GB2110076A

GB2110076A - A mounting device

Info

Publication number: GB2110076A
Application number: GB08233451A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernt Ostling
Original assignee: Per-Olof Johansson
Current assignee: Per-Olof Johansson
Priority date: 1981-11-27
Filing date: 1982-11-24
Publication date: 1983-06-15
Also published as: FR2517240A1; SE8107083L; SE441254B; DE3242544A1; GB2110076B

Abstract

A toolholder for a numerically controlled machine is engaged by bars 7 in notches 9 and recess 10 of a bracket 5. The bracket bears a four-hooked mounting saddle and a pivotable abutment 16, and can be engaged with a slotted mounting plate 1 by: (a) first engaging the upper hooks, then swinging the bracket downwardly until the lower hooks engage, and the abutment contacts the plate at 15 (b) first folding the abutment upwardly, thereby allowing the lower hook to engage first, then swinging the bracket upwardly to engage the upper hooks, and finally swinging the abutment down to contact the plate at 15. Method (a) is used when the vertical spacing of slots 2 is large, and method (b) is used when the slots are closely spaced. The inclination of the toolholder can be selected according to which notch 9 is used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A mounting device The present invention relates to a device for mounting a tool rack which, for example, may be used for tools to an NC-controlled machine and which may releasably be suspended upon a carrier designed as a sheet metal plate perforated with square holes, the square holes being optionally one of two given, standardised spacings.

In the precision engineering industry, more and more use is being made of tool racks in which, for example, drills, milling heads or preset special tools for NC-controlled machines are stored during downtime and when the tools have been selected for use in the processing machine in question. The current types of tools are often heavy, this being particularly applicable to large milling heads and tools for NC-controlling machines, for which reason the tool rack may be of considerable weight. Furthermore, the tools may, on many occasions, be of such a bulky nature that they extend laterally outside the tool rack employed.

In the precision engineering industry, use is often made, for suspending different types of tools, machine parts, implements and the like, of sheet metal panels perforated with square holes. In these perforated sheet metal panels, the square holes have the same dimensions but there are two different spacings between the holes, both vertically and horizontally. For this reason, there are available on the market both special tool holders in a great number of variaties which are intended for either of the hole spacings, but certain types of universal tool holders have also been launched on the market which may be used for both hole spacings.

Despite the fact that the above-mentioned square hole-perforated panels have come into considerable use, it has not hitherto been possible use them for mounting the tool racks mentioned by way of introduction. Instead, special panels, bracket rails and the like in highly specialised designs have been used, the tool racks being in many cases designed in such a way as to be suspendible directly in these bracket rails. The use of these tool racks entails, thus, a risk for two different, mutually incompatible systems for tool storage, a situation which is wholly unacceptable.

One conceivable reason that the abovementioned square hole perforated sheet metal panels have not been used for tool racks of the type described by way of introduction is that the mounting means used in the sheet metal panels have displayed, because of the dimensions of the sheet metal panels, wholly unsatisfactory strength properties.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to realise a device for carrying a tool rack or the like, the device being designed in such a manner as to be able to cooperate with the square hole-perforated sheet metal panels mentioned by way of introduction, irrespective of the spacing of the holes thereof. A further object of the present invention is to realise a mounting device which offers fully satisfactory stability and strength properties, despite the often considerable weight of the tool racks.

Finally, a further object of the present invention is to realise a mounting device which permits mounting of a tool rack in such a manner that the tool rack inciines in relation to a vertical plane.

The objects of the present invention are attained by means of a device of the type disclosed by way of introduction which has catches disposed on an anchorage portion for engagement in the above-mentioned holes, the anchorage portion transmitting the load of the tool rack to a support member designed as a perforated sheet metal panel, and the invention being characterised in that the anchorage portion has a projecting retainer member on which the tool rack may be suspended, that the retainer member has a portion extending beneath the catches with a support surface in contact with the support member, and that the catches have mutually superposed abutment surfaces which, irrespective of the spacing of the holes, are in contact with that side of the support member turned to face away from the support surface.

