GB2397039A

GB2397039A - Lathe machine with movable auxiliary bed

Info

Publication number: GB2397039A
Application number: GB0222869A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leroy Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-03
Filing date: 2002-10-03
Publication date: 2004-07-14
Also published as: GB0222869D0; GB2397039A8

Abstract

A lathe machine 201 comprises a head stock assembly 202 having means to turn a workpiece, a main lathe bed 208 attached to the head stock assembly, and an auxiliary lathe bed 209 for attachment to the main lathe bed. The lathe machine also comprises means to enable the auxiliary bed to be moved along the main lathe bed and positioned at any position along its length. Preferably the auxiliary bed includes a protruding member (509, fig 5) which engages in a groove (310, fig 3) of the main lathe bed. A locking mechanism may be provided, having a quick release lever. The main lathe bed may be pivotally mounted on the head stock assembly.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO LATHES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lathes and in particular, but not exclusively, to a main lathe bed/auxiliary lathe bed assembly for use as part of a short bed

Background to the Invention

It is known to use a lathe machine to turn a work piece so that the work o piece may be transformed into a required article. For example it is known to use a wood turning lathe to turn a block of wood at high speed such that an operator of the lathe can use one or more cutting tools to cut into the work piece whilst it is spinning. Known lathes such as wood turning lathes comprise a head stock assembly for rotating the work piece at a given speed and a main lathe bed attached to the head stock assembly. It is also known to attach a tail stock assembly to the other end of the lathe bed to the head stock assembly. The tail stock assembly may be used in a variety of ways as is known to those skilled in the art. The main lathe bed is configured to enable various types of equipment to be attached to it, such as for example a T-rest upon which an operator of the go lathe may rest his or her hand whilst transforming a given object being worked with a selected cutting tool. It is also known in the field of wood turning lathes for example to configure the main lathe bed so that it comprises a pivotal attachment to a point on the lathe body extending away from the head stock assembly - in this way the main lathe bed may be rotated in a horizontal plane about the head stock assembly. A pivotal main lathe bed provides greater versatility to the operator of the lathe in terms of positions that may be achieved to work upon a given work piece being turned by the lathe.

To improve versatility of the equipment even further it is also known to use an auxiliary lathe bed in conjunction with the main lathe bed. Typically the auxiliary lathe bed is configured to fit to the side of the main lathe bed as is known to those skilled in the art. Usage of an auxiliary lathe bed attached to the main lathe bed in this way again provides greater versatility, in terms of working positions that may be achieved, to the operator of the lathe machine. A known wood turning lathe is described in the magazine 'Woodturning' no: 114, pages 61 to 63. The known lathe machine, named 'the Stubby,' comprises a head stock assembly used in conjunction with a main lathe bed and an auxiliary lathe bed.

With known lathes of the type comprising a main lathe bed and an auxiliary lathe bed there is a problem in that fitting the auxiliary lathe bed is time consuming due to the fact that the auxiliary lathe bed is fixed to the main lathe bed using bolts o tightened with a spanner or wrench. The bolts are required to pass through holes drilled in the main lathe and auxiliary lathe beds and in addition to being relatively difficult to undo the nuts may also be difficult to access. Of course an operator of a lathe may require numerous positions to work a given work piece and thus usage of known auxiliary bed/main lathe bed assemblies involves the time consuming process of changing the position of the auxiliary bed along the main lathe bed. This results in an associated 'down time' when actual working of a work piece is not in fact taking place.

A known woodturning lathe 101 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. The go lathe comprises a head stock assembly 102 having power switch on/off means 103. The head stock assembly comprises a powerful electric motor configured to drive turning member 104. Upon member 104 may be placed a work piece to be worked whilst it is rotated at high speed. Extending away from head stock assembly 102 is the platform part of the lathe body 105. Upon platform 105 there :s is provided a main lathe bed 106. Bed 106 is configured to rotate about a pivot located on the upper surface of platform member 105 such that it rotates about a point located in front of turning member 104. Main lathe bed 106 is allowed to rotate to a new position desired, but vertically lower than, by an operator of the lathe via use of a locking/releasing mechanism (not shown) that is locked and so released by lever 107. The rotation of the main lathe bed in Fig. 1 is generally indicated by the arrows at 108 and 109 respectively.

