The housing is level or below a top surface of the table so that only an upper portion of the retaining pin is exposed above the top surface of the table. The retaining pin is provided with a flange that abuts the housing wall and is pressed against an inwardly angled rim of the housing by a compression spring disposed in the housing between the flange and a bottom portion of the housing.
The flange of the retaining pin is provided with a curved side surface with which it abuts the housing wall. This curved side surface of the flange permits a deflection of the retaining pin and a simultaneous tilting of the flange, without the flange losing its guidance on the housing wall. The retaining pin is deflectable in every direction out of its normal position and is counter to the spring force.
The spring force tends to press the retaining pin back into its normal upright position. Although the retaining pin may exhibit any desired shape, it has been found convenient if it is constructed as a cylindrical pin and provided with a rounded crest protruding out of the housing. Alternatively, the retaining pin may also be provided with a spherical or conical head if desired. Spring pin assemblies, as described in U.
However, they do have some problems associated with their use. Most notably is that the spring pin assemblies of this type are press fit into the recess of the table. In order to remove the spring pin assembly from the table, it must be pressed out of the table from the opposing back side of the table. This often requires removing the table to gain access to the back side thereof. Often, once the spring pin assembly is removed, the housing looses the original press fit which often renders the spring pin assembly unusable.
Another problem with the spring pin assemblies of this type is that the spring pin assemblies become contaminated with metal fines from the machining operation. When the locating pin pivots within the housing, an opening is created between the flange of the locating pin and the housing that allows the metal fines to enter. Over time, this accumulation of metal fines causes the spring actuated locating pin to fail.
Yet another problem with the spring pin assemblies of this type is that the spring pin assembly does not provide for variation in sizes of the work piece other than that allowed by the locating pin range of motion. The subject invention provides a work support apparatus for positioning a work piece against a stop. The work support apparatus includes a table having a top surface and a recess therein. A spring pin assembly is disposed in the recess and extends above the top surface of the table for biasing the work piece against the stop.
A holding mechanism removably retains the spring pin assembly in the recess without interfering with the movement of the work piece over the top surface of the table. The apparatus includes a tool receiving device disposed below the top surface of the table for engaging the holding mechanism with a tool below the top surface of the table for installing and removing the spring pin assembly from the recess in the table.
Accordingly, the subject invention provides a work support apparatus including a spring pin assembly that is repeatably removable and installable in the recess of the table from the top surface thereof.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:. Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a work support apparatus is generally shown at in FIG.
The work support apparatus 20 positions a work piece 22 against a stop The work support apparatus 20 includes a table 26 having a top surface 28 and a recess 30 therein. A spring pin assembly, generally shown at 32 , is disposed in the recess 30 and extends above the top surface The spring pin assembly 32 biases the work piece 22 against the stop A holding mechanism, generally shown at 34 , removably retains the spring pin assembly 32 in the recess 30 without interfering with movement of the work piece 22 over the top surface The table 26 supports the work piece 22 and may include a plurality of spring pin assemblies Each spring pin assembly 32 is disposed within a recess 30 in the table 26 as described above.
The apparatus is characterized by a tool receiving device 36 disposed below the top surface 28 of the table 26 for engaging the holding mechanism 34 with a tool below the top surface 28 of the table The tool receiving device 36 is defined as a tool void 68 for receiving the tool. The tool engages the tool void 68 for operating the holding mechanism In the preferred embodiment, the tool engages the tool void 68 for rotating the holding mechanism 34 for securing or releasing the spring pin assembly 32 from within the recess The tool may include a device such as a screwdriver, an allen wrench, or some other device for engaging the tool void The tool receiving device 36 is accessible through the plane of the top surface 28 of the table 26 such that the spring pin assembly 32 may be repeatably installed and removed from the top surface 28 of the table Referring to FIGS.
A retaining pin 40 is disposed within the circular housing A compression spring 42 is disposed within the housing and below the retaining pin 40 for urging the retaining pin 40 upward.