In order to ensure simultaneous abutment between all of the abutment surfaces and the support member so as thereby to obtain a greater load-bearing capacity, the subject matter of the present invention is further suitably characterised in that the support surface and the abutment surfaces are in such mutual spaced apart relationship that a plane through the abutment surfaces at the support surface is at a distance therefrom which substantially coincides with the material thickness of the support member.

One advantageous method of designing the anchorage portion so that it may, irrespective of the hole spacing in the support member, cooperate therewith, will be realised if the vertical maximum dimensions for the heads of the catches are insignificantly less than the vertical extent of the holes, and if the catches are dispoed with a spacing which lies between the prevalent hole spacing. In this embodiment, only one catch determined by the hole spacing in question can simultaneously be inserted through the holes, whereby the anchorage portion must be inclined.According to the present invention, this embodiment is suitably characterized in that the portions of the retainer member located above and beneath the catches are disposed in spaced apart relationship from the support member in order to permit inclination of the anchorage member, and that the support surface is pro vided on a movably disposed portion, whereby the support surface is movable to a greater distance from a plane through the abutment surfaces.

In order readily to permit placing of the tool rack on the retainer member and also removal of the rack therefrom, the subject matter of the present invention is suitably characterised in that the retainer member has a lower recess closed towards the support member for cooperation with a part included in the tool rack, and at least one upwardly open recess for cooperation with a further part included in the tool rack.

An example of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a rack mounting device in vertical section with a tool rack mounted in cooperation with a perforated sheet metal panel with the larger of the two given hole spacings; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, a locking screw having, however, been dispensed with and the subject matter of the present invention being mounted in a sheet metal panel of the lesser hole spacing; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device according to Fig. 2; Figures 4 and 5 illustrate two mutually subsequent steps in the attachment of the anchorage portion to a sheet metal panel with the larger of the two hole spacings; and Figures 6 and 7 show corresponding steps in the attachment of the anchorage portion to a sheet metal panel with the lesser hole spacing.

Fig. 1 illustrates a sheet metal panel or support, designated 1, and perforated with square holes 2. The holes in this sheet metal panel are all of equal size and have, in those types most frequently offered on the market, a 9 mm hole side. The spacing, both horizontal and vertical, may vary between two dimensions namely 34 and 38 mm, respectively.

The sheet metal panel 1 may, in practice, be disposed with approximately vertical directioning, and, for example, be permanently fixed to a wall in a store premises on a specially provided frame, a trolley or the like.

Sheet metal panels of this type are conventionally used for suspending all kinds of tools, equipment, machine parts and the like and may, in general terms, be considered as standard.

An anchorage device 3 is disposed in the square holes of the sheet metal panel and is provided with four catches 4 (see Fig. 3), the anchorage device 3 being further provided with a projecting retainer member 5 which serves to cooperate with the tool rack 6 proper.

The tool rack per se is of no vital importance to the present invention, but merely has two parallel and substantially horizontal rods 7 which cooperate with the retainer member 5.

Otherwise, it should be designed in such a manner as to possess the requisite stability and such that it may simply be lifted from the retainer member 5 and carried to a site of use. Furthermore, the tool rack 6 has, on its upper face, a number of brackets 8, preferably manufactured of plastics material, in which the cutting tools proper are placed.

Since the tools themseives may often be of relatively large diameter, it is necessary that the tool rack can be suspended in such a manner that it is not located immediately adjacent the sheet metal panel 1, since, in such an event, the tools would perhaps not have room. Furthermore, considerable space saving in the vertical direction may be achieved at the same time as the tools will be more easily accessible if the tool racks were to be suspended above one another and inclined outwardly from the sheet metal panel 1 to an angle of up to 30 . The above-described placement of the tool racks and tools therein entails that the centre of gravity would be located at a considerable horizontal distance out from the sheet metal panel 1.

In order to permit the above-described sus pension of the tool rack in several differnt manners in the retainer member 5, the retainer member has, in its upper edge, a series of recesses 9 which are open upwardly. Furthermore, in its lower portion, the retainer member has a recess 10 which is closed in a direction in towads the sheet metal panel 1, but is open at least in the opposite direction.

