to cut into the blank to the required depth, the blank being preferably advanced to the cutters for this purpose. As herein disclosed, this feed mechanism includes a driven or rotary i0 actuating' device preferably provided with indi- -vidually adjustablemembers which operate in succession to produce successive or step by step advance feed movements of a feed elementfduring successive revolutions of the work or gear blank and the depth of cut which is produced by the cutters during each revolution of the work or gear blank, as well as the total ultimate depth y ofl the cuts made in the blank, are regulated or determined by appropriate adjustments oi' said 50 adjustable members and feed element.

, One object of the invention is to provide a feed mechanism having various features of advantage and improvement hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. E

Other objects of the invention 'are to provide a cutting from the 'opposite side edge of the gear (Cl. 90-9) v mechanism for producing selectively variable step or advance movements of an element, and which will be eincient and reliable in operation; which enables the movements to` be effected either au tomatically or manually, as maybe desired;

which produces a succession of relative feed movements between the work and the cutter and which can be readily set to enable successive cuts to be made of dinerent depths, as may be necessary or best suited to the particular work being performedqwhich enables.a total or ultimate depth of cut to be `divided into a predetermined greater or less number of successive cuts, lthe depth of which may be separately or individually regulated, as desired; which causes the cutter to produce successive cuts of predetermined individually adjustable depths during suc-- cessive complete revolutions of the work blank, and which generates the gear teeth by a succession of cuts performed during successive complete revolutions of the work blank and then automatically stops the machine at the end of a complete cycle of operations. Still other objects and advantages of the invention will appear Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevation of a gear generating machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view. partly in section thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation, partly in section thereof, as viewed from the right hand end of the machine.

Fis. 4 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional elevation on a larger scale of the feed mechanism on line 4 4, Fig. il.

Fig. 5 is ay longitudinal vertical section ofthe feed mechanism on line I-I, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section thereof on line Fig. 5. Y

Fig. '1 is a transverse vertical sectional elevaon of the feed mechanism on line 1--1, Fig. l0. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the position of the parts at the end of the final out and showthe rack bar released, about readyl to commence another cycle of operations.

Pig. 9 is a similar view but on line I-O, lFig. I0. and showing the pomtion of the parts during the first cut or just after the commencement ofthe cycle' of operations;

Fig. 10 is asectional plan view on line i-ill. F18'. 9

Figfil is a fragmentary side elevation of the l feed screw mechanism on line Ii-I I, Fig. l0.

Fig. l2 is a detail of'one of the adjustable actuating members for the feed rack bar on line tion of this mechanism on line |4-|4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view of the same on line |5|5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view. detached, of the presser bar of the roller clutch for the feed rack bar.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and'2 of the drawings, a represents the two cutters and b the work or gear blank on which the cutters operate to generate continuous double helical or herring bone gear teeth, conventionally illustrated in Fig. 2. The position of the cutters and their operating mechanism relative tothe work and the feed mechanism'is indicated in outline in Figs. 1 and 2 but detailed description and illustration herein of the cutter loperating mechanism is not necessaryto a clear understanding of the present invention in view of the disclosure of said mechanism in my said patent, to which reference may be .had for a detailed description. As explained in said Patent Number 1,750,030, the cutters a are of circular toothed form hav- `ing teeth with side cutting edges and the two cutters, which are spaced apart and substantially coaxial, reciprocate crosswise of the peripheralface of the gear4 blank and at the same time have a twisting or helical motion to cause them to make helical cuts in the face of the blank, the

combined reciprocating and helical motion ofv the cutters being such'that one cutter during lthe stroke thereof in one direction cuts the blank from one side edge to the central line of the peripheral face and on theopposite stroke of the cutters, the other cutter cuts from the opposite side edge of the blank to said center line, the two cutters thereby making the double helical cuts in the blank. Simultaneously with these combined reciprocating and helical motions of the cutters, the gear blank and the cutters both rotate at the same peripheral speed about their respective axes so as to cut the teeth entirely around the periphery of the blank. For generating. straight toothed spur gears, it will be understood that .it is only necessary to produce the described reciprocating movement of the cutter or cutters 'and simultaneously rotate the blank and cutter or cutters without saidtwisting motion of the latter.

