Press brake control interface arm

Abstract

An arm (12) for positioning a control system (14) of a machine tool (10) includes a first arm section (30) configured to pivot in a horizontal direction. The first arm section (30) includes a plurality of linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) having angles with respect to each other. The first arm section (30) has a first vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the proximal end (33) of the first arm section to the distal end (35). The first arm section also has a second vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the innermost (110) of the first arm section to the outermost (114) of the first arm section (30).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application relates to the "Press Brake Control Interface Arm" filed on September 11, 2023. Claims priority and interest in U.S. provisional patent application 63 / 581,888 titled “INTERFACE ARM”.

[0002] The present application relates to a control interface for a machine tool, and more specifically to an interface arm used in a support system for controlling such machine tool. Background Technology

[0003] Various machine tools, such as hydraulic press brakes, include control systems that allow the user to operate the press brake or other machine tools. A press brake is a machine used to bend sheet metal and metal plates, most commonly sheet metal. The press brake forms a predetermined bend in the metal plate by securing the workpiece between a matching upper tool and a lower die or bed. These tools can sometimes be large, and the user moves back and forth relative to the front of the machine while arranging parts or engaging with the machine in other ways during press brake operation.

[0004] Generally, since many moving elements and workpieces of a machine are located at the front of the machine, it is sometimes difficult to position the control system so that a user at the front can access it. The area around the front of the press brake bed must be clear. During certain stages of operation, parts must be manipulated from the front, and carts often need to be pulled from the front. Due to these factors, it is difficult to mount the control system securely at the front.

[0005] Therefore, a control system is required that allows users easy access from the front of the machine tool without interfering with the machine's operation or access. Additionally, a control system is needed that can be positioned in various locations as needed and, if desired, moved away from the front of the machine to allow for greater accessibility. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0006] The accompanying drawings included in and constituting part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and serve to explain various aspects of the present invention together with the detailed description given below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool using a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of a machine tool using a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of a machine tool using a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a forward view of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a rear view of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention partially exploded. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an end section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the knuckle portion of a control interface arm exploded according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a knuckle portion in a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the knuckle portion of a control interface arm exploded according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing an exploded section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12B is another perspective view showing a section of a control interface arm exploded according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ends of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged proximal end of a control interface along line 14A-14A of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged distal end of a control interface arm along line 14B-14B of FIG. 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an exploded section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an outer rib of a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an inner rib of a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a central rib of a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating an upper or lower plate of a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating a rib of a section of a control interface arm according to one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to actual size and that various features are depicted in a somewhat simplified manner to illustrate the basic principles of the invention. For example, specific design features for a series of operations as disclosed herein, including specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes of the various components illustrated, will be partially determined by the specific intended use and environment of use. Specific features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to other features to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, for clarity or illustration, thin outlines may be depicted as thick, for example. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0007] FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective views of a machine tool including a control interface arm of the present invention, and in the illustrated example, a perspective view of a press brake machine tool. The control interface arm may be used with other tools and machine tools, and the illustrated press brake is merely an example for illustrative purposes and does not limit the way the present invention is used or implemented.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tool (10), such as a press brake tool, having a control interface arm (12) that extends from the side of the tool and then bends and extends toward the front of the tool (10), thereby allowing a user (not shown) to access a machine control system (14) located near the front of the tool (10). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control interface arm (12) is mounted on the right side of the tool (10) when viewed from the front of the tool. Thus, as illustrated, an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be mounted on the right side. However, the control interface arm may be mounted on the opposite side of the tool, in which case appropriate mirroring and adjustment may be made to the various elements constituting the control interface arm as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0009] The control interface arm (12) of the present invention is coupled to the side of the machine and is uniquely configured to move and present the control system (14) and related elements at the front or front (15) of the press brake as shown in FIG. 2. The control interface arm (12) provides clearance around the side of the press brake tool (10) to prevent interference with one or more safety devices or safety systems (100) as shown in FIG. 3. At the same time, the control interface arm (12) may be configured and operable to present the control system (14) at the front of the machine, generally at the center of the machine, so that the user can access it during operation. The control interface arm (12) may also be configured and operable to be movable to provide controllability of the control system (14) to the user and the tool (10) as shown in FIG. 3.