As a result, the tool rack may readily be removed from the retainer member 5 in that the lower horizontal rod 7 is pivoted outwardly from the sheet metal panel 1, where after the entire tool rack is lifted so that the upper horizontal rod 7 is freed from the recess 9.

In order that suspension of the tool rack be effected in a closed but nevertheless reliable manner, the upper recesses 9 are, according to the invention, placed approximately along the arc of a circle whose centre point is located in the lower recess 10.

As will be apparent from Fig. 3, the retainer member 5 according to the invention may suitably be of one-piece sheet metal construction of appropriate thickness.

As is aparent from Fig. 3, the anchorage portion 3 is of U-shape seen from above and has a rectangular plate 11 from whose cor ners four catches 4 extend. The catches have, in their outer ends, heads 1 2 whose vertical extent is slightly less than the vertical extent of the holes 2 in the sheet metal panel 1.

Furthermore, the catches are provided with collar portions 1 3 inside the heads 12, the collar portions connecting the heads to the anchorage portion 3 proper.

Suitably, the spacing between the catches 4 is selected so as to lie interjacent the spacing of the two alternative hole spacings in the sheet metal panel 1. In a practical example, this would entail that the vertical spacing of the cataches 4 amounts to 36mm if both of the alternative hole spacings are 34 and 38mm, repsectively. Furthermore, the vertical extent of the collar portion 1 3 may suitably amount to approximately half of the vertical extent of the heads 1 2 of the catches.

As a result of the above-described relationship between the placing and dimensioning of the catches, and the holes and their mutual spacing in the sheet metal panel, it is possible to insert the anchorage portion 3 to those positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 where, thus, the heads 1 2 of the catches are located on the rear face of the sheet metal panel 1. In the alternative with the larger hole spacing in the sheet metal panel 1, it is necessary first to insert the head of the upper catch completely through a hole, whereafter the entire catch is shifted vertically downwardly until the head of the lower catch may also be passed through a corresponding lower hole.This process is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, and it should be particularly emphasized that the entire anchorage portion 3 and, naturally, the retainer member 5, will, therefore, also be relatively greatly inclined during the mounting operation in relation to the sheet metal panel 1.

If the sheet metal panel 1 has the lesser of the two hole spacings, it is impossible to insert the anchorage portion 3 in the abovedescribed manner. Instead, the head of the lower catch must first be fully inserted through a suitable hole in the sheet metal panel. Thereafter, the anchorage portion 3 must be shifted downwardly until the head 1 2 of the upper catch is located in register with a corresponding upper hole, whereafter the head may be inserted therethrough and the entire anchorage portion shifted into place.

This operation is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

If is apparent from these Figs. that the entire anchorage portion 3 and, naturally, also the retainer inember 5, will be greatly inclined during the initial phase of the mounting operation.

It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that in the alternative with the larger hole spacing in the sheet metal panel 1, the upper pair of catches 4 will support all of the vertical loading from the tool rack 6. On the other hand, all four catches in the anchorage portion 3 will contribute to load uptake in a direction which is at right angles out from the sheet metal panel 1.

It will be further apparent from Fig. 2 that the same loading conditions apply in the horizontal direction if the sheet metal panel 1 has the lesser hole spacing, whereas, on the other hand, the loading in the vertical direction will be taken up completely by the lower catch pair.

In order that the described loading instances be realised in practical effect, and the abutment surfaces of the catches facing the sheet metal panel 1 participate in the load uptake, the retainer member 5 must abut with a support surface 1 5 against the sheet metal panel 1. However, this support surface 1 5 cannot be disposed directly on the retainer member 5, since, in such an event, the requisite inclination of the retainer member on mounting on the sheet metal panel 1 would be prevented (See Figs. 6 and 7).Consequently, the support surface 1 5 is disposed on a support arm 1 6 which, by means of a joint 17, is pivotally connected to the retainer member 5 so that, in the operative position, it abuts against a stop member 18, and extends with a portion beyond the edge 1 9 of the retainer member 5 facing the sheet metal panel. This projection portion of the support arm 1 6 mounts the support surface 1 5 in its extremity.In order thus to permit mounting of the retainer member and the anchorage portion, the support arm 1 6 is, as intimated in Figs. 6 and 7, quite simply swung away so that it is located inside the edge 1 9. When the retainer member is subsequently brought to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the suppot arm 1 6 is pivoted back so that thereby the support surface 1 5 comes into abutment against the sheet metal panel.