In addition to the described motions, a relative feed or advance movement between the gear blank and the cutters is produced to cause the cutters to cut to required depth into the blank. In the machine, as illustrated in the drawings hereof, this feed movement is -produced by feeding the gear blank b bodily toward the cutters, the gear blank being mounted and actuated for this purpose as follows. The gear blank 4may be secured in any suitable manner on a romeshing witha worm wheelI 28 fixed to the work shaft 20, see Figs. 3 and 15.

The work carriage 2| is advanced or fed rearwardly to the cutters by a feed screw 21 having a screw threaded portion working in a nut 28 on the underside of the work carriage. 'This feedscrew is provided at its front end with a hand wheel 29 by which it may be turned manually for moving the gear blank toward and from the cutters when it is desired to effect the feed by hand or to adjust the work relatively to the cutters in making ready for the cutting operation. The hand wheel 2 9 may be keyed or otherwise rigidly secured on the end of the feed screw.

The feed screw is also actuated .to produce the relative feed movements between the gear blank and cutters when performing the cutting operation, by feed mechanism preferably constructed as follows. Surrounding the front portion of the feed screw 21 is sleeve 30 which is slidable Yin suitable bearings in a stationary housing 3| mounted on the front portion of the bed of the machine. This sleeve 30 is held from endwise movement relatively to the feed screw as by ball thrust bearings -32 and 33, one confined between one end of the sleeve and a stop collar 34 on the screw shaft and the other confined between the other end of the sleeve and securing nuts 35 on the screw shaft. Rotation of the sleeve 30 is @prevented by suitable means such as studs 36,

(Figs. 10 and 11) projecting from opposite sides of the sleeve and provided with anti-friction rollers working in longitudinal slots 31 in the portion of a rotary nut or wheel 39 which is suitably Journalled in the housing 3| to revolve without endwi'se movement, thrust bearings 39a, about the sleeve 30 so that when this wheel 39 is revolved, the screw engagement between the same and the sleeve 30 will move the sleeve ,and the feed screw 21 bodily lengthwise. The nut wheel 39 is rotated by the mechanism presently described. Thus, the feed screw is adapted to be rotated by hand for advancing and retracting the work carriage and in addition, the feed screw is adapted to be moved bodily rearwardly and forwardly for advancing and retracting the work carriage by the rotation of the nut wheel 39 through actuating feed mechanism.

In order to prevent possible accidental relative rotation between the feed screw and the sleeve 30 which would prevent accurate feeding by the feed mechanism, means are provided for locking the feed screw to the sleeve 30 when the feed screw is to be adjusted by the 'feed mechapreferably between ball nism, and for releasing the screw so that it will turn freely in the sleeve when it is desired to move the work carriage by turning the feed screw manually.

The means shown for this purpose comprises a small hand wheel 40 provided with a screw threaded stem 4| working in a threaded hole in the' outer end of the feed sc'rew 21 and engaging a rod 42 movable endwise in an axial bore in the feed screw. 'I'his rod has a tapered or wedge shaped inner end engaging blocks 43 movable radially in holes in the feed screw and adapted tobe forced by the rod 42 into frictional engagement with the sleeve 30. The feed screw is locked to the sleeve 30`by turning the hand wheel 43 to forcethe rod'42 inwardly, and is released from Y the sleeve by the opposite turning ofthe wheel 40.

The nut wheel 39 is rotated to advance and retract the feed screw and,V work carriage by actuating mechanism which. in the preferred construction illustrated, comprises a reciprocable feed element or rack bar 45, (see particularly Figs. '7 to 10), which is arranged to slide in a suitable guideway 46 in the housing 3 I and has rack teeth 41 meshing with teeth on the-periphery of the nut wheel 39. This rack bar is moved or advanced inone direction, that is, toward the right, as shown in the drawings, by successive steps vof variable length to produce successive variable or adjsutable advance feed movements of the work carriage by a rotary actuating device 59 which, for the sake of clearness of description, is hereinafter termed a star wheel". This star wheel 59 is provided with a plurality of adjustable spaced actuating members or studs 5l, three of which are shown, although a greater or less number could be employed. Each of these studs is mounted on the star wheel so that it can be adjusted to and fixed at different desired distances from the axis of rotation of the wheel. For instance, the star wheel is made with slotted arms, and each stud is adjutsably secured` in the slot 52 in one arm of the wheel by a nut 53 screwed on the threaded stem of the stud (see Fig. 12).

