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:
Mar. 18, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2009
Motoki Uchikawa, Utsunomiya, JP;
Shoji Shibata, Utsunomiya, JP;
Takeshi Shibata, Utsunomiya, JP;
Shugo Arakawa, Utsunomiya, JP;
Masakazu Kubo, Utsunomiya, JP;
Tatsuhiko Tanaka, Utsunomiya, JP;
Kenichi Masuda, Utsunomiya, JP;
Motoki Uchikawa, Utsunomiya, JP;
Shoji Shibata, Utsunomiya, JP;
Takeshi Shibata, Utsunomiya, JP;
Shugo Arakawa, Utsunomiya, JP;
Masakazu Kubo, Utsunomiya, JP;
Tatsuhiko Tanaka, Utsunomiya, JP;
Kenichi Masuda, Utsunomiya, JP;
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A tool stocker includes main stockers for holding a plurality of tools detachably mounted on a main spindle for machining a workpiece, an auxiliary stocker for holding and transferring tools to and from the main stockers, and a tool transfer mechanism for transferring tools between the main stockers and the auxiliary stocker. The auxiliary stocker includes a plurality of tool pods for removably supporting the tools therein, a rail in sliding engagement with outer surfaces of the tool pods, a chain for moving the tool pods in sliding engagement with the rail, and a motor for actuating the chain. The rail has a recess defined therein in alignment with the tool transfer mechanism, such that the tools transferred by the tool transfer mechanism pass through the recess.