[0010] Additionally, the control interface arm (12) allows the control system and part of the arm to be moved away from the front of the press brake (10), thereby providing greater access to the workspace, for example, to allow for procedures or maintenance, or to allow carts or other tools to be moved along the front of the press brake. The control interface arm (12) of the present invention is uniquely manufactured and configured to cantilever support the weight of the control system (14) and its components up to a considerable distance from the side of the press brake and up to the center of the press brake, as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates various positions of the control interface arm (12) and the control system (14) provided by the present invention during use.

[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control interface arm (12) is mounted on the side of the press brake tool and presents the control system at a different position on the front of the tool. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the control interface arm (12) includes various elements to provide the inventive features of the arm. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the control interface arm (12) uses a pivot bracket (20) attached to the side of the press brake tool (10) by being bolted, for example, to a side surface or other component located on the side of the tool. As described, facing the tool (10), the control interface arm (12) is mounted on the right side, such as the plate (11) of the tool frame.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 7, the bracket (20) includes a support tab (22) that fixes and supports a pin or other rotational axis element (24) to provide a vertical axis for the arm (12). The arm section (30) of the rigid angle has a proximal end (33) adjacent to the bracket (20), which accommodates the axis element (24) to allow the arm section (30) to pivot in an azimuth direction from the side of the press brake (10) as shown in various positions in FIG. 2. The arm section (30) also has a distal end (35). As shown in FIG. 7, the pivotable proximal end (33) of the arm section (30) includes a series of holes or openings (32) for fixing one or more limiting or stopping elements (34) to the arm section (33), thereby limiting the rotation of the arm section (30) relative to the bracket (20) and the axis element (24) as shown in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, similar openings (32) may be provided at the upper and lower portions of the proximal end (33) of the control arm (30), so that different stop elements (34) may be used for different rotational positions of the arm section (30). For example, a stop element located on the upper surface of the arm section (30) or on the upper plate (116) may limit the amount of movement of the pivot arm (12) when the pivot arm (12) is moved away from the front (15) of the press brake tool (10) and to a position that does not interfere with the working area of ​​the machine, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, another stop element (34) that restricts the movement of the pivot arm (12) when the pivot arm (12) moves to position the control system (14) in front of the press brake may be implemented in the lower part or lower plate (118) of the arm section (30), but prevents the interface control arm and the control system from coming into contact with the front of the tool (10).

[0013] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the stop element (34) is shown positioned at different locations along a peripheral arc at the end of the arm section (30) relative to the bracket (20), particularly at the upper and lower portions of the arm section (30), and in particular close to the end of the arm section (30). The arc is formed by the arrangement of the opening (32). In this way, the stop element (34) can be used to be coupled to one or more stop openings (32) and subsequently provide a desired range of movement for the arm section (30) which pivots by contacting one or more of the respective support tabs (22). In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, the control interface arm (12) can be moved to a number of different locations for use.

[0014] The control interface arm (12) has an additional adjustable section that allows the user to move the control system (14) to a desired position, so that the user can use and control the press brake at a number of different positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the control interface arm (12) can be oscillated within an arc (13), and as discussed herein, a portion of the control interface arm can also be moved to provide a wide range of positioning of the control system (14) relative to the press brake (10). As shown in FIG. 6, depending on the stationary position, the arm section (30) can move along an arc (31) of about 144°.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 6, the interface control arm (12) also includes a knuckle (40) that connects the arm section (30) to another arm section (42). The knuckle (40) provides a vertical pivot axis, allowing the arm section (42) to pivot along an arc (44) over a range of about 130° relative to the arm section (30) at the knuckle (40). That is, the arm section (42) pivots independently of the pivot of the arm section (30). The arm section (42) is then connected to a vertical leg section (46) at an elbow (48) on which a support frame (50) is mounted. The support frame (50) can rotate on the leg section (46) along an arc (47) of about 330° around the longitudinal axis of the leg section (46). The frame (50) includes a mounting structure for fixing one or more control screens (52), as well as a shelf portion (54) for fixing other controllers (56), keyboards (58), and / or mice (60). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the arm section (42), elbow (48), leg section (46), and frame (50) may be commercially available mounting hardware that can be configured to operate within the interface control arm (12) of the present invention. As can be understood, the present invention is not limited to the type of control system (14) or the various screens and human interface components implemented with the control interface arm (12).