Preferably, an index plate 54 splined on the stud,

is clamped betweenthe nut and the arm of the wheel, said index plate being provided with an index mark 55 (Fig. 8). to cooperate with -a suitably graduated scale 56 on the arm of the star wheel to indicate the adjustment of the stud. In the rotation of the star wheel, first one and then another of these studs is adapted to engage a` lateral lug or blockl 51 'formed on or secured to the rack bar and thereby advance the rack bar successive steps forward to the right. For instance, in the rotation of the star wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, the stud 5 I, which is set nearest to the axis of the wheel, is adapted to move into contact with the lug 51 and move the rack bar forward until the stud 5i passes out of contact with the lug. The rack bar is releasably retained (as presently explained) in the position to which it is moved by this stud, and then the second stud 5|, which is set somewhat farther from the axis of the wheel, engages the lug 51 a'ndmoves the rack bar another step forward and passes out. of contact with the lug. Again the rack bar is releasably held in this second position, and thereafter the next stud 5i engages and moves the lug and rack bar another step in the same direction. In addition to the adjustable studs 5i, the star wheel is provided with a segmental rimor part 59, preferably nxed in position, which has aforward end face 59 adapted to strike and produce a minute movement of the rack bar for a nnal or nishing cut feed, after which the peripheral edge of this rim,

which is concentric with the axis of the star wheel, will'engage the lug 51 and hold the rack bar in the final position to which `it is moved.

'by the face 59 until, in the continued rotation of the star wheel, this concentric edge passes out of 1 engagement with the rack bar lug 51.

The rack ba-r is urged in the opposite direction, or to the left. so that it will be held against one or another of the studs or the rim 59 of the star wheel and will ybe returned to starting position, when released, after the final advance movement, by suitable means, such as tension springs 0I, Figs. 2. '7 and 8, attached to the rack bar and to a stationary bracket or anchorage 52 on the machine. n the rest position of the parts, before commencing the cutting operation, the springs 6| will hold the rack bar 45 against a stop I3 which is made adjustable to determine the initial or starting position of the rack bar and enable the proper setting `of the feed mechanism for operation. As shown. the stop is formed by a and hold the block 65 against the stationary abutment 61, the stop thus limiting or determining the return movement of the rack bar. The block 65 is preferably mounted, as mentioned, to move toward and from the fixed abutment 61 for a purpose'to be later explained.

' The device/for releasably holding the rack bar after each advance movement against re` traction by the springs 6i, may be of any suitable .construction As shown, it comprises a clutch lever 10, Figs. 'i and 8, suitably pivoted at 1l and provided at its upper end with a tooth 12 adapted, when the lever 10 is in the position shown in Fig. "I, to engage the bottom edge of the rack bar and prevent movement 'of the rack bar to the left. This clutch is preferably supplemented by a roller clutch comprising a roller 19 confined between the lower edge of the rack bar and an inclined stationary guide formed by a block 14. This block may be made adjustable, as by a screw 15, for insuring the proper gripping action of the roller on the rack bar. When the rack bar is moved to the right by the star wheel, as explained, it will slide over the tooth ofthe clutch lever 19, which will yield to the right, but when the actuating member moves out of engagement with the lug 51 of the rack bar, the tooth 12 of the clutch' will be pressed by a suitable spring 19 against the rack bar so as to grip and hold it from movement to the left. At the same time,

the clutch-roller 13, which is urged up the inclined guide 14 by a spring pressed bar 11,y

will y be wedged between its inclined guide and the rack bar and cooperate with the clutch lever in holding the rack bar. The roller actuating vbar 11, as shown, slides in a guide cavity in' the housing ll and is pressed against the roller by a spring 18 confined in a pocket in the outer end of the bar and acting against the adjustable screw or abutment 18a.