Upon main lathe bed 106 there is located a central channel 110 for holding and locking into place various items of equipment such as tail stock assembly 1 11 and a steel work rest 1 12. Steel work rest 1 12 is used by the operator of the lathe to enable a given work piece to be work effectively and from the desired angle and height etc. Rest 112 may be moved along channel 1 10 by virtue of a simple lock/release mechanism (not shown) being effected by lever 113. As stated above it is also known to further increase the versitility of a lathe 101 by usage of an auxiliary lathe bed affixed to the main lathe bed 106 through use of holes located on the sides of the main lathe bed. Thus the holes generally To indicated at 114 are configured to enable an auxiliary lathe bed to be attached thereto and typically may comprise a series of 4 holes at a given location for fitment of the auxiliary bed. As shown in Fig. 1 holes 114 are, as is known to the person skilled in the art, typically configured along the sided of the main length of the lathe bed at a location towards the ends of the main lathe bed assembly. The known lathe bed assembly therefore suffers from the fact that the number of positions where an auxiliary bed can be used is severely restricted and thereby prevents work from being conducted from various desirable positions.

There is therefore a need to improve known lathe machines and known so lathe bed apparatus. Furthermore there is a need to improve the versatility of known lathe machines so that work pieces can be worked more efficiently and in a more flexible manner.

Summarv of the Invention An object of the present invention is increase the versitility of lathe machines so that a greater number of positions of working a given work piece can be achieved.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lathe 3 o machine comprising the components: a head stock assembly having means to turn a work piece to be worked; a main lathe bed attached to said head stock assembly, said main lathe bed being configurable for attaching thereto at least one item of equipment to aid a said work piece to be worked by an operator of said lathe; and an auxiliary lathe bed for attached to said main lathe bed to increase the versatility of said lathe to be used to work a said work piece; said lathe machine components being characterized in that: To said main lathe bed and said auxiliary lathe bed comprise enablement means configured to enable said auxiliary bed to be moved along said main lathe bed and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed.

s Preferably, said enablement means of said main lathe bed comprises a groove; and said enablement means of said auxiliary lathe bed comprises a protruding member to engage with said groove.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a main lathe bed for use as a component of a lathe machine, said main lathe bed being configured to enable an auxiliary lathe bed to be attached thereto, said main lathe bed being characterized in that it comprises enablement means to enable a said auxiliary lathe bed to be moved along and positioned at substantially any position along at least a predetermined part of a length of said main lathe bed.

so According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an auxiliary lathe bed configured for use as a component of a lathe machine, said auxiliary lathe bed being configured for attachment to a main lathe bed to increase the versatility of a said lathe machine to be used to work a work piece, said auxiliary lathe bed being characterised in that it comprises enablement means to enable said auxiliary bed to be moved along and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed when said auxiliary lathe bed is attached thereto.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for use as a component of a lathe machine, said assembly comprising; a main lathe bed configurable for attaching thereto at least one item of equipment to aid working of a work piece when said main lathe bed is in use; and an auxiliary lathe bed attached to said main lathe bed; said assembly being characterized in that; said main lathe bed and said auxiliary lathe bed compriseenablement means configured to enable said auxiliary lathe bed to be so moved along said main lathe bed and positioned substantially at any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may : be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a lathe machine as configured in accordance 3 0 with the present invention; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a main lathe bed as configured in accordance with the a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main lathe bed comprising enablement means to enable an auxiliary lathe bed attached thereto to be moved along relative to the main lathe bed; Fig. 4 further details the enablement means schematically illustrated in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an auxiliary lathe bed as configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 schematically illustrates known nuts that may be used in attaching a main lathe bed and an auxiliary lathe bed as configured in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these So specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a lathe machine as configured in accordance with the present invention. The substantive shape of lathe machine 201 is commonly referred to by the person skilled in the art as a short bed lathe. Such short bed lathes save considerable space as compared with the longer lathe bed machines of the type schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. Lathe machine 201 comprises a head stock assembly 202 having power switch on/off means 203.