[0016] Now, referring to FIG. 9, an exploded view of the knuckle (40) is shown. The knuckle (40) provides a vertically positioned hinge pin (90) and an axis, allowing the arm section (42) to pivot in an azimuth direction relative to the arm section (30). Specifically, the arm section (30) includes a tab (70) having its own opening (72) therein. Similarly, the arm section (42) also includes a tab (76) having an opening (80) therein. The tab (70) is mounted to the arm section (30) via one or more mounting plates (80, 82) and a suitable fastener, as shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, the tab (76) is mounted to the arm section (42) via one or more mounting plates (84, 86, 88) and a suitable fastener. As shown in FIG. 11, suitable bolts or other fasteners can be used to join the plates to each other and also to join the plates to their respective arm sections and respective tabs.

[0017] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, the respective tabs (70, 76) of each arm section are offset vertically so that the tabs can overlap, so that the openings (72, 80) are aligned to receive the pin (90). The hinge pin (90) then passes through the openings and through the respective tabs to define a vertical hinge axis (91) as illustrated in FIG. 10. This provides a horizontal pivot or azimuth hinge function between the arm sections (30, 42) to provide azimuth adjustment of one arm section relative to another arm section, as illustrated in FIG. 2, once the interface control arm vibrates to the usage position. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the azimuth movement arc (44) allows the control system (14) to be adjusted as desired via the interface control arm, and since the control system can be moved to various positions as illustrated in FIG. 2, it not only allows the user flexibility to control the press brake (10) at different positions, but also provides space in front of the press brake and accessibility to tools, for example, for work processes or maintenance. To protect the components of the knuckle (40) and to contain the components and the lubricant used, a flexible cover (92) can be implemented to cover different elements and sections of the knuckle, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0018] To support the substantial weight of a control system cantilevered from a tool on the arm (12) at a considerable distance, the arm section (30) is uniquely constructed and configured to provide rigid support while maintaining a lightweight design, thereby allowing it to be moved more easily and positioned as desired. To this end, FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13, 14 and FIGS. 14A, 14B illustrate exploded cross-sectional views of the section (30) of the control interface arm (12) of the present invention and the elements of the section. The arm section (30) is uniquely constructed and manufactured to provide movement of the arm around a long machine, e.g., a 10-foot-long press brake tool (10), as well as to allow the control system (14) to be positioned, while providing sufficient rigidity against twisting caused by the weight of the control system cantilevered from the arm (12), and at the same time reducing the weight of the arm itself so that it can be operated more easily by the user. The arm section (30) has a unique structure and configuration to prevent the control interface arm (12) from colliding with elements of the press brake, such as safety devices, while providing the movement shown in FIG. 2. For example, machine tools such as press brakes often generate very large forces between the tool, the die, and other moving sections of the machine tool. To prevent injury to the user, a safety system is used to prevent the operation of the tool when a person's body or hand is in front of the moving part of the tool. To this end, various safety mechanisms, such as the laser device shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, are appropriately positioned, for example, on the centerline of the operation (102) of the press brake to detect interference with the tool caused by something such as the user's arm or hand. The control interface arm (12) attached to the side of the press brake (10) is configured to prevent interference with any safety system (100) while providing various different positions of the control system (14) for the tool.