After the final advance movement of the rack bar has been .made by the star wheel 50, it is necessary to release the clutches to permit the rack bar to be retracted by its springs 6I. this purpose, the clutch lever 10 is provided with a stud 19 projecting into the path of movement of the rim 59 of the star wheel. During the rotation of the starwheel, the forward edge 59 of the rim will engage the stud 19 and release the clutch lever from the rack bar, and during the continued rotation of the star wheel the concentric edge of the rim will remain in contact with the stud 19 and hold the clutch lever 10 ,out of holding engagement with the rack bar so that when said concentric edge clears the lug 51 of the rack bar, the latter will be free to be returned by its springs to its initial position. In order to also release the roller clutch at the same time. the clutch lever 10 is provided with a finger 80 adapted, when the clutch lever is released by *he star wheel, to strike the roller `19 and move it out of holding engagement with the rack bar.

The star wheel 50 is rotate-.- irthe direction y able drive mechanism, preferably including means' whereby the star wheel may beyoperated either automatically or manually. A suitable drive mechanism for this purpose is illustrated in the drawings, it being constructed as follows:

8|, Figs. 13 and 15, represents a helical gear fixed, as by a nut 82 to the hub of the worm wheel 25 which drives the work spindle, so as to rotate therewith. The gear 8| meshes with and drives a gear pinion 83 at the upper end of a vertical shaft 84 which is journalled to rotate in suitable bearings in a gear housing 85 which is mounted on the work carriage and encloses the worm wheel 26. 'I'he shaft 84 is provided at its lower end with a helical pinion 88 meshing with'a gear wheel 81 splined on a shaft 88, (see Figs. 3, 10 and 14), which passes through and is adapted to rotate and slide endwise in a bearing opening 89 in the housing 85. This shaft extends forwardly into the stationary housing 3| containing the star wheel 50. In order that the feed mechanism may be disconnected from its power driving means and manually actuated, the spiral pinion 83 is preferably provided with a hub 90 which turns freely about the vertical shaft 84 in a bearing 90a in the housing 85, and this pinion is adapted to be coupled to the shaft 84 by a. suitable clutch which, as shown, comprises a sleeve 9| which is free to turn and slide on the shaft 84 and is provided at its upper end with teeth 92 adapted to engage clutch teeth on the hub of the pinion- 83. 'I'he lower end of the clutch sleeve 9| has a sliding connection 93 with the hub of a bevelled gear wheel 95 which is keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft 84. A spring 96 between the adjacent ends of the clutch sleeve and the bevelled `gear 96, and preferably confined in recesses in these parts, tends to lift the clutch sleeve to engage its upper teeth with the toothed hub of the pinion 83. This clutch sleeve may be shifted by an actuating shaft 91 extending out of the housing 85 and provided at its outer end Awith a hand crank 98 for turning it. A lever 99 is pivoted in the housing 85 with one end bearing transversely on the shaft 91 and its opposite end engaging a circumferential shoulder or collar |00 on the clutch sleeve. At the point where the lever crosses the actuating shaft 91, the latter is notched or formed to provide the shaft with a segmental circular face and a flattened or cam face |0| adapted to engage the clutch lever 99.

By turning the actuating shaft to the position shown in Fig. 14, the clutch lever will be rocked and lower the clutch sleeve 9| to the position shown in Fig. 14 and hold the clutch teeth at its upper endout of engagement with the clutch teeth of the pinion 8l. In' this position of the clutch, the shaft 84 will be uncoupled from the pinion 88 so as to prevent operation of the shaft and the parts driven thereby by the power driving means oi' the machine. By turning the clutch actuating shaft 91 to the position shown in Fig. 13, the clutch lever will be rocked to the position shown in this figure, thus permitting the clutch sleeve to be lifted by its spring 96 to engage its teeth with the teeth of the pinion 83 and thereby couple the shaft 84 to the power driven pinion 83 and Wheel 8|. When the shaft 84 is uncoupled from the power driven pinion, it can be turned by hand for manually feeding the work :to the cutters by suitable means, such as the hand wheel |02, Fig. 2, on the front end of a shaft |83, which is v:suitably journalled in the housing 86 and is jects forwardly into the stationary housing 3| f containing the star wheel 60, drives the latter t through a suitable gear train, preferably comprising a wheel |06 fixed to the forward end of the shaft 88 and meshingwith a pinion Y|06 fixed to the front end of a parallel counter. shaft |01 which is geared by a pinion |01a and a gear wheel |09 to the rear end of the shaft H0, on the front end of which the star wheel 601s xed. The spline connection between the shaft 88 and its driving gear 81, see Figs. 3 and 10, allows the gear to slide along the shaft in the adjustments of the work carriage necessary to accommodate gear blanks of different diameters, but the shaft 88 andthe gear |05 on its front end are also preferably adapted to slide in the housing 3| to the extent necessary for the feed of the work by the described step feed mechanism when cutting a gear, so as thereto to relieve friction on the spline connection. The gear wheels |05 and |06 constitute a change speed gearing, and these gears, which are located in the front of the housing 3| enclosing the star wheel, are removably secured on the front ends of their shafts 88 and |01 and adapted to be readily removed and replaced by the gears of different ratios for driving the star wheel 60 at one or another speed, as may be necessary for different kinds of work. The housing 3| preferably has a front cover plate |08 pivoted or otherwise arranged to be opened to afford easy access to the star wheel and change speed gearing' stop for the return movement of the rack bar, but

