The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 1982
Filed:
Jun. 22, 1981
Alfred D Briere, Worcester, MA (US);
Richard M Klein, Framingham, MA (US);
GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
A self-centering device supports a generally cylindrically shaped workpiece. A pair of parallel, substantially horizontal shares are mounted within a mounting frame and traverse an opening therewithin. A pair of rolling bearings are adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the two shafts, respectively, with a first connecting rod coupled to the two bearings, so that the resulting rod and bearings can be reciprocated in the direction parallel to the axes of the shafts. In similar fashion, two other rolling bearings are adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the shafts, respectively, with a second connecting rod coupled to the latter bearings so that the resulting rod and latter bearing combinations can be reciprocated in the direction parallel to the axes of the shafts. A first connecting rod bearing is adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the first connecting rod. A second connecting rod bearing is adapted for reciprocating movement axially along the second connecting rod. A mounting carriage, coupled to the two connecting rod bearings, house a spherical-seated, self-aligning bearing which can support the workpiece so the axis of the workpiece can be moved at an appreciable angle in any direction, thus supporting the workpiece against the resultant of a force of tension along a generally downward direction and of a force due to gravity. Means can be provided for providing movement to the frame so that the preform can be lowered into a furnace. The preform is self-centering with respect to the device without the necessity of operator intervention and without the necessity of monitoring and feedback of electrical signals to the device.