[0019] To this end, the interface control arm section (30) comprises a combination of components or sections positioned at an optional angle to present the knuckle and arm section (42) at different positions. The arm section (30) uses a combination of uniquely configured and vertically positioned ribs to provide the strength and stiffness necessary to support the control system without significant twisting, while still keeping the arm light and easy to operate. Additionally, the arm section (30) provides a unique taper structure to increase stiffness in a lightweight yet easy-to-operate design. Specifically, the arm section includes a number of unique tapers to achieve such purposes.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B and section (15), the arm section (30) is oriented vertically and uniquely manufactured to provide a rigid yet relatively lightweight arm section using a series of aligned ribs (110, 112, 114) that are given an angle. Referring to FIG. 12A, each rib is joined at a unique angle to form a control interface arm section (30) and has a series of straight or linear sections that provide tunability as shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the arm section (30) includes generally flat ribs (110, 112, 114) that are generally parallel to each other and generally extend vertically. The ribs are bent along curve lines (160, 162, 164) as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 20. Various curved portions of the ribs form a series or multiple linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136), and each corresponding linear section of each rib extends generally parallel to one another along the length of the arm section (30). The ribs are covered by an upper plate (116) forming an upper surface and a lower plate (118) forming a lower surface to complete the arm section (30). The upper and lower plates may be appropriately formed sheet metal configured to interface with the ribs. Inner and outer ribs form the sides of the arm section (30) as illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The ribs (110, 112, 114) include tabs (122) formed along the upper and lower edges (123, 125) of each rib (see FIG. 20). Each of the upper plate (116) and the lower plate (118) has a series of slots (120) that engage with each of the tabs (122) of the various ribs to provide alignment and positioning of the ribs of the arm section (30).Additionally, each of the upper plate and lower plate (116, 118) includes a linear section joined together at a unique angle, which is similar to the linear sections of the rib at various angles so that all sections are aligned along the arm section (30) as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B.

[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the ribs (110, 112, 114) and the upper plate (160, 118) are configured to come into contact with each other to capture and interface with the hinge pin (24). The proximal end of the rib interfaces with the sleeve (25) located at the proximal end (33) of the arm section (30). The ends of the ribs (110, 112, 114) and the upper plate (160, 118) may be appropriately secured to the sleeve (25), for example, by welding. The hinge pin (24) passes through the support tab (22) secured by the sleeve (25) and the bracket (20) to provide pivot rotation of the arm section (30). The plates (116, 118) have an opening (37) provided therein to align with the sleeve and allow a hinge pin (24) to pass through as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 20, the ribs and plates forming the arm sections are configured to form their respective linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) that extend sequentially from the hinge pin (24) and the mounting bracket (20) in a unique angular direction. In the illustrated embodiment, four linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) are formed. The linear sections may have different lengths as needed. Additionally, the different linear sections may be angled at different angles relative to each other. The closest linear section (132) interfaces with the linear section (130) at an interface angle (150) in the range of 116° to 126°, and in one embodiment, interfaces at an angle of about 121°. The linear section (134) interfaces with the linear section (132) at an interface angle (152) in the range of 140° to 150°, and in one embodiment, at an angle of about 145°. Finally, the linear section (136) interfaces with the linear section (134) at an interface angle (154) in the range of 120° to 130°, and in one embodiment, at an angle of about 125°. Together, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the arm section (30) forms an arc-shaped arm section according to the present invention. Each rib (110, 112, 114) of the arm section may be formed from a flat metal blank element as shown in FIG. 20, and their respective curves (160, 162, 164) are as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 20.

[0023] According to one feature of the present invention, each rib (110, 112, 114) has a tapered structure in which the cross-sectional height gradually decreases in the vertical direction as it extends from the proximal end (33) and the mounting bracket (20) to the distal end (35) for coupling with the knuckle (40). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 20, the linear section (130) has a tapered structure in which it is highest at the proximal end and gradually decreases toward the distal end and the linear section (136). The linear section (130) continues in a tapered structure with gradually decreasing height to the curve line (160), where the rib is bent to be distinct from the section (132). The linear sections (132, 134) each have a tapered structure in which the vertical height further gradually decreases from their respective curve lines (162, 164) downward to the linear section (136). In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end linear section (136) is not tapered along its length in the generally disclosed embodiment. Each of the various ribs (110, 112, 114) has a tapered structure in which the height gradually decreases in the vertical direction as it progresses from the proximal end (33) and bracket (20) to the distal end (35) and knuckle (40). In this way, the arm section (30) formed by the combination of the ribs (110, 112, 114), the upper plate (116), and the lower plate (118) has a tapered structure in which the height gradually decreases in the vertical direction as it progresses from the proximal end (33) and bracket (20) to the distal end (35) and knuckle (40), as illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

