Donald Erkfritz

US Patent:

40788687, Mar 14, 1978

Filed:

Apr 6, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/784969

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

The Ingersoll Milling Machine Company - Rockford IL

International Classification:

B26D 112

US Classification:

407 48

Abstract:

A cutting insert is disposed in a pocket formed in a cutter body and having a side wall and an angularly related bottom wall. A first wedge engages one face of the insert and includes a pin which extends into a hole in the insert. A second wedge engages the first wedge and, when the second wedge is shifted inwardly, the first wedge clamps a face of the insert against the side wall of the pocket while the pin clamps the inner edge portion of the insert against the bottom wall of the pocket.

US Patent:

43290914, May 11, 1982

Filed:

May 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/147540

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Columbus OH

International Classification:

B26D 112

US Classification:

407 41

Abstract:

A floating wedge is described for facilitating the mounting of an indexable insert in a pocket of an indexable cutting tool. The floating wedge includes a main body member having opposed leading and trailing surfaces and a swivel plate member having opposed leading and trailing surfaces. The leading surface of the main body member and the trailing surface of the swivel plate member are disposed in abutting relationship and are provided with complementary configurations, thereby enabling the relative slidable movement between the members such that orientation of the leading surface of the swivel plate member relative to the trailing surface of the main body member may be adjusted. The adjustability between the members enables full and equal contact pressure to be established between the floating wedge, the indexable insert and the walls of the insert pocket, thereby eliminating localized stresses and preventing insert failure. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the trailing surface of the main body member and the associated wall of the pocket of the cutting tool are provided with complementary configurations. The latter arrangement allows for the relative movement between the leading surface of the swivel plate member and the walls of the insert pocket, thereby increasing the range of motion of the floating wedge.

US Patent:

45293384, Jul 16, 1985

Filed:

Mar 7, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/472705

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B26D 112

US Classification:

407 35

Abstract:

Metal working tools or tool holders having a body with flat-faced surface containing insert pockets with at least two indexable inserts in each pocket are described. A tapered wedge block is positioned between each pair of inserts to wedge the inserts against the walls of the insert pocket and to separate the pair of inserts from each other. The pair of inserts have parallel cutting edges facing the leading wall. In one preferred embodiment, a pair of indexable cutter inserts are positioned in each pocket of a plural pocket face mill body. The inserts are positioned in leading and trailing positions with an intermediate wedge block to provide parallel cutting surfaces in the same direction.

US Patent:

43114180, Jan 19, 1982

Filed:

Jun 24, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/162426

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI
Lawrence A. Alfonsi - Warren MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Columbus OH

International Classification:

B26D 112

US Classification:

407 39

Abstract:

A milling cutter which is adapted to be rotated about a central axis includes at least one insert pocket having opposed leading and trailing walls, as well as a rear wall. An indexable insert having front and rear planar surfaces is receivable in the insert pocket, along with at least one locking wedge, which is interposed between the insert and the pocket walls for securing the insert within the pocket. In accordance with the subject invention, an adjustable locating wedge is provided for regulating the axial location on the insert. The locating wedge, a portion of which is disposed in abutting relationship with the axially lowermost cutting edge of the insert, is received within a groove located in the rear wall of the insert pocket. The receiving groove is aligned with the insert and extends radially inwardly from the periphery of the cutter body. In addition, the receiving groove is disposed at an angle relative to the rear wall of the insert pocket such that as the position of the adjustable locking wedge is varied within the groove, its axial position relative to the cutter body is also varied.

US Patent:

43186475, Mar 9, 1982

Filed:

Apr 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/138197

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Columbus OH

International Classification:

B23B 5100
B26D 112

US Classification:

408153

Abstract:

A boring cutter which is adapted to be rotated about its central axis includes at least one insert pocket having opposed parallel leading and trailing walls, as well as a bottom wall. An insert seat of generally L-shaped configuration is provided, with the leading surface of the insert seat being in abutting relationship with the leading wall of the pocket. The opposed trailing surface of the insert seat includes both a leading and rear locating support surface adapted to receive an indexable cutting insert. A wedge is receivable between the rear surface of the cutting insert and the trailing wall of the pocket. The radial position of both the insert seat and the wedge, relative to the central axis of the boring cutter is adjustable. By this arrangement, the radial position of the cutting insert may be varied to thereby adjust the effective outer diameter of the boring cutter. In addition, the amount of overhang, or the difference in the radial position between the cutting insert and the wedge, remains constant thereby maintaining the structural support for the cutting edge of the insert.

US Patent:

45853754, Apr 29, 1986

Filed:

Feb 10, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/578919

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23B 2716
B23B 2722
B23C 520

US Classification:

407114

Abstract:

A cutter insert is provided which is adapted to be supported on a flat platform on a cutter body and abutting edgewise against walls upstanding from said platform. The insert comprises a flat block of cutting material in the geometric shape of a parallelogram having a hole extending therethrough between the upper surface and the mounting surface of the block to receive a screw for securing the block to the platform. The upper surface of the block terminates at opposite ends in radii. The cutter insert further includes a rake face and a clearance face on opposite sides of the hole with said upper surface and said faces constituting cutting edges defined by the intersections of said faces and said upper surface, and an angular facet at diagonally opposed ends of said radii so as to form a chip splitter at the juncture of the cutting edge of the rake face and the cutting edge of the angular facet.

US Patent:

43414931, Jul 27, 1982

Filed:

Apr 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/137995

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B26D 112

US Classification:

407 36

Abstract:

A milling cutter includes an array of pockets each having radially extending side walls and a base wall from which radially projects an elongated locating rail. A safety wedge has one surface in engagement with one wall of the pocket and its opposed surface in engagement with one surface of a cutting insert. The latter includes a central hole through which extends a projection extending from the safety wedge. One edge of the cutting insert engages the locating rail, while the opposite surface of the cutting insert is engaged by a wedge surface of a wedge assembly which is connected to the body of the cutting tool, and is selectively operable for shifting of the wedge assembly into wedging engagement with the cutting insert. By this arrangement, the cutting insert is clamped intermediate the safety wedge and the wedge assembly, and the edge of the cutting insert bears against the locating rail. As the milling cutter is rotated, the hard wedge assembly is behind the cutting insert and thus provides protection to the cutter body in the event of a wreck that would destroy the carbide cutting edge of the cutting insert.

US Patent:

43157068, Feb 16, 1982

Filed:

Apr 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/137998

Inventors:

Donald S. Erkfritz - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Columbus OH

International Classification:

B26D 112
B26D 100

US Classification:

407101

Abstract:

For use with an indexable metal cutting tool, an improved holder assembly is disclosed which functions to maintain the position of an indexable insert during operation of the tool. More particularly, a holder assembly is described which includes a support member, connected to the cutter body of the tool, which includes a platform and a threaded aperture disposed normal to the plane of the platform. The latter includes a plurality of keys extending from the plane of the platform. A planar indexable insert having an aperture disposed normal to the planar surfaces thereof is disposed in abutting relationship with the platform of the support member, such that the apertures therein are in register. In addition, the planar surface of the indexable insert which is in abutting relationship with the platform includes receiving grooves which are adapted to be interengaged with the keys of the support member. The indexable insert is maintained in abutting relationship with the platform by a screw which extends through the registered apertures and is threadably engaged in said support member.