when the rack bar is advanced by the star wheel, as before explained, and moved out of contact with the stop 63, the movable block 65 carrying` the stop will follow the rack bar away from the fixed abutment 61 to the position shown in Fig. 7. The movement of the stop block 65 away from the abutment 61 is limited, as by a screw secured to the block 65 and passing through'a hole in the abutment and provided with adjustable stop nuts1||2 adapted to engage the outer end of the abutment 61. This movement of the stop block 65 is utilized through the medium of an electric circuit breaker in the circuit of the starting switch (not shown) for the electric motor which drives the machine, or other device of any suitable construction diagrammatically indicated at H3, Figs. 1 and 2, for stopping the machine when the rack bar '45 is retracted by the springs and the cycle of operations of the feed mechanism is completed, so that the machine will come to rest after each complete cycle of operations.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

After the gear blank a to be out, and the requisite cutters b are mounted in their proper relation in the machine, the small hand wheel is operated to unlock the feed screw from the driven screw sleeve of the feed mechanism, and the feed screw is turned by hand to move the work carriage to adjust the gearl blank to a position in which the cutters will just contact with'or just mark the periphery of the blank. The clutch actuating crank 98 is then turned to uncounle the star mate depth required. Thereturn Vstop B3 is then adjusted so that when the rack bar is returned byits springs after each complete cycle of operations of the feed mechanism, the rack bar will be arrested in the same starting position. The studs l of the star wheel are also adjusted as may be necessary, to divide the total depth of cut into the desired number of successive cuts, each of any desired fractional part of the total depth, predetermined by individually setting the studs with reference to the axis of the star wheel, as explained. It will be understood that all or only a part of the studs with which the star wheel isprovided may be used, depending upon the number of cuts which it is desired to make to produce the ultimate depth of cut. Then the feed screw is locked lto the yscrew sleeve 38 by means of its locking device and the star wheel is coupled by means of the clutch to its power driving wheels 8 l, S3, asexplained. The machine isl then started by operating its motor control switch or other starting device, thereby causing the described cutting motions of the cutters and rotation of the cutters and gear blank and driving the feed mechanlsm. The relativ speeds of rotation of the gear blank and star wheel are such that the' blank will make a complete revolution or slightly more for each step advance movement of the feed rack bar t5 produced by the studs 5l and part E9 oi the star wheel. During the revolution of the star wheel, its first stud will advance the rack bar and feed the blank forward the amount necessary for the first cut, and after the first stud passes out of contact with the rack bar-lug 5l, the rack bar will be releasably held in-this advanced position, as explained, and the cutters will. continue to operate on the blank until the latter makes a full revolution, which it does during the dwell of vthe rack bar until the second stud is brought, by the further rotation of the star wheel, into engagement with the rack bar lug 51. In like manner, the other studs and part 58 of the star wheel act successively to advance the rack and feed the work forward step by step, the dwell between each two successive advances of the rack bar permitting a full revolution of the blank toV enable the cutters to 4cut entirely around the periphery of the blank.4 After the inal or finishing feed movement of the rack bar made by the part EQ of thestar wheel, the latter will free the rack barfrom its holding device and the rack bar will be retained in its flnal'feed position by the concentric rim edge of the star wheel until said edge moves out of contact withthe rack bar lug. The rack bar will then be returned by itssprings to starting position thereby withdrawing the. work from the cutters and stopping the machine, as explained.