[0024] Generally, the ribs (110, 112, 114) are bent at similar interface angles (150, 152, 154) with respect to the arm section (30) as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 15. Due to their placement within the arm section (30) across the width of the arm and the flare of the width in the linear section (130) of the upper and lower plates (116, 118), the bending at the interface angles (150, 152, 154) may differ slightly from one another. For example, in the case of the innermost rib (110) as shown in FIG. 17, the interface angles match the interface angles of the entire arm to approximately 121°, 145°, and 125° as specified herein. However, for the central rib (112) as shown in FIG. 18, the interface angles (150, 152, 154) may be approximately 125°, 145°, and 125°. Finally, for the outermost rib (114) as shown in FIG. 16, the interface angles may be approximately 128°, 145°, and 125°. This allows the linear section (30) of the arm to flare near the connection with the bracket (20), as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 19.

[0025] Similarly, the varying lengths of the different linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) vary between the different ribs (110, 112, 114) due to the width of the arm section (30) to provide the desired interface angle of the arm section. As can be understood, the length of the ribs varies depending on the size and length of the tool. For example, the linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) of the innermost rib (110) in FIG. 17 may be approximately 15 inches, 10.7 inches, 8.3 inches, and 36 inches, respectively, for an arm used in a 10-foot press brake. As can be seen in FIG. 12A, the various linear sections are lengthened to maintain a rib linear section parallel to the interface angle along the arm from the innermost rib to the outermost room. For example, the central rib linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) are approximately 15.4 inches, 12.5 inches, 10 inches, and 37.3 inches, respectively. Similarly, the outermost rib may have linear sections (130, 132, 134, 136) of approximately 15.8 inches, 14 inches, 11.6 inches, and 38 inches. The upper and lower plates (116, 118) are appropriately configured to cover all ribs forming the arm section (30) as illustrated in FIG. 12A. The proximal end of the arm section (30) is configured to interface with the bracket (20), while the distal end is configured to interface with one or more of the plates (80, 82) that form part of the knuckle (40). As can be understood, the present invention is not limited to any particular.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the tapered structure of the arm in which the vertical height of the cross section gradually decreases along the longitudinal direction of the linear section and arm from the proximal end (33) to the distal end (35), the arm section (30) also has a tapered structure in which the vertical height of the cross section gradually decreases along the width of the arm section from the innermost rib to the outermost rib, as shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14B. That is, since the rib has a tapered structure in which the vertical height gradually decreases from the proximal end (33) to the distal end (35) of the arm section (10), the taper becomes steeper at the outer rib (114) than at the inner rib (110). That is, referring to FIG. 14B, the inner height H1 of the inner rib (110) is maintained higher than the height H2 of the outer rib (114) at the distal end (35). Accordingly, the taper of height also occurs along the cross-sectional width of the arm section (30) from the inner side, defined by the rib (110), to the outer side, provided by the rib (114), which proceeds along the length of the arm section from the proximal end (33) to the distal end (35). The outer rib (114) has a tapered structure starting at the highest rib at the proximal end (33) as shown in FIG. 14A, and tapering to the lowest height rib at the distal end (35) as shown in FIG. 14B. Similarly, the inner rib (110) has a structure of smaller taper starting at the lowest rib and tapering to the highest rib at the distal end as shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14B. The taper of the ribs gradually decreases until it reaches the final linear section (136), where the ribs maintain a nearly consistent cross-sectional shape and height throughout the rest of the length of the arm.