The head stock assembly comprises a powerful electric motor configured to drive So work piece turning member 204. Upon turning member 204 may be placed a work piece to be worked whilst it is rotated at high speed. It is known to have a short main lathe bed affixed to the head stock assembly 202. However in accordance with the present invention there is provided a short lathe bed that is configured to pivot about the head stock assembly as illustrated. Thus in accordance with the present invention there is provided the following: Attached to the headstock a main lathe bed connection bracket 205 that is fixed to base plate 206, base plate 206 being bolted to head stock assembly 202.

Connection bracket 205 is configured to act as a pivot so that the position of the main lathe bed may be adjusted in a horizontal plane by usage of a quick release fastening means as is known to those skilled in the art and as is operated by use JO of lever 207. The main lathe bed 208 is attached to bracket 205 enabling the operator to use a series of work rests and/or a tail stock assembly. The main lathe bed is provided with an end comprising an orifice through which passes a bolt (the bolt forming the pivoting mechanism) the bolt also being configured to pass through the plates of bracket 205 and said bolt being associated with a releasable fastening means comprising lever 207. In accordance with the present invention there is also provided an auxiliary lathe bed 209 as shown at a position along the side of the main lathe bed 208. Th auxiliary lathe bed is configured to be fixed to the main lathe bed towards one of its ends as illustrated.

Fixing of the auxiliary lathe bed to the main lathe bed may be via use of bolts go placed in holes such as the holes indicated at 210 and 211. Typically the auxiliary bed may be used in a position located at the head stock end of the main lathe bed. As an alternative to using bolts to fix the auxiliary bed 209 to the main lathe bed 208 and in accordance with the present invention, a more versitile method of fixing the lathe bed/auxiliary lathe bed assembly may be achieved as described in relation to figs 3 to 6 below.

The main lathe bed/auxiliary lathe bed assembly as illustrated in Fig 2 greatly enhances the use of a lathe machine and in particular, but not exclusively, improves short bed lathe machines. In the preferred embodiment of the present o invention this is achieved, at least in part, by the main lathe bed being fixed to a pivot bracket 205 which in turn is fixed to a base plate 206 that is attached to the head stock assembly in a position located substantially directly below turning member 204. This is in contrast to the assembly shown on Fig. 1 wherein the pivoting mechanism is located at some distance in front of the turning member 104. Thus the main lathe bed 208 may be pivoted about the head stock assembly such that the main lathe bed (with or without the auxiliary bed attached) may be swung around the back of given work piece being worked. In accordance with the present invention the pivoting mechanism thus lies in substantially the same vertical plane as the turning member 204. In fact by configuring a lathe machine with a lathe bed/auxiliary lathe bed as illustrated in Fig 2 it has been found by the inventor that a given work piece to be worked can be worked more effectively than on known existing lathe machines. Additionally it has been found JO that by configuring a lathe in accordance with the present invention a greater number of positions of working a work piece from behind may be achieved than with known lathe machines.

The lathe machine schematically illustrated in Fig. 1 differs from that configured in accordance with the present invention as follows. When the main lathe bed 106 is aligned directly in front of turner member 104 it is substantially parallel to the length of the turning member 104 and this position of the bed 106 relative to the turning member may be termed the "basic" position. When the main lathe bed is rotated from this "basic" position the main lathe bed rotates away from the turning member 104 and this is in sharp contrast to the preferred configuration according to the present invention of Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 the main lathe bed, being pivoted from a position located substantially in the same vertical plane as turning member 204, upon rotation about the pivot, rotates towards the turning member 204.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the auxiliary lathe bed/main lathe bed assembly may be configured such that the auxiliary lathe bed is able to be fixed to the ends of the main lathe bed and in particular at the non-headstock end. In this way the auxiliary lathe bed may serve, in certain applications, to extend the length of the main lathe bed thereby increasing the number of uses of the machine. This is valuable since in many lathe machine environments physical space is in demand and therefore the smaller the amount of space that a given lathe machine takes up the better.