It will be noted that the actuating members or studs 5i are capable of adjustment on the rotary actuating device or star wheel 50 to vanous different positions relatively to each other and to the actuating device and actuated element or rack bar 4B. They can be set at different distances' from the axis of the star wheel and also at different distances from each other, and any desired one or more of the studs can'bel used or not, as required. Furthermore by using change speed gears lill and I, having different ratios, the star wheel can be driven at different speeds or speeds having different ratios tothe speed of rotation of the work. Thus it is 'possible to readily adjust or set the mechanism to give selectively variable movements of the element 45 with variable dwells between its movements, or produce various different performances of the element 45 relatively to the motion of the work as may be required or considered most suitable by the operator. The actuating device, as illustrated.

`is made with adjustment slots for the actuating members enabling two of the members to be adjusted radially of the device and the third member to be adjusted both toward and from the axis of the device and circumferentially or angularly thereof, but obviously the device could be of other .construction enabling the actuating members to Vto at any stage of the operation, for instance,

to save time by speeding up the advance of the feed rack bar to the nrst cutting position. or to e the cut faster or slower at any period of the operation as may be considered expedient or advisable, depending upon conditions or different des results.

I claim:

l. A feed nism of the character described comprising a single driven actuating device, a feed element which is engaged directly by said actuating device and moved thereby step by step to successive advance. positions, said actuating device and feed element being adjustable to produce different total advance movements of the feed element and also to divide a singletotal advance movement into a variable number of successive step component movements, and mechanism for automatically returning said feed element to starting position upon the completion of its advance movements. o

2r A feed of the character described comprising a single driven actuating device, a feed clement which is engaged 'and moved by said actuating device to produce step by step movements to successive advance positions, said feed element being adjustable to vary the positions it assumes at the beginning and end ofthe total advance movement thereof, and said actuating `device being adjustable to separately vary the lengthsofsaid step movements, and vmechanism.v which automatically returns said feed element to starting position uponc'ompletion of its advence movements and also stops the'ieed mechanlsm. i

3. In a gear generating machine, a support for a gear blank, a rotary toothed cutter which cuts the blank by relative movement of the blank and cutter crosswise of the peripheral face of the blank, means for rotating the gear blank at the same peripheral speed as the cutter, and feed mechaninnfor producing relative feed movements between the gear blank and cutter, said mechanism comprising a single driven actuating device, a feed element which is engaged by said actuating device and moved thereby step by step to successive advance positions, means for effecting relative adjustments between' said actuating device and feed element to automatically produce different total advance movements of the feed element and to divide the total movement into variable successive step component movements, and 'mechanism which automatically separates the gear blank and the cutter and stops the machine after the completion of the advance movements of the feed element.

4. A feed mechanism of the'character described comprising a driven actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, a feed element which is advanced successive steps by the successive direct engagement thereof by said actuating members, means which automatically returns said feed element to starting position a-fter the completion of said successive step advance movements, and adjustable means'for arresting said feed element in different variable by adjustment of said actuating members l and means which automatically returns said feed element to starting position after the completion of said several successive step advance movements.

6. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising a driven actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable to different positional relations to said device, a feed element which is advanced successive steps by the successive action of said actuating members, holding means for releasably retaining said feed element in the different step positions to which it is advanced, and automatic mechanism for releasing said element from said holding means and returning said element to starting position upon the completion of its advance movements.

7. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising an actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, atleast one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, drive mechanism operable at will manually or bypower for driving said actuating device, an element which is advanced to successive step by step positions `bythe successive engagement by said actuating members therewith, a feed device operated directly by said element, and automatic means for returning said element and feed device to starting position after the completion of said successive step by step advance movements.

8. A feed mechanism of the'character described comprising an actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, drive mechanism for said actuating device including power and manually operated drive elements, a controlling deviceoperable to connect said drive mechanism eitherI to said power or manually operated element'aan element which is advanced to successive step by step positions bythe successive engagement by smal imitating the completion of said successive step by step advance movements.