A condition that co-operation between the four catches and the sheet metal panel 1 be effected in the contemplated manner is that a plane through all four abutment surfaces 1 4 be in spaced apart relationship to the support surface 1 5 in its operative position a distance which substantially coincides with the material thickness of the sheet metal panel 1. As one alternative, the support surface 1 5 can, naturally, also constitute a cam surface which may with a certain portion be moved closer to or further away from the above-mentioned plane simple by a more or less extensive pivoting of the support arm 16.

As is apparent from Fig. 1, the plate 11 is further provided, in the anchorage portion 3, with a locking screw 20 whose primary object is to prevent play and rattle between the catches and the sheet metal panel 1. However, the screw 20 may also be seen as a guarantee against unintentional release of the anchorage portion 3 at least in that case when the anchorage portion is placed in the sheet metal panel having the larger hole spacing.

As a result of the above-described design of the anchorage portion, its catches and the sheet metal panel, a particularly favourable load uptake will be realised. Thus, loadings will be taken up in a favourable shearing direction in a vertical direction towards the collar portions by two catches simultaneously.

As far as loading at right angles to the sheet metal panel 1 is concerned, all four catches co-operate, this being advantageous because of the long lever for the loading exercised by the tool in the tool bracket 8.

In order further to improve the load uptake direction in the horizontal line, it is possible according to the present invention to shift the anchorage portion 3 upwardly so that it is placed flush with the upper edge of the retainer member 5.

Furthermore, the support arm 1 6 need not be of the appearance shown on the drawings, only as long as the support surface 1 5 may be moved away from its position of engagement with the sheet metal panel 1. For example, the pivotal support arm 1 6 may be replaced by a screw which extends through a threaded lug up-standing from the retainer member 5 and being approximately parallel to the plate 11.

The invention may be modified further without departing from the scope of the appended

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. A device for mounting a tool rack (6) or the like on a carrier (1), the carrier being provided with a number of vertical hole rows whose holes (2) have one optionally of preferably two given spacings, and catches (4) on an anchorage portion (3) engaging in the holes of the carrier, the loading of the tool rack being transmitted to the carrier, characterised in that the anchorage portion (3) has a projecting retainer member (5) on which the tool rack (6) may be suspended, that the retainer member (5) has a support member (16) extending beneath the catches and having a support surface (15) in contact with the carrier (1), and that the catches have mutually superposed abutment surfaces (14) which, irrespective of the spacing of the holes (2), are in contact with the side of the carrier facing away from the support surface.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the support surfaces (15) and the abutment surfaces (14) are of such mutual placing that a plane through the abutment surfaces at the support surface is at a distance therefrom which substantially coincides with the material thickness of the carrier (1).

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 and in which the vertical maximum dimension of the heads (12) of the catches (4) are insignificantly less than the vertical extent of the holes (2), and the catches are disposed at a spacing which lies between the given spacings for the holes, whereby, on mounting of the anchorage portion (3), but one catch determined by the current hole spacing can simultaneously be passed through the holes, characterised in that the portions of the retainer member (5) located above and below the catches (4) are disposed in spaced apart relationship to the carrier (1) in order to permit inclination of the anchorage portion (3), and that the support surface (15) is disposed on a movably disposed support member (16), whereby the support surface is movable to a greater distance from the plane through the abutment surfaces.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the retainer member (5) has a lower recess (10) closed towards the carrier member for co-operation with a part (7) included in the tool rack (6), and at least one upwardly open recess (9) for co-operation with a further part included in the tool rack.

5. A device according to claim 3, charaterised in that the retainer member (5) has a plurality of upwardly open recesses (9) disposed at different distances from the carrier (1) and disposed approximately along the arc of a circle with the lower recess (10) as the centre point thereof.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that four catches (4) are disposed on each anchorage portion (3), the cataches being disposed pairwise on the same vertical level.

7. A device for mounting a tool rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.