A spring cup 44 is disposed between the compression spring 42 and the retaining pin A locking device 46 secures the retaining pin 40 , the spring cup 44 , and the compression spring 42 within the housing. The circular housing 38 includes a side wall 48 and a top wall The top wall 50 includes a circular opening 52 therethrough and an inner domed surface The inner domed surface 54 extends from the side wall 48 upwardly to the circular opening The circular opening 52 in the top wall 50 may be concentric with the circular housing 38 so that the retaining pin 40 is positioned in the center of the housing.
Alternatively, the circular opening 52 may be eccentric with the circular housing 38 so that the retaining pin 40 is positioned in spaced relationship to the center of the circular housing This eccentric configuration of the circular opening 52 in the circular housing 38 allows the position of the spring pin assembly 32 to vary for accommodating different sized work pieces The retaining pin 40 is disposed within the circular housing 38 and includes a flat bottom surface 56 and a semi-spherical bottom portion The semi-spherical bottom portion 58 extends upwardly from the flat bottom surface 56 of the retaining pin 40 to the circular opening 52 of the top wall The semi-spherical bottom portion 58 has a radius equal to a radius of the domed inner surface 54 so that the semi-spherical bottom portion 58 does not pass through the circular opening The interaction between the domed inner surface 54 of the top wall 50 and the semi-spherical bottom portion 58 of the retaining pin 40 form a pivotable connection 60 therebetween.
The pivotable connection 60 creates a seal for preventing metal fines from contaminating the spring pin assembly 32 during machining operations, thereby prolonging the life of the spring pin assembly The retaining pin 40 further includes a cylindrical upper portion 62 extending upwardly above the top surface 28 of the table 26 from the semi-spherical bottom portion The cylindrical upper portion 62 engages the work piece 22 for biasing the work piece 22 against the stop The compression spring 42 is disposed within the housing and beneath the retaining pin 40 for urging the semi-spherical bottom portion 58 of the retaining pin 40 into engagement with the domed inner surface 54 of the top wall The spring cup 44 is disposed between the compression spring 42 and the retaining pin 40 for transmitting forces between a flat upper surface 88 of the compression spring 42 and the flat bottom surface 56 of the retaining pin As best shown in FIGS.
The further out of position the retaining pin 40 is moved, the more the compression spring 42 is compressed. The compression spring 42 supplies a reactionary force upward through the spring cup 44 to the outer periphery of the flat bottom surface 56 of the retaining pin In this manner, the upward reactionary force is concentrated at the outer periphery of the flat bottom surface 56 of the retaining pin 40 to act as a lever against the retaining pin The upward reactionary force at the outer periphery of the flat upper surface urges the retaining pin 40 back to its original upright position where the flat bottom surface 56 of the retaining pin 40 rests upon the flat upper surface 88 of the spring cup Referring to FIG.
A set screw 66 is in threaded engagement with the cylindrical upper portion 62 of the retaining pin The set screw 66 secures the retaining head 64 to the retaining pin Alternatively, the cylindrical upper portion 62 of the retaining pin 40 may be formed in the shape of a club.
Referring back to FIG. The tool void 68 receives the tool through the plane of the top surface The tool engages the holding mechanism, generally shown at 34 , for operating the holding mechanism 34 and installing or removing the spring pin assembly 32 from the recess The spring pin assembly 32 is therefore repeatably installable and removable from the top surface 28 of the table In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
The threaded bore 72 is disposed within the table 26 and adjacent the recess The fastener 70 includes the tool void 68 therein such that the tool void 68 receives the tool for advancing or retracting the fastener 70 within the threaded bore The fastener 70 includes a tapered head 74 for engaging a chamfered edge 76 on the circular housing 38 of the spring pin assembly When in a secured position, the tapered head 74 of the fastener 70 is below the top surface 28 of the table The tapered head 74 of the threaded fastener 70 is tightened against the chamfered edge 76 of the spring pin assembly 32 such that when secured, the threaded fastener 70 secures the spring pin assembly 32 tightly within the recess Preferably, the circular opening 52 is eccentric with the housing.
Zip Code: Update Delivery Dates. Made in USA. Notify Me when available. Add product to Wish List. The double end design accepts either a Remington firing pin assembly or a Ruger M77 firing pin assembly. This tool compresses the firing pin spring to allow the cocking piece cross pin to be driven out and then the spring tension can be safely released. Was the information on this page helpful? Yes No. Do you accept our terms and conditions?
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