9. A feed mechanism of the character describedcomprising a rotatable actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, which are separately adjustable relatively to each other and to said device, means for rotating said actuating device, a reciprocable element which is advanced successive steps in one direction by the successive action thereon of said actuating members, holding means for releasably retaining said reciprocable element in the different step positions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, and automatic means for returning said reciprocable element upon the completion of its advance movements.` ,f

10. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising a rotatable actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, the relative position of which on said device is variably adjustable, meansfor rotating said actuating de- Y vice, a reciprocable element which is 'advanced successive steps in one-direction by the successive action thereon of said actuating members, holding means for releasably retaining said reciprocable element in the different step positions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, and mechanism for releasing said reciprocable element and returning said element 'to starting'position after the completion of said successive advance movements thereof by said actuating device.

11. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, a reciprocable feed element which is advanced successive steps in one direction by the successive action thereon of said actuating members, a clutch 'for releasably holding said reciprocable element in the diiferent step positions to which it is advanced, and mechanism for actuating said clutch to release said reciprocable element upon the completion of` said successive step advance movements thereof, and automatic means for returning said element to .starting position after its release from said clutch.

'12. A feed device of the character described comprising a rotary actuating device provided with a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, a reciprocable feed element which is advanced successive steps in one direction by tion by the .successiveaction of said actuating members, holding means for. releasably retaining said rackbar in the different step positions to which vit is advanced, a feed device actuated by saidrack bar, and mechanism for releasing said rack bar for the return thereof to starting position after the completion of said successive step advance movements.- A

i4. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising an actuating wheel, means for rotating said wheel, a plurality of individually adjustable studs on said wheel, a reciprocable rack bar adapted to be'engaged in succession by said studs for advancing said rack bar in one direction by successive step movements, holding means for releasably retaining said rack bar in the successive step positions to which it is advanced vby said studs, and mechanism for releasing said rack bar from said holding means after it has completed said successive step advance movements and returning said rack bar to starting position. l5. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising an actuating wheel, means for rotating said wheel, a plurality of individually adjustable studs on said wheel, a reciprocable rack bar adapted to be engaged in succession by said studs for advancing said rack bar in one direction by successive step movements, holding means for releasably retaining said rack bar in the successive step `positions to which it is advanced by said studs, said wheel also having a part arranged to engage the rack bar and produce a final advance movement thereof and having a face concentric with the wheel axiswhich engages and holds said rack bar in said final advance position during a part-revolution of the wheel, said wheel also actuating said holding means to release said rack bar, whereby said rack bar is free to return to starting position when said concentric wheel face moves out of engagement with said rack bar. 16. A feed mechanism of the character de scribed comprising an actuating wheel, means for rotating said wheel, a plurality of individually adjustable studs on said wheel, a reciprocable rack bar adapted to be engaged in succession by said studs ior advancing said rack bar in one direction by successive step movements, holding means for releasably retaining said rack bar in the successive step positions to which it is ad,-

vanced by said studs, said wheel also havingl a v iixed part arranged to engage said rack bar and produce a final advance vmovement thereof and having a xed face concentric with the wheel axis which engages and holds said rack bar in said nnal advance position during a part revolution of the wheel, said wheel also actuating said holding means to release said rack bar, whereby said rack bar is free to return to starting position when said concentric wheel face moves out of engagement with said rack bar, and means for returning said rack bar when released. 17. A feed mechanism of the character dcscribed comprising a carriage, a feed screw rotatabie manually for feeding said carriage, a member for moving said screw endwise for feeding said carriage. and mechanism for driving said member comprising an actuating device carrying a succession of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, means for driving said actuating device, an element which is advanced successive step movements by the successive action of said acn tuating members and is operatively connected to said screw-moving member, holding means for releasably retaining said element in the diiferent step positions to which it is'advanced by said actuating members, and means for releasing said element for return to starting position after the completion of said successive step advance move.- ments. f

II. A feed mechanism of the character described comprising a carriage, a feed screw rotatable manually for feeding said carriage, a member for moving said screw endwise for feeding said carriage, and mechanism for driving said member comprising an actuating device carrying a succession of actuating members at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, power operated and manual-mean"J operable at will for driving said actuating device, an element which is advanced successive step movements by the successive action of said actu ating members and is operatively connected to said screw-moving member, holding means for releasably retaining said element in the different step positions to which itis advanced by said actuating members, and means for releasing said element for return to starting position after the completion of said successive step advance movement.