[0027] Accordingly, to present a control system on the front of the tool (10), the control interface arm uses a double taper design to support the control system in a cantilevered manner at the corresponding position. The control interface arm (12) has a tapered structure in which the vertical height gradually decreases along the longitudinal direction from the proximal end (33) to the distal end (35). Additionally, a taper is formed across the width W of the arm (12) that gradually decreases in the vertical direction from the innermost side or rib to the outermost side or rib, thereby creating an arm in which the innermost rib (110) has a greater thickness than the inner part of the arm in which the control system is supported.

[0028] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, a structure having a height-direction tapering from the inner to the outer side of the arm section (30) across the width at the distal end is maintained along the length of the linear section (136) of the arm section (30). For example, in an arm for a 10-foot press brake, the outermost rib (114) has a tapered structure that gradually decreases from a height of about 7.8 inches at the proximal end to a bend (164) and to a height of about 4 inches at the distal end, after which this height is maintained along the length of the linear section (136). The central rib (112) has a tapered structure that starts at a height of about 7.6 inches and gradually decreases to a height of about 4.2 inches at its respective bend (164) at the distal end. Finally, the innermost rib (110) has a tapered structure that gradually decreases from an initial height of 7.3 inches to about 4.4 inches at the distal end and the bend line (164). Thus, the interface control arm (12) of the present invention includes a dual-directional cross-sectional tapered structure along the length direction of a portion of the arm defined by a linear section as shown in FIG. 14, and then along the width direction of the arm from the outermost rib (114) to the innermost rib (110). FIG. 14 shows that the height (H1) of the innermost rib (110) is greater than the height (H2) of the outermost rib (114), as indicated by the cross-section (14B) for FIG. 6. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a tapering is illustrated in the width direction of the arm at the portion where the arm section (30) interfaces with the knuckle (40). This unique dual-directional tapered structure of the cross-sectional height provides enhanced rigidity to the control interface arm while maintaining a lightweight and small-dimensional arm that is easy for the user to operate.

[0029] Although the present invention has been illustrated through the description of various embodiments, and these embodiments have been described in some detail, the inventors do not intend to limit or restrict the scope of the appended claims to such details. Accordingly, additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Various features of the present invention may be used alone or in any combination according to the user's needs and preferences.

Claims

Claim 1 An arm for positioning a control system of a machine tool comprising: a plurality of linear sections having angles with respect to each other and comprising a first arm section configured to pivot in a horizontal direction; said first arm section having a first vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the proximal end to the distal end of the first arm section; and said first arm section having a second vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the innermost end to the outermost end of the first arm section. Claim 2 In claim 1, the first arm section further comprises a plurality of ribs extended along the length of the arm to form linear sections, and each rib is an arm having a first vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the proximal end to the distal end of the first arm section. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the first arm section further comprises a plurality of ribs extended along the length of the arm to form linear sections, wherein the plurality of ribs comprises at least an innermost rib and an outermost rib, and the ribs have a second vertical taper in which the height gradually decreases downward from the innermost rib of the first arm section to the outermost rib of the first arm section. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the first arm section further includes a central rib between the innermost rib and the outermost rib, and the central rib has a second vertical taper with a height that gradually decreases downward between the height of the innermost rib and the height of the outermost rib of the first arm section. Claim 5 In paragraph 2, the ribs have angles in the curved lines to form a plurality of linear sections having angles with respect to each other; at least one of the angles is generally similar between the ribs. Claim 6 In paragraph 2, the ribs have angles in the curved lines to form a plurality of linear sections having angles with respect to each other; at least one of the angles is generally similar between the ribs. Claim 7 An arm according to claim 1, further comprising a knuckle coupled to the distal end of the first arm section and having a vertical pivot axis inside. Claim 8 In claim 7, an arm further comprising a second arm section coupled to a knuckle to pivot horizontally relative to the first arm section. Claim 9 In paragraph 2, the arm further comprises an upper plate and a lower plate, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate interface with a plurality of ribs and extend along the length of the arm to form linear sections. Claim 10 In paragraph 1, at least two of the linear sections are arms having different lengths. Claim 11 In paragraph 1, the linear sections are arms having angles with respect to each other at different angles.

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