Thus it is, in accordance with the present invention, advantageously to have an auxiliary lathe bed that may be affixed to the end of the main lathe bed. In accordance with the present invention the auxiliary lathe bed assembly 209 may be fixed to an end of the main lathe bed via usage of holes and bolts as described above or by a groove type locking mechanism described in Figs 3 to 6 below.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a main lathe bed 301 for use in conjunction with a lathe JO machine of the type schematically illustrated in Fig. 2. Main lathe bed 301 is configured as a pivitol lathe bed and comprises a main body 302 made of steel or another suitable material. At one end of main body 302 there is provided a pivot bracket means 303 comprising the necessary arrangement to interlock with a connection bracket such as bracket 205 shown schematically in Fig. 2.

Connection bracket means 203 is configured to be inserted within a bracket such as bracket 205 and is held in place via a bolt passed through orifice 304. The bolt and bracket arrangement is configured to enable the main lathe bed to be moved in a horizontal plane as desired by a given operator of the lathe bed and the lathe machine to which the lathe bed is connected. Main body 302 comprises an upper go working surface comprising elongate edge portions 305 and 306 along its length and a central lower portion 307. The arrangement, 305 to 307 enables items of work equipment to be attached thereto, such as for example a 'T' rest. The side portions of the main lathe bed 301 comprise an upper portion 309 and a lower portion 308 these being separated by a groove 310. In accordance with the present invention the groove 310 may be configured in a variety of ways, such as for example in a 'T'-shape so that a T-nut may be inserted therein. Upper surface edge portions 305 and 306, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively hang over the upper side portions (e.g. portion 309 in the case of top side portion 306) on each side. Groove 310 may So alternatively be configured in a dovetail type shape or any suitable shape for interlocking with a given type of corresponding locking nut. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a hole 311 at the end of the main lathe bed that is distal from the head stock connection bracket so that an auxiliary main lathe bed configured in accordance with the present invention can be attached thereto and thereby be used to extend the length of the main lathe bed. Extension in this way is important since frequently the room available to operate a lathe may be restricted e.g. many lathes are operated in small garden shed or small workshop type environments.

The groove arrangement 310 of Fig. 3 is further detailed schematically in Fig. 4. The grooves, configured along the side of the main lathe bed, in accordance with the present invention, are suitably configured as 'T'shaped JO grooves comprising a central portion 401 and two end portions 402 and 403 respectively. In this way a 'T'-nut may be inserted in the groove and thereby locked in place through the head of the nut being trapped in end areas 402 and 403 respectively due to the narrower nature of the outer groove region 404.

The main lathe bed described and schematically illustrated in accordance with the present invention in Figs. 3 and 4 is configured to work in conjunction with an auxiliary lathe bed of a type configured in accordance with the present invention and as for example is schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. In accordance with the present invention auxiliary lathe bed 501 is configured to locate next to o main lathe bed 301 such that the main lathe bed and the auxiliary lathe bed both comprise enablement means configured to enable the auxiliary lathe bed to be moved along the main lathe bed and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of the main lathe bed. This is in contrast to the prior art main lathe bed/auxiliary lathe bed assemblies known to the inventor of the present invention. Auxiliary lathe bed 501 comprises an upper surface region generally indicated at 502 and a lower surface region 503, the lower surface inclined in a plane which is transverse to the plane of the upper surface. The upper and lower surfaces may be held together by end plates such as, for example plate 504 together with one or more stablising members (not So shown) located within the body of the auxiliary lathe bed. The upper surface of the auxiliary lathe bed comprises plates 505 and 506 that are configured to enable items of equipment to be attached safely thereto. Plates 505 and 506 are preferably separated by a lower region 507 as is known to those skilled in the art.

