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:
Jul. 21, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1996
Alvin L Cleek, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
MG Systems & Welding, Inc., Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Abstract
A breakaway mechanism for supporting a non-contact tool to protect the tool in the event of an inadvertent collision includes a non-redundant locating system to establish precise tool repositioning and a magnetic holding device to retain the tool in its operative attached position. The non-redundant locating system assures initial mounting and relocating after breakaway which is immune from inaccuracies resulting from manufacturing tolerances and the magnetic mounting device permits breakaway separation free from any mechanical restraint. The invention is particularly suitable for use on an automatic metal cutting torch, but may be applied to many non-contact tools which are positioned and operated by computer or robotic control.