19. In a gear generating machine, a support for a gear blank, a rotary toothed cutter which cuts the blank by relative movement of the blank and cutter crosswise ofthe peripheral face of said blank, mechanism for .rotating Said gear blank at the same peripheral speed as the cutter, and feed mechanism for producing relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter, saidmechanism comprising a. driven actuating device carrying a plurality of actuating members, at least one of which is adjustable in position relatively to said device, an element which is operatively connected to produce said relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter and is advanced successive step movements by the successive action of said actuating members,

means for releasably holding said element in the successive step positions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, and automatic meansblank, mechanism for rotating said gear blank at the same peripheral speed as the cutter, and

feed mechanism for producing relative feed Amovements between said gear blank and cutter, said mechanism comprising a rotary actuating device provided with a plurality of separately adjustable actuating members, a reciprocable element which is operatively connected to produce said relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter and is advanced successive step movements by the successive action of said actuating members, means for releasably holding said element in the successive step positions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, and automatic means for returning said reciprocable element and separating said gear blank and cutter after the completion of the advance movements of said element.

21. In a gear generating machine, a support for a gear blank, a rotary toothed cutter which cuts ,the blank by relative movement of the blank and operatively connected to produce said relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter and is advanced successive step movements by the successive action of said actuating members, means for releasably holding said element in the successive step positions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, automatic means for returning said element and the gear blank support to starting position, and means operating automatically to stop said machine upon the return of said element to starting position.

22. In a gear generating machine, a support for a gear blank, a rotary toothed cutter which cuts the blank by relative movement of the blank and cutter crosswise of the peripheral face of said blank, mechanism for rotating said gear blank at the same peripheral speed asthe cutter, Aand feed mechanism for producing relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter, said mechanism comprising a rotary actuating device provided with a plurality of separately adjustable actuating members, a reciprocable element which is operatively connected to produce said relative feed movements between said gear blank and cutter and is advanced successive step movements by the successiveI action of said actuating `.'iembers, means for releasably holding said element in the successive step ypositions to which it is advanced by said actuating device, automatic means for returning said element to said starting position, and means actuated by the return of said reciprocable element to starting position for stopping said machine. v

23. A mechanism of the character described comprisinga continuous speed, driven rotary actuating device provided with `spaced actuating members, and an element which said members engage and on which they act in succession to advance said element to successive step by step positions, said members being adjustable to different relations to each other and to said element for selectively varying the` lengths and periods of said successive step movements of said element.

24. A mechanism of the character described comprising a continuous speed, driven rotary actuating device provided withfspaced actuating members, and an element which said members engage and on which they act in succession to ad-" vance said element to successive step by step positions, said members being relatively adjustable to diierent distances from the axis of rotation of said actuating device for individually regulating as desired the extent of said successive step movements of said element.

25. A mechanism of the character described comprising a continuous speed, driven rotary actuating device provided with spaced actuating members, and an element which said members engage and on which they act in succession to advance said element to successive step by step positions, said actuating members being adjustable to different positions both radially and angularly relatively to'said actuating device for individually regulating the extent of said successive step movements of said element and the dwells between said movements.

26. In a feed mechanism of the character described, a feed screw, a feed element operatively connected with said screw for rotating'the same, a source of power, and a rotatable device which is continuously driven thereby, and which in 'turn directly engages and advances said feed element step by step in one direction and thereby concurrently imparts intermittent advance movements to said feed screw.

27. In a feed mechanism of the character described, a feed screw, a feed element operatively connected with said screw for rotating the same, a source of power, and a rotatable device having spaced parts each of which directly and successively engages and advances said element step by step in one direction and thereby concurrently imparts intermittent advance movements to said feed screw, said parts of said device being adjustable to vary the individual step movements in the advance of said feed element.

. 1 WILLIAM E. SYKES.

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