Auxiliary lathe bed 501 is configured to be moved alongside a given main lathe bed to which it is attached when in use in a simple manner and without the need for having to undo a series of bolts. In this way substantial amounts of time are saved to the operator of the lathe equipment. Thus the face generally indicated at 508 is configured to interlock with a side of the main lathe bed 301 illustrated in Fig. 3. Connecting face 508 comprises a protruding member 509 along its length, the protruding member 509 being configured to locate within groove 310 of the main lathe bed of Fig. 3. Protruding member 509 protrudes JO away from the remainder of the face such as from the lower and upper portions indicated at 510. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edges of the upper surface plates 505 and 506 are slightly set back from the main surface of the face indicated at 510. In this way the auxiliary lathe bed can be located right up against the elongate members of the main lathe bed 305 or 306 : respectively. Plates 505 and 506 are thus slightly set back from the main non- protruding regions 510 of the locating face as indicated at 511. Towards the center of locating protruding member 509 there is configured a hole to enable perpendicular passage therethrough of a locking bolt 512. Locking bolt 512 is, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, passed So through the length of the auxiliary lathe bed and connects with a locking handle mechanism 513 (located on the opposite side of the bed to face 510) which in turn is operated by an operator of the lathe equipment via use of a lever 514.

Locking bolt 512 is configured to screw into a 'T'-nut positioned within a : groove 310 of the type shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this way the locking arrangement 513, 514 can be used to then lock the auxiliary lathe bed in place alongside the main lathe bed. Alternatively the locking arrangement 513, 514 can be operated to release the tension in bolt 412 and therefore enable the auxiliary lathe bed to be pushed along the main lathe bed and re-positioned as desired at substantially any desired point along at least a portion of a length of the main lathe bed. The auxiliary lathe bed 501 is held substantially horizontal due to the connection to the T- nut in groove 310 and due to the locating member 409 keying into the outer portion of groove 310.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates two possible types of known nuts that may be used to fix auxiliary lathe bed 501 to main lathe bed 301. Nut 601 comprises a known type of T-nut and comprises a substantially square or rectangular shaped main body 602 with a protruding elongate portion passing across the center of one of its larger faces. The protruding member portion 603 comprises a hole 604 to receive a bolt such as threaded portion 512 of the locking member schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. By protruding it is meant in this description that the member is raised up above the face on which the member is located.

An alternative nut that may be used in conjunction with auxiliary lathe bed 501 is the known rectangular or square type of nut as is generally indicated at 605. This comprises a main body 606 with a hole drilled through the center as indicated at 607. This nut may be inserted in the inner groove portion of groove : 310 and the threaded portion 512 of the locking member of auxiliary lathe bed 501 may be screwed therein.

Referring back to Fig. 5, threaded portion 512 of the locking bolt may, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, be screwed o into hole 311 on the main lathe bed 301. In this way the auxiliary lathe bed may be used to extend the length of the main lathe bed and thereby provide a greater degree of uses for the main/auxiliary lathe bed assembly.

The ability to position the auxiliary lathe bed at a wide variety of positions :s alongside the main lathe bed also provides the operator of the lathe equipment with a greater number of ways in which to work a given work piece being worked.

Thus for example if the operator requires to work a given work piece being spun from behind or at the side then the auxiliary bed can be positioned at an optimum position to enable work from behind (or at the side) to be achieved as the main o lathe bed is pivoted around towards the head stock assembly. Additionally when a lathe machine operator is using an auxiliary lathe bed as configured in accordance with the present invention it is much more convenient and less time consuming to keep changing the position of the auxiliary lathe bed along the main lathe bed than is the case with the known prior art apparatus of the type illustrated schematically in Fig. 1.

Although the preferred embodiments described comprise an auxiliary lathe bed configured with a locking bolt arrangement operated by a lever, those skilled in the art will realise that the locking bolVlever arrangement could be configured to form part of the main lathe bed and the T-nut or other type of suitable nut located in a groove in the auxiliary lathe bed. In this case the main lathe bed would be configured with a protruding portion similar to that schematically To illustrated at 509 in Fig. 5. Those skilled in the art will therefore realise that there are a variety of different configurations of a main lathe bed and auxiliary lathe bed which are equally to be considered protected by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

Claims: 1. A lathe machine comprising the components: a head stock

assembly having means to turn a work piece to be worked; a main lathe bed attached to said head stock assembly, said main lathe bed being configurable for attaching thereto at least one item of equipment to aid a said work piece to be worked by an operator of said lathe; and To an auxiliary lathe bed for attached to said main lathe bed to increase the versatility of said lathe to be used to work a said work piece; said lathe machine components being characterized in that: s said main lathe bed and said auxiliary lathe bed comprise enablement means configured to enable said auxiliary bed to be moved along said main lathe bed and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed.

