US2651975A - Internal carving machine - Google Patents

Description

P 15, 1953 M. SOLOFF INTERNAL CARVING MACHINE- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1949 INVENTOR. NiGfonSolotZ a wgz M. SOLOF' F INTERNAL CARVING MACHINE Sgpt. 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1949 HEEorrre I Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a machine and method for producing artistic and ornamental efiects by drilling within transparent plastic.

It has long been known that artistic representations of objects in three dimensions can be produced by drilling a cavity conforming to the shape of the object within a transparent plastic memher. The drilled portion, when viewed from the outside of the block, appears to be the object enclosed therein. Heretofore, this work has been done by hand in a time consuming and expensive manner.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine for automaticallycarving a transparent plastic block so as to produce an ornamental eifect therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for simultaneously carving a plurality of transparent blocks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for carving a plurality of plastic blocks which may be successfully operated by unskilled workers.

A feature of this invention is its novel vise cradle which enables the designs to be generated within the plastic.

Another feature of this invention is its multiple stage construction, which permits a plurality of identical designs to be formed simultaneously.

A further feature of this invention is its completely automatic operation which greatly speeds the cutting time required.

A feature of this invention is its novel cam operation which enables this machine to simulate hand carved objects.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, is illustrated one form of embodiment of this invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a view. in side elevation of a, complete embodiment of the internal carving machine, according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a. fragmentary view, somewhat enlarged, of a vertical section, taken through the cradle assembly.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, somewhat enlarged, of a drilled plastic'block, according to this invention.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the work holding mechanism.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic top plan View of a flower carved within a plastic block, according to this invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 and 2, l0 indicates a support member such as bench top upon which are mounted two spaced vertical columns H. A beam I2 is slidably mounted upon the columns II and normal thereto. The said beam I2 spans the distance between the columns H. Counterweights 13 secured to chains M are provided at each end of the beam 2. The chains Hi are looped over and engaged by a sprocket wheel l5 which in turn is carried by a shaft it freely turnable within pillow blocks ll upon the upper portion of each of the columns H.

A pin i8 is secured to the shaft I6 at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof. The pin i8 is engaged by a push rod H! which is disposed in parallel alignment with the columns II, and extends through an opening 20 in the table [0.

Immediately below the table i ii, there is located a motor 2! having a, suitable gear reduction mechanism 22 connected thereto. A cam 23 is secured to the output shaft 24 of the gear reducticn mechanism 22. The push rod I9 rides upon the periphery of the cam 23 so that the rotation of the cam 23 is translated into a rotation of the shaft is and a consequent raising and lowering of the beam if by the operation of the chains [4, sprockets l5 and counterweights [3.

A plurality of drilling stations 25 are provided upon the beam l2. All of these stations 25 may be powered by a single motor 26 and belts 44, as shown in Figure l, or by individual motors, if desired. Suitable chucking devices 21 are provided to hold cutters 28 for machining the work parts 29.

The work parts 29, which may comprise any suitable transparent plastic, such as Lucite, are each held in a vise 30, best shown in Figures 3, 4, 5. Each vise is rotatable through 360 by reason of being attached to a swiveled gear member 3i. All of the gears 3! are in mesh so that the rotation of one of them as by the motor 32 and reduction gear 33 will turn them all.

The entire vise assembly is carried upon a crank-shaped cradle member 34. Two spaced upright supports 35 are provided on the bench top ill for the purpose of receiving the ends 35 of the cradle 34. The right hand support 35 also carries a motor 31 and a reduction gear train 35. A large gear 39 is freely mounted upon the shaft 35 of the cradle 34 in front of the right hand upright 3'5. The gear 39 is provided with a plurality of openings (not shown) to receive the end of a pin 4|]. The pin 40 is carried. in a bore ll in the cradle 34 so that as the motor 3'! drives the gear train 38 which in turn rotates the large gear 39, the cradle 34 will be rotated through an arc of approximately The vises 30, best shown in Figure 6, are so 3 constructed that the work part 29 held therein will always be centered as the jaws are closed. It is also necessary to hold the work parts 29 so that their upper or drilling faces at are in line with the pivotal axis of the cradle 34.

It has been found desirable to decrease the speed of the cradle 34 as it approaches the upper portion of its swing. For this purpose a rheostat 43 or suitabl means for slowing down the motor 37 may be provided, coupled to the large gear 39, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

From the foregoing description of the carving mechanism, its operation may be traced as follows: 7

The work pieces 29 are grasped firmly within the vises 39 and the drill motor 25 started. The drills are allowed to cut into the work parts until the cam 23 raises them. The three motors 2|, 32 and 31 are started and the carving of the design proceeds simultaneously in each of the work parts 29. The path of the cutters 29 is substantially helical as a result of the circular and cradled action of the work holding mechanism. The depths of the cut at each stage of this helical travel is determined by the shape of the cam 23. A wide variety of designs may be carved in the above manner by changing the speeds of the motors and the shape of the cam 23. When the carriage 34 reaches the top of its travel, the cutters 28 are withdrawn from the work parts 29 and the motors 2!, 32 and 3'! stopped. The pin 49 is withdrawn from its contact with the gear 39 and the cradle 84 allowed to swing down to the bottom of its path. The fully carved pieces 29 then may be removed from the vises 39 and polished. The face of the work piece 29 opposite that drilled will permit the carved design 45 to be viewed, as shown in Figure 7.

It is within the purview of this invention to insert a vibrator 47 between the elements of the push rod 19, as shown in Figure 1. The vibrator 4? will impart a continuous motion to the pin it, which in turn will result in a slight vertical movement of the cutters 28. The resultant vertical movement of the cutters 28 will produce a, striated effect within the flowers, said effect giving them a more realistic appearance.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, a column mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axially with respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axially of the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool support having the Work support means rotatably secured thereto, means to swing said cradle through an arc, tool means on said tool sup port, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each other and the cradle swing.

2. A drilling machine comprising in combina tion a base support member, a column mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axially with respect to said column, means including a power source, a cam driven by said power source and a link between the cam and tool support for moving the tool support axially of the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool support having the work support means rotatably secured thereto, means to swing said cradle through an arc, tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each other and the cradle swing.

3. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, a column mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axially with respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axially of the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool support having the work support means rotatably secured thereto, means comprising a cradle power source and a rheostat connected thereto to control the swing of said cradle through an are, said rheostat being activated by the swing of the cradle member, tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each other and the cradle swing.

4. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, a column mounted upon said base, a toolsupport member slidable axially with respect to said column, means including a power source, a cam driven by said power source and a link between the cam and tool support for moving the tool support axially of the column, a Work support means mounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool support having the work support means rotatably secured thereto, means comprising a cradle power source and a rheostat connected thereto to control the swing of said cradle through an arc, said rheostat being activated by the swing of the cradle member, tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each other and the cradle swing.

5. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, a column mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axially with respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axially of the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member having a substantially U-shaped structure, said cradle being journaled at each end thereof below the tool support hav ing the work support means rotatably secured thereto, means to swing said cradle through an arc, tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each other and. the cradle swing.

MILTON SOLOF'F.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 128,596 Cottrell July 2, 1872 1,022,874 Riddell Apr. 9, 1912 1,046,394 Kolassa Dec. 3, 1912 1,191,595 Hewlett l- July 18, 1916 1,249,207 Ruff Dec. 4, 1917 2,283,469 Shepard May 19, 1942 2,307,407 Imelmann Jan. 5, 1943 2,408,491 Strickland Oct. 1, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 392,529 Germany Mar. 2, 1924 574,670 Great Britain Jan. 15, 1946

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