To
2. A lathe machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main lathe bed is substantially permanently fixed to said head stock assembly in a pre determined position.
3. A lathe machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main lathe bed is attached to said head stock assembly via a pivot.
4. A lathe machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: said enablement means of said main lathe bed comprises a groove; and said enablement means of said auxiliary lathe bed comprises a protruding member to engage with said groove.
5. A lathe machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said groove is configured to hold a nut for attachment to a locking mechanism bolt associated with said auxiliary lathe bed.
6. A lathe machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking mechanism bolt is operated by a quick release type lever.
7. A lathe machine as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said groove comprises a 'T' shape for holding a nut.
8. A main lathe bed for use as a component of a lathe machine, said main lathe bed being configured to enable an auxiliary lathe bed to be attached thereto, said main lathe bed being characterized in that it comprises enablement means to enable a said auxiliary lathe bed to be moved along and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed.

2 0
9. A main lathe bed claimed in claim 8, wherein said main lathe bed is configured with pivoting means to enable said main lathe bed to be attached to a pivot arrangement located on a lathe machine head stock assembly.
10. A main lathe bed as claimed in claimed 8 wherein, said enablement means comprises an elongate groove located along at least a portion of at least one side of said main lathe bed.
11. A main lathe bed as claimed in claim 10, wherein said groove comprises a 'T' shape for holding a nut.
12. A main lathe bed as claimed in claim 8, wherein said main lathe bed comprises an upper surface that forms an overhang with respect to a side of said main lathe bed, said overhang structure being configured to abut next to a recess located on an auxiliary lathe bed when said main lathe bed is used in conjunction with a said auxiliary lathe bed.
13. An auxiliary lathe bed configured for use as a component of a lathe machine, said auxiliary lathe bed being configured for attachment to a main lathe bed to increase the versatility of a said lathe machine to be used to work a work piece, said auxiliary lathe bed being characterized in that it comprises o enablement means to enable said auxiliary bed to be moved along and positioned at substantially any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed when said auxiliary lathe bed is attached thereto.
14. An auxiliary lathe bed as claimed in claim 13, wherein said s enablement means comprises an elongate protruding member located on a face of said auxiliary lathe bed, said protruding member being configured to protrude into a face of a said main lathe bed when said auxiliary lathe bed is used in conjunction with a said main lathe bed.

do
15. An auxiliary lathe bed as claimed in claim 14, wherein said auxiliary lathe bed auxiliary lathe bed face comprises an upper recess configured to locate with an overhang portion of a main lathe bed when used in conjunction with a said main lathe bed.
16. An auxiliary lathe bed as claimed in claim 13, wherein said enablement means comprises a locking bolt mechanism.
17. An auxiliary lathe bed as claimed in claim 16, wherein said locking bolt mechanism comprises a quick release type lever.
18. An assembly for use as a component of a lathe machine, said assembly comprising; a main lathe bed configurable for attaching thereto at least one item of equipment to aid working of a work piece when said main lathe bed is in use; and an auxiliary lathe bed attached to said main lathe bed; said assembly being characterized in that; said main lathe bed and said auxiliary lathe bed compriseenablement means configured to enable said auxiliary lathe bed to be To moved along said main lathe bed and positioned substantially at any position along at least a pre-determined part of a length of said main lathe bed.
19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said enablement means of said main lathe bed comprises a groove; and said enablement means of said auxiliary lathe bed comprises a protruding portion to engage with said groove of said main lathe bed.

2 o
20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein said groove is configured to hold a nut, said nut to engage with a locking bolt forming part of said auxiliary lathe bed.